Opportunities to Serve at St. James
Have you ever asked yourself, "How could I become involved in the ministry of St. James"? There are
many people in our congregation, each with their own individual gifts, and it takes each of us – using our
gifts – to do the work of God in our church and in our community.
Where do your spiritual gifts and interest lie? What causes your heart to burn for God’s people? How do
you desire to serve God in our church and in our community?
We often wonder why something is not being offered at our church. Maybe we are just waiting for someone to take the lead on a good idea – maybe that someone is YOU!
We have listed some of the different opportunities we have to serve God with our gifts here at St James
and a partial / brief explanation of the responsibilities involved. Pastor Tonia is always available to give
instruction for each opportunity.
Please prayerfully consider these ministries when you pray about your Christian Action. Many hands
make the task light! Please let Pastor Tonia or a council member know if you can serve for St. James. You
may also sign up on the clipboard that is passed around during worship.
many people in our congregation, each with their own individual gifts, and it takes each of us – using our
gifts – to do the work of God in our church and in our community.
Where do your spiritual gifts and interest lie? What causes your heart to burn for God’s people? How do
you desire to serve God in our church and in our community?
We often wonder why something is not being offered at our church. Maybe we are just waiting for someone to take the lead on a good idea – maybe that someone is YOU!
We have listed some of the different opportunities we have to serve God with our gifts here at St James
and a partial / brief explanation of the responsibilities involved. Pastor Tonia is always available to give
instruction for each opportunity.
Please prayerfully consider these ministries when you pray about your Christian Action. Many hands
make the task light! Please let Pastor Tonia or a council member know if you can serve for St. James. You
may also sign up on the clipboard that is passed around during worship.
During Worship.....
Worship time during our Sunday Services is a special time ………….
Ushers: Turn on & off the lights and speaker system; assure candles are lit; post bulletin info / #’s on the front marker
boards; specially greet all members & visitors and hand out bulletins; bring offerings forward to altar for prayer and usher communion takers.
Readers: Pastor Tonia sends the readings for your Sunday to you ahead of time and will help with any pronunciation
difficulty that you may have; you will read the two lessons and psalm.
Eucharistic Ministers: Two members are needed to help during communion to the people – one will deliver the
Blood of Christ and one will accept the empty glasses. You will then be given the sacraments from the Pastor and
one of you will give the sacraments to the Pastor.
Altar Guild continues to accept more members…… The schedule has been arranged to be more flexible to meet your needs. A specific task list and personal instruction will be given to anyone who would like to be involved in this
ministry. For more information, please contact Kim Behrent, Chairperson (406) 321-2535 or Pastor Tonia.
Ushers: Turn on & off the lights and speaker system; assure candles are lit; post bulletin info / #’s on the front marker
boards; specially greet all members & visitors and hand out bulletins; bring offerings forward to altar for prayer and usher communion takers.
Readers: Pastor Tonia sends the readings for your Sunday to you ahead of time and will help with any pronunciation
difficulty that you may have; you will read the two lessons and psalm.
Eucharistic Ministers: Two members are needed to help during communion to the people – one will deliver the
Blood of Christ and one will accept the empty glasses. You will then be given the sacraments from the Pastor and
one of you will give the sacraments to the Pastor.
Altar Guild continues to accept more members…… The schedule has been arranged to be more flexible to meet your needs. A specific task list and personal instruction will be given to anyone who would like to be involved in this
ministry. For more information, please contact Kim Behrent, Chairperson (406) 321-2535 or Pastor Tonia.
Other opportunities .....
Fellowship Hour after our service………. We would LOVE to have a coffee hour after **EACH worship service to
promote fellowship with our members, to welcome visitors and to celebrate life events. This year, 2023, we have dedicated the1st Sunday of each month as "STAY & INVITE" Sunday. We encourage you to INVITE your family members and/or your "pew friend" to STAY and join us for treats & fellowship.
**The other Sunday's host, if anyone would like do this, would start the coffee before worship service, take out cookies from our freezer or provide a light/small dessert or appetizer, set up serving table with plates, silverware, napkins & cups etc and clean up after.
Cleaning the Church takes all of us………THANK YOU to all of you who have committed to this very important
task. We could use 2 or 3 more families to help and if you are not signed up already and are interested, please
contact Pastor Tonia and she will inform the chairman to contact you. You would be partnered with other members,
so, the duties would be split among you for the month. A list of duties and list of “Where it’s located” is available
when you sign up or you can find a copy in the “Information Notebook” found at the entrance of our church.
Serve on a Ministry Team……..
Building & Grounds Team; By-Laws Team; Business Policy Team; Christian Education Team; Endowment Team; Fellowship Team; Memorial Team; Outreach Team; Public Relations / Publicity-Media Team; Worship Team.
**If anyone already knows that they would be interested in joining one of these teams, please let the council team
representative know (See "About Us" tab and click on Ministry Teams" )
***Please prayerfully consider helping these important teams when the council team representative calls upon you.
Partial list of “Other” opportunities……..
Contact a Council Member or Pastor Tonia if you are interested in any of these opportunities or need more detailed information. Thank You!
promote fellowship with our members, to welcome visitors and to celebrate life events. This year, 2023, we have dedicated the1st Sunday of each month as "STAY & INVITE" Sunday. We encourage you to INVITE your family members and/or your "pew friend" to STAY and join us for treats & fellowship.
**The other Sunday's host, if anyone would like do this, would start the coffee before worship service, take out cookies from our freezer or provide a light/small dessert or appetizer, set up serving table with plates, silverware, napkins & cups etc and clean up after.
Cleaning the Church takes all of us………THANK YOU to all of you who have committed to this very important
task. We could use 2 or 3 more families to help and if you are not signed up already and are interested, please
contact Pastor Tonia and she will inform the chairman to contact you. You would be partnered with other members,
so, the duties would be split among you for the month. A list of duties and list of “Where it’s located” is available
when you sign up or you can find a copy in the “Information Notebook” found at the entrance of our church.
Serve on a Ministry Team……..
Building & Grounds Team; By-Laws Team; Business Policy Team; Christian Education Team; Endowment Team; Fellowship Team; Memorial Team; Outreach Team; Public Relations / Publicity-Media Team; Worship Team.
**If anyone already knows that they would be interested in joining one of these teams, please let the council team
representative know (See "About Us" tab and click on Ministry Teams" )
***Please prayerfully consider helping these important teams when the council team representative calls upon you.
Partial list of “Other” opportunities……..
- Offer special music, vocal or instrumental, &/or work with worship team to design a special worship service.
- Join our combined choir with the Congregational Church members.
- Visit our members at Meadowlark & Shipp's and participate in our monthly worship services every other month.
- Bake communion bread. Make Lefse to sell as a fundraiser.
- Offer Children’s Sermons on Sunday
- Start a Sunday School Class for our youth & Help with Kings Kids (Note: This ministry has been stopped BUT if you spirit moves you to start it up again, we have experienced members to help with that. Thanks to all who were involved in this ministry weekly and to those who had provided snacks each week)
- Lead the Bible Study (Every Tues.@ 2pm) or a Smaller Bible Group or the Adult Forum
- Arrange a Community Conversation (bringing in a special speaker in an open forum)
- Mow the lawn. Shovel the snow. Paint the outside/inside of church. Keep the kitchen, sanctuary, all cupboards, office organized.
- Help plan JOY GROUP events.
- Plan or help with an outreach event.
- Plan a God’s Work Our Hands’ project.
- Arrange a social event, such as a game night, a movie night, or a BBQ; be a host for our annual Progressive Christmas Dinner. Organize a small group gathering or outing for women/men/youth - ALL.
- Lead a service opportunity for ELCA World Hunger or World Relief or locally for Project Hope, Tumbleweed, or another non-prophet.
Contact a Council Member or Pastor Tonia if you are interested in any of these opportunities or need more detailed information. Thank You!