St James Lutheran Church-ELCA

04/16/2025

Pastor Julie is hard at work on sermons for the next 4 days and came across this challenging video from the Reverend Dr. Anna Carter Florence, a homiletics professor (that means a professor of preaching) and wanted to share it with us all to ponder as we consider the next few days of Holy Week.

Peter Marshall Professor of Homiletics
Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, GA

Anna Carter Florence talks about the incredible, almost unbelievable, nature of the gospel we preach.

09/03/2022

Seven months ago, St James Lutheran closed it's ministry in Hanford. This left many families seeking a place to live out their Lutheran Theology and more importantly, a place to love and be loved in church.
As we return from summer, some folks may be checking to see what is up and just now finding out we are closed. If you are still following this page and have not found a church home, Pastor Julie is available to help you find the new place for church family. The closest ELCA congregations are in Visalia and Fresno.
If you are looking for similar theology, the Episcopal Church stands in the same justice streams as the ELCA; that of full inclusion, women in leadership, and welcome for all. If you are looking for similar biblical understanding (that the Bible DOES include errors in translation and we rely on the Holy Spirit every time we open it to help us understand the text)The Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ are here to welcome you. (they also believe in women in leadership and as with the ELCA, some congregations may be LGBTQ+ welcoming but you need to ask about that).
If you are looking for similar worship experience, the Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian church will offer similar liturgy and they use the RCL, Revised Common Lectionary. Music style differs in each one.

If you just miss a really smashing bible study and a pastor to help you in the interim, Episcopal Church of the Saviour welcomes you, as does Pastor Julie. If you need a place to worship occasionally but not call "home" permanently, visit there. If you need pastoral care (funerals, illnesses, etc) Pastor Julie remains on call for you. Just let her know to add you to the roster of folks in her care.

For more information on any of these denominations or congregations, please reach Pastor Julie at [email protected].

Gentle Blessings on this search. We remain in prayer and thanksgiving for the life and ministry of St James.

03/01/2022

We made the news one more time.

St. James Lutheran Church shut its doors for good on Sunday. Church leaders call the decision an emotional but necessary one.

02/26/2022

Wonderful coverage from the Hanford Sentinel on our Closing. Read here: https://hanfordsentinel.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/st-james-lutheran-church-closes-its-doors-after-65-years/article_782f8a40-2710-57f4-9c8e-fa34e34f6b93.html?fbclid=IwAR2dms5LMkE5Mbo49tI8-mf1Up4LynksY_JlQ_FgcnQfOjvYHnFMV4WWd7M

The final worship service will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. The church is located at 1780 Emma Lee Lane, Hanford. Services will be broadcast via Zoom and YouTube.

02/16/2022

Do you know any girl-scout troops that are looking for locations to set up cookie booths?? Hanford Grocery Outlet is looking to have a booth in front of our store!! Please come in and speak to a manager or email us at [email protected]!!

02/11/2022

SURVEY RESULTS!

Good afternoon! My apologies for getting this out late, but a stomach flu downed me all week. (It's not COVID, four test came up negative.) Now, however, we are back on track!

By a total of four votes, The Reverend Julie Kelly has been selected to offer the final homily at St James Lutheran Church!

These results do not mean that we don't absolutely love our Bishop Megan Rohrer, and I wager there will be some powerful words offered by the bishop, but the St James Lutheran Church family has made its voice known and desires to hear their beloved pastor one final time.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey!

AS AN ASIDE: If you have not expressed to pastor what church you are considering for transfer, please email your favorite Officer Manager at [email protected] with the church, or churches, you might be considering. We would love to invite them to our final service for an opportunity for them to get to know their potential future members!

Love and Prayers with you all!

02/02/2022

The Bishop Megan Rohrer and The Rev. Julie Kelly are neck in neck! Click the link and answer the survey to decide who you would like to preach the final sermon at St James Lutheran Church!

This survey is about you and your needs during this time. It is about how we can meet your needs. We want nothing more than to honor all of you. Please follow the link below to find the survey. Simply check your preferred selection and click done. Your answer is anonymous. I will simply receive the results and pass them along as appropriate.

Survey located here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HB8MBJR

01/25/2022

01/23/2022

The Congregation Meeting is minutes away! Join us via the Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/96376436388