Welcome to St James United Methodist Church
CLICK HERE – Video 1 – Palm Sunday Scripture Reading
CLICK HERE – Video 2 – Palm Sunday Message
CLICK HERE – Video 3 – Palm Sunday Closing & Benediction
Click Here for Announcements
Children’s Message – Click HERE!
Past Worship Messages and Announcements
A place to Worship, Grow & Serve
We are a United Methodist congregation open to everyone who wants to come and worship. Located at 401 Carlwood Dr., Miamisburg Ohio, 45342, we are among the oldest churches in Miamisburg, Ohio, with our congregation’s founding dating back to 1838. We are also a come-as-you-are church where everyone is welcome to our casual blended worship led by Pastor Stu Rammes.
We also have a nursery where children, from infants up to 2 years of age, may stay. Quality childcare is provided as well as changing areas in both the nursery and main restroom. We even have TV’s in both the Gathering Place as well as the Nursery so you can keep posted on your child’s activities while also worshiping. We also have a child care center and a Christian based preschool.
Join us to listen to
Pastor Stu’s Sunday message
If you would like to explore becoming a member
or schedule a baptism please contact
Rev. Dr. Stuart Rammes
April 1, 2020
Greetings in the name of our Triumphant Savior, Jesus the Christ!
How are my sheep enduring through this most unfortunate, perplexing and trying time? Please know that Laurie and I pray earnestly each and every day for St. James and “the flock.”
I hope our virtual worship installments on both Facebook and our church website stjamesmiamisburg.com have proven to bring hope and promise from despair and panic.
On Holy Thursday, April 9th at 7:30 PM, let’s celebrate the Lord’s Last Supper together. Laurie will read the designated scriptures for this day, and I will bless the elements for us all. Please gather a small piece of bread or cracker and some juice or wine to serve as your communion elements. We will partake as the body of Christ known as St. James together at this time. If you are unable to participate at this designated time, please do so when you are able.
These are extremely challenging times, but God knows, is with us, and He will bring us through these trials.
As scripture promises “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Jesus endured all manner of hardship and ridicule, and is well acquainted with pain and trials. He walks with us every step of the way.
As always, please keep all first responders, medical and nursing personnel, those in the military, and essential service workers and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Remember also those who battle chronic conditions, those who are ill, dying, lonely, and those wracked with fear.
Someone asked me the other day if I am having trouble praying and feeling uncertain about what to say to God. My recommendation is to pray… “Father, You know ALL, Your will be done.” This is modeled after Jesus’ own prayer and is ALWAYS correct and appropriate.
Please see below the scripture readings for Sunday, April 5, and for the upcoming Holy Week. These readings will bring comfort, inspiration, challenge and strength. Read them aloud involving the other members of your family if possible… in your home or over the phone.
Friends this WILL end. Trust God for today and give Him tomorrow. Be blessed and know that there is nothing you and Almighty God cannot handle together!
Laurie and I love and miss you terribly. Keep us in your prayers as we earnestly pray for each of you!
Sunday, April 5: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Matthew 21:1-11
Thursday, April 9: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; John 13:1-17, 31b-35; I Corinthians 11:23-26
Friday, April 10: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; John 18:1-18:42; Hebrews 10:16-25
To all those who have continued to send in your offerings, we sincerely thank you!
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Stu Rammes
Please feel free to contact Pastor Stu if you are in need of pastoral care:
Mobile Phone:513.382.9264
Email: mailto:rev.rammes@yahoo.com
The letter from Bishop Palmer
March 12, 2020
Dear Partners in Ministry,
As you know and should expect, I have been receiving numerous communications and updates regarding the spread the COVID-19 virus. The sources of my information include the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and local healthcare systems.
All agree it is extremely important that we slow the rate of infection in order to allow our health care services to respond appropriately. If the infection rate increases too quickly, we may not have the health care support required for everyone needing treatment.
Times like these require unprecedented measures. I am strongly urging West Ohio Conference churches to cancel public worship for the next two weeks. This is not a decision I have taken lightly. These precautions are not only important for your own safety but for the health and welfare of the entire community. Please use your discretion regarding smaller group gatherings such as bible studies, etc. I am not asking you to cease operations completely but to avoid large group gatherings.
As we take precautions, let us must remember the poor and marginalized still depend on our churches. The need may increase due to company shutdowns and closures for any period of time. In the days to come, the conference website and social media channels will have additional resources for you and your local church.
In the service of Christ,
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer
UMC General Conference Proposal
During the coming months, we will keep the congregation updated with the latest information and news releases from the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, concerning the possible restructuring proposal.
Below are links available for your review:
Traditionalists, Centrists, Progressives, & Bishops Sign Agreement Aimed At Separation
PROTOCOL OF RECONCILIATION & GRACE THROUGH SEPARATION
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020
Theme: The Spirit of the living God is active in our lives and through our lives, to make us salt and light. The Spirit animates the church which is the body of Christ to pursue the mission Jesus entrusted to His disciples: to let their light shine before others, the earth, the world – those within and without the family of faith.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020
Ash Wednesday
Scripture Passage: Psalm 51:1-17
Message Title: When We No Longer Recognize Ourselves
Theme: This is our desire: To look into God’s mirror and to see ourselves as God intended us to be. To see God’s image in the background, to know that we are loved, that we have not been orphaned. It is never too late by God’s grace to have God’s image restored within us.
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2020
1st Sunday in Lent/Holy Communion
Scripture Passage: Matthew 4:1-11
Message Title: “Not Responsible For…”
Theme: Spiritual maturity, the kind that allows us to see ourselves and all around us as God sees, does not just happen. We have entered the season of Lent, that period of the church year that calls us to a rigid self-examination. One of the problems with our “no-guilt trip” society is the loss of incentive for repentance, restitution, or improvement.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2020
2nd Sunday in Lent
Scripture Passage: John 3:1-21
Message Title: Genuine Faith
Theme: (Nicodemus) There comes a time when we must claim Jesus as our Lord, we can no longer put Him off, for faith is not something we can borrow. Our greatest need is to surrender to the cross of Christ.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020
3rd Sunday in Lent
Scripture Passage: John 4:5-26, 39-42
Message Title: Words, Words, Words
Theme: (Jesus and the Woman at the well) In Jesus Christ we get our words back, the words we speak can become filled once again with grace and truth, can be renewed as instruments of redemption.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020
4th Sunday in Lent
Scripture Passage: John 9:1-11, 24-41
Message Title: I Once Was Blind
Theme: When moments of spiritual blindness come in our lives, remember the words of the man born blind: “All I know is, I was blind, and then I met Jesus. And now I can see.”
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020
5th Sunday in Lent
Scripture Passage: John 11:1-3, 17-29, 39-45
Message Title: It’s Time to Get Up
Theme: {The raising of Lazarus.} Jesus wept with those He loved and He still does. Jesus raised people up and He still does. Jesus included others in the healing process, and He still does.
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020
Palm Sunday/Holy Communion
Scripture Passage: Matthew 21:1-11
Message Title: Waving At The Parade
Theme: Each time one of us is willing to publicly claim Jesus as Lord and Savior, His circle of influence grows. Each new disciple becomes a bridge to others. One by one, Jesus’ kingship spreads. Each time one of us claims Him as Lord, Jesus the unidentified king is crowned the King of kings.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
Holy Thursday
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Message Title: Signed, Sealed And Delivered
Theme: On this night, more than on any other night, we consider the meaning of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Tonight, we gather in the presence of the Lord, and we consider the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples in this life.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Good Friday
Scripture Passage: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
Message Title: What Christ’s Death Means
Theme: Jesus died on the cross. We have heard that so often we may lose the reality of it. It is important that we have this fact firmly in mind: Jesus died. He was really human, and like all of us, He died. But in His death, our death is destroyed.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020
Easter Sunday
Scripture Passage: John 20:1-18
Message Title: Because He Lives
Theme: No matter what the circumstances of your life, do not lose hope. Remain open to the possibility of resurrection; the possibility of new life. You can be lifted from troubles to possibilities, from despair to joy, from fear to courage, from defeat to victory.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2020
2nd Sunday of Easter
Scripture Passage: John 20:19-31
Message Title: Learning To Doubt Our Doubts
Theme: Certainty is very difficult to attain in this world. There always seems to be room for doubt. Some wise people have taken doubt to its logical conclusion and begun to doubt their doubts. Doubt is an obstacle that, when overcome, can cause us to have a deeper, richer, more meaningful faith.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2020
3rd Sunday of Easter
Scripture Passage: Luke 24:13-35
Message Title: Recognizing Christ
Theme: God is alive. God is personal. God cares about you and desires to reveal Himself to you just as Christ revealed Himself to those two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let us open ourselves to God and hear God speak to our hearts.