A Century on the Corner of Annapolis and Cherokee
Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church sits on the corner of Annapolis Street West and Cherokee Avenue in West St. Paul, Minnesota, where it has been making disciples since 1928. The congregation is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a fellowship of more than 6,000 congregations in the United States upholding the historic Christian faith. The church's welcome reads: "Whether you're curious about the faith or a lifelong Christian who's new to the area, we invite you to be our guest at Saint James." Visitors and members alike are invited to discover "God's greater story - and your place in it."
Divine Service on Sundays and Mondays
The Divine Service is the beating heart of the congregation's life together. It is held on Sundays at 9:00 AM and on Mondays at 6:30 PM. The service reflects the pattern used by Christian churches for two thousand years, drawing on some of the greatest prayers, poetry, and music from every century of Christian history. From beginning to end, the worship is wrapped in scripture.
The very name of the service carries the congregation's theology of worship. The night before his death, Jesus told his friends, "I am among you as the one who serves." Saint James teaches that Jesus did not stop serving when he rose from the dead. He continues serving today, gathering his people around Word and Sacraments to give them forgiveness of sins, life in himself, and rescue from evil. The time when heaven meets earth is what the church calls "Divine Service."
The Lord's Supper and Visiting
One part of the Divine Service visitors need to know about is the Lord's Supper, a small meal with tremendous importance. The bread and wine of communion are also Jesus' true body and blood, no mere metaphor but "an incalculable and holy treasure." With our mouths, we receive and are united with the One who was sacrificed and raised for our forgiveness, life, and salvation.
The Sacrament is also a moment when the congregation expresses and celebrates its unity, sharing the same full and public confession of faith. Given the content and purpose of this holy meal, visitors who wish to share in it are asked to speak with one of the pastors outside the Divine Service first. Anyone is welcome to come forward for a blessing, signaled by crossing the arms over the chest, or to remain seated during the distribution.
Kids in the Worship
Saint James keeps children in the Divine Service with the rest of the congregation. The Service is where Jesus comes to bless all his people, including the children, and the church does not want to get in the way of that. Parents have found it helpful to sit up front so little ones can be close to other children, watch the action, see the fire of the candles, and look at the carvings, windows, and crosses while they snack. Members have shared that they enjoy seeing and hearing the children making noise during the service.
The building is designed with that in mind. There is plenty of room to walk around, plenty of holy things to look at, and a nursery with a changing table if things get "really messy." Through Baptism, Sunday School, Confirmation, instruction, and caring relationships, the church wants every child to know they are deeply loved by God and to grow in their love for him and others.
What Lutherans Believe Here
Saint James describes itself as a creedal and confessional Lutheran Church. Beliefs are summarized in the Apostles' Creed and the broader ecumenical creeds, the Nicene and Athanasian, and explained in the Lutheran Confessions written out in the Book of Concord.
The church teaches that the one true God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not parts or faces of God, but each fully God and distinct from each other. The Father created all things through the Son. The Son became human, died on a Roman cross outside Jerusalem, and rose from the grave on the third day. The Holy Spirit was present at the beginning, joined the Son to human flesh in Mary's womb, raised Jesus from the dead, and now unites people with Christ, making them children of God. Although our bodies die, the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will keep our souls safe until the day when he raises us also.
God continues to work today through ordinary means. Christ Jesus speaks to us through the Bible and through men called pastors, who speak Christ's word. Jesus wraps the young and old alike in his grace through the Sacrament of Baptism, water joined with the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He gives his body and blood for his church to touch and taste in, with, and under bread and wine. And through the lives of his people, Jesus spreads the good news of a world being made new.
Pastors Walking With You
The pastoral team is led by Rev. Dr. Thomas Aadland as Lead Pastor and Rev. Jordan Voges as Associate Pastor. Rev. Dr. Bob Gehrke serves as Pastor of Senior Ministry. Dr. Martin Dicke is the congregation's Organist and Choir Director.
The pastors are available for life's most sacred moments, including Holy Baptism, Holy Matrimony, care for the sick or homebound, funerals and committals, and private confession and absolution. Visitors are encouraged to speak with one of the pastors about any of these, or simply to introduce themselves.
Learning the Faith
Adult Bible Study and Sunday School meet on Sundays at 10:30 AM, September through May. The pastors typically alternate leading Sunday morning Bible studies, and members have described the adult class as feeling like being in seminary, a chance to learn about biblical history and insights that enrich everyday life.
A one-hour Tuesday Bible Study meets at 10:00 AM in the Fireside Room, led by Pr. Thomas Aadland. The Catechumenate is a class on living by faith, for those considering church membership and for current members who would like to review the basics of the Christian life. New classes begin each November.
Confirmation at Saint James is a time for young people to deepen their faith and affirm the promises made in Baptism. Through regular instruction, Bible study, and participation in the Divine Service, students learn God's Word, the central teachings of the Church, and what it means to follow Christ faithfully. The Head and Heart program supports catechism memorization.
Reaching Out Locally and Globally
The Missions Committee at Saint James supports a wide network of partners. Locally, the church partners with Every Meal, a Minnesota organization working to bridge weekend and summer hunger for more than 300,000 food-insecure children, and with Neighbors, Inc., a nonprofit providing emergency and supportive assistance to low-income community members across northern Dakota County. Members have toured Our Lady of Peace Hospice in Saint Paul and continue to support its work, and the Saint James Good Neighbor Outreach Group supports neighbors, the local community, and neighboring schools.
Globally, the congregation supports Vision Petrozavodsk, an alliance of Lutheran congregations supporting the revival of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia, including crisis center ministries and Ukrainian refugee support. In East Africa, the church walks alongside Pastor Walter and Robyn Steele, who teach at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, and with CapstoneMinistries, which serves street children in Western Kenya. Saint James has long supported Bible Faith Lutheran Church in India, which serves 43 congregations, operates a seminary, runs the Moriah Children's Home for children from destitute families, and manages Moriah School from pre-K through 10th grade. India Bible study translation work continues in partnership with the Lutheran Heritage Foundation and Lutheran Braille Workers. In Bhutan, the church supports the Himalayan School of Music and House Church led by Yogen and Kamala Chetri, and across Asia it supports Project Video, equipping ethnic church groups with audio and video technology. Saint James has supported the Lutheran Heritage Foundation since 1997.
Worship in the Round
Worship at Saint James draws on the wider heritage of Western Christianity. On the walls and in the windows are carvings and crosses, and the candlelight and structure of the service invite participation through standing, sitting, kneeling, singing, and prayer. The music is led by Dr. Martin Dicke and the choir, drawing on what the church calls some of the greatest prayers, poetry, and music from every century of Christian history.
Morning Prayer is held on weekdays at 9:00 AM. Sunday worship is livestreamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person, and a Zoom link is shared for Sunday Bible Study.
Serving Together
Saint James organizes its volunteers into Ministry Teams. The Welcome Team greets visitors and members before and after worship. The Altar Guild prepares the elements for the Lord's Supper, cares for the paraments, arranges flowers, and decorates the church for festivals. The Care Corps provides practical and emotional care for the elderly, homebound, and those in need. Audio Visual volunteers record services, manage audio, and project slides. The Women's Group gathers in friendly fellowship for study and conversation.
Children and Youth teams support Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Confirmation. Music teams offer ways to use musical gifts in worship. Outreach coordinates local mission work. Funeral Luncheons hosts grieving families. Stewardship conducts fundraising and evaluates donations. Property Management and the Interiors Team care for the physical building. The Ministry Team Portal serves as a central hub for those serving at Saint James.
Supporting Christian Education
Saint James offers a Tuition Assistance Program to make a Christian education more accessible for families. Members may apply for assistance for children at Lutheran schools certified by a recognized Lutheran accreditation board in Minnesota, including partnerships with Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran School and St. Croix Lutheran Academy. College students enrolled at a Lutheran college or seminary and pursuing church work, such as the preaching ministry or teaching in a Christian school, are also eligible.
Funds come from designated donations, the annual operating budget, and the Saint James Education Endowment Fund, of which 75% of earned interest each year supports tuition assistance. The Education Committee oversees distribution, and awards are sent directly to the schools. Requests are due by June 30 each year.
Giving
Members and supporters can give online, by check, or through other avenues. Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs are accepted up to $100,000 per individual annually. Securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds can be donated in kind to avoid capital gains taxes. Members of Thrivent Financial may direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to the church. Amazon shoppers can designate Saint James Lutheran Church of West St. Paul at smile.amazon.com, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases at no extra cost. The Saint James Foundation, accountable to the Church Board, stewards endowed gifts to support ministry now and into the future.
Visiting Saint James
Saint James is at 460 Annapolis Street West in West St. Paul, Minnesota. All facilities are wheelchair accessible. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The phone number is (651) 457-9232 and the email is stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com. The Divine Service is held Sundays at 9:00 AM and Mondays at 6:30 PM. Morning Prayer is offered on weekdays at 9:00 AM. New visitors are encouraged to fill out a Connection Card online or to speak with one of the pastors about anything from the Lord's Supper to Christian education, baptism, weddings, funerals, or simply getting involved.