From Father Glenn

Maranatha!

The Lord is coming!

As we move through this beautiful Advent season, and as we make our way to the close of our calendar and fiscal year, I’d like to share some things related to annual giving to Saint James.

First, we are well on our way to closing out 2025 giving on a very positive note. If you have not yet fulfilled your 2025 commitment, please do so prior to December 31st. We can, of course, accept online gifts at any time. Gifts for 2025 tax purposes MUST BE POSTMARKED BY DEC 31 by IRS rules. If you are uncertain where you are in your giving thus far, please click here to contact me, or click here to contact Kristen.

Regarding the 2026 Annual Giving Campaign, we are currently at 95% of our goal, with just over $855,000.00 in gifts and commitments, from 186 households. This is excellent progress, but of course, we would very much like to close the year with 100% of the goal achieved.

If you intended to make a financial commitment but have not yet done so, please email Kristen or email me your 2026 intention, or make your commitment through Realm. (You may also call the church office if you prefer, ask for Kristen, and have her complete your commitment for you.)

We are tremendously grateful to all of you, both for your regular, faithful support of the mission of Saint James and for your commitment to continue that support in 2026. Again, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Lastly, if you have been giving through an automatic credit card deduction, PLEASE remember to renew the term of your giving, if it is set to expire 12/31. If there is no set expiration date, your giving will continue until we are notified otherwise.

Carol and I will be traveling to Australia this Christmas and will miss you greatly as we rejoice amidst grandchildren. We wish you a holy and merry Christmas.

In Christ,

Fr. Glenn

December 11, 6:15 - 7:30 PM

A Sound Sanctuary Yoga Series Continues

Meditation for Calm Amid the Holiday Rush

Thursdays in December:

4, 11 & 18 | 6:15 - 7:30 PM

In the Urban Well Yoga Studio

Join Sandra Orndorff—experienced sound healer, life coach, and yoga instructor — as she guides you through an evening of immersive sound meditation. Each session begins with a brief restorative practice to ground the body, then unfolds into a spacious sound bath where you are cocooned in soft light and cozy blankets amidst a soundscape of gongs, singing bowls, chimes and percussion that helps calm the nervous system, ease anxiety and release layers of held tension. Many find this experience brings a depth of relaxation and renewal that feels both restorative and transformative.

Come rest, renew and receive this gift of spaciousness for your body, mind and spirit on Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18 from 6:15 – 7:30 PM in the Urban Well Yoga Studio located in the lower level at 119 North Duke Street. $25/session, $65 for all three, or pay as you can by making a contribution in Realm. Click here to learn more and register.

Christmas Memorial Flowers

Remember a loved one and help us prepare our sanctuary for Christmas

Submission Deadline Tomorrow!

Friday, December 12th

If you would like to memorialize or honor a loved one with Christmas flowers in the sanctuary, you can do so in Realm. The name of your loved one will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.

The suggested donation is $25/flower. Click here to get started. In the memo box, type the name of the person you are honoring. If you are ordering multiple flowers and run out of space in the memo box, simply make your donation, type “list to Kristen” in the memo box and email Kristen Vieldhouse, our parish administrator, the list of names.

You may also mail a check to the church office with Christmas flowers in the memo line. If you have questions, call the parish office at 717-397-4858.

Saturday, December 13 | 10:00 AM

Wreaths Across America

In the Saint James Churchyard

Wreaths Across America will be at Saint James on December 13th at 10:00 AM to present wreaths on the graves of deceased military members.

The brief ceremony will take place in our historic churchyard. All are welcome to attend.

Click here to learn more about Wreaths Across America and make a donation.

Saturday, December 13 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Women's Gathering

Via Zoom

Women's Gathering will explore Advent with internationally celebrated poet, David Whyte and his book, The House of Belonging, in which he explores the individual and often lonely journey toward identity and voice.

Whyte places individual discovery in the context of belonging to homes, places, times, creatures, people and "miraculous otherness." David speaks about how to live in deep appreciation and sympathy for all life, all of the time. Join Women's Gathering this Advent and discover new ways to experience a sense of home. Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the Zoom invitation.

Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14

Scott Wright Open Studio

418 Lancaster Avenue

(Between James & LemonStreets)

December 13, 14 & 20, 21 from 12:00 - 5:00 PM

Join Saint James Artist in Residence, Scott Wright, for an open house this Advent. Scott's work has been shown at museums and galleries across the country. Locally, his paintings are in the permanent collections of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area's Zimmerman Center, the offices of Gardner Russo & Gardner, and the Phillips Museum at Franklin & Marshall College. Works on display at the open house will include recent paintings, drawings and works on paper. Everyone is Welcome!

Sunday, December 14 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

In the Parish House Forum Room

For the apostle Paul, death will be defeated on that day in the future when "the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." For the Gospel of John, those who believe in Jesus Christ have eternal life now. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that anyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." Paradoxically, eternal life is offered to believers not when Jesus is raised from the dead, but when Jesus is lifted up on the cross. "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." Join us this Sunday as we explore John's testimony to the eternal life that God offers to the world in Jesus Christ.

Available in person and via Zoom. Click here to join via Zoom.

Tuesday, December 16, 7:00 PM

Drawing and Meditation with

Scott Wright Concludes

In the Chapel

Join Artist in Residence, R. Scott Wright, for this unique workshop designed to bridge drawing and meditation - or put more simply, to embrace drawing as a form of meditation.

Our goal is to use drawing tools and techniques to locate the sweet spot where keen observation and hand/eye coordination free the mind and calm the breath and the body. Drawing exercises will be demonstrated. Students should bring whatever drawing tools, pads, etc. they are comfortable using. All ages and experience levels are welcome.

Cost: $25/session, or pay as you can by making a contribution in Realm. Please click here to register.

Give the Gift of Yoga this Holiday Season!

Looking for a unique gift for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family?

Give the gift of mindful yoga—a thoughtful present for friends, family or anyone who could use a moment of grounding and peace. Perfect for the holidays and easy to redeem at any class.

Gift certificates are available in print or as a digital file and can be purchased in person at the Urban Well Yoga Studio (cash or check) or from our website. Click here to purchase yours.

Wednesday, December 17 | 3:00 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

Willow Valley residents are invited to join clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in Manor North Auditorium, located on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome; bring a friend!

Children and Youth Christmas Pageant Rehearsals to Begin in December

Calling all Shepherds,

Angels and Magi…

Thanks to all who have signed up to be in this year's pageant.

If you missed the deadline, you are welcome to still join us in a non-speaking part. Please click here to register.

Rehearsal for youth and older children with speaking parts begins this Sunday, December 14th, following the 10:30 AM Mass.

Rehearsal for everyone in the pageant will be on Sunday, December 21st, following the 10:30 AM Mass. Parents and guardians are invited to gather for a potluck in the Rectory during the December 21st pageant rehearsal after the 10:30 AM service.

The pageant will be at 3:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Pageant actors are called at 2:30 PM in the Chapel.

2026 Giving Envelopes

Giving envelopes have been ordered for people who mail in their contribution or give weekly/often by check or cash.

Please note that we have discontinued the numbered envelope system for identifying households; instead, our Realm software scans checks to determine the giver. Those who give with cash will need to add their name to their envelopes. Any envelope can be used; a quantity of these giving envelope books will be available in the narthex and parish house office.

Christmas Offering

If you have satisfied your 2025 giving commitment and wish to make an additional end-of-year gratitude gift, you might consider the traditional Christmas offering.

Your gift can even be made in memory or thanksgiving for

someone special in your life. Simply write ‘Christmas offering’

in the memo line of a check or click here to give online by

selecting Christmas Offering from the dropdown list of funds.

Holiday Office Hours

Closed December 25 & 26

Limited office hours December 29, 30 & 31

Office hours will be flexible between Christmas and New Years. If you need to access the church or parish house, please call to make an appointment. The Pastoral Care team is also available for any urgent needs.

There will be no Headlines & Happenings December 25th.

There will be no forum hour on December 21st or 28th.

Forum will resume on January 4th.