Dear Friends,

We had a remarkable Ash Wednesday with over 325 people in person plus those who joined online. The daily prayer resource book was well received and beautiful photos of parishioners receiving ashes appeared in LNP today. As befits the season our music and liturgical mood shifts from the brightness of Epiphany to a more reflective and solemn season.

Moreover, from February to May, on the fourth Sunday of the month, we will change a few elements of our Sunday morning services as an experiment (and about which we will need your feedback). At the 10:30 service we will debut Saint James Voices, which is a new all-age choir that will grow more singers by engaging those who have wanted to experience the joy of singing in a choir but do not have the time or music background yet to be part of our regular 10:30 choir. Many do not realize that what enables our choir to sound so good is the major commitment each member of our devoted choir makes with their two rehearsals before they lead our worship each week.

While the 10:30 service once a month will have less formal music, that gives us and the choir the chance to offer at the 8:30 service a more formal High Mass with Rite 1 (traditional) language and some incense. This will allow the choir to sing a wider repertoire from the great early music Anglican choral tradition. The service music on Sunday will be from John Merbecke (1510-1585), who composed the first mass setting in English as part of the Church of England’s reformation of the mass and formation of the early prayer book tradition. There will be much to rejoice in Sunday as we dive deeper into Lent, our parish commitment to daily prayer and the blessings of our worship.

Yours in Christ,

David+, Stacey+ & Glenn+

Saturday, February 21 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Parish House Forum Room

Ever felt like you’re reading the Bible but missing the "blueprint"? Join us for breakfast as Bruce Nickles leads a practical session on How to Interpret the Bible.

We’ll Tackle:

The Big Picture: Understanding the one cohesive story of Scripture.
The "Agenda" Trap: Learning to let the Bible speak for itself instead of "agendizing" it to support our own opinions.
The Original Audience: When God speaks in the Old Testament, is He speaking to you? We’ll discuss how to bridge the gap between ancient commands and modern life.
Context over Feeling: Avoiding the trap of "over-personalizing" verses to mean whatever we want them to mean.
Cracking the Code: Distinguishing between literal and figurative language.
Real-World Impact: Why bad interpretation leads to bad application—and how to get it right.

We are a welcoming group of men from ages 18 - 92 so if this will be your first time or you are a regular, bring a friend for good fellowship and discussion. Chuck will be cooking up a hearty winter menu of baked oatmeal, sausage links, stewed apples and coffee, tea and juice.

Sunday, February 22 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

Love Your Enemies

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) claims that love or charity is the highest perfection of a human being. He also teaches that there are two ways by which the grace of God leads us to perfection.

The first is by following the Ten Commandments taught by Moses and endorsed by Jesus, which prohibit all that contradicts charity. This is the path followed by all the baptized. The second is by following the counsels of perfection taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, which removes all that might hinder charity. This is the path followed by those under religious vows. Thomas claims that when Jesus tells his disciples, "Love your enemies," he is teaching a counsel of perfection not required of all the baptized, but only required of clergy and monks. Join us this Sunday as we explore the teaching of Thomas Aquinas on the love of enemies as a counsel of perfection.

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

Sunday, February 22 | 11:45 AM

The Order of the Daughters of the King

Short Information Session

Following the 10:30 AM Mass

Parish House Meeting Room

Are you curious about deepening your spiritual life and what it means to take an oath of prayer, service and evangelism? We invite women of our parish to join our chapter meeting for a short information session to learn more about The Order of the Daughters of the King to see if you would like to enter into a period of discernment.

For more information and to RSVP, click here to email Kristle Evans, President, Harriet Lane Johnston Daughters of the King.

Sunday, February 22 | 5:00 PM

Vespers in the Chapel

A contemplative candlelit service to nurture mind, body, and spirit

Join us for Vespers, a warm and inviting weekly gathering in the serene surroundings of the Saint James Chapel. This quiet, reflective service embraces the rich prayer traditions of Christianity and the embodied practices that nurture our spiritual lives today. Everyone is welcome - come as you are!

Engage in uplifting singing, find solace in moments of silence, and choose the posture that feels most comfortable for you as we open our hearts to listen for God’s voice. We have meditation cushions, yoga mats, and chairs available for your comfort. We’ll celebrate Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month. We can’t wait to see you there! In the Chapel;

in-person only.

Tuesday, February 24 | 7:00 PM

Contemplative Tuesday

In the Chapel

In Person and via Zoom

Contemplative Tuesday continues exploring the question: What kind of person must I become to live in the world non-violently?

Together, we will reflect on what we mean by non-violence—and what we mean by violence—drawing from scripture, contemplative practice, and the wisdom of those throughout history who have wrestled with this question before us. Through guided reflection, shared conversation and embodied practices, we will explore how inner formation shapes outer action, and how a grounded, compassionate presence becomes the foundation for loving resistance in the world.

Click here to register for Contemplative Tuesdays.

Thursdays, February 19 - March 26 | 7 - 8:00 PM

Mercy Seminar

Begins Tonight!

Thursday Evenings,

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Via Zoom

Now in its seventh year, the 2026 Mercy Seminar invites you to explore the profound insights that different faith traditions offer about embracing life and navigating death with grace. How can the certainty of death inspire us to cultivate a deeper focus and a heart full of gratitude, transforming potential feelings of anxiety into a courageous appreciation for the present moment? Is death merely “nothing at all,” or does it open the gateway to an eternal adventure beyond this life?

Join us as we delve into selected sacred readings from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptures, along with enlightening contemporary secular spiritual writings. Together, we will uncover the wisdom that encourages us to live our best lives and face death not with fear, but with hope and understanding. Click here for more information and registration.

Ministry Opportunity

Tech Team Members Needed

We are looking for new members to join our Tech Team, the volunteers who make our Sunday services—and our monthly Friday and Saturday liturgies—accessible through livestream.

No prior experience is needed; we will provide all the training and support you need. If you can press a button, follow a simple checklist, and serve with care, you can help extend our worship beyond the walls of the church. Join us in this quiet but powerful ministry of welcome.

For more information, click here to email Mother Stacey or Jeremiah Velez.

Friday, March 6 | 6:30 PM

Unbound: Poetry, Presence and the

Art of Becoming

The Ware Center | 42 N. Prince St.

Join the Urban Well for an evening of contemplative reflection and poetic performance, exploring the intersection of disability, spirituality, and the arts. This first Friday event features poetry, visual arts, and guided contemplative practice. Unbound honors the legacy of poet and disability rights activist, Vassar Miller and other artists whose voices transcend limitation and invite us into deeper belonging.

Performance contributions by Schreiber Center's modern band, the UnSinkables and artists from The Arc Lancaster Lebanon and United Disability Services. FREE EVENT

In a Greater Light

We pray for the soul of Raymond (Ray) Gerhart, who died on February 17th. Funeral arrangements are not available at this time.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.