Until He comes again.

In our Gospel lesson this week, we hear Jesus speaking with passion about that day when God will complete the work of creation and redemption – throwing down the stones of the temple, and raising us to new life in the Kingdom.

Until that day comes, our mandate is to carry on. To carry on the work of building the Kingdom here and now. To carry on the mission of God’s saving and redeeming work in the world.

Our 2026 Annual Fund campaign is nothing more that translating that work into dollars – the dollars needed to do our work. So far, the results of this campaign are very promising.

As of this writing:

178 pledges have been received
23 of those pledges are from new members!
We have $812,000 in funds committed.
YTD comparisons are showing a 15% average increase in giving

This is a very good place to be with roughly seven weeks remaining in the calendar year. But, we have a ways to go to complete this campaign. If you have not yet submitted your giving intention for 2026, please do so today!

You can make your commitment online via Realm, by sending in a commitment card, or by emailing me with a summary of your plans. And of course, you may reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you all for your current and future commitment to the life and mission of our beloved Saint James. Until Christ comes in his Glory, our work goes on!

Peace and all Good to you all,

Fr. Glenn +

THE BODY OF CHRIST SERVING OUR CITY, THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

IN A TIME OF NEED

Dear People of Saint James,

The fragility of support services in a time of government cutbacks and shutdowns means some of our most vulnerable parishioners and city neighbors are even more vulnerable. In a time of political and social disruption and polarization, we are seeking to heal the divide by being contemplative citizens. This means learning how to listen better, react less, seek deeper understanding and undertake more considered actions and ways of being that strengthen our country and our democracy. All these practices begin with ourselves as people of faith. Click here to read more of the letter from clergy.

Sunday, November 16 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

In Forum Hour this Sunday, Randall will resume our discussion of creation by looking at the reality of death as it was understood in Biblical Israel. The Israelites directly acknowledged that death is essential to the reality of being a creature of God. As one of the Psalmists prays, "Remember how short my time is--for what vanity you have created all mortals! Who can live and never see death?" (Ps.89:47-48).

Hence a large part of our wisdom is being taught by God to number our days, so that we acknowledge how fleeting our lives are (Ps. 90:12). But what happens to us when we die? Join us this Sunday as we explore Israel's understanding of life and death, as expressed in our Scriptures.

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

Saturday, November 15 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Redemption, Trust and Transformation: Lessons from the Wild Horse Program at Four Mile Correctional Facility

At Four Mile Correctional Facility in Colorado, inmates participate in a unique rehabilitation program by training wild mustangs. Two men, Justin Leonard and Matthew Kurvink, share how the process has impacted their personal growth by teaching them patience, trust and how to rebuild broken parts of their lives. The horses, fearful and untamed, mirror the inmates' own emotional and spiritual journeys. Through consistency, humility, and love, change becomes possible for both humans and animals.

We will share how these experiences connect to our daily lives and journeys. The morning menu will be a breakfast casserole, biscuits, coffee & juice. Have questions? Click here to email Chuck Smith.

Sunday, November 16 | 9:30 AM

Women's Bible Study

All women are invited to join Julie Peachey on November 16th at 9:30 AM in the parish house library for Women's Bible Study.

The format is simple; we will read this month's passage from the Lectionary, Luke 21:5-19, followed by discussion and prayer. If we have a large group, we'll break into smaller groups so that everyone has time to share.

Women's Bible study meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Click here to email Kristy Clark for more info.

Sunday, November 16 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Youth Group Bowling Night

Youth Group Bowling Night!

Leisure Lanes

3440 Columbia Ave.

Lancaster, PA 17603

Join us for a night of strikes, spares and plenty of laughs as Youth Group heads to Leisure Lanes for some bowling fun! We’ll meet right at the bowling alley, just reach out if you need a ride and we’ll help make it happen.

Pizza is on us! Each youth is invited to bring $5 if able to help cover costs (but don’t let that stop you from coming!). Please RSVP by Thursday, November 13th so we can save enough lanes for everyone to bowl.

Come hungry, bring your best bowling form (or your funniest one), and get ready for a great night with friends! For teens grades 6 - 12. Click here to register.

Tuesday, November 18 | 7:00 PM

Healing the Divide Concludes

Learning How to Set Boundaries

For our concluding session, we will continue with role-plays and discuss how to engage in real-life scenarios where we are called to heal the divide. We will place a particular emphasis on learning how to set boundaries with difficult people in our lives and exit conversations that become reactive in a graceful manner. We will conclude the night with an exercise to set intentions, creating a concrete plan for moving forward and reflecting on our experiences over the past nine weeks and what we have learned.

Wednesday, November 19 | 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!

Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28

Campus Closed for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day at Saint James will be a day of rest and grateful reflection. Evening Compline will be held as scheduled at 9:00 PM via Zoom. Click here to join Evening Compline.

The church office will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th, and will reopen on Monday, December 1st.

Sunday, November 30, 11:45 AM

Observance of Saint Andrew

In the Cloister Fountain Area

All are welcome to gather in the sanctuary after the 10:30 AM Mass for a brief celebration of the Feast Day of St. Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland.

Thom Moore of the Happy Bagpiper will be our guest bagpiper for the service. Wear your kilt if you have one!

Click here to learn more about St. Andrew and how he became the patron saint of Scotland.

Sunday, November 30, 11:45 AM - 2:00 PM

Advent Wreath Making and

Christmas Cookie Baking

In the Parish House Forum Room

Celebrate the first Sunday of Advent with an afternoon of festive cheer! Families, parishioners and friends of all ages are invited to create their own unique Advent wreath. We'll provide the rings, greens, candles and other materials needed to create a beautiful wreath that you can light at home in preparation for the birth of the Christ Child. If you have a wreath frame from last year, please consider bringing it to use again this year!

As we make wreaths, we will also be busy baking and decorating Christmas cookies with all the festive trimmings. At the end of our time together, everyone will take home a delicious selection of baked cookies and the beautiful wreaths they created! A pizza lunch will be provided; all ages are welcome!

Registration is kindly requested for planning purposes. An at-the-door $10 - $20 donation for wreath-making supplies and lunch would be appreciated! Deadline: Tuesday, November 25th. Click here to register.

Beginning Tuesday, December 2, 7:00 PM

Drawing and Meditation with Scott Wright

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.

The series will run for three consecutive Tuesday evenings, December 2, 9 & 16. $25/session, $65 for all three, or pay as you can by making a contribution in Realm. Please click here to register.

Beginning Thursday, December 4, 6:15 - 7:30 PM

A Sound Sanctuary Yoga Series

Meditation for Calm Amid the Holiday Rush

Thursdays in December:

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

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.

Saturday, December 6 | Beginning at 3:30 PM

St. Nicholas Mass with Live Nativity Animals

Celebrate the life and gifts of St. Nicholas of Myra with live nativity animals and a joyful procession!

3:30 PM – Visit with nativity animals, enjoy cookies and refreshments, and help create care packages to brighten the holidays for members of our community.

4:30 PM – St. Nicholas arrives by horse-drawn carriage

5:00 PM – Mass and story time with St. Nicholas in the Sanctuary

Prior to the mass, children are invited to leave their shoes in the chapel, where they’ll find a special gift from St. Nicholas when they return! Held rain or shine. Click here to view the St. Nicholas Mass via livestream.

Christmas Memorial Flowers

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

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.

Submission Deadline: Friday, December 12th.

Children and Youth Christmas Pageant Rehearsals to Begin in December

Calling all Shepherds,

Angels and Magi…

... and any youth wanting to be in the Christmas Eve pageant! Saint James children and youth are invited to participate in this year’s Christmas Eve Pageant and Mass at 3:00 PM on December 24th!

Under the guidance of StephJo Wise, the pageant cast will present the birth of the Christ Child through story and song during the first half of the service, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Rehearsal for youth and older children with speaking parts only will be on Sunday, December 14th, following the 10:30 AM Mass. Speaking parts include roles such as narrators, Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, the prophets, townspeople, innkeepers, shepherds and the Magi. Parts range in length from one line to a few lines. Nonspeaking roles include animals, the angels, shepherds, baby Jesus, and the Star of Bethlehem.

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.

Please click here to let us know what part your child would like to play. Signup deadline: Wednesday, December 10th.