Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates | | |
Dear Siblings in Christ,
This week we begin the powerful finale to the story we tell. On Sunday we will explore the Passion of Christ. At the 10 am we will begin outside in the Memorial Garden to do the Liturgy of the Palms, and move directly into the Passion tale covering Luke's account of Jesus' final days.
Then on Thursday night we begin the Triduum, the "three days." These are my favorite days of the Church Year. As I mentioned, Bishop Stevenson said, "The Triduum is one liturgy broken up by time." Like three acts in a play, it is all the better when you experience the beginning, the middle, and the end. Thursday and Friday begin at 7 pm, and Saturday is at Noon and 8 pm. If you can only pick one, the Easter Vigil is our whole salvation history in one night. I do hope you will join us.
- Maundy Thursday, 7 pm
- Good Friday, 7 pm
- Holy Saturday, Noon
- Easter Vigil, 8 pm (begins outside in front of the Church)
Easter Sunday will have its usual joys, and we may just have a surprise or two for you. We hope you will help us pack the church for our celebrations. 8 am is outside in our Memorial Garden, and the 10 am is in the Church. The Egg Hunt will be after the conclusion of the 10 am service.
This Sunday, if you are able, we encourage you to give during our Blood Drive. There are plenty of spots available, and we encourage you to help out. Also, please invite your friends if you know they are donors. This will be in our Parish Hall and they can enter that door while services are happening. We hope to have many more spots filled if you can help us out.
Pray for us in this time of rich blessing, and as we conclude this Holy Lent may we all draw closer to God and one another, and be ready for Resurrection.
Blessings, Rock+
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Thursday, April 10, 2025
- 6pm Handbell choir
- 7pm Parish choir
Sunday, April 13, 2025 (Palm Sunday and Blood Drive)
- 8am Eucharist Rite I
- 9am Sunday School
- 10am Eucharist Rite II with music
Monday, April 14, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
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April Calendar:
- 4/9- Egg Stuffing Night 6pm
- 4/13- Blood Drive
- 4/13- Palm Sunday Church Begins in the Memorial Garden and Youth Group 6 pm
- 4/17- Maundy Thursday Service 7pm
- 4/18- Good Friday Service 7pm
- 4/19- Noon-Holy Saturday Service; 7:50pm Easter Vigil
- 4/20- Easter Service 8 AM (Pavilion) & 10 AM(Cherub Choir sings)
- 4/21- Office Closed day after Easter
- 4/26- Deacon Ordination 1030AM at St Mary's Episcopal Church in Goochland, VA (including our own Stephanie Werner)
- 4/27- Youth Group 6pm
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We’re looking forward to seeing you next month on Sunday, April 13 for the blood drive there.
Please call 1-800-RED CROSS
(1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: stjamestheless to schedule an appointment.
Our goal for your blood drive is to sign up 30-35 donors to meet our goal for the patients.
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2025 Easter Flowers
As our tradition goes, we honor loved ones with the flowers in the service on Easter morning. If you would like to dedicate Easter Flowers in a loved ones name, please email the office with the name of the beloved(s). They can be "in the memory of" or "in thanksgiving of". The cost is $25. They will be assorted types of Easter/Spring flowers. It will be so beautiful to see our sanctuary filled with flowers representing our love of our cherished saints.
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Acolytes Wanted!
Every Sunday, we work together to celebrate and worship. We are a liturgical church, and "liturgy" literally means "the work of the people." A big part of that is having folks who assist in the service by carrying the cross, bringing out the Gospel book, gathering the offering, and assisting at the altar. If we have enough, we also have torchbearers lighting the way. Often we have older children and teens helping out. Of our regular Sunday morning attendees, our two main acolytes are both seniors. We will soon be holding a training, and would encourage interested parties, no matter your age, to participate as we rebuild our post-COVID ranks of our acolyte team. Let the office or Father Rock know of your interest or your child's interest.
| | | | | We are gearing up for an incredible Easter Egg Hunt after the 10am service on April 20th. We hope to have over a thousand eggs ready to go!! Which means, I'm going to need help hiding those eggs on the morning of Easter. We will meet downstairs in the Sunday School room at 9:15am to hide all of the eggs out in the field and in the playground. Eggs will be organized for younger and older kids. Please email Miriam if you can help with the hiding, or just show up in your Easter finest! Thank you so much!! | | | |
Fall Line Farms Volunteer Opportunity
Do you have time once a month to help distribute food orders for church and fellow members of the Ashland area? We would love to add a person or two to our small team of staff. Requirements are about 3.5 hours of a Thursday once a month from 2:30pm -6pm. Foods are delivered, you divided it into orders for clients and then greet people with a friendly face. (I read or catch up on podcasts while waiting.) Can you join us? Please contact Heather Grande with your availability and join her in a rotation for an easy, but wonderful chance to help.
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In Remembrance of Lyde Longaker
We are very sad to report that Lyde Longaker passed away. She was beloved by this church family. We hope you will join us as we celebrate her life. Her service will be held here May 3rd at 2pm.
Please remember Lyde, her family, and friends in your prayers.
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In Remembrance of Jim Carson
We are very sad to report that Jim Carson passed away. We hope you will join us as we celebrate his life. His service will be on May 31st at 10am at Bruton Parish Church in Williamasburg, Virginia.
We may be sending a van down to Jim's funeral. If people would like a spot on the van, please contact the office and we will begin a list for limited availability.
The burial and reception will immediately follow the service.
Please remember Jim, his family, and friends in your prayers.
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In Remembrance of Ken Sehlhorst
We are very sad to report that Ken passed away. We hope you will join us as we celebrate his life. His service will be here on May 31st at 4:30PM.
More details will be forthcoming.
Please remember Ken, Georgia, his family, and friends in your prayers.
| | | CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING | | |
April 13, 2025
9am Nursery, Sunday School
10am St. Cecilia's Choir and Childrens' Church
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Palm Sunday
Join us on Palm Sunday for some noise making in the garden. We invite the kids to make a joyful noise leading us into the church! We will have palms and instruments to help our kids lead the procession back into the sanctuary from the memorial garden. Don't forget we start outside before heading in. 8am service will be outdoors for the entire time and 10am will lead into sanctuary after beginning in the garden.
For children that want to practice the song at home, please click on the button below:
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United Thank Offering
All of the families should have UTO offering boxes now at home that are beautifully decorated! During Lent, kids(and adults) will collect change for UTO. There is a wonderful monthly calendar as well as seed cards and additional UTO boxes downstairs if you need any additional guidance. These boxes will be due the Sunday after Easter (April 27th). We will then gather our donation as a group together! Looking forward to giving back to our community and showing our kids the importance of helping those around us even with just the change we can spare!
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Youth Group Dates
Below are the remaining dates for Youth Group. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. We would still love to have you join in for any or all of the dates. Please register HERE. MS Youth leaders are planning a group outing this spring. More details are to follow. Thank you!
- April 9th- Stuff Eggs 6pm
- April 13th- Youth Group 6-7:30p
- April 27th- Youth Group 6-7:30p
- May 4th- MS Field Trip
- May 10th- Mother's Day Car Wash
- May 18th- Graduate Sunday/Bart Goodbye/End of Year Party 6-7:30p
- May 25th- Church Picnic
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Wish List
We are so excited to have everyone back in the classroom and with that comes lots of amazing supplies. HERE is our wishlist link. Thank you so much for your continued support!!!
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Youth Group Meals
Youth Group is finally back into full swing for the year!! We had a wonderful first session and are looking forward to many more. One of the ways we need help is through meals. Below is a sign up genius for meals for our meetings. Please help us to fill the gaps and show the youth how important they are to our community! Click HERE to sign up. Thank you!
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Sign up to bring meals for the Clinic Volunteers HERE
- Help stock our Emergency Food Pantry (outside the clinic)
- Send in your Pop Tops for McDonald House
- Bring in Hygiene or laundry items for Peter Paul
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Donate to ACES- Click HERE for current needs (we have a box in our hallway)
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Donate to Peter Paul Development Center. (box in our hallway)
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Lord, we lift up this nation struggling with itself these days. Encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s Children. We lift up Sean++, our Presiding Bishop, Mark+, Gail+ & Bud+, our Bishops, Rock+, our priest. We pray for Bart, our Seminarian, in his formation. May they be strengthened and encouraged as they work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Donald, our President, Glenn, our Governor, and Steve, our Mayor, and all our elected officials. Guide them to lead us to the common good.
We ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people including those of the Ukraine. We pray especially for Gus Miller, Erin Yagla, Meghann Batten, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Haden Hopkins, Hilda Kelly, Harry Hassell, Smith family, Mary Ann Harris, Bob & Mary Lou Brown, Diana Timberlake, Kristi Ellis, Pam Gillette, Ruth Beaudry, Tom Burke, Dawn Haase & Family, Kimette Cannady, Alicia Wood, Anna Marie, Judy Sledd, Floyd Moore, Debra Molter, Tim Yagla, Erik Klauss, Steve Crain, Jessica Wingo, Margaret Belyea, Calvin Stanley, Lee Chambers, Bill King, Patty Smith, Douglas and Karen Bower, Derek Osterfeld, Joanne Flanagan, Ginger Brooking, Jennifer Fewell Gardner, Jane Robinson, Tom Slaughter, Mike Slagle, John Hoar and Kristen Meacham.
We ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. We also ask your prayers for those serving in the diplomatic corps, the military, and as missionaries: Larson Flanagan, Kemper Jones, Greg Ericksen, Matthew Thomas, Philip Morison, James Ashley, Ellie Deas, Andrew Brunson, and Katherine Murphy.
We ask your prayers for those who have died, including Ken Sehlhorst. We ask your prayers for those who grieve their missing loved ones.
Our citizens who live in Hanover County, the Board of Supervisors, School Board, and Manager. The print and broadcast media. The churches of metropolitan Richmond: members and clergy. All who live in poverty. All who suffer from mental illness. Our citizens who live in Ashland, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg, the town and city Councils and Managers. All who work in banks and finance; all making financial decisions for greater Richmond. Prisons and jails of metropolitan Richmond: prisoners and staff. All who are unemployed or underemployed. All public servants.
For all those who seek peace in the world and for ourselves, that we may bring about God's Kingdom here on earth. For our enemies, and for those who wish us harm.
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored.
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April 9
Ron Hopkins
Josh Sanders
April 10
Caroline Cobb
April 11
Ginny Meyer
Mike Hottman
John Nix
Alex Maria
Elias Austin-Hudgins
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April 12
Rachel Hoar
April 14
Zach Sergi
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Saint James the Less Episcopal Church
125 Beverly Road
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-6336
Staff: (click on the name to email them)
The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector
Dr. Bart Natoli- Seminarian
Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director
Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director
Dawn Baker- Interim Parish Administrator
Office Hours: Monday 9am-2pm, Wednesday 9am-2pm and Friday 9am-12pm
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Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information in no later than noon on Monday. | | | | |
