Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Happy New Year, and blessings on this 12th Day of Christmas!
As we move into Epiphany and the season after, we have a lull in the first half of our Christian year. The next few weeks are considered Ordinary Time, like most of the second half of the year. In this season after Epiphany, we have a time to focus on how people encountered the truth that this Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ.
It is easy to see the whole year in light of the story of Scripture. We are the "called out ones," the Ekklesia (where we get the word ecclesiastical) who follow Jesus, so it is no surprise that we see how we approach time filtered through him.
- Advent- We prepare for the coming of the Messiah
- Christmas- We celebrate the arrival of the Messiah
- Epiphany- We learn of the Messiah and his place in the world
- The Season after Epiphany- The Good News Spreads
- Ash Wednesday and Lent- We prepare to turn our hearts toward Jerusalem
- Holy Week- Jesus is in Jerusalem and the Passion plays itself out
- Easter and its season- The Resurrected Christ is Triumphant
- Ascension- Jesus returns to the right hand of the Father and we are commissioned to share the Good News
- Pentecost- The Gift of the Holy Spirit arrives and empowers the Ekklesia
- "Ordinary Time"- The Church is living out her mission in the world
Our calendar helps us live the story year in and year out. Now there are lots of moving pieces that jump in on this list, and it can get confusing as there are fixed feast days (like Christmas on Dec. 25) based off the calendar, and movable feasts (like Easter) which is based off the lunar calendar and the revolutions of the moon do not fit exactly on the single revolution of the earth around our sun. We have a bifurcated system following the solar calendar for some and the lunar for others. (Yeah Church!)
All kidding aside, I love how this system reflects so much history and so much of its messed-up people all jumbled together. It is sloppy, and beautiful and I would not have it any other way. So happy 2nd New Year. Epiphany blessings! And may we get back to our "new normals" by another way, like those wily Wise Ones.
Blessings,
Rock+
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BOOK CLUB STARTS THIS THURSDAY |
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We are thrilled January Book Club is beginning again this week on Thursday at 10:30am. We will be reading The Ragamuffin Gospel:Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out, by Brennan Manning. You can order it here from Amazon. We are happy to order you a copy if you would like. Please join us. Everyone is wanted and welcome! Also, if this is your first time using Zoom, we are happy to help you get set up.
To join the Zoom meeting click here
To call in dial (301) 715-8592, Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497, Passcode: 570346
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We have emailed and called those who requested pledge envelopes. They are labeled and on a table in the hallway. We can leave them out for you to pick up at a certain time or we could mail them. We are here in the office Monday and Wednesday 8:30-2pm. If you would like to swing by on one of those days, we can bring them out to you. You don't even need to get out of your car, our very own curbside pick up. You are welcome to email us and let us know how you would like to get them. If you didn't request envelopes, but would like them, we are happy to provide those too. Just let us know!
If you would still like to pledge, there is still time. Email us if you need a new card. This helps us plan the budget for 2021. We are grateful for all the ways you continue to support SJtL!
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Wednesday
Join us for Morning Prayer this Wednesday at 7:30am and then a cup of coffee afterward at 8am on Zoom. Please make sure that your screen name is your name so we know who is there. It is a wonderful time to reconnect!
Link to join the conversation at 8am: click here.
If you would like to call in (audio only) dial (646) 558 8656 and enter the Meeting ID: 826 2172 6493 and Password: 997124
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Thursday
We are thrilled January Book Club is beginning again this week on Thursday at 10:30am. We will be reading The Ragamuffin Gospel:Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out, by Brennan Manning. You can order it here from Amazon. We are happy to order you a copy if you would like. Please join us. Everyone is wanted and welcome! Also, if this is your first time using Zoom, we are happy to help you get set up.
To join the Zoom meeting click here
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301) 715-8592 and enter the Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497 and Passcode: 570346
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Sunday Morning
We hope that you will join us at 10am for virtual Morning Prayer Worship service. It will be a beautiful time of connection and community. The link to watch and the bulletin is below in the schedule.
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Monday Morning
Grief Group is continuing via Zoom on Monday mornings at 10:30am until we are allowed to meet again in person.
To join the meeting on Monday, simply click here
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301)715-8592 and enter
Meeting ID: 879 5406 9630 and Passcode: 062583
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Many of you have been looking for ways to be generous this holiday season. Hanover Department of Community Resources put together a lovely flyer that show the needs of our community and how you can help. Please click here to see the many ways you can "love your neighbor."
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First Baptist Church Food Pantry is offering food to any resident of Hanover County that might need it.
WHERE: 800 Thompson Street, Ashland 23005
WHEN: First Tuesday, Third Tuesday or Third Saturday from 9 until 11 am (come 1 time within a 30 day period)
They offer food, hygiene items, and baby needs. Tuesdays are drive through to receive a bag of food, freezer items, bread,hygiene items. Saturdays are self shop in fellowship hall. COVID procedures in place: Temperature checks, masks required, social distancing. Call 804 -798 -9014 for more information.
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Saint James the Less Free Clinic
Right outside our very own Saint James the Less Free Clinic the Girl Scouts have donated a food pantry. It is available 24/7 if people might have an immediate need. Please feel free to come by and donate non-perishables to this. It would be an incredible blessing to our community.
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ACES is in need of the following items:
- Pantry: Canned Meat (chicken, beef, spam, ham, salmon, tuna), Canned and Boxed Potatoes, Pork-n-beans, Protein Soups/Stews (with meat and/or beans), Pasta Sauce
- Children's Clothing: Diapers - size 6, Boy's New Underwear (sizes 8 - 10)
- Adult Clothing: Women's New Undergarments (bras & panties - all sizes), Men's Jeans - size 34 waist
- Household Item's: Queen Sheets and Blankets (new or gently used)
They respectfully request that clothing donations be limited to "in-season" only, as we do not have space to store "out-of-season" items. They are open to drop off donations Monday 8:30am-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!
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POP TOPS
We are still collecting Pop Tops for Ronald McDonald house. Hang on to them or bring them by when you can. This is a valuable resource that goes to help families with children in the hospital here in Richmond.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
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7:30am- Morning Prayer (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
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8am- Coffee & Conversation (online)
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayer (online)
Thursday, January 7, 2021
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10:30am- Book Club
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, January 8, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Sunday, January 10, 2021
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9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
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Link to join
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10am- Morning Prayer Worship (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, January 11, 2021
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10:30am- Grief Group (online)
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Join us daily for Noonday Prayer online here. You can follow along with the service on page 103 of the Book of Common Prayer or visit BCPonline.org (Click on "Daily Office" and then"An Order of Service at Noonday")
If you can't join us live-time, no worries. All of our services can be viewed at your convenience afterward on Facebook. All our Sunday morning and Contemplative services will be posted on our YouTube Channel, "St. James the Less Ashland VA." You can access that here.
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Lord, we lift up this nation struggling with itself these days, reeling from this pandemic and its repercussions. Encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s Children. We lift up Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Susan, Jennifer, and Porter our Bishops, Rock and Becky, our priests, and Harrison, our deacon. May they be strengthened and encouraged as the work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Donald, our President, Joe, our President Elect, Ralph, 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. Remembering especially Gus, Pat, Dick, Erin, Joanie, Anna, Meredith, Jan, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Kirsten, Carolyn Moore Lindau, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Ricki Carson, Michael Fox, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Bobbie Street, Michelle Murphy, Bill Blakemore, Rose, Mason, Elizabeth Attkisson (Erin Cobb's mother), Jan Meacham, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell (friend of Betty & Jim Moore), Horace Crowe (friend of the Meyer’s family), Delaney Thompson family, Ginny Miller (sister of Carol Barnes), Kia (friend of Shelby Davies), Bill Gleeson, Emily Bach, Kathy Marshall and her mom Connie.
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: Kemper Jones, Greg Ericksen, Matthew Thomas, Philip Morison, James Ashley, Andrew Brunson, Jordan Fox, and Katherine Murphy.
We ask your prayers for those who have died.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for Metropolitan Richmond:We pray to overcome in Christ’s name the heritage of racism: For racial reconciliation, healing, and justice in Metropolitan Richmond; for an end to all personal and structural racial prejudice and discrimination.
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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THIS PAST SUNDAY'S HOMILY |
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Shrimp With Norfolk Butter
(contributed by Mary Bridges on p. 104)
Ingredients:
- 1/4 c. butter, soft
- 1 T. fresh parsley
- 2 t. fresh basil, chopped
- 2 t. white wine vinegar
- 1 t. dry breadcrumbs
- 1/2 t. lemon juice
- 1/4 t. white pepper
- 1 T. butter
- 1 lb. green shrimp, peeling and deveined
Combine butter, parsley, basil, vinegar, breadcrumbs and lemon juice until smooth. Cook butter and shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes. Keep warm on a plate. Add 1/4 c. white wine and reduce to 1 T. (3-4 minutes). Remove and whisk in first mixture until slightly mixed and sauce is slightly thick. To serve, sprinkle with parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serves four.
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NeverTheLess and Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information to Kasey no later than noon on Monday. Thanks!
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January 6
Jim Sanders
January 8
Aleta Meyer
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January 9
Virginia Meade
January 10
Ellen Pleasants
Ashton Cobb
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