December 10th, 2023

We'd love for you to join us!

We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.

https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

The second letter of Peter tells that with the Lord, time does not work the way we assume it does. To borrow a phrase from somewhere else, it’s more “wibbly wobbly” because for the Lord, “one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” There are some times in our life when it feels the same way, and as we continue to move quickly through Advent, I think many of us wish the days had a few more hours and a little more light.

This letter, though, is not about our need for more time to complete our tasks; instead, it’s about how the second advent had not happened yet, and the people were anxious. So, in a moment of pastoral sensitivity, the letter writer reminds them, “Our time is not God’s time, and God’s time is not ours.” Sometimes we can take a deep breath and rest in this truth, and when we do that, we may be able to find a moment of peace in the midst of the busy-ness and worry of our world.

As we light the second candle of the Advent wreath this weekend, we continue to seek out the peace promised by Jesus. Sometimes, even for a moment, we sense it and feel it, and we give thanks for it. And if it’s not there, we trust that in God’s good time, we’ll see it again.

Parish Advent Party

The Parish Life Committee will once again host our Parish Advent Party at coffee hour on Sunday, December 17th following our regular service. This is a nice opportunity for fellowship and a time to enjoy some holiday treats as we move into the last week of Advent. We’d love to see you there!

Photo by Larry Heinold

Advent Service of Light

On Wednesday, December 13th at 7 PM we will gather for our annual Service of Light, sometimes referred to as a “blue Christmas service.” This service gives us space to acknowledge the seen and unseen burdens we all carry that sometimes make themselves known during the holiday season. If you find that this time of year brings up some moments of sadness, we hope this service is a time to remind us the miracle of Christ’s birth meets us in the moments of human sadness, too.

Photo by Larry Heinold

Lighting the Advent Candle

Advent is quickly approaching, as it has been our tradition we will light the candle on the advent wreath and light an additional candle each week. We are asking if you would like to participate in lighting the advent candle and read a prayer.

If so, please call Liz in the office at 302 994 1584 or send her an email at

office@stjamesmillcreek.comcastbiz.net

Advent Quiet Time



Every Wednesday morning we gather for a celebration of Holy Eucharist and a service of healing. During Advent, following our healing service, the sanctuary will remain open for your own time of quiet with yourself and with the Lord. You are invited to remain as long as you need to, and please remember that others may be observing their own time of prayer. When you are finished, simply leave in silence.

St. James’ Family Promise Host 

The week of December 31st, St. James’ will be hosting and providing meals for Family Promise. We are looking for volunteers to provide dinner for these guests. If you are interested, please let Dave Perry or Val Brunson know.  

Donations of money or gift cards to restaurants are always welcome, and this money will be used to buy dinner or other supplies.

If you can provide a meal, but cannot stay for dinner, let Val or Dave know and we will find someone to serve dinner for you.

Thank you to our volunteers who continue to support this worthwhile ministry. You are the reason we are able to continue to do this, and every family we support gets us that much closer to ending family homelessness. Thank you for all you do.

Flower Memorial Envelopes - Now Available!



Every year the people of St. James’ are so generous with your offerings for flowers during the Christmas season. Flower memorial envelopes are now available in the Parish Office, and they will be mailed out this week, as well. Please have these offerings in by December 19th so that we can have memorial names included in our Christmas bulletins.

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others

Reaching out to those in need

And serving them with dignity and respect…

New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.

What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running.  Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance. 

If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.

How can you help?

Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.

 Current items needed:

• Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
• Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
• Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
• Tide pods or other laundry pods
• NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
• New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
• New books for adults and children

Please drop the items off:

     ·        Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch 

Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.

    ·        On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.

 We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.

Thank you,

St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry

Prayer Team Updates

The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.

For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675

St. James' Pastoral Care Team

St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.

If you or someone you know is in need, we: 

·        send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.

·        Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.

Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.

Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.

“Blessful” Meditations

We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.  

Psalm 94:19

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”

Advent Prayer from Daily Prayer for All Seasons



Holy One, whose coming we await, you invite

us into the light of your presence: Illumine the

dim places of our hearts. We are thirsty for your compassion. Draw near to us and fill us, that we may pour out your goodness to all who hunger. Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/