September 17th, 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/

In last week’s Gospel lesson we heard Jesus talk about the need and power of reconciliation. You’ll remember that his advice was first to go to the person who had sinned and to talk to them. If that didn’t work, you were to take a third party with you. And if even that failed, the matter was to be taken up before the whole church.

Naturally, Peter’s response to this is, “Yes, Lord, that’s great. But how many times are we to do this? As many as seven?” Jesus responds, “Not seven, but seventy-seven!”

Peter asks this because forgiveness is hard. Even after we’ve offered it or received it, there’s still a tendency to remember those past offenses, the ways that we’ve hurt others or how others have hurt us. “Forgive and forget” is a nice idea, but when life gets tough, it’s all too easy to dwell on the past and let long-ago problems come to the surface.

For us, forgiveness is not a one-time deal. It’s an ongoing process of change that affects who we are and how we live in the world. In Jesus’s response to Peter, we’re reminded that as we receive God’s grace and forgiveness, and the grace and forgiveness of others, we’re compelled to pour it back out into the world, no matter how many times it might be necessary.

“Instructed Eucharist” - September 24th at 9:30 AM

Have you ever wondered why we do certain things on a Sunday morning? Or why we may do something differently at St. James’ than you’ve seen at another place? If you have, use the form below to submit your question to us, and you may get an answer at our Instructed Eucharist on Sunday, September 24th. You can also drop your question in the offering plate on Sunday, September 17th. This will be a fun time to learn about our traditions and customs, and we hope to see you there!

*Picture taken by Larry Heinold

A Love Surpassing All Other

The old moon hung low, heavy in the star speckled

western sky

Somewhere between night – before the rising of the

days sun

Witnessing the embrace, the kiss of night on a new day

Standing, gazing at the wonder

Where heaven and earth meet

Where night and day melt, blend into one another

Cupid aimed the arrow at my heart

Feeling neither the piercing – the sting

Engulfing, surrounding, ensuing

All that was felt was…

A love surpassing all other love!

More comfy than an old well-worn soft flannel robe

Adrift with so many powerful feelings

A gentle swelling of the heart

Everything to give-

Gave!

That insatiable love built a bridge between two hearts –

two souls

Love, faith and trust cemented, reinforced that

structure, that love

 But left to cross yet another bridge

By one who had everything to give –

Gave!

Built by Our Lord and Savior who truly gave His all

By His unconditional love and at last His blood!

God chose us, sent His Son to help us cross a bridge to a

Love surpassing all other love!

Truly a love surpassing, so mighty that,

“it does surpass all other loves!

by Faye Hart

Jan 13^th 2009

10:30AM

From Kathy Jackson

Thanks again for supporting me in the Epilepsy 5K walk! Here are some pictures of me at the walk on June 3, 2023. With your help, I raised $11,975 in my 31th year of participation in the walk. It was at Glasgow Park again and there was a great turn out of participants. I’ll be seeing you all next year! 

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.  

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of Thanks from The Church of England

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you

for all the benefits that you have won for us,

for all the pains and insults

that you have borne for us.

Most merciful redeemer,

friend and brother,

may me know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly,

day by day.

Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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