Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware
February 6th, 2022

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.


Here is a PDF of this Sunday's bulletin for you to enjoy.
The image of Jesus calling the disciples into ministry with him is a little bit different in each Gospel, but there is a common thread or two through each of those stories. The first thread, of course, is that the first disciples were all fishermen. They were out on the sea, or the lake, as it turns out in Luke’s gospel. They were working while Jesus was teaching, in some ways minding their own business, while these people crowded Jesus in enough that he had to push out into the water to keep from getting pushed into the water.
 
The second, of course, is that when Jesus called on them after he was done, they dropped everything and followed him immediately. Now, there’s some wondering if they gave up fishing full-time for a life of discipleship or found someone to be “bi-vocational disciples,” but that’s probably not the point of the story.
 
In the story, Jesus sees Cephas, James, and John, and he sees something within them that he can work with in terms of continuing this movement he’s started. As he calls more disciples, some of them have different skillsets and gifts, too. The story unfolds, and we see that it’s not always easy for this group of folks called together by the Lord, but for the most part, they find a way forward to do the work Jesus is calling them to do.
 
For us, we might wonder what that is or what that’s like. However, the story also reminds us that the Lord might call on us when we least expect, like when those fishermen were simply mending their nets. Listen out for that call in your daily life because Jesus may need to use you for something, too.
Upcoming opportunities for exploring the Bible, fellowship, and worship!

Please visit our webpage for updates about upcoming activities, including the following:

·        Following Sunday service – The Good Book Club will meet in the lounge. Come for the fellowship and discussion (having completed the readings is NOT required.)

·       Please note this week's Bible Study on Monday is Canceled

·        Wednesday Holy Eucharist in the church at 10 AM
Coffee Hour Remains on Hiatus
 
Because of the surge in COVID cases our coffee hour will remain on hiatus. Please feel free to visit in the carriage circle following church (if weather permits), and we look forward to being back indoors for coffee and fellowship soon.
Serving those in need with dignity and respect…
 
We are grateful for your support that enables us to
serve lunch at the Emmanuel Dining Room
and provide clothing, food, and other items
needed by those being served at the Hope Center.
 
EMMANUEL DINING ROOM
Providing a daily lunch to those in need in Wilmington
 
Our next date for providing lunch for Emmanuel Dining Room will be Thursday, March 31, 2022 and we will continue to deliver our lunch items and extra bottles of water. We hope we will be able to serve our guests in the dining room sometime this spring. For now, we offer “take-away” lunches. We will be serving meatball subs, fruit, chips, cookies, and a bottle of water again this year. When possible, we’ll also offer a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a snack/extra meal (for now--made by youth and adults in their homes.)
 
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)
•      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
·       Gift cards - Target, Acme, Wawa
 
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 Friendship House about every two weeks.
 
Thank you,
St. James' Outreach Ministry
Prayer Team

One Sunday of every month, the members of the prayer team hold a “virtual” ZOOM prayer service (focusing on the prayer requests shared by parishioners through calls or emails to the church office 994-1584 or to individual members of the prayer team.) We lift up these prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world.

Also, weekly we share the prayers and petitions that have been given to us and they are lifted in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome to provide their prayer requests and participate in these services.
 
For those who have an immediate prayer need or would like to receive the ZOOM codes and join the prayer team service, we invite you to email your prayer needs/requests to Cindy Fauerbach cindyfauerbach@verizon.net or call Cindy at
302-584-8053
 
NOTE: Our next ZOOM prayer team will be Sunday, February 6th at 5 p.m.
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.
·    For now, in an abundance of caution, our home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits are on hold.
 
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.  


Isaiah 32:17

“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
Prayer for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service
and live this day in love to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.



Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit
https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/
COVID-19 Restrictions

 
Our firm desire is to worship our Lord in beauty, holiness, AND safety! Please be assured that the St. James' leadership team has worked hard to have meaningful worship while at the same time making our environment as safe as possible for everyone.
  • Church entry time will be 9:15 a.m.
  • Please sanitize hands before entering the church.
  • Face masks are mandatory. 
  • At communion, please wait until you are back in your seat to consume your wafer.
For Access to the News of the Diocesan Publications
St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

302.994.1584