December 24th, 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/

When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, he says to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Of course, Mary doesn’t know what kind of greeting this is, but as the conversation continues, she learns that God has chosen her to bear the Christ child. This exchange ends as Mary replies, “Let it be with me according to your word.” As Mary takes on this responsibility she takes her place in the story of Salvation as it is being told in Scripture.

Lots of times we talk of Christ living within us, much like we believe Christ lived within Mary. As bearers of Christ ourselves, we carry Christ into the world in many and varied ways. Each of us has a way of serving God and serving one another and serving the Christ we find in each other.

As this season of Advent ends and we look to the celebration of Christmas, I hope you can you imagine the angel of the Lord looking at you, too, and saying, “The Lord is with you,” because the Lord is, and that’s good news for us to know and share with the world.

An Epiphany Celebration!



After the twelve days of Christmas we will celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, 2024 at 3 PM. We will gather together in the Great Hall for a covered dish dinner, and you’re invited to bring a favorite dish or desert to share. We’ll hear the story of the Epiphany and learn about an ancient house blessing that we can call do at our own homes, as well. Please mark you calendars and plan to join us for this joyful feast!

A Christmas Break



The parish office will be closed the week of Christmas, but we will be around for any pastoral needs or emergencies. There will be no Wednesday service this week, and we will re-open on Tuesday, January 2.

Good Book Club Books - Now Available



If you’d like to read along for our next Good Book Club, the books will be available in the office the week of January 2nd. Please know that you don’t need the text book to participate! We’ll begin our read-through of Genesis on January 7th following our morning service, and and if you’d like to make an offering to offset the cost of the books, talk to Fr. Ben or Liz when you pick up your copy.

MANY THANKS 

Yesterday, we wrapped up another year of serving delicious lunches to the guests at Emmanuel Dining Room. And, we also shared some warm hats, gloves, socks, and other personal items to our guests. 

We served almost 200 guests yesterday and had enough ingredients left for them to transform our extra meatballs and sauce (used for subs yesterday) into spaghetti and meatballs today--serving almost 400 people for the two days! Not exactly a fishes and loaves story, but VERY much appreciated and needed!!  

A warm meal on a cold day goes a long way. Our guests asked that we thank you and send blessings to all for our support and caring of those who are in need.

Next year, we'll be back to our schedule of serving on the 31st day of the month. More info to follow.  

Thank you all! 

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.

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 [email protected] 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 12:10

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Prayer for Christmas Day

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at St. James' Mill Creek!

Photo by Larry Heinold