Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware

November 20, 2022


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Sunday Bulletin (November 20th)

When we hear the gospel reading this Sunday morning, it may be jarring to hear the story of Jesus’s crucifixion outside of the context of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, especially as our minds have already begun to look toward Thanksgiving and Advent and the season after. However, the Last Sunday after Pentecost represents the culmination of the liturgical year, and this moment of Jesus on the cross helps to distill down what has seemed to be the message of Luke’s gospel that we’ve been hearing this whole season: “This isn’t how things are supposed to be.”

 

And yet, we’ve heard the parables, and we remember Jesus’s teachings. We remember the story of the prodigal son; we remember the shrewd manager; we remember the persistent widow and the bad judge. We remember that Luke is telling a story of reversals, and because of this, we don’t even have to know what happens next because we know, in our bones and our hearts, that this death will not be the end of the story.

 

We know that Christ overcomes death and is raised to new life, reminding us yet again, that God’s will overcomes any earthly powers.

Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service – November 23 at 7PM



Our annual Thanksgiving ecumenical service will be held at Marshallton United Methodist Church at 7 PM on November 23. Our musical offering will be from the combined choirs of the Mill Creek Ministerium, and our preacher will be the Rev. Ben Rockwell from St. James’ Episcopal Church. We hope you will join us for this celebration of the abundant gifts of God!

Lighting the Advent Candle

 

Advent is quickly approaching, the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 27th. 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 or send her an email at 302 994 1584 or [email protected]


Photograph by Larry Heinold

Lector Training - November 20

 

If you’re interested in training to read at church on Sunday mornings, please plan to join us after the 9:30 AM service on Sunday, November 20. We’ll talk about the role of Scripture in worship, best practices for reading in worship, and the practical parts of helping out on Sunday morning.

 

This session should be about 30 minutes, and if you’re interested please contact the Parish Office or simply join us after worship that day.

Advent and Christmas at St. James’

 

Sunday, November 27 - The First Sunday of Advent

 

Sunday, December 11 - Parish Advent Party following 9:30 AM Service

 

Thursday, December 15 - 6:30 PM - Advent Service of Light

 

Saturday, December 24 - 3:00 PM - Daylight Christmas Eve Service with Choir and Holy Eucharist

 

Saturday, December 24 - 7:00 PM - Traditional Christmas Eve Service with Choir and Holy Eucharist

 

Sunday, December 25 - 9:30 AM - Christmas Day Eucharist

 

Sunday, January 1 - 9:30 AM - The Feast of the Holy Name with Holy Eucharist

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed


Right now millions of seniors in America face the threat of hunger and live in isolation. If you would like to help we are looking for a couple of volunteers for Meals on Wheels. If you are interested please send an email to the office at [email protected]

The Hope Center Provides Transitional Housing to Those in Need


Delaware’s Hope Center—the largest homeless shelter on the East Coast—provides compassion and care while helping those down on their luck regain stability.

Read about this on Delaware Today.


Article about The Hope Center

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others.

 

Thank you all for your generosity and caring that made and make these offerings possible. 

 

Our next Emmanuel Dining Room lunch is New Year's Eve -- Saturday, December 31st 


Stay tuned for more information.


·  For questions: please text or call Pat Minor 302-983-6299 or Cindy Fauerbach 302-584-8053.


 

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.  


Colossians 4:2


“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Prayer for the Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King



Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.



Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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

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St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

302.994.1584