January 7th, 2024

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 our tradition there are four Sundays set aside that we call “Baptismal Feasts.” This means that, given the opportunity and timing, these are the most appropriate days for baptisms to take place within the parish. Those four days are the Easter Vigil, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, and the first Sunday after Epiphany.

While we don’t have any baptisms scheduled for Sunday (yet! Who knows what could happen between now then?!), our prayer book allows and encourages a renewal of our Baptismal Covenant on these Baptismal Feasts. So, this Sunday, after hearing the story of Creation from Genesis and experiencing the Baptism of Jesus by John, we’ll re-affirm those promises we have made time and time again and that were made on our behalf at our own baptism as we begin this new calendar year and look to see how God is calling us to love these promises.

And we will remember, as always, that we don’t do these things alone. It all happens in community, and it all happens “…with God’s help.”

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 potluck 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 your calendars and plan to join us for this joyful feast!

Soup and Bread Luncheon ~ January 28th

Mark your calendars everyone! The Soup and Bread Luncheon is coming back on January 28^th after church. We're looking forward to seeing you all and warming up with a nice meal once again. If you are interested in participating there's a sign up sheet in the Parish Hall or call the office.

Good Book Club - Begins Sunday, January 7

If you’d like to read along for our next Good Book Club, the books are now available in the office and will be available for pick-up on Sunday, January 7. You don’t need the text book to participate, but you will need your Bible. We’ll begin our read-through of Genesis on January 7th following our morning service, and we’ll cover chapters 1 and 2 on Sunday morning. We look forward to seeing you there.

Too many 2024 Calendars?

If you have received extra 2024 calendars (from any of the organizations you have supported) and wondering what to do with them, they are needed by residents of our local nursing homes. Please drop them in the box in the parish hall foyer or in the church entryway and we'll be sure they are distributed! Thank you, Parish Outreach 

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.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen. 

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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