March 17th, 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/

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

When these Greeks approach Philip and say these words, we don’t know what they were seeking or what they were expecting. As a dutiful disciple, though, Philip takes this request to Andrew, and then he and Andrew go and tell Jesus together, “There are some Greeks here to see you.”

If this moment was in a stage play, Jesus would now be standing up, illuminated by a spotlight, and talking to the audience: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” followed by a long monologue.

As ever in John’s Gospel, this response from Jesus leads to more questions than answers.

What is “the hour?” Why now with the arrival of the Greeks? And when we say, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus,” who or what do we expect to see? Do we really expect to see someone who is promising to drive out the ruler of this world? Someone who says he’s going to be lifted up from the Earth, drawing all people to himself?

Grappling with our own expectations of Jesus is what makes this season of Lent all the more challenging, especially as we draw closer to Holy Week. Jesus consistently challenges our expectations and assumptions of the kind of Messiah he is called to be, and we must consistently re-orient ourselves to His desire for us instead of our expectations of Him.

Ministerium Lunch “Thank You”



Thank you to everyone who provided soup for the day that St. James’ hosted at our Mill Creek Ministerium Lenten lunch. The soups were all a hit, and there no leftovers to be taken home! Our thanks to Carole Leach for organizing the soups, and thanks to Keith St. John for providing our music. We appreciate your ongoing support in helping the bonds of fellowship thrive through this annual offering.

Upcoming Tree Removal

On a campus as large and as old as ours, sometimes tree removal is a necessity. After much conversation and gathering a number of bids, the Vestry has approved six trees for removal due to disease, age, and potential liability. Three ash trees in the graveyard, the tree on the corner turning into the parking lot, and the two cherry trees outside of the graveyard wall will come down after Easter. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office.

Good Friday at St. James’ - March 29th at Noon

On Friday, March 29th, St. James’ will host the Mill Creek Ministerium Good Friday Service at noon. This service includes meditations on the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the cross; hymns and anthems led by a combined choir; and a reading of the Passion according to John’s Gospel.

The nature of the service allows for people to come and go, if necessary, if you are unable to join us for the full offering. Following the service there will be a brief reception with the traditional offering of fresh hot cross buns in the Great Hall of the Parish House. 

To My Dear Family & Friends of St. James:

I want to express my sincere thanks for all your prayers and thoughts of peace in the unexpected death of my son, Robert. I am ever so grateful to God that He sent me up the path and the courage to enter His Church and into the family of St. James, I know every death of a loved one affect us different but, thanks to my family at St. James along with your thoughtfulness and prayers and along with God's saving grace I will get through it.

With a grateful heart, Thank you,

Faye Hart

Garden Committee

Please join the Garden Committee on Tuesday, March 12^th at the Crossroads Restaurant, 12:00 noon. We will be having our initial start-up meeting to go over an agenda for this year's gardening around the church and parish house. We are always looking for new members to volunteer. New ideas or suggestions can be provided to any of the garden members or attend the lunch meeting and have your voice heard.



Thank you, Carol Bruno

Emmanuel Dining Room

Special Date for March!

St. James' will be serving lunch at Emmanuel Dining Room on Friday, March 15^th.  



And, we hope you will join us in the parish hall kitchen Thursday, March 14^th 9am-11am making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

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 12:18

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

A Prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.