March 3rd, 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/

This Sunday we hear the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem, but this story is different than the one we normally associate with that event. Hearing the story as it’s told in John’s Gospel, the cleansing of the Temple takes place near the very beginning of Jesus’s ministry, as opposed to the other Gospels that place this story at the beginning of Jesus’s last week.

As we hear in the story, we might assume this to be about something happening in the Temple. We discover as we read through the Gospel, though, that the conflict is actually about misplaced priorities. Jesus thinks that the leadership of the Temple is missing the point of their work, that the law is being used to oppress instead of liberate, and people are being pushed out instead of welcomed in. Some people within the leadership, like Nicodemus, can see what Jesus is trying to do, but even he’s worried about making too much noise about it.

If we think about this story as one about missing the point or misplacing our priorities, where are we missing something in our personal lives and our communal lives and our life as a parish? What might we be focusing that needs to be re-focused? Or, put another way, if Jesus were to walk into our church, which table might be flipped to draw our attention to something else?

Benevolent Community

Summit of Delaware

• Wednesday, March 20
• 9:00 a.m. — 6:30 p.m.
• Rollins Conference Center;

1131 N. Dupont Hwy, Dover

• Keynote speaker: Dr. Eddie Glude, Jr., distinguished scholar of African American Studies at Princeton University

This summit is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow community members, share ideas, and inspire positive change in Delaware.

Delaware Episcopalians

help organize state-wide event

The Rev. Patrick Burke, rector at Sts. Andrew & Matthew, and the Rev. Deacon Cecily Sawyer Harmon, missioner for the Racial Justice & Reconciliation Commission, are helping to organize the Poor People's Campaign in Dover.

We hope you will join us in Dover



The Poor People's Campaign, a National Call for Moral Revival, is having a Mass Assembly in 31 State Capitols on March 2, noon – 2:00 p.m. The purpose is to call state legislators to address the issues that cause people to be poor and living with low wealth. Poverty is the 4th leading cause of death in this country.

Please join us on the Green immediately west of Legislative Hall in Dover. This link will provide you with more information and you can register to attend https://bit.ly/42mSDaU   In case of inclement weather, the Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 South State Street, will be available. Please bring a chair if you need to be seated.

If you need transportation from Wilmington, call 302-362-9885. Please encourage all your friends and neighbors to attend the Mass Assembly with you.

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.  

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

A Prayer for the Third Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Young-Old-Wrinkled-Gray

I was a young child,

I wandered upon Your playground and played.

Now, I am old-wrinkled and gray.

But, somewhere in between;

“I learned to trust in You as I prayed!”

And through that faith, a trust was built.

So now, as I journey to the end of this transitory life

I was always guided by a gentle-soft spoken voice;

“this is the way thou must go, walk ye that way.”

When I strayed off that path,

An unseen hand neither felt or seen held in His tender grip.

That hand guided me so I did not lose my way.

Then I was called home and without a doubt

I came upon Your door-knocked.

You did not hesitate; “You said, that You were expecting me.”

And You welcomed me inside.

Without a question – without a doubt

I built upon it all, my faith in – on the One who was sent.

“I won for myself ‘the victory’” – “the Crown of Righteousness.”

Thanks to the One, the Father sent that did not give up on me.

Amen.

Faye R. Hart

Feb. 24^th 2024