November 13, 2022

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/

The collect (opening prayer) for this week is a prayer for the way that we read and study the Bible, and there’s a line in there that goes like this: “Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.” As we read and hear the Little Apocalypse from Luke’s Gospel this Sunday, we should hold this prayer close to heart as we try to make sense of the words Jesus says.

This appointed Gospel is challenging for us this week because Jesus says things that make us squirm in our pews: “Nation will rise against nation. Famine and plagues will come. Those who follow me will be persecuted, and your families will turn against you.” As we know, though, these things aren’t one time occurrences. Nations have always risen up against nations; famines and plagues are part of the life in the natural world; and people in minority faiths (of which Christianity would have been at the time of Luke’s writing) have always been looked at with suspicious eyes.

Jesus is saying this to the disciples because he knows what will happen in the coming days. Luke is writing this down because he knows what the people have experienced at the time of this writing. We continue to hear these words today because we all need hope in the midst of the uncertainty that goes on around us.

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] . 

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.  

John 15:12-13

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

Prayer for Those Who Are Lonely

O God, our sovereign and our shepherd,

who brought again your Son Jesus Christ from the valley of death,

comfort us with your protecting presence

and your angels of goodness and love,

that we also may come home

and dwell with him in your house for ever.

Amen.

Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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