Brothers and Sisters in Christ 

This week, we mark the final of three Sundays devoted to our 2027 annual giving campaign. In our third and final video, we lift up one of the most important parts of our parish life - our ministry to and with our children, youth and families. 

In the reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, Paul describes their life together and just so, describes for us what a faithful, loving, giving community in Christ should look like. The qualities he lays out are our inspiration and our hope - a standard towards which we should always be striving. Our giving of our “time, talent and treasure” is one of the clearest benchmarks for whether we are living up to the kind of community he commends. Our giving is personal and individual, and yet taken together, it is the living embodiment of our collective, communal life in Christ at Saint James - a life that also includes baptism this week! 

Come and see and hear and taste that the Lord is good at Saint James! 

Fr Glenn + 

Parking Update!!

As construction on the former library building progresses and the need for parking for construction vehicles grows, the general contractor has asked that we refrain from parking in the three spaces located near the back of the parish house (see photo), as these spaces are part of the

former library's property.

Saturday, October 17 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Parish House Forum Room

The Gentle Art of Swedish

Death Cleaning



For our next gathering, led by Hugh Scott, we’ll tackle a topic that is both practical and, perhaps, a little uncomfortable: “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.”

Despite the rather blunt title, Swedish death cleaning isn’t really about death. It’s about taking a thoughtful look at the possessions, memories, obligations, and “stuff” we accumulate over a lifetime, and deciding what is truly worth keeping, what might be better given away, and what we can finally let go.

A spiritual dimension is worth exploring. As Christians, we talk about stewardship, simplicity, generosity, letting go and what it means to live faithfully in the time we have. Perhaps “cleaning house” can be about more than closets and attics.

Come prepared to share your thoughts, experiences, and perhaps a few stories about the things you simply cannot bring yourself to throw away. And no, we will not be conducting an actual Swedish death cleaning at the meeting! Join us for another meaningful discussion and time together. Come hungry and bring a friend!

Sunday, October 18 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

In the Parish House Forum Room

Beginning this Sunday and continuing to Christmas, we'll be studying The Book of Psalms. We'll examine the psalm appointed for the day, along with psalms on similar themes, to better understand the psalms' meaning and their role in our prayer life. Our series begins with Psalm 99, which is one of the psalms associated with the Temple in Jerusalem. We will set it in the context of other Jerusalem psalms, especially Psalm 48, which includes the highly influential reminder to "be still and know that I am God."

Join us this Sunday as we begin our exploration of the Psalms, which John Calvin called "'An Anatomy of all of the Parts of the Soul;' for there is not an emotion of which anyone can be conscious that is not here represented as in a mirror."

Available in person and via Zoom.

Click here for the Zoom link.

Sunday, October 18 | 1:00 PM

Youth Group at the CROP Hunger Walk

This month, Youth Group is heading out into the community! Instead of our usual Sunday evening gathering, we’ll meet at 1:00 PM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to take part in the CROP Hunger Walk.

This annual event brings people together to fight hunger and support our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. As a Youth Group, we’ll have the opportunity to put our faith into action by walking alongside others in our community and supporting the Lancaster County Food Hub.

The event is held rain or shine. Walking is free, and donations are welcome. Click here to learn more and join the Saint James Team.

Whether you walk, raise money, or simply show up to support the cause, every step makes a difference.

Sunday, October 18 | 1:00 PM

CROP Hunger Walk

At Annunciation Greek

Orthodox Church

The Crop Walk is a mission-driven event where funds raised help feed the most vulnerable in our community and support programs addressing food insecurity worldwide. Whether you take part in the physical walk, help raise money, or simply donate, you make a tremendous impact for the greater good.

Poverty is not a choice. Every Neighbor Matters. Every day, thousands of our neighbors face impossible choices: to buy groceries or pay the rent, replace worn-out clothes or fill a prescription, find a safe place to sleep or simply make it through another day. The Lancaster County Food Hub believes no one should have to face those choices alone.

Every day, the dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners come together to provide nourishing food, free clothing and supportive outreach services for neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability. These aren't just programs. They're pathways to dignity, hope and opportunity.

The Lancaster County Food Hub uses funds raised through the CROP Hunger Walk to help provide food and hope to families and individuals struggling with hunger in our community. 

Click here to learn more and join the Saint James Team.

If you have any questions or concerns, please click here to email Bradden Weaver or call 717-466-9768.

The event is held rain or shine. Free to walk, but donations/pledges are welcome. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is located at 64 Hershey Avenue in Lancaster, 17603.

Sunday Evenings | 5:00 PM

Vespers at the Urban Well

In the Chapel

Join us Sunday evenings for Vespers, a warm and inviting weekly gathering in the serene surroundings of the Saint James Chapel. This quiet, reflective service embraces Christianity's rich prayer traditions and the embodied practices that nurture our spiritual lives today. 

Gather with us for uplifting singing, find solace in moments of silence, and choose the posture that feels most comfortable as we open our hearts to listen for God’s voice and center ourselves for the week ahead. We have meditation cushions and chairs available for your comfort. We’ll celebrate Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month. In person only. Everyone is welcome—come as you are! 

Thank You for Moving Up!

A big thank you to everyone who moved a little closer to the front last Sunday! It was wonderful to have more of our community gathered together, and we could truly feel the difference, and so could our friends joining us via livestream. The church felt more connected, and your clergy, choir and servers loved having you a little closer!

So, let’s keep it going! Just two rows forward is all it takes to help us create an even more connected and welcoming space for worship.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month!

Check out the ad below,

as seen in LNP



Tuesday, October 20 | 7:00 PM

Contemplative Citizenship

Lord, make me an

instrument of your peace.

Tuesdays, through Nov 10

7:00 – 8:00 PM

In person and via Zoom

This Tuesday, we will continue exploring how to be an instrument of peace, standing in the space between. We'll learn about the work of Leymah Gwobee, co-leader of the interfaith Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, which united Christian and Muslim women in nonviolent protest to help end the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003.

Leymah's example, like all whom we will hear about in this series, shows how the work of nonviolence, which can be long, tiring, and can feel futile at times, can be sustained when grounded in faith, prayer, patience and community.

Click here for more info and to register for the Zoom link.

Wednesday, October 21 | 3:00 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

Willow Valley residents are warmly invited to come together with clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Manor North Auditorium on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome to join us for this meaningful occasion; feel free to bring a friend!

All Saints and All Souls Season

The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls) begins on November 1^st at 5 PM with Vespers

Our Sunday morning services on All Saints Day properly focus on baptism and the celebration of new members.

This year, on Sunday, November 1st, at our 5:00 PM Vespers service, on the Eve of All Souls, we begin our commemorations of the faithful departed, when we read the names of those of our parish who have died in the past year. As we do so, everyone is invited to light a candle for those whom they remember, as well as all those of our parish.

On Monday, November 2^nd at noon, a Mass will be said in the chapel for the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, especially those of this parish, and for any others whom those attending wish to pray for from among their own loved ones.

At First Friday Compline, on November 6th at 9:00 PM, once again the names of all the recently departed we have prayed for in the Prayers of the People, as well as the names of those who have died in the past year and were submitted to the church, will be read aloud.

These readings of names and the remembering of our dead of this past year in these special services allow us to create sacred and holy worship experiences that hold together the range of feelings that are part of that first year of losing a loved one. The sheer grief we feel with the loss of their presence in our daily lives, the grief of a relationship that may not have ended as we had hoped, and the myriad ways that grief ebbs and flows as we find a new way of being in the world. And, at the same time we are experiencing deep grief, we look for ways to hold fast to the promise of the resurrection, and that every tear will be wiped away, and nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death. The church calendar wisely separates the focus of celebration of the heroic faith and sacrifices of the well-known saints and martyrs traditionally remembered on All Saints Day and those “more ordinary holy ones and loved ones” of our own lives, parish, family and friends. They too should be remembered with all the saints and all the faithful departed, even those of uncertain faith, because we believe nothing limits the mercy of God. 

Please consider joining us for one or more of these services, whether you have lost someone in the past year or not. Your presence will be a sign and witness to all who are present that through Christ the nature of death has been changed and death does not have the final word in life.

If you have a loved one who died between October 28, 2025 and Monday, October 26, 2026 and would like them to be remembered, click here to use the form on our website to submit their name.

You may also submit names by calling the church office at 717-397-4858. Or click here to email your submission to Kristle Evans, Pastoral Care Coordinator. The name submission deadline is Tuesday, October 27th.

October 21, 2026

Fall Habitat for Humanity Build Begins

This October, work will continue for new Habitat homeowners, Stephanie and Donesha, on Linden Street in Columbia.

For the Saint James crew, work is scheduled from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM on the following dates:



• Wednesday, October 21
• Friday, October 23
• Friday, October 30

All volunteers are welcome, regardless of experience. Work can range from finishing work such as caulking, painting, appliance installation and cleaning. If this is your first time volunteering with Habitat, you will need to complete a short online safety course before signing up for your dates. Each day has 10 volunteer slots, so good fun and community will abound. Please pack a lunch and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated on the job!

Click here for more information and registration.

Sunday, October 25 | 9:00 AM

Saint James Voices

Calling all Singers!



Led by Kate Umble Smucker, the ensemble is open to anyone ages nine and above, with no experience required. The group will rehearse at 9:00 AM and then sing at the 10:30 AM service.

If you'd like your music in advance, click here to email Kate.

Sunday, October 25 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Fall Harvest Festival

Mark your Calendars!

Join us in the Parish House for a festive afternoon celebrating all things fall! We’ll gather for a fun-filled Fall Harvest Festival for all ages.

We’ll have lunch together, plus pumpkin painting, delicious fall treats and games and activities for the whole family. Sign up here to bring a dish or other item to share, or simply sign up to let us know you’re coming!

Whether you’re little or big, you'll find something to enjoy as we celebrate the beauty, joy and abundance of the fall season together.

Wednesday, November 4 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Churchyard Gravestone Care and Cleaning

Join Cordelia Moyse and Maryann Marotta for some hands-on care of our church and nation’s history in the season of remembrance for departed family members, friends and parishioners. Cleaning supplies and refreshments will be provided. We’ll begin our time together at the gazebo.

Please wear work clothes and enclosed shoes or boots, and bring some elbow grease! Refreshments will be provided.

Registration is required for planning purposes and to allow for last-minute cancellation due to churchyard conditions and the weather forecast. Click here to register.

Sunday, November 8 | 9:30 AM

Celebrating 60th years of Ordained Ministry

Join us on November 8th as we celebrate Father Ron Jaynes and his 60 years in ordained ministry.

All are invited to a special coffee hour in the Narthex between services on Sunday, November 8th, with cake, coffee and time with Father Ron. Feel free to bring a completed card or note to the parish house to place in a box that will be presented to Father Ron on November 8th.

Saturday, November 14 | 5:00 PM

Saturday Night Mass Every Body Sacred

Join us for our next Celebrate Abilities Series event with, Every Body Sacred, a joyful, all-ages celebration of music and community! This Saturday Night Mass will feature the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development’s rock and roll legends, The UnSinkables, alongside the United Disabilities Choir.

Bring your family, invite a friend, and be part of an uplifting evening celebrating the gifts, talents, and joy each person brings to our community. Come sing, celebrate, and experience the power of music to bring us together.

Everyone is welcome. We hope you’ll join us!

In person and via livestream. Click here to view the livestream.

Mark Your Calendar

October 17, 8:30 - 10:30 AM | Upper Room Men's Group

October 18, 1:00 PM | 2026 CROP Hunger Walk

October 20, 7:00 PM | Contemplative Citizenship

October 21 | Fall Habitat for Humanity Build begins

October 21, 3:00 PM | Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

October 25, 9:00 AM | Saint James Voices

October 25, 11:45 AM | Fall Harvest Festival

October 27, 7:00 PM | Contemplative Citizenship

November 3, All Day | Chapel Open for prayer 

November 4, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon | Churchyard and Gravestone Care and Cleaning

November 6, 9:00 PM | All Saints, All Souls Compline

November 8 | An anniversary celebration for Fr. Ron Jaynes and 60 Years of ministry

November 14, 5:00 PM | Saturday Night Mass with

The Unsinkables

November 14, 6:00 PM | Younger Saint James Meetup after Unsinkables Mass 

November 15, 8:30 AM | Upper Room Men’s Group

November 15, 9:30 AM | Newcomer Coffee in the Rectory

November 15, 5:00 PM | Youth Group

November 29, 9:30 AM | Women’s Bible Study 

November 29, 11:30 AM | Feast of Saint Andrew

November 29, 11:30 AM | Wreath Making

December 5, 5:00 PM | Saint Nicholas Mass with Live Nativity

Daily Prayer & Meditation

Monday: 6:00 AM (in person only)

8:30 AM (online & in person)

Tuesday: 8:00 AM (online & in person)

Wednesday: 8:00 AM & 5:30 PM (online & in person)

Thursday: 8:00 AM (online & in person)

Friday: 6:45 AM & 8:30 AM (online & in person)

Compline is said at 9:00 PM daily on zoom. 

Interested in hearing more about our

ministries, events and programs?

Click here to sign up for news from:

• Children, Youth & Families
• Mindful Yoga
• Mission & Justice
• Urban Well
• Women's Gathering