If you have articles or announcements, please email them by  12:00p.m.  on  Wednesday  to  office@sj.church
Father Jos can be reached at:  fatherjos@sj.church
SHOUT OUTS THIS WEEK


  • Thank you Dr. Jeremy Chesman, members of the choir, and all those who helped to make our worship in this season beautiful.

  • Thank you to all those who helped out in the office in the last few days, especially Ann and Vickie for their time, dedicated ministry, care, and love of all that happens at St. James Office.
A 20/20 VISION FOR 2020!

We are now officially in the 2020! Yes, with a 20/20 vision for the future! If we don't have that, then it is time for us to do something about it. Let us do all the check-ups and make sure we are ready for the future of St. James. I am ready and I am going to call upon you to help me and your church be clear about the vision of the future.

But first, I want to wish you all a Blessed New Year and Blessed Life ahead. No matter what happens, your church family will be here to help you through it. Call me anytime you need someone to talk to or share some thing. I will be available to serve you.

Let us not forget, life is beautiful because life is filled with uncertainties and at the same time surprises. Life will be boring if we know everything that is ahead of us. Most of the time surprises come to us from the people whom we love and occasionally situations that we least are prepared for. But meeting them with grace is the key to Spiritual Transformation. Whether it comes from those whom we know or situations we least expect, keeping an attitude of openness will help us tide through whatever is in front of us. So, the theme for the year is simple. Be Open. A 20/20 vision is OPENNESS and not to panic when things are not clear. Here is the lesson for the year 2020. Read Mark 8:22-25.

Fr. Jos+
SPECIAL EVENTS IN JANUARY

01/05 - Ministry leaders meeting after church. All vestry members and leaders of particular ministries are invited to attend this gathering.

01/15 - Ministry Reports are due on this day. Please send your ministry report to the church office by email. office@sj.church

01/26 - Annual Meeting after church. It will be a potluck Sunday. Please bring a dish or two to share.

OUTREACH NEWS

January is our first month of service at the Crosslines Food Pantry in 2020. It is never too early to start bringing non-perishable foods and hygiene items to share with the food insecure in our community. If you haven't visited "Crosslines of Springfield" FaceBook page, check it out for up to date news from Crosslines.

On Tuesday, January 7, there will be an Outreach Committee Meeting. We will review our work from 2019 and start planning the projects for 2020. If you would like to be a part of the Outreach planning , please join us at 6 PM in the St. James Library. A detailed report of the past year's activities will be available at the Annual Meeting.
Join us on Monday,
January 6th @ 6 pm
for the Epiphany Bonfire
and Chalking of the Doors!


Epiphany (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of “chalking the doors.” The formula for the ritual — adapted for 2019 — is simple: take chalk of any color and write the following above the entrance of your home: 20 + C + M + B + 19.

The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi — Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar — who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “19” at the end mark the year. Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request for Christ to bless those homes so marked and that He stay with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.

The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world, though it appears to be somewhat less well-known in the United Sates. It is, however, an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and on all who live, work, or visit them there.
YOUTH CALENDAR FOR JANUARY
WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, JAN. 5th

09:15 AM: Sunday School
09:15 AM: Adult Sunday School
09.30 AM: Choir
10.30 AM: Morning Prayer
03:00 PM: Ultreya at St.James

TUESDAY, JAN. 7t h

9:00 AM: Yoga with Penny Childress

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8th

10:00 AM: Healing Service
12:30 PM: Wrapped in Prayer

THURSDAY, JAN. 9th

9:00 AM: Yoga with Penny Childress
MINISTERIAL SCHEDULE  
January 5

Celebrant:  The Rev Jos Tharakan
Preacher: The  Rev Jos Tharakan
Deacon:   Rev Deacon Suzy Lynch
Subdeacon: Lisa Pruitt
Eucharistic Minister:  Julie Gillogly
Lectors:  Daniel Redden
Crucifer:  Matt Hopper
Acolyte 1:  Asha Tharakan
Acolyte 2:  Owen Tackett
Sacristan 1:   Vickie Hamilton
Sacristan 2:  Tammy Larimore
Usher:  Terry Abshire
Usher:  Jim Lynch
Greeter:   Eric Atkinson
Greeter:  
Prayer Partner:  Judith Colwell
Hospitality:  Michael Bishop-Jones
Organist : Dr. Jeremy Chesman
THE BIRTH OF 2020!

We had a great celebration on the New Year's Eve: A fun Gifts Exchange, Holy Eucharist, and the Champaign Party. Larry and Tammy Larimore won the grant prize and Trophy. They will host the next White Elephant Gift Exchange and the party in 2021. Mark your calendars for 2021 party!
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH  |  2645 E. SOUTHERN HILLS BLVD
417-883-7073 | WWW.SJ.CHURCH | OFFICE@SJ.CHURCH