November 25, 2019
This Week at St. James the Less
Monday, November 25
7:30 p.m. | Dick Peterson's Big Band

Thursday, November 28
Happy Thanksgiving

Saturday, November 30
11:00 a.m. | A Celebration of the Life of Sue Harboe

Sunday, December 1
The First Sunday of Advent
8:00 a.m. | Eucharist with Traditional Language
9:15 a.m. | Thirty Worthy Minutes
10:00 a.m. | Eucharist with Contemporary Language
10:00 a.m. | Godly Play
11:00 a.m. | Sweet Treats & Fellowship
11:00 a.m. | A Celebration of kClare's Ministry
3:00 p.m. | Mother-Daughter Tea
6:15 p.m. | North Shore Mediation Community
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

Virginia Hunt- Administrative Assistant
Nov 25, 10am-4:00pm & Nov 26 8:30am-3:30pm

Bob Rizzo- Bookkeeper
Nov 25, 9am-4:00pm & Nov 26 10:30-5:00pm

Caryl Medsker- Communication Coordinator
Nov 26 9am-12noon & Nov 27 9am-4:00pm

Josh Langhoff, Music Director- On Vacation

The Rev. Lisa Senuta, Rector by appointment

Mother-Daughter Tea
Sunday, December 1 | 3:00 p.m.
A Tea with a Purpose. Treat yo'self at this year's Mother Daughter Tea (not just for Mothers and Daughters, but all women!). A Therapist will guide deeper connection with the impact of stress on our relationships and support us in creating calm in our lives. We'll make some spa treatment favorites to take home or gift to others. 

Contact kClare (kClare@stjamestheless.org) with any questions.
December 1st We Send KClare our Children and Youth Director on to her new job with our love, gratitude and well wishes.
Celebrate kClare's 4 1/2 years of ministry with us at a reception following 10am worship. Using song and story we will express our gratitude and well-wishes to her and her family, Louisa and Maeve. Please join in the party on Sunday and or contribute to a financial purse as a parting gift from all of us at St James the Less.

In the weeks to come with the Vestry, we will need parishioner support to discern our next plans for the formation of our Children and Youth. If you are interested in sharing your views and participating in the transition, please speak with Rev. Lisa.
Living Well in the Midst of Grief and Loss
Wednesday, December 4 | 6:45 p.m.
The holidays can bring with them a sense of sadness, depression, and anxiety. The happiest time of the year can be blue too, as we naturally recall those we love but see no longer, or as we face changes and new challenges in our lives. You do no have to go down this road alone. Join with others to nurture your well-being as you acknowledge what is rally going on in your life.
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 8 | 10:00 a.m.
The Bible tells us over and over again, almost too many times to count, that God abides with exiles, migrants, and oppressed people. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of their birth. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Moses led God’s people out of Egypt and into the desert for 40 years. These stories still resonate today as we hear news stories of refugees from places like Central America and Syria. But we also feel the truths of the Bible’s migrant stories personally, in the disconnect between the flawed world we inhabit and the spiritual home of our deepest longings. 

On the second Sunday in Advent, please attend this new take on our traditional Lessons and Carols service. Beautiful music from the choir, a brass quartet, and our own voices, united in prayer and song will retell the hope we have in God who becomes one of the exiled and oppressed to show us the way to new life. 

This special Advent Lessons and Carols will gather us once again around the Holy Family, who were migrants twice: first traveling to the city of their ancestors to be counted, and then seeking asylum in a foreign country, saving the life of our Lord. Through all their travels, God was with them –so too God abides with all people who know through experience that separation from God is a form of exile. We are spiritually all migrants and strangers inhabiting the strange land we call life. Let us sing again the songs of hope from every generation yearning for peace on earth. 
Calling All Captains!
On the first Tuesday of each month, we serve a warm dinner to our neighbors in need at A Just Harvest's Community Kitchen in Rogers Park. We are seeking volunteers to serve as Captains of this outreach ministry for each month in 2020. The time commitment is minimal... the rewards are great.

You can sign-up on the outreach bulletin board in Parish Hall or on line. Contact Karie Smith with any questions.
December A Just Harvest
Tuesday, December 3 | 3:45 p.m.
We still have a need for people to sign up for the December A Just Harvest. Please check the Sign Up Genius linked below, or check out the sign up sheet in the parish hall.
Shop for One or Two More Gifts!
Two ReVive Seniors and four families of two are left to be adopted for this Christmas. You can share the joy of Christmas by:

  • Buying one gift per person and a Jewel gift card
  • Wrap gifts and Jewel gift card 
  • Box it all up and bring to the Parish Hall before Saturday, December 7th.  

Contact Susie White sgw1165@gmail.com or Betsy Tracy ehtracy@msn.com with any questions.
Children's Choir Rehearsals
SongPlay Choir
Pre-K through 4th Grade
December 8
Youth Choir
2nd Grade through Middle School
December 8
Our children will be helping to lead the music at the service this coming Sunday, and then will have a Combined Rehearsal on December 8 to prepare for the Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 15.
Godly Play in Advent
Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m., children 3-12 are invited to gather and hear the stories Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and the birth of Christ and then participate in an activity together. 
Annual Coat Drive
We are collecting gently used coats in the bin at church or if you prefer, drop them at Schultz and Odhner's in Wilmette. We will clean and distribute them as in years past to those in need.
From the Chicago Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:     
We pray and give thanks for the clergy of our Diocese: our Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and their ministries in parishes, as well as our clergy in specialized ministries such as chaplaincies, teaching and hospice care; and for our relationship with our companion Dioceses of Renk, South Sudan and SE Mexico.
For the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar:  
We pray for Bishop Todd & Rev. Patsy McGregor, Assistant Bishop Samy and his wife, Holy, and all the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar.  
For those who are sick: 
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers; mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
Steve Baine (friend of Hope & Jim Martin)
Lee Beadle (friend of John Roberts)
Daniel Berry (son of Miriam Berry)
Mary Blair (friend of John Roberts)
Frank Blunt (friend of John Roberts)
Maryann Bovio (friend of Dane Cleven)
David Braun (uncle of Matthew Berry)
Mary Burrington (grandmother of Lisa Senuta)
Debbie Carpenter (sister of David Mason)
Sandra Carpenter (sister of Shari Noble)
Mary Cato (friend of Miriam Berry)
Joan Cleven (daughter of Dane & Kathleen Cleven)
Kathleen Cleven (parishioner)
Norman & Cathleen Corfield (parents of Yvonne Watson)
Gerry Cox (father of Patsy McGregor)
Katie Cramer (friend of Glen Tracy)
Chase Curtis (friend of John Roberts)
Silvio DeBartelmaise (friend of John Roberts)
Connor Dolge (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie) 
Bill Fox (parishioner)
George Hartnett (friend of John Roberts)
RG Heydt (friend of Katie Synek)
Walter Holt (friend of John Roberts)
Rev. David Jones (former interim rector)
Jack & Tricia Kessie (parishioners)
Ken Killion (friend of Kathy Smith)
Jenny Kokonas (friend of Yvonne Watson)
Courtney Koshgarian (friend of Peggy Greene)
Gail Kotin (parishioner)
Nancy Lidecker (mother of Katie Synek)
Jon Lind (friend of John Roberts)
Allen Liss (companion of Pam Hardy)
John Marquardt, Jr. (son of Judy Marquardt)
Peggy Mason (parishioner)
Karen Mills Hensley (daughter of Mike Mills)
Meredith Montross (parishioner)
Bob P (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Dick Peterson (parishioner)
Joanie Phillips (wife of Gary Phillips)
JoAnn Powers (friend of John Roberts)
Eric Ramos (resident of The Grove)
Donald P. Rand (friend of John Roberts)
Donald P. Rand (friend of John Roberts)
Lucy Roe (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie) 
Mary Schwenk (wife of Henry Schwenk)
Emily Senuta (mother of Chad Senuta)
Brian Stanton (resident of The Grove)
Kathy Stutz (daughter-in-law of Barbara Stutz)
Patti Stutz (daughter-in-law of Barbara Stutz)
Libby Swift (parishioner)
Nancy Thompson (sister of Dorothy Generes)
Jamie Trotter (parishioner)
Scott Trumble (friend of Scott Swank)
Elena Walke (friend of Jack & Tricia Kessie)
Tom White (son of John White)
Katherine Van Pelt (parishioner)
Fred Zweifel (son of Diane Sawyer)
Addison & her parents, Kara & Mark, & brother, William  (cousin of kClare McKellaston)
Becky  (friend of Katie Synek)
Daniel  (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Dominic  (friend of Sarah Schneider)
Marie  (friend of Marilee McGowan)
For those who have died:  
O God of grace and glory, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will.
Randy Ruesch
We thank you for giving them to us to know and to love as companions on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by the call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers may be added to this list by completing the Prayer Request Card, which can be found in the pews and Parish Hall, or by emailing Sue Babbs at suebabbs385@gmail.com 

We invite you to join the Prayer Network which receives email notifications and prays for needs as they are shared with us. Contact Sue for further information.