Second Sunday after Epiphany

Psalm 148

Isaiah 43:14 - 44:5

Hebrews 6:17 - 7:10

John 4:27-42

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Officiants: The Reverend Nancy Key and Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy

Preacher: The Very Reverend Samuel Colley-Toothaker, Acting Dean

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We are all seekers. From the time we issue forth from our mother’s womb, we are on a journey…seeking something. Consider that every action of a newborn child is proposed because the babe seeks something…cries out to another for a need to be met…a breast to satisfy hunger…a diaper change to experience comfort…arms to feel warmth and safety…the sound of a voice to realize companionship—all of it, every effort, every action seeks something or someone that satisfies a base need which is just as it should be in the cycle of life.

Then, as we grow, seeking takes us on a different path—serves a different purpose. As we grow, the act of seeking reaches beyond the satisfaction of base needs and begins to compel us towards becoming. What will you do with your life…who will you spend it with…what will your place in the world be…how will you give back…how will you overcome sin and evil and brokenness in your life…who is my brother or sister…who is my neighbor…what is the purpose of my life…what does God want from me? Each and every question asked seeks the answers of becoming.

I believe, I give my heart to, the reality that every one of us was created in the image and likeness of God, which means every individual is both the physical and spiritual essence of our Heavenly Father and that each of us, as seekers, is on a journey to return to our Maker…to become one with God…to restore perfect union in and with our Creator.

I believe, I give my heart to, the proposition that life works best…is most joyous…most productive…most fulfilling…most satisfying…most peaceful when I seek out and choose God’s will for me in all things and at all times, and if I am willing to follow God’s will for me, even though it often does not make sense to me, one day my journey will end, and my seeking will have led me back to restored and perfect union with my Lord. In my seeking the will of God and in my choosing to follow God’s will, I will have become who God created me to be.

May God who created, Jesus who redeems and the Holy Spirit who sustains us bless our journey that we might find and follow the will of the Father in our life until our mortal seeking ends and our eternal life begins. Amen!

A fellow seeker,

Dean Sam+

Residents who are 65 years of age or older can receive a COVID-19 vaccination starting next week (January 18) at the Fresno Fairgrounds between 8:00 am at 4:45 pm.

Those who make an appointment must bring with them their ID and proof of registration. The vaccine is free and will be administered in the Agriculture Building. Registration is required. To register for your vaccine, click the blue button below and complete the form.

Other vaccine clinic locations are still being added by the county. Watch for more details on our website, Facebook page, and in upcoming Midweek Missives.

Contact Dean Sam if you are interested in working with him on the Buildings and Grounds Team. There is much to be done, and you can make a difference. You can reach him at 415-758-1904.

Thank you for your generosity to the Cathedral and to all who call St. James home. Your pledges are needed to make the good work happen here. It isn't too late. Pledge now below.

St. James offers Sunday worship each Sunday at 10:00AM on our YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Website. Archives of these services are available.

Starting this Sunday, we will once again begin offering digital service programs. Visit the St. James website to download the program. If possible, for our creation care work, please do not print the program.

To help us improve our digital church experience, please evaluate your experience of our "live stream service," by taking a moment to complete a short survey following Sunday's service.

Mulching your plants reduces the amount of water lost through evaporation, limits weed growth, and improves soil conditions. Water savings: 70 percent of water typically lost through evaporation.

To participate, log into the Cathedral Coffee Hour on Zoom. The meeting password is "james4147". You can also join the conversation by phone. Call (669) 900-6833 and enter the meeting ID 821-8772-3828. You will be prompted to enter the phone password "492292".

Meets the first Saturday of each monthly at 9:30AM on Zoom. These gatherings are open to all. To join via Zoom, click here. There is also a call-in option: (669) 900-6833 - Meeting ID: 894 7483 4226 - Passcode: 230840797.

The clergy of St. James remain deeply committed to offering pastoral care and support to members of the Cathedral Congregation especially during this difficult time. If a pastoral need arises for you or someone you know in the congregation, and you want to contact the clergy, please either email us at clergy@stjamesfresno.org or call the Cathedral office at (559) 439-5011 and select option 5 to leave a message for the clergy.

Drawing on the words of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., Presiding Bishop Michael Curry implored Americans to choose community over chaos in a message to The Episcopal Church as the United States reels from the Jan. 6 mob attack on the Capitol, incited by President Donald Trump and led by his supporters.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry strongly denounced the riotous assault on the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 by supporters of President Donald Trump, referring to it as an “attempted coup.” At least one person was shot inside the Capitol when Trump supporters stormed past police into the building, entering the Senate chamber and leading police to deploy tear gas.

President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to roll back many of Trump’s policies after he is inaugurated on Jan. 20, raising hopes among immigration advocates of a more humane approach to the issues. Experts have noted that Biden’s authority to change immigration policies, though significant, is not unlimited.

On this day of the Feast of the Epiphany, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation.

If you have any feedback, comments, or questions for the Midweek Missive Editors, please email us. Submissions to the Midweek Missive are welcomed and must be submitted to midweek@stjamesfresno.org by Tuesday at noon.