December 4, 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/

In the midst of the greenery and twinkling lights around us we can sometimes forget that the words we hear in Scripture during Advent are meant to be quite unsettling and disruptive. As we heard last week Jesus talked about the End, about what would happen when the Son of Man arrives. One will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal, and then one will be gone and the other left behind. These are stories of preparation for a time that is already, but not yet. How all of this works is a great “eschatological mystery” for us in the Christian Church.

This week, we go back to the beginning of Matthew’s story, as we hear the voice crying out in the wilderness, “Change your hearts, for the Kingdom of the heaven is drawing near!” John, you see, is feeling something within his itchy hair shirt that lets him know something is about to happen; the times are beginning to change. The Pharisees and the Sadducees also sense a change in the air as they, too, draw near for a baptism, prompting John to cry out at them, “You brood of vipers; who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

As we hear this story, it’s important to wonder which ones we might be. Are we the people of Jerusalem heading to the Jordan River because we hear the voice of the prophet, or are we the religious leaders who could be better described as a “brood of vipers” who are making sure we’re going to be okay, come what may? Are we observing this season because we want to be changed, or are we observing this time because we feel like we’re supposed to?

It’s okay to feel unsettled by these words; it means you’re paying attention, and it means God may be about to do a new thing through you.

A Note of Thanks from the Nuss Family

To our St. James family,

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and sympathy during this time of grief for our family. We will always remember your kindness.

Thank you,

John and Deb Nuss and family

Convention Wrap-Up: Sunday, December 4

Our annual diocesan convention was held the weekend of November 18 and 19 at Clayton Hall at the University of Delaware. Join us on Sunday, December 4, after coffee hour for a brief discussion of Convention events. We’ll try to answer any questions or wonderings you have and update you on the business and conversations of the weekend.

Parish Advent Party

The Parish Advent Party will be on Sunday, Dec. 11th after the 9:30 AM service.

Come to the Parish Hall to enjoy coffee, tea, hot cider and Christmas cookies. Hope to see you there! 

Advent and Christmas at St. James’

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

Photograph by Larry Heinold

Extra Refrigerator in the kitchen

As some of you know we got a brand new refrigerator and stove in the kitchen. For a while we had a used one to tide us over until the final purchase was made. If you know someone who could use a fridge please call or send an email and let us know.

Special thanks to Jerry Clark and Borden Adams for their hard work on getting us this new equipment!

Advent Services at St. James’

As the season of Advent approaches, you may notice a couple of small changes to our Sunday liturgy. We’ll move to Rite I on Sundays at 9:30, and we’ll chant the psalm each week. These seasonal changes, along with the change of liturgical color, help us realize that this season in the Church year is different, and we are more intentional in our preparation for our celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas.

You will also notice that our liturgy for the lighting of the Advent wreath takes place after the prelude and before our opening hymn. This is another small change to mark an instance of “preparation” as we imagine that we are lighting the wreath before worship instead of during worship.

Thank you for being with us during this Advent season, and we hope it’s a holy one for you as we mark this time together.

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others.

Reaching out to those in need this holiday season

In our St. James’ tradition, we ask you to consider how you might brighten someone’s holiday season. The state of the economy and remnants of the Covid pandemic have taken an even greater toll on so many, especially the elderly, those with limited finances, and those without homes. Please consider if one or more of these opportunities for giving might fit in your holiday giving plans.

Emmanuel Dining Room and HOPE Center

Donate items for warmth

·      New warm socks, gloves, hats, t-shirts, hoodies, and underwear. (Anything needed to help keep warm for the winter season) All sizes are appreciated! 

Items can be dropped off at the parish hall in the bin on the porch from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Or the box in the foyer of the church. Please donate your items by Thursday, December 22^nd.

Host a table of 8 guests for $25 for our New Year’s Eve lunch at Emmanuel Dining Room

·      For the first time in three years, (due to Covid), we will serve our guests in the dining room the meal they have called their "favorite meal “~ lasagna, green beans, roll, fruit (bananas and clementines), and homemade desserts. 

Adopt-a-grandparent and Adopt-a-family

Make someone’s Christmas with a gift and remembrance

We “adopted” 20 residents of the Coral Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (formerly Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center) who have no family to remember them at Christmas and will also share in giving for individuals and families who are part of the Hope Center network to purchase gifts from their “wish list” and to ensure these individuals receive gifts. 

Please send your contribution in the form of a check to the St. James’ parish office or drop it in the collection plate:

St. James’ Church

Attn: Adopt-a-grandparent/family

2106 St. James’ Church Road

Wilmington, DE 19808

(Please mark: Adopt-a-grandparent/family in your check memo.)

Deadline for contributions: Tuesday, December 20, 2022

With thanks and blessings, the St. James’ Mission Outreach team

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 cdmack37@gmail.com 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.  

1 Timothy 4:4-5

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”

Prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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