What are angels? How does our understanding of

science and quantum physics inform our concept

of angels and the supernatural? What role do

angels play in Jesus’ birth and life as well as in our

lives? What does the Bible teach us about good

and bad (fallen) angels? How can we mediate

with and learn from the angels?

Join us on two more evenings in Advent for some dessert, study, and discussion about the fascinating topic of angels. We will have presentations and discussion with the St. James clergy, and view brief video cliips.

Childcare available by request to Mo. Rebecca, rebecca@sjbts.org

St. James returns to a holiday favorite, A Festival of Lessons and Carols, on Sunday, December 18th at 5:00 pm with choir and brass. Festival Choir rehearsals will be held on Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8, and 15 from 7:00 - 7:45 pm in the Parish Hall. In this time of pandemic, those who are fully vaccinated are invited to sing in the choir. No RSVP necessary, but please feel welcome to contact Alex Benestelli with any questions at alex@sjbts.org.

This Saturday is the December Men's Breakfast with Father Mark.

RSVP to Fr. Mark at mark@sjbts.org

Christina Miller (our new Curate) will be teaching a two-part Adult-Education series for Advent on Sunday December 11th and 18^th at 9am. The series will explore the concept of vocation and how each of us are uniquely bringing Christ into the world through our lives today.

Bishop Silvestre Romero, Bishop of Guatemala, will be our guest preacher December 11th at both services.

The bishop is in town to attend the Good News Festival.

Our annual Christmas Pageant is THIS SUNDAY! Pageant starts at 11:30 with a reception party to follow.

The pageant will also be filmed! Please use the link below to share with out-of-town family and friends. CLICK HERE

Come enjoy the lessons from scripture and favorite carols to remind us all of what Christmas is all about. Sung by the Festival Choir.

Stay for a reception with mulled wine and hot cider.

Join us for a "Blue Christmas" service and Requiem. A "Blue Christmas" service is for those of us who are grieving or struggling to find joy during the holiday season. We will have time to acknowledge our pain, struggles and loss on the longest night of the year (Dec. 21) as well as remember those who have died. This service offers respite and comfort with special prayers and reflections. (Livestream link will be available on the website)

All ages are invited to participate in the making of the Christingles with Fr. Mark. These will be presented to all the children at the 3:00 pm Christmas Eve service.

Meet at the Parish Hall at 1:00 and enjoy the Chrstmas music while you work.

Come mix, mingle, and make merry as we gather

together to celebrate the Christmas Season! So

set your calendars for Wednesday, December

21st from 5-8pm at the home of Chris and Lorna

McKellar. Tickets are $40 and include a Mexican

catered fiesta, hosted bar, sing-along led by Alex Benestelli and friends, not to mention a whole lot of fun! Reservations will be taken on Sundays

after services or you can email walter@sjbts.org.

Space is limited, so reserve your place now. Your

reservation is confirmed with payment.

A hearty thank you to our dedicated Christmas Bazaar volunteers. Co-chairs Charleen Boyl and Karla Castetter are happy to report that our net income from the Christmas Bazaar sales is $3,992 raised for Outreach Ministries. We appreciate that most of you worked every day from November 28th to December 4th.  

Our donations were of the best quality and customers enjoyed shopping the good deals. As volunteers, we purchased some lovely items to keep or give as gifts. We relished the camaraderie, good stories and a chance for meeting new members throughout our days at St. James.

Have a much deserved Rest and Refreshments.

Christmas Blessings and Joy to all in the New Year.

Help Santa bring a smile to young military families struggling at the holidays to provide a Merry Christmas for their children. Once again this year, our Outreach Committee will be assisting St. Nick. Please bring a gift valued at approximately $25 to the volunteers at the table on the church steps after both services. Santa’s helpers always appreciate a check (made out to St. James), cash or gift cards from Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, or other major retailers. Our goal this year is to bring a smile to 125 children on Christmas morning. Thank you!  

The shelter will be held in the St. James Parish Hall from December 31st, 2022 through January 14th, 2023. There are volunteer opportunities to shop for food, prepare meals, help kids with homework, provide overnight supervision, and otr roles. Please consider participation for yourself, your family, or your parish organization. An on-line sign-up is available HERE or contact Clark Guest at clark.guest@gmail.com or 858-414-2112.

San Diego Baroque’s "Bach’s Lunch" is back in the St. James sanctuary Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 12:30 immediately after the noon service presenting: Handel's celebrated “Messiah” Part I. Come celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas with an intimate chamber ensemble performance of some favorite choruses, recitatives and arias from Messiah: Part I. This will be a unique performance with one musician on a part, singers and instrumentalists. Featured artists: Lisa Parente, soprano, Molly Fisher, alto, Chad Frisque, tenor, Soren Pedersen, bass, with San Diego Baroque: Pierre Joubert and Isaac Allen, Baroque violin, Angela Choong, Baroque viola, Alex Greenbaum, Baroque cello, and Alison Luedecke, harpsichord. 

Admission is free for all. We are very grateful to our past donors who have made this series a beautiful musical gift to St. James, La Jolla and beyond. We encourage donations from those who are able to support SD Baroque continue to bring Baroque music to life with period style instruments. 

First, a spiritual “marketplace” at the Good News Festival will be open from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm, featuring workshops on various topics, including creation care initiatives, Indigenous land acknowledgements and LGBTQ+ rights. Attendees will be invited to visit vendor booths and listen to diverse lineup of musicians.

The revival’s worship service will start at 6:30 pm and will feature the Voices of our City Choir, a nationally known group of performers who are homeless or formerly homeless. In between Barber’s and Curry’s sermons, Bishop Brown Snook will lead a brief time of collective prayers, such as for victims of gun violence and for immigrants and refugees. Revival attendees also will be encouraged to visit individual prayer stations, where clergy and lay leaders will pray for them. Save your seat HERE.