January 28th, 2024

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/

As Paul writes to the people in Corinth, he’s trying to re-orient the way they see and encounter the world to the way that he understands the way of Jesus and the cross. It’s a bit of a task for him because this community is so diverse; they come from many different backgrounds with many different religious practices. Sometimes this is good; new and diverse practices can enrich the community. In this moment, though, Paul is concerned that people may fall into their old ways and habits if they eat the food sacrificed to idols that is then shared in a meal or sold at the market.

Ultimately, though, the meat is not the point. Paul is trying, as hard as he can, to help this new church community find out who they are. He’s trying to build up the community so that they can be an example to others: an example of the sacrificial love of Christ in a world that was still learning about who Christ was.

Our own community is one that’s been able to show this sacrificial love to one another countless times over the years, both in caring for one other in times of tragedy or in needing to do something out of the ordinary because of circumstances beyond our control. These are marks of a community that has been drawn closer to one another through the many events of life. We give thanks for those times that we’ve both shown and received the love of Christ to and from one another because it’s in these moments that Christ is made even more real for us, and then we can show Christ to those whom we meet.

Soup and Bread Luncheon ~ January 28th

Remember Soup & Bread on Jan. 28^th after church in the Parish Hall. Sign-up sheet is in the Parish Hall. 

Most people bring their soup in a crock-pot to the kitchen before church. Please make sure your soup is warm - the crock-pot will not have time to warm up cold soup. If possible, also please bring a ladle. Also please bring bread to the kitchen before church.



This is a wonderful time to gather together for a good meal and great fellowship, so please join us. If this is not a convenient weekend for you to bring soup or bread, please don't worry. There is always plenty and we look forward to all being together. See you on the 28^th! 

Lenten Soup and Bread Volunteers

This year’s Lenten “Soup and Bread” luncheon will be hosted by Limestone Presbyterian Church. The people of St. James’ will be providing the soup and bread on Wednesday, March 6^th. If you’d like to provide a soup for this luncheon, contact the Parish Office, and we’ll get you in touch with the right people for more details.

Thanks to all of you who have helped with this over the years, and please consider supporting this neighborhood gathering and Lenten tradition that brings our Ministerium together!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Join us on Tuesday, February 13th at 6 PM for our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. This long-standing Christian tradition marks the final feast before the season of Lent begins, and it’s a great time for fellowship, as well. If you’d like to help, please speak with Dick Prettyman or Dave Perry or contact the Parish Office. We hope to see you there!

Ash Wednesday - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes



Wednesday, February 14th , is the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of penitence and fasting. In our tradition we mark this day with a service of Holy Eucharist and an imposition of ashes. This year we will have two services:

•  10:00 AM - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes

•  7:00 PM - Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes

We invite you to the observance of a holy Lent, and we hope that you’ll be able to join us as we begin this formative season of the Church year.

Acolyte and Eucharistic Minister Refresher and Training - February 18th

Licensed Eucharistic Ministers and those who are interested or have previously served as acolytes are invited to join us on Sunday, February 18th for a training and refresher for these liturgical roles. All ages are welcome to serve as an acolyte (processing the cross or helping to prepare the table for communion), and if you are interested in this, please talk to Fr. Ben or contact the Parish Office.

We’ll gather in the church at 11:30 following coffee hour, and we’ll walk through the service and answer any questions you might have. If you feel called this form of ministry in worship, please do join us!

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others

Reaching out to those in need

And serving them with dignity and respect…

New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.

What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running.  Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance. 

If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.

How can you help?

Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.

 Current items needed:

• Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
• Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
• Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
• Tide pods or other laundry pods
• NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
• New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
• New books for adults and children

Please drop the items off:

     ·        Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch 

Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.

    ·        On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.

 We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.

Thank you,

St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry

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.  

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen. 

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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