July 23, 2023

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/

Another week brings another agricultural parable from Jesus. Different from the story of the sower and good soil and the bad soil, this week’s illustration is one of a landowner who has sown wheat in his field and the “enemy” who has sown weeds in that same field “while everybody was asleep.” The image of a nefarious neighbor plotting in the middle of the night could seem like something out of a Looney Tunes cartoon if Jesus’s message to the disciples and those who were listening wasn’t both important and urgent.

Jesus subverts expectations in this parable when he tells them that the landowner said, “Let the wheat grow with the weeds; we’ll deal with it at harvest time,” because we know that if we let the weeds in our garden overstay their welcome, we’ll have a bad time later on. If the field, though, is meant to be the world we live in, it’s a reminder to them and to us that in the midst of the wheat of this world, there will also always be weeds. In the midst of the good fruit that is growing, the threat of weeds is always there to choke out what is good.

When the disciples say, “Tell us what this means,” Jesus points them to the future and says, “When the harvest comes, the weeds will be gathered and bundled and burned, and the righteous will shine like the sun.” As Episcopalians we don’t always like to think about the “end times” or what happens at the end of this all, but this story reminds us that ultimately the harvesters will make sure that the weeds are dealt with in a way that helps the good fruit thrive.

Meals on Wheels Announcement

Our current Meals on Wheels coordinator is moving and we are in need of someone that can take over coordinating and scheduling. Meals on Wheels is an important charity that helps feed seniors in our community. Without it, many folks would go hungry.

If you are interested in helping, please call Sherry Ceranos at 302 784 4073.

St. James’ Parish Cookout - A Success!



Our recent parish cookout was a great success due to everyone who helped prepare food beforehand; who brought a side or a dessert to share; and who joined us for that event. Gathering together in fellowship and community is a joy, and it’s your giving and support that allows this to happen. Thank you to all of you, and we look forward to our next gathering.

You Pick the Music!

Sunday, August 6, is the Feast of the Transfiguration. This day marks the moment in the Gospel story when Jesus is transfigured in dazzling white and Moses and Elijah appear alongside him, leaving the attendant disciples in a state of disbelief. We will mark this Sunday with a “Hymn Sing,” and you get to pick some of the music! Fill in the form below or place your choices in the offering plate, and we’ll select the top choices and sing them together for this great feast day. Thanks for your participation, and we hope you’ll join the fun!

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.  

1 John 4:7: 

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Prayer for Sunday



O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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