June 25th, 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/

If last week’s story from Genesis caused us to laugh along with Sarah and her joy of having a child, this week’s story of Hagar, Ishmael, and Abraham forces us to confront one of the more challenging stories in all of Scripture. Over time this story has had countless interpretations, with some of those interpretations leading groups or individuals to harm one another, causing great tension throughout human history

Yes, Sarah told Abraham to have a child with her slave Hagar, but once Sarah heard the word of the visitors by oaks of Mamre and had a child of her own, she didn’t want another child around, especially the child of her slave Hagar, if this child could potentially threaten Isaac and his eventual inheritance.

This moment forces Abraham into the position of choosing between his own sons, which one to send away and which one to keep close by. As the story unfolds we see again that the ways of the Lord are not the same as the ways of the world. Even as Abraham and Sarah sent off Hagar and her son, this was not the end of their story. The Lord heard the cries of the child and knew the fears of the mother, and the Lord responded to them, caring for them, provided for them, reminding us that even when someone is cast aside by the world, they will not be abandoned by God. 

Parish Cookout - July 2nd after Church!

On Sunday, July 2nd, we will have a covered dish picnic lunch following the 9:30 service. Join us for grilled hot dogs, chips, sodas, and water, and if you have a favorite salad, side dish, or dessert, please feel free to bring it along, and f you can't bring anything, please come anyway. There will be plenty to around, and we hope to see you there. Call the Parish Office for more details.

Celebrating This Year's Graduates!

For the month of June we will be highlighting a different graduate each week. We are so proud of each and every one of them!

Kaitlyn August

Kaitlyn August is graduating from Concord High School. Some of her hobbies include Hunting, Fishing and Shopping. Kaitlyn’s strong work ethic has allowed her to advance to Assistant Manager at the Philadelphia Pretzel Factory. 

Kaitlyn has graduated with a 4.1 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a lifetime member of St. James, and previous member of the youth group.

Kaitlyn will be attending Delaware Technical Community College in the Fall enrolling in the nursing program. 

She is the daughter of Bob and Lisa August, and granddaughter of Sue and Dan Strecker.

Birthday Sunday Celebration - This Sunday



Join us this Sunday as we celebrate all of our June birthdays, whether it’s your own or someone in your life. As always, we’ll say a birthday prayer at the conclusion of our service, and we’ll sing “Happy Birthday” to you in the carriage circle. We hope you’ll join us, and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Greetings from Russ's Angels team captain, Margaret Russ.

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in church, June is Alzheimer's and Brain awareness month.

I want to remind you all to wear purple to church this Sunday June 25^th in honor of it. 

Purple looks good on everyone so pull off something purple.

If you would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s please their website ALZ.org

St. James has been a great support over the years, I want to give you the chance to help again this year.  

If you can donate there are three ways to do it.

1.  Use the link to my page http://act.alz.org/goto/margaretruss
2.  You can mail/hand me a check, written to Alzheimer's Association 
3.  Or hand me cash at Church.  

If you want to join our team the walk is Saturday 10/28/23. Use the link above to join. Would love to have you.  

Please feel free to reach out to me, Margaret Russ with any questions or to chat.  

russmags@hotmail.com

443-945-7230

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.  

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Prayer for the Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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