Happy Independence Day!
This weekend, as we continue our summer celebrations of freedom as Americans and reflect on those freedoms as Christians, our lectionary continues to speak to us of submission to one another. In our Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus is preparing to send a group of seventy disciples out to spread the good news of God’s kingdom to the world, and he commands them to give themselves over, wholly and uncontrollably, to the experience. “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals…Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you.” Remember the lilies. Remember the birds.
This kind of submission to the Other, to those around us, is inherently risky, as we chance rejection or harm, but we are not commanded to accept that rejection blindly. Jesus says, “Whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’”
Yet know this. Rejection and harm cannot ultimately hinder God’s good work. The kingdom has come near even still, and this is good news for us who mess up, who confess, and who try to do better. This is good news for us who live in a system that guarantees some rights and takes away others. So, this Independence Day, celebrate freedom, and know that wiping the dust off your feet in protest is celebration, too.
Blessings!
-Father Dillon+
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Water for Breakthrough ESS: It's really hot on the streets of Wichita. Bottles of water are URGENTLY needed for the people who come to Breakthrough/ESS. Please drop water off in the church entry. They'll be taken to ESS every Wednesday Morning.
Volunteer at the Front Desk
If you are a member of our congregation and would be willing to contribute your time to the parish as a front desk volunteer this summer, you are invited and needed.
Please contact Mother Dawn for information and about times for volunteering.
It is our pleasure to have Dakota Bennett as our organist this summer. Volunteer musicians will also be included in services this summer. If you are interested in playing, please contact the church office. Those interested in the position(s) of leading music at St. James beginning the first of September are encouraged to request a job description and submit their resume.
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The Lessons appointed for the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Revised Common Lectionary, Year C
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Parish News and Updates
Adult Forum meets every Sunday this Summer. Join us at 9:45 in the Guild Hall as we discuss the weekly readings in our series "Going off the Lectionary Grid."
Water for Breakthrough ESS: It's really hot on the streets of Wichita. Bottles of water are URGENTLY needed for the people who come to Breakthrough/ESS. Please drop water off in the church entry. They'll be taken to ESS every Wednesday Morning.
Volunteer at the Front Desk
If you are a member of our congregation and would be willing to contribute your time to the parish as a front desk volunteer this summer, you are invited and needed.
Please contact Mother Dawn for information and about times for volunteering.
It is our pleasure to have Dakota Bennett as our organist this summer. Volunteer musicians will also be included in services this summer. If you are interested in playing, please contact the church office. Those interested in the position(s) of leading music at St. James beginning the first of September are encouraged to request a job description and submit their resume.
Children and Youth
Next Sunday school and Children's Chapel is Sunday, July 3rd starting at 9:30 am.
Our Nursery is open! Gracie Moore is our new Nursery Care staff for the summer. She will be in the Nursery on Sunday mornings for our services and Adult Forum until August. We are still in need of volunteers, please contact Chelsea if you are interested.
Thank you for donating Kleenex boxes, we do not need anymore!
Paxton Blessing Box! You can drop off food at anytime, please leave items on the stairs next to the Church office Please donate non-perishable goods and hygiene products. Read more
Outreach
Suitcase Drive – Our Suitcase Drive was a great success! Thank you St. James for bringing us. more than 50 suitcases (and counting) in excellent condition. We are delivering them to foster children served by several agencies. No doubt the suitcases will ease the children's minds in a time of crisis and confusion.
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Father Dillon is offering Morning Prayer by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Morning Prayer Zoom Link.
YAW (Young Adults Wichita) is a ministry of the Wichita Minster led by Father Dillon. It includes members from St. James, St. John’s, Good Shepherd, and St. Stephen’s. We meet weekly, currently Mondays at 6 p.m. (time/dates subject to change). If you know anyone interested in participating, please connect them with Dillon at 256-762-5110 or at dillongreen7@gmail.com. If you aren’t a young adult (18-35) and want to be involved, we are always looking for people to provide meals for the group each week. Instructions are to prepare for six to 10 people. If you’re interested in helping out that way, please contact Dillon.
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Parish Prayers for the Week of July 3 |
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For our seminarian: Maddy Bishop;
Pray for those serving in the military: Will Corkins, J. David Anderson-Lusk and Maureen Tanner;
Pray for those who have died: John Luerding, Keith Johnson, Betty Bonnell, Lou Ann McFerson, Thelma Shannon.
Pray for those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity: Tom T., Deb H., Jayne Pierce, Barbara H., Dana F., Suzy R., Taci F., Sue R., Ashley M., Phil S., Isabella, Cathy W., Helen B., Marcia & Lowell, Bill & Carolyn, Dave W., Carole, Kitty, Laura S., Bob & Sue, Marge R., Pam M., Dal, Gus, Joan J., Martha L., Betty S., Sage J., Joseph B., Sam & Beth, Jerry M., Joy J.
Our Parish Prayer List: All members of our parish community are asked to pray for each person on our prayer list. To share your prayers of thanksgiving (births, weddings, new jobs, anniversaries, etc.), to notify us that someone you love is serving in the military, to share that you or someone you love is suffering, or to tell us of a death, please call 316-683-5686 or email office@stjameswichita.org.
If your prayers have been answered,
we would love to rejoice with you.
Please let us know so your name may be removed
from our list of people most urgently in need. Thank you.
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