October 16th, 2022

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/

The parable of the Persistent Widow is one of those stories Jesus tells that is so absurd and outlandish that it makes one think Jesus is trying to get a laugh out of his audience. In this story he wants us to see the judge being worn down by someone who will not let her grievance go, by someone who is persistently and physically pleading for justice. And finally, after many occasions of the widow making her case, the judge finally says, “I will give her what she desires just so that she will stop bothering me day after day.”

The widow has justice granted for her case, and we’re left to wonder if the judge himself has been changed since the only reason he offered her justice was, in reality, to make her be quiet and go away.

Jesus uses this parable, though, to indicate that if this unjust judge can be moved to action, even if slowly because of the widow’s ongoing bothering of him, then God will respond even more quickly to the prayers of His people who call out to Him. We may not always believe this because people still get sick, people still die, and prayers still seem unanswered. In constant prayer, though, as Jesus urges to disciple to be in, we can see where God is at work in the world, and our prayers helps us to be aware of those moments.

St. James' Reading Group

Conversations at Wednesday Morning Church and Monday Morning Bible Study have led to forming a book group at St. James'. Our first book will be Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill. This book is available through Amazon, and if you'd like us to order a copy for you, let us know by October 1. To join, contact Fr. Ben. Our first meeting will be the week of October 23. Date and time to be determined by those who are interested. This group is open to all!

Please join us!

FALL GARDEN CLEAN UP HELP

We plan to do our fall clean up day on Saturday, Oct. 22....rain date on 29th Start time...9:30am.

So come add your hands to effort...and help put our flower gardens to "bed' for the winter.

We will be removing the blue salvias, cutting back perennials in the front Kathy K's garden and the back Memorial Garden.

So bring your garden tools....See you then.

Sunshine Plein Air Artists

Sunshine Plein Air Artists is a group of area seniors who meet every week, spring through fall, to create art “en plein air” which means in the fresh air or outdoors. Most members are amateur artists who ignore aches and pains to just enjoy the outdoors, making art, & each other’s company. The group has been meeting since 2002 with a few of the original members still participating and passing on the tradition to new members throughout the years.

They will be here at St. James on October 29^th from 9AM to Noon. 

2022 Annual Bazaar

November 4^th & November 5^th

The Bazaar Ladies have worked all year to create items for our Bazaar.

There are still some tasks to be done that the Ladies are unable to do.

Your help is needed to complete those tasks.

Please Plan to Help on the Following Dates

Sunday, October 30^th

After the 9:30 Service

Items in the Bazaar Workshop need to be brought upstairs to the Dining Hall.

Bazaar Bake Shop

We will have Homemade items this year.

Please bring your baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, candies, etc. to the

Parish House at the following times.

                       Thursday, November 3^rd                        5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

                       Friday, November 4^th                             8:00 am – 2:30 pm

                       Saturday, November 5^th                        8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Don’t Forget to Sign-Up to Help During the Bazaar

Sign-Up Sheets are Posted in the Parish House

Please stop by and see how you can contribute to the success of this year’s Bazaar.

Bazaar Preview

Some of the handcrafted items made for this year’s Bazaar are on display in the

glass case in the foyer of the Parish house.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Shirley Alexander (302-738-5331)

or

Nancy Patterson (302-239-7649)

Any amount of time you are available to help will be appreciated.

THANK YOU!

The St. James’ Bazaar Ladies

The Psalms - Sunday Morning Adult Class - Beginning October 9

Each week and whenever we gather for worship, we read (or sing) one of beautiful songs passed down to us throughout the time. In this five week session we'll look at a few different psalms, learn about the different kinds of psalms with the Bible, and gain a new appreciation for how the psalms are used in worship.

No reading or preparation is required for participation!

Contact Fr. Ben for more information or with any questions.

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others.

Thank you all for your generosity and caring that made and make these offerings possible. 

Our next Emmanuel Dining Room lunch is Halloween--Monday, October 31st 

Our guests will enjoy meatball subs, chips, a banana, and homemade cookies and have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a small “goodie” bag to take away for later. Looking for ways to help? Please consider one of the options below:

·     Join us to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the Parish Hall kitchen after the service coffee hour on Sunday, October 30th. This is an extra snack or meal for later for our guests being served the next day. (Masks and gloves, please.)

·      Provide some homemade cookies (or store-bought cookies) please bring them to the Parish Hall kitchen marked EDR by Sunday, October 31st. You are welcome to put homemade cookies into the freezer to keep them fresh.

·        Bring a bag of candy. We are continuing our tradition of making “goodie” bags with some extra treats for Halloween. If you’d like to provide snack-sized individually wrapped candies, please leave them in the parish hall kitchen marked EDR by Sunday, October 31^st.

·        Questions: please text or call Pat Minor 302-983-6299 or Cindy Fauerbach 302-584-8053.

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.

·        For now, in an abundance of caution, our home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits are on hold.

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.  

HEBREWS 10:23

“Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.”

Prayer for Strength, Sunday

O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered

sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive

our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the

consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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