Saturday, December 16 | 5:00 PM
Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
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With the Saint James choir and members of the Saint James Compline choir
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of scripture and song that dates back to the late 19th century. In this service, we listen to scripture lessons which recount the Fall, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Click here to view via livestream.
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Saturday, December 16 | 10:00 AM
Wreaths Across America
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Wreaths Across America will be at Saint James on December 16th at 10:00 AM to present wreaths on the graves of deceased military members.
The brief ceremony will take place in our historic church yard. All are welcome to attend.
Click here to learn more about Wreaths Across America.
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Saturday, December 16 | 10 - 11:30 AM
Women's Gathering
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Join Women's Gathering on December 16th via Zoom as the group continues their reflection on the spirituals and songs of abiding faith passed down by African Americans.
In his book, Face to the Rising Sun, Mark Bozzuti-Jones reminds us that the enslaved African Americans who sang spirituals had faith in the Father, King Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth and plan a new year walking in his way of love, what does the gift of the one "close to the Father's heart" mean to you? Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the Zoom link.
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Sunday, December 10 | 9:30 AM
Forum Hour with Randall Zachman
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Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk who devoted his adult life to the "pathless path" of contemplative prayer. In his last work published in his lifetime, The Climate of Monastic Prayer, Merton shares his insights into the nature of meditation and prayer for the edification of both monks and laity. Join us this Sunday as we explore Merton's understanding of contemplative prayer. Click here to join forum via Zoom.
There will be no forum hour on December 24th or 31st. Forum will resume on January 7th.
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Saint Nicholas Makes
Annual Visit to Saint James!
Click here to view the photos from last Saturday's celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas with live nativity animals!
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End of Year
Giving Update
As we near the close of 2023, we want to update you both on the current year of giving to Saint James and the status of the 2024 Vine and Branches annual giving campaign.
2023 Giving
As year-end approaches, we are grateful for how many of our fellow members have fulfilled their 2023 commitments. If you haven't already done so, please take a look at your commitment or intention for this year so that we might end 2023 on a solid financial footing. Please click here to make your year-end gift today on Realm or mail or drop off your check by Friday, December 29th to be postmarked prior to January 1.
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2024 Campaign
Our campaign for a new year of mission and ministry continues to go well, but we are still waiting for commitments from several households before we can declare the campaign closed. As of this writing, we are still hoping to receive commitments from just under 20% of the parish. You can help us reach a successful conclusion by entering your commitment in Realm, or by a simple email or phone call to Father Glenn or Nicolette Norris.
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Christmas Offering
If you have satisfied your 2023 giving commitment and wish to make an additional end-of-year gratitude gift, you might consider the traditional Christmas offering.
Your gift can even be made in memory or thanksgiving for someone special in your life. Simply write ‘Christmas offering’ in the memo line of a check or click here to give online by selecting Christmas Offering from the dropdown list of funds.
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2024 Giving Envelopes
Giving envelopes have been ordered for people who mail in their contribution, or give weekly/often by check or cash.
Please note that we have discontinued the numbered envelope system to identify each household; instead, our Realm software scans checks to identify the giver.
Those who give with cash will simply need to add their name to their envelopes. Any envelope can be used; a quantity of these giving envelope books will be available soon for pickup.
If you have questions about giving envelopes, contact the office at 717-397-4858 X112.
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Wednesday, December 20 | 3:00 PM
Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley
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Willow Valley residents are invited to join clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in Manor North Auditorium, located on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome; bring a friend! |
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Need a great gift idea for that special someone?
Give the gift of rest & relaxation with a Mindful Yoga Gift Certificate.
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Christmas Eve Masses
*December 24, 4:30 PM: Children's Pageant & Mass. Click here to view via livestream
*December 24, 7:30 PM: Candlelight Mass. Click here to view via livestream.
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*December 24, 10:30 PM: Instrumental Prelude followed by Midnight Mass with Incense. Click here to view via livestream.
December 25, 10:00 AM: Holy Eucharist with Carols
*Streamed
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Take Note!
There will be no Children's Chapel on
December 24th or 31st.
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Holiday Office Hours
Closed December 25 & 26
Limited office hours December 27, 28 & 29
Office hours will be flexible between Christmas and New Years. If you need to access the church or parish house, please call to arrange an appointment. The Pastoral Care team is also available for any urgent needs.
There will be no Headlines & Happenings
December 28.
There will be no forum hour on December 24th or 31st. Forum will resume on January 7th.
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Friday, January 5 | Beginning at 8:00 PM
Compline at the Urban Well
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Save the Date for
An Epiphany Compline
Begin your New Year and the season of Epiphany with a special Compline on First Friday January 5th. The evening begins with a dessert reception at 8:00 PM followed by a brass, organ and percussion prelude at 8:30 PM featuring an ensemble of Central PA's finest musicians under the direction of Dr. William Wright. The service of choral Compline begins at 9:00 PM. Click here to view via Livestream.
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Sundays in January 2024 | 9:30 AM
Long-Range Planning, Vestry Elections, Annual Report & Meeting
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Exciting news on the horizon
at Saint James
This coming January, we'll be focused on church governance, and we'll begin the month with the release of a new long-range plan introduced at forum hour on January 7th at 9:30 AM.
For the following two forums January 14th and 21st, we'll get to know each of the candidates standing for vestry.
2024 Vestry Candidates:
Joe Campbell
Andrew Flinchbaugh
Kristen Gedeon
David Groff
Damon Myers
Theresa Womble
Rounding out the month, on January 28th at 9:30 at the parish annual meeting, Fr. David and vestry leadership will present a new annual report highlighting the growth of our parish along with what's on the horizon for Saint James.
Stay tuned for more details about the vestry candidates, and be sure to set aside 9:30 AM forum hour each Sunday morning in January to learn more! Click here to join forum via Zoom.
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Saturday, January 20 | 8:30 - 12:00 Noon
Pathways: Exploring Membership
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Join us in the new year for a Pathways session on Saint James, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion? Join us for an upcoming Pathways session. We’ll talk about confirmation, reaffirmation, reception and how you can be more engaged in the Saint James community.
Have Questions? Click here to email Mother Shayna for more info. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Returns!
Saturday, February 3 | 6:30 PM
If you like mystery and intrigue, you'll love Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!
Sign up as either a guest or host for a dinner of 6-8 people. Selected hosts will invite their guests and assign them a side dish. Guests arrive at the appointed home, and their dinner companions are revealed as they arrive! Family-friendly groups will be organized, so children of all ages are welcome.
Click here to learn more and register for this event. If you need help with the registration process, please click here to email Samantha Stimpert. Deadline for registration is Saturday, January 20.
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We pray for the soul of Gordon Pickering, son of Sandra Pickering and the late Rev. Roger Pickering, who died on December 8th and for the soul of David Steele who died on December 10th.
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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December 16, 10:00 - 11:30 AM: Women's Gathering
December 16, 10:00 AM: Wreaths Across America
December 16, 5:00 PM: Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols
December 20, 3:00 PM: Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley
*December 24, 4:30 PM: Children's Pageant & Mass
*December 24, 7:30 PM: Candlelight Mass
*December 24, 10:30 PM: Instrumental Prelude followed by Midnight Mass With Incense
December 25, 10:00 AM: Holy Eucharist With Carols
January 5, 8:00 PM: Compline at the Urban Well with dessert and reception
Sundays in January, 9:30 AM: Long-Range Planning, Vestry Elections, Annual Report and Meeting
January 20, 8:30 AM - 12 Noon: Pathways: Exploring Membership at Saint James
January 20, 8:30 - 10:30 AM: Upper Room Men's Group
January 20, 10:00 - 11:30 AM: Women's Gathering
February 3, 6:30 PM: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
*Streamed
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