This weekend is the first weekend in Lent. We will observe this week with The Great Litany at all three services; spoken at the 5:30 pm and 8:30 am services and sung at the10:45 am service.

Join us every Thursday during Lent at 6:00 pm for Stations of the Cross. We will gather in the front entrance near the red doors.

Worship Service Volunteers: Look below the Readings this Week to find the full schedule and instructions for requesting a replacement if you are unable to serve on your assigned week.

Click here to go to the Lectionary Page

Click here for a free PDF download of the Book of Common Prayer

The Lessons appointed for the First Weekend in Lent

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

Psalm 32

Service Volunteers: If you are unable to serve on an assigned date, please request a replacement, rather than pressing decline. Then, other servers can respond to the replacement request - the first person to accept will be given the assignment. 

Immigration Speakers. Please join the Outreach Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 4:00 p.m. in the Guild Hall to hear two speakers from the International Rescue Committee. These speakers will describe the problems refugees encounter in our area and tell us how they are working to meet the needs of these newcomers from many countries— Mexico, Afghanistan, Africa, and others. We hope to find new ways to help IRC with their vital work. 

Creation Care: Here is a link with information about logging in an old growth forest - with an easy to fill out message that you can send to the Bureau of Land Management.

Our recent blood drive was very successful! All seventeen participants were able to make their appointment. While our goal was 12 units, we collected 15 pints of whole blood which has the potential of saving 45 lives. Thanks to all who participated, promoted and served the day of the event. Special thanks to the American Red Cross.

Service volunteers: Service schedules are linked in every eTower, right below the Readings This Week. This allows everyone to see who is serving and when, as that isn't something you can see on Connect. We have been told that occasionally people need to know the full schedule, in case they are hoping to swap dates, etc. We try to keep an updated, printed copy in the Tower Room as well. Instructions for how to request a replacement are directly below the schedule buttons.

Looking for an easy way to access Realm? If you aren’t using the Realm Connect app, you can now find a log-in button on the home page of the St. James website. Click Realm Login at the top-right of the homepage, next to the Give Now button.



St. James/St. Stephen’s Book Club meets in person at St. Stephen’s every Thursday at noon. New reading fans are always welcome. Questions, contact Mary Sloan.

Next Sunday, March 5 is Children's Sunday School and Children's Chapel starting at 9:30 am upstairs in the Kidz Zone. All kids in preschool- 5th grade are welcome. Questions? Contact Chelsea.

The youth group is needing more adult volunteers to help this spring semester. We meet 7:00 - 8:00pm on Wednesday nights. Anne has everything planned, just need another adult to keep within Safeguarding God's Children requirements. If interested contact Chelsea in the office or Anne at 816-797-6177 or aws1155@yahoo.com. 

The Nursery is open each Sunday from 8:15 am - 12:00 pm and special events for newborns to five years of age. We are looking for volunteers to assist Lauren. To volunteer, contact Chelsea.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

The Scottish Episcopal Church

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer:

Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer:

Pray for the Church of the Covenant, Junction City

St. James Church prays for these individuals as well:

Our seminarian, Maddy Bishop

Those serving in the military:

Will Corkins, Maureen Tanner

Those who have recently died:

Joy Johnson; Fr. Bill Horn; Fr. John Kuenneth; Shirley Brookins Dewert;

And those who have died in Februarys past: 

Constance Baker; Bobbie Bastian; Patricia Bayles Frances Brinegar; Virginia Buck; Betty Burns; Edward Burns; Dolores Ann Carter; David Childs; Colleen Didier; Betty Jo Durrant; Frederick Harrison; Peggy Hartman; Frank Kastor; Geraldine Lynd; Billie Matzen; Ruth McGuyre; Ruth McQuyre; Sid Platt; Darb Ratner; Larry Reynolds; Jess Sanders; Krista Schnee; Elizabeth Taggart

Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity:

Dick & Judy; Adrienne; Gene B.; Evan & Sue L.; Terrisa C.; Friends & family of Taylor; Jim P.; Liz; Marilyn T.; Jaime; Roberta P.; John O. and family; Darwin P. and family; Brianna P.; Peer M.; Drew H.; Kai; Ron D.; John R.; Marge Rine & family; Janet R.; Phil S., Celia B.; Sylvester; Sharon & Jerry; Jan. M., Edna & James; Pat; Peggy S.; Gary; Deb H.; Bill and Jeri; Jayne P.; Barbara H.; Suzy R.; Helen B., Bill and Carolyn, Dave W.; Carole; Bob and Sue; Dal; Gus; Joan J.; Martha L.; Betty; Sage; Joseph B.; Jerry M.

For the sake of privacy, we do not list the last names of those who are on our prayer list because of trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or adversity. We do our best to include last name initials in the event that two parishioners with the same first name exist.

If your prayers have been answered, let us rejoice with you. Please contact the office to let us know we can remove your prayer request. If you have prayers you would like added to the prayer list, please contact the office at office@stjameswichita.org or 316-683-5686.

Loving, Liberating and Life-Giving

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Discernment Day registration open

Discernment is the church word for decision making with God. It is the art of integrating knowledge of self, prayer, community, scripture, with faith to listen for God’s voice guiding your journey. If you sense a nudge within you toward a life that wants to live more fully, this day will assist you. Whether you are considering intentional lay ministry in your parish or ordained ministry, the day in Emporia at St. Andrews will be informative and assist the next good step in your journey with God. Register online here. 

When: Saturday, April 22, 9 am - 2:30 pm

• Where: St. Andrew's, 828 Commercial St., Emporia
• Cost: $20, includes lunch (scholarships available)

Happening #97 registration is open! 

Happening is a Christian Experience by youth for youth. It’s a weekend retreat, focusing on Jesus and what he taught. There are games, music, great food, and a chance to talk with peers about things that really matter. Students “go through” Happening only once, after that, they may come back and serve on Happening staff, recreating the experience for others. The Youth Rectors for Happening #97 are Asher Demo and Jonah Gralapp from St. Thomas in Overland Park. 

• When: March 3-5, 2023 (Staff and youth who have previously attended Happening arrive Friday evening; first-time attendees arrive Saturday morning. We will be done around 2:30 pm on Sunday.)
• Where: St. Margaret's, Lawrence
• Who: Youth in grades 9-12 (including rising 9th graders in the summer); College students are invited and welcome to serve on staff.
• Fee: $55
• Priority deadline: Friday, February 24 (fee increases by $15 after this date)
• Registration form: https://bit.ly/EDOKSessions

You can find other Diocesan Youth events HERE

Parishes invited to diocesan-wide trash pick-up day

This year, the Care of Creation Task Force of the diocese is encouraging each parish to hold a trash pick-up activity on Earth Day, April 22. Any piece of trash can travel through storm water drains and find its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The trash clashes with the wildlife living there causing tremendous damage. We'll continue to post information here! (Brought to you by the Land Use subgroup.)