Off the Top
Worship
Masks are now optional at worship. Beginning on Easter morning, Communion will be served with wine. At Communion, though we returned to the altar rail to kneel during the penitential season of Lent, we will stand to share Communion at stations in the nave during the Easter Season. Intinction is dipping your wafer into the wine with your fingers. It will not be used. Contrary to popular perception, fewer germs are spread when we sip than when we dip. It is up to you whether you wear a mask or refrain from sharing the common cup.
Buildings & Grounds
We offer hearty thanks to the nearly 40 households who so far have made a gift or a pledge toward our capital campaign. At different times through these three years, you will see repairs or construction being made to the building. We will undertake various projects when we have enough cash from the campaign on hand to cover expenses for improvements. If you are able, please make a pledge or a contribution to the capital campaign before June first. The capital campaign is planned for three years (2022-2024). Pledges may be paid through the course of the campaign. Gifts of any size and given at any time are always truly appreciated.
Fellowship
Several people who have recently returned to worship in person have commented to me about how good it felt to be among the people of our congregation. We have a wonderful community of people at our parish. There are many intangible benefits of belonging to a community like ours. We will continue to expand fellowship opportunities so you can come and be part of the good energy here. Participants and volunteers alike are invited to any or all of the following:
April 6 – Newcomer Mixer 7:00 p.m.
April 7-10 – Guild Hall Players production, “His Passover”
April 9-10 – Palm Sunday worship services
April 11-16 – Holy Week
April 17 – Easter Sunday services and Easter egg hunt
April 22-23 – The Diocesan Women’s Summit at St. James – one of the primary presenters is Chelsea Whipple and includes Bishop Cathleen in conversation and at the service of Holy Eucharist which is part of the Women’s Summit
May 7 – Old English Tea 11:00 a.m. – tickets available now – and preparations are underway. Contact Randy Harrison to volunteer your participation.
In addition to these specific events, coffee hour on Sunday morning is making a come-back. Contributions of goodies (things to eat) during coffee hour are appreciated by everybody. Come see us in the lounge between services or after the 10:45. When (if) we start having a problem of too many snacks on offer at coffee hour, then a sign-up sheet will be posted for coordination. It is not necessary at this time.
Thank you for being a part of our loving, liberating, and life-giving community at St. James Church. We aren't (and we wouldn’t be) the same without you.
God bless you, Mother Dawn+
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Today is moving day for items donated to IRC. See the Outreach Section below for more details.
‘Get Acquainted' Mixer will be on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 pm in the Lounge. This event is to mix and mingle with our newcomers and seasoned members. Come and enjoy some treats and stay for a special performance. All are welcome!
Paxton Blessing Box is coming to St. James! and will be blessed this Sunday. Please donate non-perishable goods and hygiene products. Read more
Guild Hall Players presents His Passover, a theatrical celebration of the Last Supper featuring Father Dillon in the Jesus role. This perfect event for Palm Sunday weekend will be presented Thursday April 7 through Saturday April 9 at 8 pm and Sunday April 10 at 7 pm. Due to the nature of the production, no admission will be charged. Audience members can donate as they choose. Reservations 683-5686
Palm Crosses. Have you ever wondered how the Altar Guild creates those crosses that are handed out at the Palm Sunday Services? Now is your chance to learn, we will be meeting in the Lounge at 9 am Saturday, April 9. All are welcome and you need not be a member of the Altar Guild to participate.
Plans are being made for the 92nd Annual Tea and we need your help. Please email Randy Harrison at rharrison.ict@outlook.com or contact the church office. We are looking for people to help with: Bake Sales, Plant Sales and more. We will need baked goods: tea-sized sweets, cookies and bars, items for the bake sale, and musicians. Kitchen help too. Five weeks to go. Thanks! Randy Harrison, 2022 Tea Coordinator.
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Nothing will bring World Peace faster than the opening of our lives to cultures and religions unlike ours. Sister Joan Chittister.
The registration fee is $25 via Zoom and $50 in person.
Deadline to register: April 16
A few volunteers are needed to assist with welcome and hospitality. Please volunteer as we welcome others from across the diocese for this special event. Call or email the church office.
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100th Anniversary
Capital Campaign
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To date, we have 36 donors to the Centennial Capital Campaign, with donations and pledges totaling $280,957, which is 75% of our $375,000 goal. Click here for a list of our donors.
As a reminder, we are trying to raise $375,000. Please remember that you can pledge over a three-year period. No pledge is too small. We value all contributions. All contributors will be named on a plaque at the end of the campaign. If you have any questions about the campaign, please talk to Mother Dawn, Joan Moore or Woody Swain.
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Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lessons appointed for the Fifth Sunday in Lent:
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Read about Deacon Jeff Roper in the current issue of The Active Age on page 25 . Click here
Adult Forum: Going off the Lectionary Grid continues every Sunday (except 2nd Sunday) starting at 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Hall. We are focusing on the lectionary readings for the day and spend time diving deeper and learning about the history, culture, and modern interpretation of the readings. The variety of forum leaders bring a vast array of experiences. All are welcome!
The Book Club of St. James and St. Stephens meets at noon Thursdays by Zoom. New members are welcome. The club is reading the Hidden Life Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
Saturday, April 9 and 23, are our gardening dates in April. gardening work. The crew will continue with raking, pruning and general cleanup. Any and all help is invited for the Volunteers generally meet at 9 a.m.
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Children and Youth
Children's Sunday school & Children's Chapel will be on Sunday, April 3rd starting at 9:30 am. We will have a special prayer blessing of our Blessing Box, learn about the Garden to the Cross, and explore Resurrection Eggs. Masks are optional. See you there!
It's time to fill Easter eggs for our kids. Grab a bag of empty Easter eggs from the basket by the front doors to fill up with your special goodies. Then drop off the filled Easter eggs back in the basket. Please drop off the Easter Eggs by Palm Sunday, April 10. The Easter Egg Hunt for the kids will take place at 10 am on Easter day.
Outreach
Please join us at the church at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 1 for we will will need many hands, and a truck or two, to move the donations to the IRC warehouse, which is located at 420 S. Emporia. The more the merrier!!!! We are exceedingly thankful for all of the donations going to the Afghan refugees that are joining our community. Their new location is at 420 S. Emporia.
The St. James Outreach Committee ends its annual Undies Sundays Drive this Sunday, April 3. We have been collecting new underwear for the Wichita Children’s Home. Please help by donating infant diapers, and new underwear in sizes infant through adult. There is a basket by the red doors for donations. Thanks for your generous donations.
Creation Care Committee will meet
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Wichita Minster News
God at the Oscars: Join Father Dillon, for one last time, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, as he wraps up his series on the Award Winners. Zoom Link Meeting ID: 922 9093 8815 Passcode: 9B8by2
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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The Daughters of the King will meet this Sunday, April 3 at 9:45 in the Church. The Rev. Deedee Evans will share information about our beautiful stained glass windows. All are invited.
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Holy Week and Easter Service Schedule |
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Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday)
Saturday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.
(sign up ahead of time to participate in dramatic reading at the 10:45 a.m. service)
Holy Wednesday, April 13 at 12:15 p.m. - Service of Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
Maundy Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Service of Foot Washing, Celebration of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the stripping of the altar
Maundy Thursday into Good Friday, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Overnight Watch in the Chapel
(sign up on the sheet outside the chapel)
Good Friday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. - The Stations of the Cross
Good Friday, April 15 at 12:00 p.m. - The Good Friday Liturgy
Holy Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 a.m. - Holy Saturday Liturgy
(practice for Easter Vigil service immediately following the service)
Sunday of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday, April 17 at 6:00 a.m. - The Great Vigil of Easter & Holy Eucharist
(begins with lighting of the new fire outside, and entrance into the church by the light of hand-candles)
Easter Sunday, April 17 at 8:30 a.m. - Festival Service of Holy Eucharist
Easter Sunday, April 17 at 10:45 a.m. - Festival of Holy Eucharist
Easter Sunday at 10:00 a.m. - Easter Egg Hunt (churchyard, weather permitting)
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Parish Prayers for the Week of April 3
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Pray for those serving in the military: Will Corkins, J. David Anderson-Lusk and Maureen Tanner.
Pray for those who have died: Sallie Hager (mother of Deb Hager), Mike (brother of Cathy Wuu), and Thomas Muehl (father of Maureen Tanner) , Jean (Showalter) Lehr, Sharon Lawrence, Bev McCausland, Marie Taylor
Pray for those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity: Susie R., Gus, Phil, Jackey, Gary F., Phil, Isabella, Lowell, Robin, Darwin, Helen, Barry, Nancy, Matt, Angee, Dylan, Glenna, Greg W., Pat, Marilyn, Sue, Pam, Jim T., Sage, Marge, Dal, Jayne, Betty, Bob, Joe, Judy, Joy, all people with COVID-19 and all health care workers.
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.
Prayers for Lent
Lord of all the earth, be present with the people of Ukraine. Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail. We pray for all who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit will comfort them. And we pray for those who have influence over tomorrow, that your Spirit will convict them and call them into compassion. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Prayers from Bishop Cathleen |
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Dear Beloved members of the Diocese of Kansas,
As we witness the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and wonder what the radiating seismic impacts may be, we are reminded that in the Risen Presence of Jesus we have a Living Hope. These verses of 1 Peter, addressed to people dispersed and disenfranchised by political turmoil and violence, speak to me today:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
Our Living Hope includes prayer. Let us pray as individuals and in our parishes for the people of Ukraine and all of those involved in this conflict. I ask all parishes to include prayers for Ukraine, for leaders of state and the military, for all those affected by the conflict, and for peace. Please include these prayers in the Prayers of the People this Sunday and throughout Lent. Of course there are wonderfully appropriate prayers in our own Book of Common Prayer.
- O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. - BCP 820
- Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. - BCP 816
Our staff has also gathered prayers from a variety of sources that can be accessed on our diocesan website.
Our Living Hope also includes care for those who suffer. As needs become known and avenues of aid become apparent, I ask parishes to remain open to the sharing of resources widely. Care also for those who suffer anxiety or personal grief. As part of the world-wide Anglican Communion, we have a network of support in such times. I commend both Episcopal Relief and Development and Episcopal Migration Ministries as meaningful ways to respond to this conflict. Both of these organizations are positioned to help those directly affected in the region.
Our Living Hope includes advocacy. Please remain in contact with our national leaders and those making decisions for the welfare of the world. May your Christian values guide communication with them.
As the Apostle wrote, may grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Sincerely,
+Cathleen
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