VOLUME 2, ISSUE 51
December 23, 2020
Christmas Eve & First Sunday After Christmas
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Christmas Eve
Psalm 96
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20

First Sunday After Christmas
Psalm 93
Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 1:18-25
SUN. DECEMBER 27th - 10:00AM

Officiants: The Reverend Nancy Key, Deacon and Cathedral/Diocese Staff Clergy
Preacher: The Very Reverend Sam Colley-Toothaker, Acting Dean
SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUNDAYS @ 9:15AM

SUNDAY WORSHIP
SUNDAYS @ 10:00AM

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
SUNDAYS @ 11:00AM
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH @ 7:00PM

ALL ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
ARE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY
A CHRISTMAS WISH...A NEW WAY OF BEING
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us...” (John 1:14) So also the mission of God became flesh and lived among us in Jesus of Nazareth, the Child of Bethlehem. The mission that God spoke of in the act of creation, the mission that the longing of God pursued through the callings and alienations and reconciliations of Israel’s saga in the Old Testament—all this vision and struggle took flesh in the life, ministry, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. God’s act of becoming incarnate, [of humbling Himself to share in our humanity and even allowing us to share in His divinity] must be central in any understanding of Christian Mission, writes Titus Pressler, missionary, priest, seminary dean and theology professor. This is especially true for Anglicans because we take the incarnation as our starting point. Without God’s willingness to take on every aspect of humanity save sin, all we do as Christians, in fact our very identity as Christians would be meaningless

Empowered by the Holy Spirit in his baptism, Jesus exploded into ministry proclaiming that “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). Over and over again Jesus proclaimed that God was up to something... something radical and new...a new way of being in relationship to God and to others. Jesus preached that those who claimed the mantel that Christ offered were being called to discern what God was doing and join in God’s mission.

What is that mission? Simply put, like Jesus, we too were empowered by the Holy Spirit at our baptism to “...proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God...” (Luke 4:43). No time in the history of humanity is there a greater need to fulfill the work of the One who sends us out. No time in the history of humanity is there a greater need to live into the commandment to love God, love neighbor and love others as Jesus loved us. How best can you and I fulfill this work...this mission?

First, believe Jesus, not in Jesus and not as some lofty intellectual pursuit but as someone who longs to break into the gritty parts of our daily living and into the tender regions of our heart and soul. Then share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Perform some random act of kindness for a total stranger. Love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, and receive those who are outcast. These are but basic ways to live into our baptismal covenant...to fulfill God’s mission.

Invite a friend, family member or colleague to worship with you at St James’s Cathedral…virtually now and then in person when we are back together. There are those who suggest that going to church is not necessary in today’s world. Not so! In today’s technologically centered culture, where routine contact with the outside world is with a smart phone and through social media, the need for direct human contact and relationship has never been more important. Gathering together, in worship, is a tangible reminder that we are the Body of Christ…we are God’s eyes…God’s hands and feet in this broken world…we are church!

Lastly, if you are up for a greater challenge, join with me, and others, at St. James’s who are working mightily to bring about the radically welcoming and joyous Spirit that flourishes robustly at this time of year into the midst of this faith filled community everyday of the year.

It is my prayer that this Christmas Tide each of us will whole-heartedly embrace God’s call to join God’s mission in the world. Let us proclaim God’s good news, let us spread the Gospel, let us plant seeds and grow disciples!

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Dean Sam+
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
December 24th @ 7:00 PM on YouTube and Facebook
We are thrilled to announce that Bishop David has granted the Diocese permission to find a safe way to distribute communion for Christmas Eve as it is a special and Holy Day in the Church. You will have the opportunity to pick-up pre-consecrated packets starting this Sunday. Our intention is that during our live service on the 24th at 7 pm, you will be able to partake in the Eucharist with us.

If you know someone who is unable to get down to the Cathedral in order to pick up their packet, please think about coordinating with them to bring them a packet! This ensures our entire congregation is taken care of.

The final pick up time at the Cathedral is Thursday, December 24th from 3-5 pm.

Come say hello! We would love to see you, even at a distance!
Preacher: The Very Reverend Samuel Colley-Toothaker, Acting Dean
Date: Sunday, December 20th
WORSHIP

St. James offers Sunday worship each Sunday at 10:00AM on our YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Website. Archives of these services are available.
SERVICE PROGRAMS

Starting this Sunday, we will once again begin offering digital service programs. Visit the St. James website to download the program. If possible, for our creation care work, please do not print the program.
SERVICE SURVEY

To help us improve our digital church experience, please evaluate your experience of our "live stream service," by taking a moment to complete a short survey following Sunday's service.
MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS GREEN
IMAGE COURTESY OF 123RF.COM
Take some time to reflect with your family on ways to be more green in 2021! Can you invest in solar energy panels? Could you switch from using paper towels to reusable washable towels? There are many ways to be green and to care for God’s creation. Share your New Year's Resolutions with us at the Creation Care Commission.
DIGITAL COFFEE - SUNDAYS AT 11AM
To participate, log into the Cathedral Coffee Hour on Zoom. The meeting password is "james4147". You can also join the conversation by phone. Call (669) 900-6833 and enter the meeting ID 821-8772-3828. You will be prompted to enter the phone password "492292".
CATHEDRAL BREAKFAST CLUB
Meets the first Saturday of each monthly at 9:30AM on Zoom. These gatherings are open to all. To join via Zoom, click here. There is also a call-in option: (669) 900-6833 - Meeting ID: 894 7483 4226 - Passcode: 230840797.
PASTORAL CARE
The clergy of St. James remain deeply committed to offering pastoral care and support to members of the Cathedral Congregation especially during this difficult time. If a pastoral need arises for you or someone you know in the congregation, and you want to contact the clergy, please either email us at clergy@stjamesfresno.org or call the Cathedral office at (559) 439-5011 and select option 5 to leave a message for the clergy.
The Rev. Diane Kruger, an emergency department nurse in Wichita, Kansas, and deacon at Trinity Episcopal Church in nearby El Dorado, was among the first 100 people in the state on Dec. 14 to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19.
Washington National Cathedral on Dec. 15 tolled its bell 300 times, once for every 1,000 people who have died from COVID-19 in the United States, as another grim milestone in the pandemic coincided this week with the promise of hope offered by a vaccine.

Some Episcopal congregations that had spent most of the year fasting from Communion because of the pandemic have gotten creative in the fall and during Advent so they could resume this bedrock Episcopal liturgical and sacramental practice.
Hundreds of Episcopalians this Advent have embarked on a walking pilgrimage around the Holy Land without ever having to set foot outside their neighborhoods. There’s an app for that, built by St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
If you have any feedback, comments, or questions for the Midweek Missive Editors, please email us. Submissions to the Midweek Missive are welcomed and must be submitted to midweek@stjamesfresno.org by Tuesday at noon.