Christmas Memorial Flowers
Remember a loved one and help us prepare our sanctuary for Christmas
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Submission Deadline: Tomorrow, December 8th.
If you would like to memorialize or honor a loved one with Christmas flowers in the sanctuary, you can do so in Realm. The name of your loved one will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
The suggested donation is $15/flower. Click here to get started. In the memo box, type the name of the person you are honoring. If you are ordering multiple flowers and run out of space in the memo box, simply make your donation, type “list to Kristen” in the memo box and email Kristen Vieldhouse the list of names.
You may also mail a check to the church office with Christmas flowers in the memo line. Call the parish office at 717-397-4858 if you have questions. Submission Deadline: Friday, December 8th.
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This Saturday, December 9 | 3:30 PM
St. Nicholas Mass with Live Nativity Animals
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Come on out and see St. Nicholas in a horse-drawn carriage as he arrives at Saint James on the eve of the second Sunday in Advent. He’ll start at Duke and Chestnut Streets and end at the church where there will be live nativity animals.
The Mass and story time with St. Nicholas begin at 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. Held rain or shine.
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Sunday, December 10 | 9:30 AM
Forum Hour with Randall Zachman
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I am left in the hell of unending slavery. O God, save me! God, deliver me! Let me be free! This petition by Frederick Douglas is one of many prayers of African Americans we'll examine from Conversations with God: Two Centuries of Prayers by James Melvin Washington. Join us as we explore the heartbreak, protest, hope, and resilience brought to expression in these prayers. Click here to join forum via Zoom.
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2024 Annual Giving Campaign Update
Dearest Friends,
As we near the close of the calendar year, there are many good things to report regarding the 2024 Vine and Branches Annual Fund campaign. First, a snapshot of the campaign by the numbers:
- 172 pledges are in.
- 66 are outstanding.
- We have over fifteen new or returning pledges.
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101 households (48% of respondents) increased their pledges by an average of 17%!
This is all very good news of course, with the exception of those 66 outstanding commitments that we are still awaiting. If, as you are reading this, you realize that you are one of those, please consider making your pledge for 2024 right now! You can click here and enter your pledge in Realm. If you prefer not to do that, you may click here to email Nicolette Norris, or call her at: 717-397-4858 ext. 112.
If the outstanding pledges come in, and if our current trend on increased pledges continues, we will once again have an outstanding result, enabling us to support the plans we have made for mission and ministry in 2024.
THANK YOU!
Fr. Glenn +
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End of Year Giving 2023
Thank you to all who have been able to give so faithfully this year! We are now 94% of the way to fulfillment of pledges for the current year! If you are able to complete your pledge this year, we hope you will do so in these final weeks and help us finish this year on a strong financial footing. Your giving or even an extra Christmas gift helps to balance out some of our households who fell on more difficult times this year and were not able to give at their normal levels.
Not sure where you are with your annual giving to date? In the coming days, we will be reaching out to households who still have a balance on their pledge commitment and no future gifts scheduled in December to provide this information. You can always log into your Realm account by clicking here to review all your gifts or to make a gift. Or click here to make a gift as a guest which will still be credited to your giving account.
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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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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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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 | 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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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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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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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 Helen B. Woolworth, mother of Andy Woolworth who died on December 1st.
Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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December 9, 3:30 PM: St. Nicholas Mass With Live Nativity Animals
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
*Streamed
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