December 17th, 2023

We'd love for you to join us!

We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.

https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

John the Baptizer is questioned this week by the local leaders and preachers about his identity: who he is and what he’s doing. The people are uncertain about exactly what he’s up to, so early in this gospel, we might need to be careful about assuming they are trying to trap him. Instead, it may just be curiosity about his work and purpose.

He replies to them clearly, though, that he’s the one Isaiah talked about who would be the voice in the wilderness crying, the one calling on others to make the path straight. Of course, they thought this might mean he was the Messiah, but he says, “Nope. I’m not the prophet, and I’m not the Messiah. I’m just the one crying out in the wilderness.”

But then, he says something else: “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me.” In other words, “The one you’re looking for is already here, and he’s already in your midst.” Sometimes we miss the presence of Christ when it’s already around us because we’re looking for something else. John the Baptizer reminds us that in the Incarnation, Jesus is already here, and opportunity is to look for where he is currently and already being made known.

Parish Advent Party

The Parish Life Committee will once again host our Parish Advent Party at coffee hour on Sunday, December 17th following our regular service. This is a nice opportunity for fellowship and a time to enjoy some holiday treats as we move into the last week of Advent. We’d love to see you there!

Photo by Larry Heinold

Lessons & Carols “Thank You”

Thank you to everyone who helped with this last weekend’s Service of Lessons & Carols. It was a wonderful celebration with our fellow Episcopalians from St. James’ in Newport, and we enjoyed a nice reception afterwards, as well.

Thank you again to the choir and Parish Life committee for helping make this possible!

An Epiphany Celebration!

The season of Christmas culminates when the magi visit the home Mary and Joseph to greet the toddler Jesus. On January 6^th, 2024 at 3 PM we will gather together in the Great Hall for a covered dish dinner and an Epiphany celebration. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us, and be on the lookout for more information to come soon.

Advent Quiet Time



Every Wednesday morning we gather for a celebration of Holy Eucharist and a service of healing. During Advent, following our healing service, the sanctuary will remain open for your own time of quiet with yourself and with the Lord. You are invited to remain as long as you need to, and please remember that others may be observing their own time of prayer. When you are finished, simply leave in silence.

St. James’ Family Promise Host 

The week of December 31st, St. James’ will be hosting and providing meals for Family Promise. We are looking for volunteers to provide dinner for these guests. If you are interested, please let Dave Perry or Val Brunson know.  

Donations of money or gift cards to restaurants are always welcome, and this money will be used to buy dinner or other supplies.

If you can provide a meal, but cannot stay for dinner, let Val or Dave know and we will find someone to serve dinner for you.

Thank you to our volunteers who continue to support this worthwhile ministry. You are the reason we are able to continue to do this, and every family we support gets us that much closer to ending family homelessness. Thank you for all you do.

Flower Memorial Envelopes - Now Available!



Every year the people of St. James’ are so generous with your offerings for flowers during the Christmas season. Flower memorial envelopes are now available in the Parish Office, and they will be mailed out this week, as well. Please have these offerings in by December 19th so that we can have memorial names included in our Christmas bulletins.

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others

Reaching out to those in need

And serving them with dignity and respect…

New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.

What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running.  Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance. 

If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.

How can you help?

Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.

 Current items needed:

• Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
• Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
• Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
• Tide pods or other laundry pods
• NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
• New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
• New books for adults and children

Please drop the items off:

     ·        Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch 

Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.

    ·        On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.

 We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.

Thank you,

St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry

Prayer Team Updates

The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.

For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675

St. James' Pastoral Care Team

St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.

If you or someone you know is in need, we: 

·        send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.

·        Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.

Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.

Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.

“Blessful” Meditations

We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.  

Romans 12:10

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Prayer for the Poor and the Neglected

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/