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Weekly e-Epistle
from
St. James' Mill Creek
Wilmington, Delaware

June 23rd, 2024

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Sunday Bulletin (June 23rd)

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most well-known stories from the Hebrew Scriptures. It’s delighted children in children’s bibles for generations, and it’s given an easy image of “big vs small” for us to use as a cultural reference in all kinds of places. It’s not necessarily the first place in the Bible that we see expectations reversed, but it’s a reminder that many of us like to see an unexpected victory, like when an underdog defeats a heavy favorite in a sporting matchup, unless the heavy favorite is our own team, of course.

 

In this story, though, there’s so much more to absorb than just the showdown between David and Goliath. We see that Saul and David are still on speaking terms at the beginning of the story. We see David’s confidence in the Lord’s protection. We see that David realizes that he can’t wear Saul’s armor (he can’t be Saul), but he has to wear what he has (he can only be himself).

 

Lots of times we want to be like someone else, and while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to emulate someone else’s style or ways of being, this passage reminds us that we can only be who we are. We have to be authentic to our selves, to our community, and to one another. In David’s instance, if he had tried to fight like Saul, he’d have been cut down immediately. Instead, he battled the giant with the skills he’d honed over a lifetime, and he was victorious over the Philistine threat.

 

There’s nothing wrong with growing and learning and changing and improving, but if we aren’t authentic to who God is calling us to be, we risk falling short of what God’s calling us to do

Office Closed ~ June 19th


The office will be closed Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 in honor of Juneteenth. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

What is Juneteenth?


Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in GalvestonTexas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Juneteenth 2024 will occur on Wednesday, June 19.

For more information visit the History Channel

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

 

Sunday Prayers of the People.  If you would like someone to be lifted in prayer at our Sunday service, please call the church office at 302-994-1584. The person's name will remain on the list for three weeks. If at that time you would like the person's name to remain on the list, please call the office again.

 

The parish prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office, 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. 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.  



2 Peter 2:9


"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Prayer for Knowledge of God’s Creation


Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


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St. James' Mill Creek
2106 St. James Church Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

302.994.1584