July 2nd, 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/

This weekend, so close to our American celebration of the Fourth of July, brings to mind a paradox of American Christianity. Our celebration of our nation's independence informs how we think of ourselves as individuals and as a nation and how we live our lives locally, nationally, and globally and how we interact with others. This spirit of independence can lead to changes and advancements and can move us forward. A strong spirit of independence is integral, and it’s evident in our own parish life, which predates even our nation’s independence.

Jesus’s gospel message for us this week, though, gives a different image as he says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me."

This is a message that reminds us that our strength also comes from the community. It comes from how we tend to one another and how we reach out from within ourselves to the world around us. We realize that we are called to rely on one another, to hold one another up, and that we, as individuals, aren't as independent as we initially assumed. Instead, we see that it is our dependence upon one another that helps us to see and know the grace of God in the world around us.

As we gather this Sunday and commemorate the Fourth of July on Tuesday, it’s helpful to remember that the mark of a Christian is one of hospitality and welcome, kindness to one another and reciprocating that kindness. This helps us recognize that there’s room for each of us and our many ways of being, and it’s the recognition of our shared humanity that can also help us continue living into the hope of our nation.

Monday Morning Bible Study Takes a Summer Break

Monday Morning Bible Study will take a break during the months of July and August. Enjoy your break, and we hope you’ll join us when we resume on Monday, September 11^th at 10:30 AM.

Wednesday’s at 10AM – Off for July and August

Our Wednesday morning services will be on a hiatus during the months of July and August. We’ll resume on Wednesday, September 13^th, and we hope we will see you there.

The parish office will be closed Tuesday, July 4th for Independence Day. Thank you very much for your kindness and understanding.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Greetings from Russ's Angels team captain, Margaret Russ.

Thank You for wearing purple on June 25^th. I loved the earrings, nail polish, shirts, and pants. Way to represent Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month.

If you would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s please their website ALZ.org

St. James has been a great support over the years, I want to give you the chance to help again this year.  

If you can donate there are three ways to do it.

1.  Use the link to my page http://act.alz.org/goto/margaretruss
2.  You can mail/hand me a check, written to Alzheimer's Association 
3.  Or hand me cash at Church.  

If you want to join our team the walk is Saturday 10/28/23. Use the link above to join. Would love to have you.  

Please feel free to reach out to me, Margaret Russ with any questions or to chat.  

russmags@hotmail.com

443-945-7230

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 6:7



"For one who has died has been set free from sin."

Prayer at a time of despair, from the Church of England

Restless with grief and fear,

the abandoned turn to you:

in every hour of trial,

good Lord, deliver us,

O God most holy, God most strong,

whose wisdom is the cross of Christ.

Amen.

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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