November 12th, 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/

Some people love to be prepared, and some people love the excitement of surprises. In an ideal scenario, those two people would find one another and be in a relationship (whether friendly or romantic, it doesn’t really matter) and be able to complement one another with one’s need for preparation meeting the other’s desire to live life as it comes.

As Jesus is talking to the disciples in this week’s Gospel passage, he’s giving them directions about how to prepare for his eventual return. This parable may seem apocalyptic and grim, but it’s really about recognizing that we don’t know when we’ll be called on to do something kind, do something good, for someone. We don’t know when someone will need to experience the love of God and when we’ll be the ones who get to share it through our words or actions, but this parable reminds us that a lack of readiness is no excuse.

The next question, though, is how do we make sure we always have enough oil, that we are always full enough to respond well. That’s a more difficult one to grapple with, and the answer probably lies somewhere between us and the Lord. As Advent draws closer, we can begin to think about how we are filled up by God’s goodness so that we can be prepared for the unexpected hour.

Stewardship Reminder

Hopefully you all received your annual stewardship mailing by now and have had time to think and pray about your annual giving for 2024. We’ve received 27 pledges so far, and we’re hoping to have a majority of them in by November 12th so that we can begin budget preparations for the upcoming year. If you didn’t receive a card and a mailing by now, or have misplaced yours, contact the Parish Office, and we’ll get you taken care of! Thank you to everyone for continuing to help us remember that we are “rooted in abundance” at St. James’ Episcopal Church!

Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service - November 22nd

This year’s Mill Creek Ministerium Thanksgiving service will be on November 22nd at 7 PM. Our service will be hosted by St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, and the Reverend Gail Stallings Minor from Marshallton United Methodist will be our preacher. Music will offered by a choir made up of members of all of our fellow Mill Creek churches, and we hope you will join us as we continue this tradition of joining together with our neighbors to give thanks for all that God has given us!

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.  

Jeremiah 17:7

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

Serenity Prayer, attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr



O God and Heavenly Father, Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed, courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

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