Advent IV ~ Love
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.
*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
Take Note!
There will be no Children's Chapel on
December 24th or 31st.
Saint Nicholas Makes
Annual Visit to Saint James!

Click here to view the photos from last Saturday's celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas with live nativity animals!
End of Year
Giving Update
As we near the close of 2023, we want to update you both on the current year of giving to Saint James and the status of the 2024 Vine and Branches annual giving campaign.

2023 Giving
As year-end approaches, we are grateful for how many of our fellow members have fulfilled their 2023 commitments. If you haven't already done so, please take a look at your commitment or intention for this year so that we might end 2023 on a solid financial footing. Please click here to make your year-end gift today on Realm or mail or drop off your check by Friday, December 29th to be postmarked prior to January 1.
2024 Campaign
Our campaign for a new year of mission and ministry continues to go well, but we are still waiting for commitments from several households before we can declare the campaign closed. As of this writing, we are still hoping to receive commitments from just under 20% of the parish. You can help us reach a successful conclusion by entering your commitment in Realm, or by a simple email or phone call to Father Glenn or Nicolette Norris.
Christmas Offering
If you have satisfied your 2023 giving commitment and wish to make an additional end-of-year gratitude gift, you might consider the traditional Christmas offering.

Your gift can even be made in memory or thanksgiving for someone special in your life. Simply write ‘Christmas offering’ in the memo line of a check or click here to give online by selecting Christmas Offering from the dropdown list of funds.
2024 Giving Envelopes

Giving envelopes have been ordered for people who mail in their contribution, or give weekly/often by check or cash.

Please note that we have discontinued the numbered envelope system to identify each household; instead, our Realm software scans checks to identify the giver.

Those who give with cash will simply need to add their name to their envelopes. Any envelope can be used; a quantity of these giving envelope books will be available soon for pickup. 

If you have questions about giving envelopes, contact the office at 717-397-4858 X112.
Holiday Office Hours
Closed December 25 & 26

Limited office hours December 27, 28 & 29
Office hours will be flexible between Christmas and New Years. If you need to access the church or parish house, please call to arrange an appointment. The Pastoral Care team is also available for any urgent needs.

There will be no Headlines & Happenings
December 28.

There will be no forum hour on December 24th or 31st. Forum will resume on January 7th.
Christmas Flower Pickup
Christmas flowers may be picked up after the 10:00 AM service on Christmas morning or on Wednesday between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Looking Ahead in 2024
Friday, January 5 | Beginning at 8:00 PM
Compline at the Urban Well
Save the Date for
An Epiphany Compline
Begin your New Year and the season of Epiphany with a special Compline on First Friday January 5th. The evening begins with a dessert reception at 8:00 PM followed by a brass, organ and percussion prelude at 8:30 PM featuring an ensemble of Central PA's finest musicians under the direction of Dr. William Wright. The service of choral Compline begins at 9:00 PM. Click here to view via Livestream.
Sundays in January 2024 | 9:30 AM
Long-Range Planning, Vestry Elections, Annual Report & Meeting
Exciting news on the horizon
at Saint James

This coming January, we'll be focused on church governance, and we'll begin the month with the release of a new long-range plan introduced at forum hour on January 7th at 9:30 AM.
 
For the following two forums January 14th and 21st, we'll get to know each of the candidates standing for vestry.

2024 Vestry Candidates:
Joe Campbell
Andrew Flinchbaugh
Kristen Gedeon
David Groff
Damon Myers
Theresa Womble

Rounding out the month, on January 28th at 9:30 at the parish annual meeting, Fr. David and vestry leadership will present a new annual report highlighting the growth of our parish along with what's on the horizon for Saint James.
 
Stay tuned for more details about the vestry candidates, and be sure to set aside 9:30 AM forum hour each Sunday morning in January to learn more! Click here to join forum via Zoom.
Saturday, January 20 | 8:30 - 12:00 Noon
Pathways: Exploring Membership
Join us in the new year for a Pathways session on Saint James, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion? Join us for an upcoming Pathways session. We’ll talk about confirmation, reaffirmation, reception and how you can be more engaged in the Saint James community.

Have Questions? Click here to email Mother Shayna for more info. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.
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.
 
Mark your calendar!
*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

January 5, 8:00 PM: Compline at the Urban Well with dessert and reception

January 7, 9:30 AM: Long-range plan presentation

January 14, 9:30 AM: Meet the vestry candidates, part 1

January 17, 3 PM: Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

January 17, 6:30 PM: All Comers choir rehearsal

January 20, 8:30 AM - 12 Noon: Pathways: Exploring Membership at Saint James

January 20, 8:30 - 10:30 AM: Upper Room Men's Group

January 20, 10:00 - 11:30 AM: Women's Gathering

January 21, 9:30 AM: Meet the vestry candidates, part 2, annual vestry elections begin

January 28, 9:30 AM: Annual meeting, vestry elections conclude

February 3, 6:30 PM: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

February 10, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Spiritual Healing: Connecting to Joy and Purpose with Erin Jean Warde

*Streamed