Christ is Risen. Alleluia! Alleluia!

We shared a wonderful first Sunday of Easter filled with joy and fellowship. It was beautiful in a hundred ways. Adrienne Edwards and the St. James Altar Guild prepared for each liturgy of Holy Week with great care and attention to detail. We all benefitted from the time we spent together in the space they made special for our worship.

If you were with us, you also experienced the pleasure of the powerful week through music. Dakota Bennett, our Music Director, and the St. James Choir, presented a repertoire of music and choral pieces with elegant presentation and striking every note right. Special contributors to our Easter Sunday worship were 6 incredibly talented students from East High School. These musicians included Eilidh and Iain Atiken, the gifted children of Andrew and Marlena Aitken.

Thanks to all who preached and proclaimed the gospel with us through Holy Week. Father Andy Houltberg, of ESS, and Father Andrew O’Connor preached here on Wednesday and Thursday evenings respectively. The new contemplative service introduced by Chelsea Whipple on Wednesday evening was very well received. We heard the Word in the voice of each lay worship leader (Shannon, Paul, Chase, and Elizabeth) and were blessed by Deacon Jeff Roper’s message on Easter.

All of this beautiful liturgy could not have been carried out without the help of many people including lectors, chalice bearers, acolytes, and bell ringers. Jose Alonso and his son Jose provided security at the entrance door giving us safe sanctuary and pleasant greetings as we came and went (even all night long on Maundy Thursday into Good Friday). There were many helping hands and willing hearts providing for all of us. Everything prepared in the church office by Krystal Poindexter and Susie Stallings was done with a reverence for service to God's People. God has blessed this parish with loving and faithful members who make our congregation a blessing to us and to everyone who comes to worship here. Thanks to everyone who sang or played a song, made a palm cross, served at the altar, assisted as an usher, or locked up after us. Thanks especially to the people who packed the pews and who prayed and celebrated the risen Christ with all of us. We love you all!

My Dad was unexpectedly alone visiting me for Easter. You always welcome my parents warmly, and I want you to know what a special gift of loving hospitality you shared with my Dad, Bill Frankfurt. He was truly moved by the way you surrounded him with such a sense of belonging.

If you would like the opportunity to see some of our Holy Week and Easter services again (or for the first time), you can do so on the parish website under the worship tab. If you are still called to contribute to the ministries of St. James Church, your special Easter offering may be put in the offering plate through the season, given on the website, or mailed to the church office.

May God continue to bless you with the multi-fold blessings of St. James Church. Here we have heard the good news and we see it lived out in front of us. Give thanks.

Yours in Christ, Mother Dawn+

The Guild Hall Players present...

Noel Coward's BLITHE SPIRIT Thursday, April 4 through Sunday, April 7. 

This funny charming play is one of the most popular British comedies of the last century - perfect entertainment for an early spring evening!

Performances are at 8:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday, and 7:00 pm on Sunday.

Contact the church office for reservations, (316) 683-5686

Justice Together, our coalition of Wichita churches, has been studying the problems of homelessness and mental illness in our community. Join us on Thursday, April 11 at 6:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church downtown (330 N. Broadway) to vote on a community project. Please come and make your voice heard. Let our city know that St. James cares about these issues. Together we can help improve the problems of homelessness and mental illness in our community.

IRC Update

Thanks to the continued generosity of the people of St. James, we have been able to provide the necessary items for the arrival of their newest family member! The baby is due in the next few weeks, so please remember the family in your prayers. 

Our formal contract with IRC will be completed at the end of April. The core team of this project, along with the outreach committee, has decided to continue our support of the family through the end of their first full year in Kansas. This is a large, single parent family that will need additional support over the coming months. 

Thank you for your continued support of this project and of the refugee family. We have been able to come alongside the family and assist them with their transition to life in America because of your generosity. 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬ ‭NRSV‬‬