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Weekly e-Epistle

from

St. James' Mill Creek

Wilmington, Delaware



January 19, 2025


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 9:30 a.m.


https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

Sunday Bulletin - January 19th 


At the wedding feast at Cana, we see Jesus perform his first “sign”, as it’s called in John’s gospel. It’s a story of both knowing and revelation. His mother knows the need of the moment, and Jesus says, “It’s not time for that to be revealed.” However, his mother insists that the stewards do what he says, and at the end, the water is changed to wine, the people give thanks, and “his disciples believed in him.”

 

That last line may be difficult because it makes us wonder, “Why didn’t they believe in him earlier?” Remember, though, that this moment is only a few days into his ministry. The disciples are doing their own discernment about whether to stay with Jesus or maybe follow John the Baptizer. This “sign,” though, reveals to them, and to those reading this Gospel, that Jesus is the real deal.

 

We know that as the story unfolds there will be trouble for both Jesus and the disciples, just as know that as our story unfolds we will experience trouble and heartache. This sign, though, at the beginning of his ministry, reminds us of the abundant grace of God that overflows into the story being told. Our opportunity, it seems, is to look for those times when water is being turned to wine in our own lives because it’s those moments that can sustain us when the signs seem to disappear.

Following Diocesan office closures the parish office will be closed on Monday, January 15th, in observance of MLK Day.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped us with our recent Epiphany potluck lunch. The lunch spread was abundant, and hopefully you got a chance to chalk your doors with the “20+C+M+B+25” marker as we asked God’s blessings to be on our houses and all who enter it for the coming year! Thanks again, and we look forward being together again on January 26th for our annual “Soup and Bread” lunch.




Soup and Bread Luncheon ~ January 26th

Soup and Bread returns on January 26th following the morning service. You may bring soup or bread or just yourself to enjoy fellowship and a great meal! 

If you are interested in participating, there's a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall or call the office.


If you bring a crockpot of soup or bread, please drop it off in the kitchen before the service on the 26th. Please make sure the soup is WARM as the crockpots will not heat cold soup in time for lunch. The "soup ladies" in the kitchen will be sure the soup is nice and hot by lunchtime.


And if you bring soup or not, you can help share the love and fellowship with our Emmanuel Dining Room guests by bringing a six-pack or larger packet of fruit cups or applesauce to our Soup and Bread on the 26th. Then, we’ll share these cups with our guests at Emmanuel Dining Room on Friday, January 31st!

We look forward to a warm and wonderful time with all the St. James' Family!




Emmanuel Dining Room—Fellowship and Outreach Opportunities



Join us Thursday, January 30th, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in the St. James’ kitchen to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to share with our Emmanuel Dining Room guests on Friday, January 31st



Too many

 2025 Calendars?

If you have received extra 2025 calendars (from any of the organizations you have supported) and are wondering what to do with them, they are needed by residents of our local nursing homes. 

Please drop them in the box in the parish hall foyer or in the church entryway and we'll be sure they are distributed! 


Thank you, Parish Outreach 


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 & request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675.

Photo By Larry Heinold

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.




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St. James' Mill Creek

2106 St. James Church Road

Wilmington, DE 19808


302.994.1584