Dear Members and Friends of St. James, It is indeed ‘a good and joyful thing,’ as we settle into a new routine, to be able to report to you that a new normalcy brings relief to our lives that have been battered and altered by the COVID pandemic. And to that end, please know and …
20 Pentecost Psalm 22:1–15 ; Job 23:1–9, 16–17; Hebrews 4:12–16; Mark 10:17–31 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 Good people, I am very much aware that, on this 20th Sunday after Pentecost, I stand not in a classroom …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, My update this week is brief but brings three important items to your attention: THE VESTRY MEETS ON SUNDAY, 17 OCTOBER, immediately following Eucharist. You are all invited to attend this meeting as we meet to take stock of the affairs of our parish. This year, we shall …
19 Pentecost Psalm 26; Job 1:1, 2:1–10; Hebrews 1:1–4, 2:5–12; Mark 9:30–37 As for me, I will live with integrity. Psalm 26:11a Even before we became limited in our in-person contacts due to the pandemic, people in our various parishes have often been curious about how their clergy spend their time. Thinking, in a business …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, At St. James we continue to regroup following the long absence due to the pandemic, against which we observe all diocesan guidelines while assembled. Infrastructure equipment no longer blocks access to the facilities. And community group meetings maintain their regular schedules. The announcement of the week, and for …
18 Pentecost Psalm 124; Esther 7:1–6, 9–10; 9:20–22; James 5:13–20; Mark 9:38–50 You must have salt within yourselves, and be at peace with one another. Mark 9:50b The year was 1972, when the game show “The Price is Right!” first aired on national television. The host of the show presented a contestant with an item, …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, If perchance you attempted this past week to drive by the church or come into our buildings, you may have encountered, as did I, a visible police presence. Wearing the uniform of my position and being innocent of face, I had no difficulty going around the yellow tape. …
17 Pentecost Psalm 1; Proverb 31:10–31; James 3:13–4:3, 7–8a; Mark 9:30–37 Then he took a little child and put it among them. Mark 9:36 Not only eternal forces, but also internal discord plagued the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Miracles and declarations of faith in Jesus as the Messiah of God notwithstanding, human nature held …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, On this last Sunday of Summer 2021, you will find [in separate posting] the written version of thoughts I shared today with those present at Eucharist. I hope that my meditation, repeated here for those who worshipped in person and provided new here to those unable to attend, …
16 Pentecost Psalm 19; Proverb 1:20–33; James 3:1–12; Mark 8:27–38 “Who do men say that I am?” Mark 8:27b “But who do you say that I am?” Mark 8:29 In our industrialized economy it has become commonplace, especially at higher levels of administration, that those in position of responsibility must undergo an annual review. Continuation …