Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, The Fourth Sunday of Advent, as always, heightens our anticipation of our annual celebration in remembrance of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah. I pray that my reflections, attached to this e-note, even as we prepare to celebrate, will direct your attention to the significant role …
3 Advent Canticle 9: Isaiah 12:2–6; Zephaniah 3:14–20; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:7–18 As the people were filled with expectation… (Luke 3:15) Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! (Zephaniah 3:14f.) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be …
Dear Members and Friends, This greeting is both an invitation and a reminder. The mercantile world has already weeks ago reminded us of the approaching celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah. Indeed, it is actually wonderful to receive free publicity regarding the birth of Christ, even if this spigot of publicity …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, In addition to sharing with you my weekly mediation/homily, today I post to you two additional items: an announcement, in its corrected form, of our Christmas Eve celebration of the Birth of Christ, and an update of observances beyond Christmas Eve/Day itself. Several of you, in person as …
2 AdventBaruch 5.1-9; Canticle 16: Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1.3-1 1; Luke 3.1-6 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord. (Luke 3:4b) How often have you heard from us preachers: ‘Advent is a time for spiritual reflection, as we prepare to receive Christ as a little child’? However, what …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, As we make our way toward the celebration of the birth of Jesus, God’s Messiah, I report that the dedication of you all, but especially a few select volunteers, has demonstrated a tenacity that a 20-month absence due to COVID restrictions could not, and did not, weaken. Wreathes …
1 Advent Psalm 25:1–9; Jeremiah 33:14–16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13; Luke 21:25–36 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars…Be alert at all times.Lk 21:25f. Spoiler alert. Should you remember nothing else of what I share with you this morning, remember this: Advent is not about counting down until Christmas Eve and …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Almost as if by surprise, the Season of Advent is with us. The appearance of wreaths, the lighting of the first candle of Advent, and a change in altar hangings and vestments were and are visual evidence of the beginning of another liturgical year. Appropriately, the first Sunday …
Christ the King, Last Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 132:1–19; 2 Sam. 23.1–7; Rev.1:4b–8; John 18.33–37 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Many things fascinate us human beings. We are intrigued by paradoxes. You know, those things that seem contradictory to common sense and experience but …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Today we observe a feast day that, in liturgical speak, bears resemblance to the “neglected stepsister” in a Grimm nursery rhyme. With the homily that I offered today at Eucharist and attach here [see separate post] to my weekly greetings, I hope to open the possibility of a …