Sermon, 8/13/2023: Faith Meets Action

11 Pentecost Psalm 105:1–6, 16–22, 45b; Gen. 37:1–4, 12–28; Romans 10:5–15; Matthew 14:22–33 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’  Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’  He said, ‘Come.’  Matthew 14:27 – 29 Last …

HOLY WEEK

MAUNDY THURSDAY, 6 April: Eucharist of “the Last Supper” with be observed at 7:00 p.m. Following the stripping of the altar, opportunity will be given for quiet meditation. GOOD FRIDAY, 7 April: No service at St. James. However, you are invited to join with neighboring parish, St. John’s Church, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington 02476, at …

Sermon 3/26/23: Living Life on God’s Schedule

5 Lent Psalm 130; Ezekiel 37:1–14; Romans 8:6–11; John 11:1–15 Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. John 11:21 As I have often reminded us, the lectionary which we hear at Eucharist is repeated on a three-year cycle, and we moved in Advent 2022 into the “A” cycle.  In so …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 3/27/23

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, In this communication there are several items which I call to your attention.  Many of the items which I shall mention, were noted in Sunday’s service leaflet, but of sufficient interest and importance, that I repeat them here. Services in Holy Week and on Easter Day: Palm Sunday, …

Sermon 3/12/23: A New Wind Is Blowing

3 Lent Psalm 95; Exodus 17:1–7; Romans 5:1–11; John 4:5–42 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 Surely, you have heard, and perhaps even used, the American idiom “to go out on a limb.”  Well, on this Third Sunday in Lent, I am going out on …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 3/13/23

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, This week’s update contains three items which merit your attention. The first is that you are invited to attend a Festival Choral Eucharist with our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev’d Michael B. Curry. Bishop Curry comes to Old North Church – Boston on Sunday, 16 April, to observe …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 3/6/23

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, In our Parish Update this week, brevity is the order of the day, in the main because a routine, i.e. a more recognizable pattern, appears to have returned to our parochial life. The coronavirus pandemic has faded into our recent memory, making us aware of the need to …

Sermon, 2/26/23: Tips on Packing Your Suitcase!

1 Lent Psalm 32; Genesis 2:15–17, 3:1–7; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11 Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.  Matt. 4:1 My former colleagues in creative writing courses would instruct their students that words have consequences.  The choice of words and the order in which we use …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 2/27/23

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, As you will read in my reflections offered Sunday at Eucharist, I attempt to make a revised approach to our understanding of and observance of Lent.  If, as your priest, I take such a stance—one slightly different from the traditional one of distain for worldly matters—I should be …