Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Tradition demands that words from a rector or priest-in-charge should be always serious, devoid of humor. However, the shock of seeing darkness in our hemisphere already at 5:00 p.m., having set our clock back by one hour and knowing that daylight hours will continue to decrease until winter …
20 Pentecost Psalm 65; Joel 2:23–32; II Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18; Luke 18:9–14 And the Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, I thank you, God, that I am not like the rest of mankind… Luke18:11b I have a confession to make this morning, and where could I find a better, more appropriate place to make …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Attached [separate post] is my homily delivered at Eucharist on the 20th Sunday after Pentecost. Our liturgical practice does not anticipate comments during delivery, but I remind you that your comments are always welcome via this medium, or also following Eucharist. I share with you the exciting news that …
19 Pentecost Psalm 119:97–104; Jeremiah 31:27–34; II Timothy 3:14–4:5; Luke 18:1–8 In those days they shall no longer say: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ …The teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge. Jeremiah 31:29 It is not usual that, as I …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, I am pleased to report that our vestry met yesterday, 16 October, after a long hiatus caused by illnesses and other unavoidable factors. As always, everyone is welcome to attend the meetings. For obvious reasons, our meeting yesterday was longer than usual. Our discussions dealt with practical concerns, …
18 Pentecost Psalm 66:1–11; Jeremiah 29:1, 4–7; II Timothy 2:8–15; Luke 17:11–19 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him … explaining the word of truth. II Timothy 2:14 To borrow a concept often employed decades ago on the children’s program Sesame Street, I should like us to consider …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, There is little new to report in our weekly update. After receiving notice of an increase of new Covid infections in Massachusetts, and because some remain cautious regarding a return to in-person worship, I can report that we remain among our membership, thanks to vaccinations and booster shots, …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, In this note I call to your attention two items of interest, both of which I shared at today’s Eucharist. The first is of local/parochial concern. A VESTRY MEETING has been warned for Sunday next, 9 OCTOBER, immediately following Eucharist. Because of illnesses among members of the vestry, …
16 Pentecost Psalm 91:1–6, 14–16; Jeremiah 32:1–3a, 6–15; I Timothy 6:6–10 ; Luke 16:19-31 They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them. Lk 16.29 Many decades have passed, when I would spend Saturday mornings with my daughters, doing within reason whatever they desired to do. Occasionally, the three of us would prepare …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, Per your request, I share with you my reflections on the lectionary for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, and invite your comments. I continue to work with diocesan authorities and fellow clergy, in order we, as a parish, may benefit from the continued advice and support in our …