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, …