Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 9/26/21

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.  …

Sermon, 9/19/21. SIC: Strong Internal Candidate

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 …

Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 9/19/21

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, …

Sermon 9/12/21: A Reality Check and an Interim Assessment

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 …