3 Advent Psalm 126;  Isaiah 61:1 – 4, 8 – 11;  I Thessalonians 5:16 – 24;  John 1:6 – 8, 19 – 28 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ John 1:19   Against what constant (or variable) do we …

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, This week as I sat in our sanctuary, physically challenged by the low temperature (we heat only at a level to prevent frozen pipes) many thoughts, of which I mention just three, raced through my mind.  First, mine was not a Johannine “Revelation,” but rather the realization that …

2 Advent Psalm 85:1 – 2, 8 – 13 ; Isaiah 40:1 – 11; 2 Peter 3:8 – 15; Mark 1:1 – 8 *Comfort, comfort my peoples, says your God. Isa. 40:1 *John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.   Mark 1:4 *But do not ignore …

Dear Members and Friends of St. James, My pastoral note to you this week does not bring details of events or condition of our parish campus.  Rather, I chose to the North, in order to reassure you, not only of my concern for you all during these trying days, but to remind you of a …