The St. James’ Weekly News – January 29, 2012
Schedule Change: Please note that there will not be the Tuesday Holy Eucharist on February 14. The schedule resumes on February 21 at 5:30PM.
Notes from Father Scott: Sanctuary Fans - Please leave the sanctuary fans running. They keep the air circulating so the furnace doesn't run so often. Remember warm air rises and cooler air falls. Sanctuary Doors - It is important to me that those doors remain open at all times. I am a visual person. When the doors are open, they symbolize for me the abundance of God; when closed the scarcity that is prevalent in our world today. Thanks, Fr. Scott
WOSJ News: The Women of St. James will gather for the 9AM Ash Wednesday liturgy on February 22 and then will meet immediately following at Chauncey’s for breakfast. All women of the parish are cordially invited. Please call Dot Grout at 375-2265 if you plan to attend.
Lenten Book Study: Please join us on Thursdays in Lent - March 1, 8, 16, 22, and 29 at 7:00 PM in the Memorial Lounge. Our book is Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles Our Judgement by Rowan Williams. The trial, conviction and death of an innocent man 2000 years ago has particular resonance today. Atrocities from around the world shake us every week. We also experience trials and challenges in our own lives. Bringing the gospel accounts vividly to life in this powerful and moving book, Rowan Williams looks at how the trial of Christ profoundly challenges both what we believe and how we live. Drawing not only from the Bible, but also from contemporary fiction, film and theatre, he explores the ways society continues to put Christ on trial today. In fact, all Christians stand with him before a watching world. How we respond to this challenge is the focus of Christ on Trial. It increases our confidence in the faith we have received, and invites us to discover “what we are and what we might be in God's sight.”
The cost of the book is $15.00 which includes the shipping. Please sign-up on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board if you plan on attending. It is not necessary that you attend all meetings. Sean Lanigan and Fr. Scott will co-lead this study. We hope you will join us.
The Rector’s Message
A brief reflection on our Psalm this morning taken from The Word Today by Herbert O'Driscoll (p. 96). Today's psalm (Psalm 30) echoes the Hebrew Scripture reading this morning, describing in vivid and unforgettable terms an experience like Naaman's. To recognize the sequence of events, it might be well to begin with the lines, “While I felt secure, I said, ‘I shall never be disturbed. You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.’
Someone feeling immensely confident about life, able to handle anything with his own resources. Suddenly everything changes. I cried to you, O Lord ... O Lord, be my helper. Something ghastly has happened that may even be life-threatening. It sweeps away all the self-confidence and makes the person realize how vulnerable he is. Recovery follows, with all the joy and gratitude that goes with it. You have turned my wailing into dancing. It will be a long time before the person can say again with self-assurance, I shall never be disturbed. From now on there will be an awareness of dependence on God. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.” Fr. Scott
Father Scott’s Schedule:
Monday, February 13: Office hours, 9AM – 12Noon
Compensatory Time Off: Tuesday, February 14, Wednesday, February 15, Thursday, February 16
Sabbath Days: Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18
St. James’ Free Community Supper Series. Mark your calendars, please!
The next dates for the Free Community Suppers are in the series are Saturday, February 18; Friday, March 16; and Friday, April 20. Thanks to all those who have stepped up to make this new initiative a reality for us. Everyone is invited to participate.
Volunteers Still Needed for Inventory. We still need volunteers to help complete an inventory of our possessions for insurance purposes. The tasks are not complex. You create your own schedule with completion scheduled for May 1, 2012. If interested, please check with Joanna Taylor at 375-9330 or e-mail her at jwtaylor2@comcast.net. “Thank you” to the three people who volunteered to do the photography for the inventory.
