St. James Welcomes you !

10:30 AM Service Time

You can watch us on our Facebook page.

Online tithing and giving.

Food Pantry 12/20/2022

Masks are optional

Community Food Pantry is held in the fellowship hall.

Please park on the side with the ramp.

If you are coming in for assistance,
masks are optional.

Mid Week Reflection

“Are we there yet?” I remember reciting that question to my parents over and over during long car rides, and I’m sure some of you have similar memories around that question. “Are we there yet?” is also an appropriate inquiry for the Advent season too, especially since much of society has switched gears into overdrive of Christmas and Holiday remembrances. Some radio stations have started playing non-stop Christmas music; while some stores are now decorated like trees, and still other places are advertising for space to host your holiday gathering. But the season of Advent is one of waiting and the building of expectation! Advent is the season of the church year where ceremoniously enter into the expectation that the Jewish people had for the coming Messiah. The people of Israel had, prior to Jesus’ birth gone from a wandering Aramean, Abraham, to tribe enslaved in Egypt (much of Genesis); those slaves being liberated by the LORD Almighty, wandering in the desert, and delivered into the land God had promised their ancestor Abraham (Exodus-Joshua). Then the people struggled to live in faithfulness to their God and others as prescribed in the Law; eventually suffering division and exile as consequence for their waywardness (Judges-2Chronicles). Before, during and after their exile prophets arose who encouraged the people of God to live in right relationship with God and others with promises of a new reality in God would make all things new (Isaiah-Malachi); while foretelling of one who would come to live as an example of God’s will here on earth! The Israelite people had been through a lot. What have you been through previously? What makes you hopeful for God’s presence in the struggles of your own life? The promise of Advent, and the fulfillment of God’s relationship with the Israelite people was realized in God becoming one of us, Emmanuel. But despite the stores and TV specials, Advent comes first. We intentionally engage in the waiting and building of anticipation of Jesus’ birth. Here are a few ways you might try to enter into the mindset of Advent:

• When you eat a meal; pause for a prayer to give thanks and to slow yourself down before enjoying what blessing God has given.

• When you are driving around and perhaps stopped in traffic, take the time to enjoy the journey along the way with those in care with you or even the music on the radio.

• When going about your ‘normal’ daily tasks; perhaps engage others in conversation or share your appreciation of the blessing they are to you.

            Now, this does not mean that you need to give up things for Advent. I, for one, enjoy watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, and even indulging in a bit of Christmas baking. The invitation of the Advent season is to remember through anticipation the birth of the Messiah, the fulfillment that God is present with us! “No, we’re not there yet; and we can do our best to enjoy the journey!” Amen.

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Weekly Reading

"For by grace y'all have been saved by grace, and this is not y'all's doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works so that no one many boast. Because we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared to be our way of life." (Ephesians 2:8-10)