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Youth Group Gathering
|  We want to have a Youth Group that's fun, faithful, and friendly. We're going to begin figuring out how to do that by kicking off the Fall Youth Program on Sunday, Aug. 28th. We'll (Parents, teens, and others who would like to help out as chaperons or cooks) meet for lunch, conversation, and calendar-building at 11:45 downstairs in the Youth Room. Please contact Walter Dewar if you and/or your teens plan on coming to the meeting. Show up and shape your youth group's gigs. |
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What's going on @ St. James
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Thursday - 5 PM - Community Meal - 7 PM - Vestry Meeting Sunday - 8 AM - Rite I Eucharist - 10 AM - Rite II Eucharist Contact Karen to confirm if you are serving as a reader, acolyte, or chalice bearer. - 11:45 - Youth Group Meeting Thursday (Sept. 1) - 11 AM- Episcopal Church Women's (ECW) Lunch |
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
Are you "comfortable" with Jesus choosing to die on the cross? The thought causes me some trepidation especially when Christ calls me to pick a cross up in order to follow him. I don't know that many people who are immediately willing to sacrifice their own self desires for someone else's benefit.  Max Lucado is on to something when he writes: " We pursue the wrong priority. We want good health, a good income, a good night's rest, and a good retirement. Our priority is We. God's priority, however, is God."
Jesus Christ's priority was to provide humankind redemption from sin as well as a means for reconciliation between God and us. This coming Sunday's Gospel shares the story of Jesus' rebuke of Peter regarding Jesus' declaration "that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Matthew 16:21. Peter does what I think most people do when a friend or family member strives to do something that sounds completely misguided. We do what we can to stop our friend or family member from doing something seemingly crazy. Jesus willingly accepts such risks and he commands us to follow him into similar perilous, sacrificial moments of life.
Professor Alyce McKenzie provides a very meaningful explanation for Jesus' actions. She writes: Jesus chose to risk the cross, not out of a life-denying asceticism that elevates self-denial for its own sake. Nor did he eagerly seek death out of a desire for martyrdom that would assure him the admiration of future generations. Nor did he believe God wanted to punish him, or that being abused by others is inherently a good thing. He accepted it out of his radical love for God and for human beings. Having been courageous and outspoken in his convictions throughout his life, he saw no other path of integrity but to continue his race of faith into the Valley of the Shadow of death.
 Jesus' demonstration of his radical love for God and his neighbors is the benchmark for our lives as his disciples. Our Christian mission to follow him is not a call to self-degradation or unnecessary self-denial. Jesus' willingness to experience suffering on behalf of his friends is a call for us to live as fully as we can into Jesus' Commandment to Love God and Love Our Neighbors. Each and every day provides numerous opportunities to act as Peter did, both at his worst and his best. Learning how to live as a radically loving Christian community is what this Sunday's Gospel invites us to explore and accomplish.
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Elsie's Tea
 | | Elsie Schummer |
Parishioner Elsie Schummer has an exciting and well-deserved day of recognition coming up in a couple of weeks. She will be serving as the hostess for "A Tea to Remember" event at the Miami Township Community Center on Sept. 11th.
Take some time and Read More about Elsie's life, her commemorative event, and the Three Rivers Athletic Boosters' Field of Dreams campaign.
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Let's Go to a Red's Game!
Saturday, Sept. 17th is Episcopal Night at the Reds Game. I'm told that St. James can really pull together a big group together to go to the ball game. So, let's do it! They will be playing the Milwaukee Brewers. More importantly, our attendance will serve a great cause! Proceeds will benefit young adult ministry in the diocese, a ministry that currently has NO budget line item. Tickets are $20 each. The Deadline to order tickets is Sept. 1, basically a week from today. Contact or talk to Julie Murray in person if you want to order tickets. |
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