Sisters and Brothers in Christ
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the
fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 Each Thanksgiving Holiday, I try to remember where I was for Thanksgiving during the previous few years. Last year I was with my companion and we had dinner with his boss and her spouse. It was a raw, Winter Day in Peekskill, NY. The year before, Howie+ and I had dinner by ourselves at his home in Carmel, NY. In 2008, He drove down from NY to visit me in New Jersey and we had dinner with one another. Somehow a squirrel had gotten into the rental home the day before and we spent much of the day while the turkey was cooking trying to get the varmint out of the basement back into the wilds of the backyard. That was fun!
Each of the dates were special, memorable, and meaningful in their own way. I have been fortunate to spend Thanksgiving Day in a variety of places with family and friends. This is my first Thanksgiving Day in Ohio. I am grateful to be here, fortunate to serve at St. James, and grateful for the grace that God has shared with me since sitting down to Thanksgiving Dinner at this time last year.
It is my sincere wish and prayer that you and your family and friends will be able to cherish some special memories tomorrow with one another. I hope that you will enjoy a meal and holiday moments in a safe and warm place. Let us not forget that many people will go hungry tomorrow and that we are by and large quite fortunate to enjoy the bounty of God's creation and Jesus' love in bountiful ways. The term Thanks-giving, when broken down into two words suggests that we share what we have with others from a place of Thankfulness.
This is the type of Thanks-giving love is what Jesus shares with us. How fortunate we are to live where we do, enjoy the freedom and resources that we have, and be in a place where both our present and future hope resides in the One who freely offers all of this to us.
And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 1He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-12
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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Advent @ St. JamesAdvent I - this Sunday (worship @ 8 and 10 AM). Adult and Youth Sunday School (9 AM). Children's Sunday School (10 AM)
Evening Prayer, Potluck and Book Study - Tuesday nights - 6PM - 8PM
 We'll read and discuss poems, stories, and prose in Watch for the Light. Books are $10.00 each and will be available in the narthex Sunday morning.
Wednesday Noon - (beginning Nov. 30th) Eucharist w/ Healing
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Come Ye Thankful People
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Anglican priest and theologian Henry Alford wrote Come Ye Thankful People Come in 1844 as a harvest song. The tune offers thanks for God's abundance of blessings for this life as well as the assuredness of Christ's gathering of the faithful at the Final Harvest. I found a lovely rendition of the hymn on line and thought that I would share the video with you. |
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The Church Office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and this coming Friday. (Nov. 24th and 25th).
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Kay Thomas
I sadly wish to let everyone know that Kay Thomas died Monday Evening. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren during the final hours. I'm very grateful that Anisa+ was there to tend to Kay's pastoral needs as well as comfort the family.
Kay, along with Elsie Schummer and Trudy Eyrich were matriarchs of St. James in the 1950s and 1960s. It's sad to have said goodbye to them in such a rapid succession over the past few weeks. Nonetheless, we are especially grateful for the years that they spent and shared with their parish family.
Kay's memorial service and thanksgiving for her life will take place here @ St. James late next week. We will share more specific information with you following the Thanksgiving Weekend once Kay's family has met to discuss more specific details for the funeral and subsequent reception. Till then...
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your
daughter Kay. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
May Kay's soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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