St. James Episcopal Church Event

Click here to see some more Advent Resources and learn find out about what's going on around the Diocese of Southern Ohio in December

St. James - Westwood Weekly Epistle

Approaching the 1st Sunday of Advent

November 29, 2012

Advent Greetings Everyone

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Sunday's Readings.

I'm ready for a special Advent season, are you? I'm preparing to set aside some worn out emotions. I desire to be less anxious about life and am more willing to intentionally abide in prayerful support of Jesus presence. I'm bracing myself not for holiday traffic, but for the potentially alarming silence of reading a book about prayer first thing in the morning. I going to enjoy seeing the sunrise or the snow fall first thing in the morning rather than listening to Mike and Mike on ESPN radio. What are you willing to get jumbled up in a contemplative, spiritual sort of way?

The Rev. Dr. David Perry - Kairos Moments

Alfred Delp wrote: "Advent is a time when when we ought to be shaken and brought to a realization of ourselves. ... This shocked awakening is definitely part of experiencing Advent. But at the same time there is much more that belongs to it. Advent is blessed with God's promises, which constitute the hidden happiness of this time."

I personally am ready to be a little less shaken up as I lean into Advent with a yearning heart. Perhaps my lean will be a little less anxious and just a bit more prepared if I greet each day with thanks. I'll be seeking out God's presence in the midst of bulletin preparations as well as during silent stares toward a quartet of Advent candles in our chancel on Sunday mornings. See if you can set your ego and associated anxieties aside long enough to hear Luke's Jesus provide your strength with me. Let's join with one another as Advent and our Lord draw nigh.

Blessings Along The Way, Jim+

Advent Resources

Diocese of Southern Ohio

Advent 2012

Presiding Bishop's Advent Letter

Advent Conspiracy

More next week

What's Arriving on St. James' Calendar

Saturday - December 1st
7:30 AM Men's Annual Advent Breakfast - St. Peter and Paul UCC Church - Tom Otten - Principal Elder High School Guest Preacher

9:00 AM (or thereabouts) Winter chores here @ St. James. Contact Garyne if you plan to be here and help

Advent I

No 8 AM Service

9:00 AM - Adult Bible Study
- Choir Practice

10:00 AM - Rite II Choral Eucharist (Communion)
- Children's Sunday School

11:20 (or thereabouts) - Hospitality Time

11:30

- Acolyte Informational Meeting. Join us for a 15-30 minute conversation about serving as an acolyte. You can be 12-50 years old

-- stop in at the meeting if you're interested.

Take an Hour Out to hear a book about Prayer
Date - Dec. 5th
Time - 8 AM
Enticements - Free Coffee and Pastries -

Learn more about prayer in many various forms. Believe it or not, it doesn't just happen in church pews. It can and often does happen in many other ways; freely, shamelessly, hopefully, and yes, honestly.

Brown Taylor wonderfully describes spiritual practices as simple as going for a walk and offering blessings to people in your life. She dives into darker and more uncertain practices of getting lost, falling ill, feeling pain. Her stories and advice about how prayer occurs while suffering grief or dealing with loss may make you cry and they will also draw you nearer to God and to yourself too. Taylor writes that "The world is full of altars for those willing to welcome the truth that comes to them in the flesh."

Advent Carol "The King Shall Come" Wheaton College Illinois Christmas Festival, Mary Hopper Conducting

Music to begin Advent

This video offers a lovely revised version of an early 20th Century Scottish hymn. Presbyterian Pastor John Brownlie translated the text for The King Shall Come from earlier Greek Orthodox texts. You may or may not enjoy the tune but my guess is that you'll enjoy the video.

The King shall come when morning dawns

and light and beauty brings.

Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:

come quickly, King of kings.

Contacts

Priest and Pastor
Jim Strader
513-661-1154
E-Mail Jim

Which of these Hallmarks of Health best describes St. James:

1.) a Clear Sense of Identity
2.) Radical Hospitality
3.) Inspiring Worship
4.) Intentional faith development and formation
5.) Adventuresome, risk-taking mission and service
6.) Extravagant generosity
7.) Accountability and collaboration

What examples can you provide of our health can you readily describe to someone?

Invite a Neighbor, Family Member or Friend
Offer Expires: December 24th (for this Advent Campaign anyway)