It's fascinating to me that we use a text in Luke describing Jesus' crucifixion as a means for proclaiming Christ's eternal reign as Pantocrator (Ruler of All, Omnipotent God). God almighty dies as a human being. Not only that, his jury and executioners murdered him because they deemed him to be a threat to the Emperor and Roman Empire.  This gory event somehow initiates Christ's Reign and dominion over humankind.

It's also fascinating to me that one of the robbers expects Jesus to "save" them whereas the other robber humbly asks for Jesus to recall him when Jesus moves from the cross into his dominion. The repentant robber seemingly sees Jesus in a way no one else does. Jesus is not the Messiah who will overcome Israel's enemies and restore King David's throne. Jesus is Divine but unwillingly, at least at the moment of his torturous death, to provide an escape from pain and suffering for himself or for others who are suffering near him.  He is willing to prepare a place for persons seeking repentance and hope for redemption.

 



Struggling with who truly is

Tree of Love - Roger Hutchinson

God and what  God's nature  is in this moment and the future remain frustratingly difficult questions to answer.

Carl Gregg writes: ... "On Reign of Christ Sunday, we are invited to remember that the "Kingdom of God" or "Reign of God" - to which Jesus constantly pointed - is as fully available now and always as it was 2,000 years ago. The question that remains each Reign of Christ Sunday is whether we will choose to live as if the one who reigns is not Caesar, but God."

Jesus' reign began and continues here on Earth. It happens in the midst of human uncertainty and troubled relationships between neighbors and nations. Rulers and governments still strive to convict and execute people they believe to be criminals, insurgents, or otherwise threatening to officials possessing power. Humble and faithful participants in Jesus' death meekly yet devotedly ask Christ to recall their lives as subjects to his reign. Such trials and executions often lead to the deaths of innocent victims and blameless prophets along with human beings who sin and come up short in terms of righteousness.  God in Jesus Christ chooses peace over violence, new and hopeful life rather than continued strife and death. What choices then will we make as a small church in Westwood and as co-creators of The Christ Pantocrator's Reign?

Blessings Along The Way, Jim+

 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU  to the

more than 50 persons

and families who have

pledged close to  $118,000 during our fall pledge campaign. We have exceeded our 2012 pledge totals and with everyone's continued support we may be able to achieve greater goals.  

Let's recognize everyone who has so far graciously contributed to your parish's ongoing efforts to make St. James a financially healthy and resourceful church who proclaims Jesus the Christ's Gospel & Reign through our nurturing and nourishing activities.

              

Kelley Coleman	Walter III & Karen Dewar	Walter Jr. & Teresa Dewar	Eugene & Constance Eberhart	Garyne & Michele Evans
Dotty Garrabrant	Alex Gartner	John & Nancy Goodyear	Barry & Linda Gromen	Jorge & Justine Hersel
Phil & Lisa Holstrom	Brenda Hosken	Elana Hurd	Eugene & Nancy Jacob	Joyce Keeshin
Bruce & Margaret Knapp	Robert & Betty Knapp	Bryan & Kelsee Lanich	Rena LaRusch	Shirley Lutz
Sandy & Jean MacGregor	Tami Mahler	Jane Mattes	Paul & Carol Maus	Joan McGannon
Shirley Miller	Robert & Julaine Mokren	John & Julie Murray	Pat Ognenoff	Robert Pavlovich & Diane Lala
Pam Peak	Ranjan Prasad	Lorilee Pylman	Kathy Rinehart	Paul & Carol Schneider
Susan Shackleford	David Sharp	Laverne Smith	Kathy Stanecki	Donna Stewart
Sue Stanton	Jim Strader	Sally Strunk	Adolphus & Cecelia Sukhai	Dave & Barb Taber
Elmer & Dorothy Wetenkamp	William & Linda Whittle	Janet Weichert	Dottie Wilson	Dean Windgassen

 

       

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU    

  

  

This Coming week's and upcoming Events  

 

Tonight @ 6:00 PM (11/20)  -N or M Meeting -  Nick and Tom's Restaurant

  

 Thursday @ 5:00 Community Supper -  

Come eat and spend time with our neighbors

 

Sunday (11/24) - 9:00 AM - Adult Christian Education

Chancel Choir Rehearsal 

              

10:00 AM - Eucharist - (Celebration of Maxwell Everett Yorgovan's Baptism into Christ's One Holy Church)

Children's Sunday School

and more  

Lots more happening later on in November

Annual Western Hills Association of Ministries (WHAM) Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service - Happening Here on the evening of Nov. 25th. 

This will be beautifullymusical, thoughtfully prayer, and traditional Anglican Evening Prayer Service  involving church choirs and ministers from around Western Cincinnati. There will a reception (coffee and cookies) following, hosted by St. James' Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Invite your friends and welcome Thanksgiving's arrival with neighbors from around Cincinnati.  

  

Visit Alex's colorful banners for information about upcoming events! Thanksgiving week will be especially blessed this year.    

Advent 

Read a review of People of The Way

This year's Advent Book study will be a discussion and prayerful conversation about Rev. Dwight Zscheile's book "People of the Way." Professor and Episcopal priest Zscheile will be the keynote speaker at next year's diocesan "best practices" conference. He is presently an assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership and co-director of the Center for Missional Leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Our series will happen from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM for

four Sundays only. (Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22) . There's a good  video offering more of an insight into Zscheile's understanding of a 21st Century Episcopalian, missional church.  The book appears to cost between $14.00 and $17.00 dollars and is available at a number of online websites.

Please let Jim know if you intend to be involved in the Advent book series. 

We've Got The Music

You may or may not about our parish's SoundCloud webpage.  Alex and John Murray have been doing a terrific job of capturing, recording, and uploading some of the beautiful music that's being sung here (hear) at St. James.  Share the songs!

Take a listen to a couple of recent "world premier" and "top drawer" anthems.

World Premier of "For the Sake of Song & Silence" - performed at Richard Wesp Celebration Concert on All Saints Day

St. James Chancel Choir on SoundCloud

"Surely It Is God Who Saves Me"

by Jack Noble White

The First Song of Isaiah vocally performed by St. James Chancel Choir on November 17.

Surely it is God who saves me;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,and he will be my Savior.