Easter 2014 - St. James altar
St. James Episcopal Church's Weekly Epistle
May 21, 2014 
Approaching the Sixth Sunday of Easter 
 
Alleluia - Christ is Risen 

 Jesus said to his disciples, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ( John 14: 15-17)

Read Sunday's texts here
Leap by Jimpsie Ayres 
Leap - Painting by Jimpsie Ayres 
  It's interesting that the NRSV translators use the term "Advocate" to describe The Holy Spirit. The editors of the King James Version of the Bible chose "Comforter." Eugene Peterson uses the word, "Friend." Common English Bible translators use, "Companion."

"Parakletos" in Koine Greek literally means to be called to one's side." Ancient Greek speakers used the term to describe a legal counsel or "defense attorney."  The most common orthodox Christian understanding of the word is that God's Spirit (The Holy Spirit) acts on our behalf to directly plead with God the Father for the pardon of our human sins. That's a meaningful interpretation but I find myself more interested in what it means for God's Spirit to actively strive to console and encourage us as a Divine Companion on a daily basis.

Jesus understood how much his disciples would actively grieve his departure from mortal life, following both Easter and his Ascension. Easter-like moments are so awesome. We believe that life and God's love have come to a tragic end through human evil only to witness God overcome death with life, sadness with joy. And yet, such Easter-tide moments don't necessarily last forever either. We abide alongside of the disciples in Jesus Christ's personal presence throughout Easter moments only to observe him depart from us once more.  Let me see if I can offer you a personal example.

Strader Boys with Howie Howie and I were really fortunate to travel to Phoenix a couple of weeks ago to visit and get reconnected with friends and family in Arizona. The main reason for our trip was to attend my nephew, Geoffrey's wedding. So much more happened than we could ask or imagine to occur!  We ran our first race together in about eight years. We had a marvelous time with Gil Stafford and his wife Cathy. My brother Bob, his wife, Barbara, their son Keith, Geoffrey and his bride Melissa went out of their way to make Howie and me feel like we were beloved family members.

In sum, we flourished in five days of love, joy, and hope - all evidence of the beauty of Christ's resurrection in our midst. Then, that celebration came to an end of sorts. My one nephew Keith returned to Los Angeles. Howie returned to Pennsylvania. I came home to Cincinnati. Bob and Barbara settled back into their lives in Mesa as Geoffrey and Melissa embarked upon their married life with one another. It's tough for me to "exit" from the joy of those precious times. Thankfully, Jesus has not left me or his other beloved followers, comfortless. We are not alone as long as we remain attentive to the Holy Spirit's abiding presence within us. God's love is re-igniting in my relationships with the people that I've mentioned. God continues to provoke all of us to live more fully into our faith of God's providence rather than focus on the world's chaos and distractions. The Holy Spirit remains near.

font
This Sunday, we will gather with one another to observe the Holy Trinity's love abide with us as God the Creator, Jesus the Christ, and Our Holy Companion offer joy, comfort, friendship, advocacy, and friendship to Emilia (Emi) Schotte as we baptize her into Christ's eternal life and our Christian Community.  Easter-tide celebrations for families and friends continue on as the Holy Spirit continues weaving God's love and presence in our midst, regardless of the definitions we use.  

     
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+   

This Week and Soon to Happen @ St. James

Epiphany altar at St. James
 
 
Check out our web calendar for important event information

 

  

Wednesday - (Tonight) - @ 6:00 PM - N or M Group -
Kdots Family Restaurant  


Thursday - @ 5:00 PM
- Community Supper - Parish Hall

Sunday - @ 9:00 AM - Adult Christian Education and Choir Practice

Baptism, Eucharist, Children's Sunday School, and Worship @ 10:00 AM 
- Church (nursery opens at 9:00 AM)


United Thank Offering LogoThis Sunday is specifically designated as St James' United Thanksgiving Offering Sunday.  Bring your little UTO white boxes, coins, or contributions with you on Sunday!


Announcements, Hospitality Coffee hour. Please come and participate at our Purpose and Vision Team shares their parish and community-wide survey beginning at 11:15 AM 

 
=============== 

A group of excited parishioners is teaming up to craft, publish and share a monthly newsletter. Make sure to talk with Barb Taber and get involved in this new parish-wide communications project.

===============

 

Come Hear the Anderson HS A Cappella Chamber Choir on Monday, May 26

  

If you're looking for a great way to conclude your Memorial Day festivities, consider spending it with the A Cappella Chamber Choir from Anderson High School on Monday, May 26, at 7:00 p.m. You may have heard them perform last year on our Springtime Music Series and at previous Dick Wesp concerts. They will present an eclectic program of classical, world and pop music that is sure to entertain. Free admission! See you there!   

 

 

SAVE THE DATES! 

 

It's just 14 days (Wednesday, June 4) till  St. James & Findlay Market sneak preview Westwood's Farmstand here at the Church! Contact Kathy Schaeffer in you're interested in setting up, volunteering at the farmstand. 

Farmstand Banner
Fresh fruits and vegetables from Findlay's farmers, to your church's yard and table. Check out our Facebook Event. Make sure you're going and inviting  your friends and family to be here with you! 
 
Sunday, June 8th - Parish Worship, Baptisms, and Picnic @ 10 AM - Veterans Park - Green Township

2013 Deacons' Ordination
Joyce will be ordained as a priest on June 14th
Saturday, June 14th - Joyce's ordination to the priesthood @ 11 AM - Christ Church Cathedral

Lusty or Luminous Love?

Norah Jones - Come Rain or Come Shine 
What's one of your favorite love songs?
It's tricky for some of us to express how we experience God's love. I wonder if we're afraid of God's intimacy. Maybe we learned from our parents or the church not to get too close too God. God's love seemingly transcends human sexual boundaries. Mystics and biblical characters can "get tight" with God. That's too much for us normal, non-transcendent, humans to handle.

And yet.... what does it really mean for God to love us as much as God does? What does it mean for us to truly  believe that God Spirit's primary reaction to our human doubts, fears, and dashed dreams is companionship, comfort, and concern for the very best human good? God remains with us through sunny days as well as stormy weather and whatever other conditions arise.

This video offers one possibility of reinterpreting God's love in musical tones and lyrical words. Harold Arlen wrote the tune and Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics for "Come Rain or Come Shine."
There's a special sentimentality about this tune that works for me when I think of God's abiding love. I hope that you'll enjoy the video performed by Norah John and Wynton Marsalis.

  Saint_James_Values




St. James Episcopal Church is called to be a center of worship and common life where Christ's love is visible and experienced in order to seek and serve Jesus in others.


Email us for more info.