On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7: 37-38)
Read Sunday's Lessons (Numbers, Acts, and John) here.
What does it mean to be an Easter, Spirit-filled church. We'll let me offer an observation. We're opening a farmstand on our front yard in a few hours. We're celebrating our second baptism in three Sundays this coming Sunday. There will be other baptisms this summer, God willing. We're hosting the 2nd Pop-Up Beergarden later this month. The Purpose and Vision team is actively working to shape the manner in which God's Holy Spirit moves through us. It's really exciting to observe how the Holy Spirit indeed works when we choose to drink and believe in Jesus Christ's waters of life.
Summer is upon us. All you need to do is walk or run outside first thing in the morning. The lighting bugs are hovering over the grass and ascending into the trees at nightfall. Summer is here and The Holy Spirit returns with the warmth and length of days. We mark a change of seasons with the Feast of The Pentecost (Whitsun) each year. It's a great opportunity to wear red clothes and be joyful. Thank God! Personally, I'll take the humidity over 10 degree Lenten mornings almost anytime. Again, how marvelous is God is apparent in our world.
Confirmation Pendant - Learn more about the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's presence and the Life-Giving Waters of faith in Jesus Christ's resurrection are never absent. These truths are present in our minds. These desires reside in our hearts. Baptism provides us a ritual as well as a pathway for believing in the power of Christ's renewed life for us.
Today is a special day at St. James. Bring an umbrella if you need it and come purchase some healthy fruits and vegetables. This coming Sunday will be equally special as we welcome Eva Kunnen into God's family and St. James church as a fully beloved and baptized Christian. Living waters of baptism flowing from Jesus' through us. Fiery flames of Spirit-filled possibilites flicking around our foreheads and filling our hearts. What a wonderful summer is here.
The parish's Purpose and Vision Team wants your feedback. The team is collecting information about your vision for St. James. They have some ideas and are validating with you that they are on the right path. However, they will soon be moving on to the next phase of their visioning process. Please complete the online survey or complete a paper copy at this Sunday's Church picnic. Surveying ends on June 13th. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the future of your church.
Purchase and enjoy fresh, organic fruits and vegetables right here on our front yard in Westwood.
St. James in collaboration with Findlay Market begins its entrepreneurial opportunity to bring healthy and wholesome food to the neighborhood. Read more about what's happening at the farmstand Facebook page.
Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday is our annual Church Worship Service and Picnic! Join us as we baptize Eva Kunnen Sunday morning at Veterans Park ..
Persons living with limited physical mobility should look to park in the "upper" parking lots (adjacent to the clock tower and/or in front of the Army tank). All others, please plan on parking on the lower level in front of the Green Township administrative buildings.
Let's welcome Eva, his family, sponsors, and friends. Wear
REDand come prepared to worship and celebratebeginning @ 10:00 AM.
The picnic immediately begins afterward. Please check in with Jane Mattes about what sort of dish you should bring to share. .
Summer Music Camp Registration is Open!
Register your (grand)children - invite some neighbors to camp
Do you know a child who loves music? St. James Summer Music Camp (July 21-25) is just the right place for children and young teenagers to craft their musical gifts.
Our camp is a wonderful opportunity for you to promote a child's musical education during the summer? Contact Alex and learn more about what promises to be a beautiful and faithful camp experience
Join Joyce as she celebrates her ordination to the priesthood on June 14th @ 11:00 AM
We witness the Holy Spirit's action in our midst through sacramental activities such as the baptism we will celebrate this Sunday.
Next week, we will enjoy another Spirit-filled activity in our midst when Joyce Keeshin joins two other deacons in being ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church. Joyce's ordination occurs on Saturday, June 14th at Christ Church Cathedral.
It is customary at such ordination services for a cantor, the clergy and the congregation to chant the Veni Sancte Spiritus music as the candidates are ordained. This chant is a bidding for the Holy Spirit's Grace to descend upon those gathered together as the Spirit did on the Day of Pentecost. Perhaps you'll enjoy listening to this video between now and when we chant it with Joyce on the day of her ordination.
