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Approaching Holy Cross and Homecoming Celebration Day!
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Sing your praises to the Lord with the lyre-
with the lyre and the sound of music.
With trumpets and a horn blast,
shout triumphantly before the Lord, the king!
Let the sea and everything in it roar;
the world and all its inhabitants too. (Psalm 98: 5-7 - English Common Bible)
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Read Br. Curtis Almquist's reflection on Holy Cross Day |
Life is constantly changing. Today is rarely if ever the same as yesterday. Tomorrow will be different than today. Some days are enjoyable. Others are disappointing. Many are "ordinary" because we feel and experience a wide set of emotions and circumstances. Holy days are one way when Christians set aside a particular date on the calendar to observe a faithful event that is meaningful to us. Such days remind us that life is worth loving and living regardless of our circumstances. This Sunday just happens to be such a unique day in Episcopalians' lives and especially in our life here as St. James Episcopal Church. It's Holy Cross Day. We don't usually celebrate the day though because Sept 14th only occasionally occurs on a Sunday. Our liturgical calendar doesn't require us to use the appointed lessons when it does happen on a Sunday. The Cross is a complicated symbol to understand or celebrate for some people.  | |
What exciting thing will one of our acolytes do this Sunday?
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We are nonetheless going to celebrate Holy Cross Sunday here at St. James this year. We're doing so not only because of the salvation we obtain through Jesus Christ's victory over death and suffering on Good Friday's cross. We're taking extraordinary measures to Welcome Back and Welcome Home long-time parishioners, family members, newcomers, and guests to our 2014 Homecoming Celebration. It's "Opening Day" for our educational, outreach, pastoral care, community celebration programs that will happen from now on until the summer of 2015. We've sent out postcards, and invitations to dozens of people as well as to neighbors who have a special presence in Westwood alongside of us. I really hope we'll see some people here we haven't seen in awhile. I hope there will be plenty of newcomers and guests too. I know that there will be representatives from the Gamble Nippert YMCA, Westwood Works, Revitalize Westwood, and other special guests. Lots of our own ministry and program leaders will have tables with information about participating more fully in St. James life this year! Children's Sunday School, chancel choir, acolytes, hospitality, and the parish's various committees are just a few of the church groups who will be singing up volunteers to nurture and grow their programs.
 The celebration begins, early! Join us for a early morning tailgate, with set-up beginning around 7:30 am. John Murray and Anne Griffiths will be preparing a special, tailgate breakfast starting at 8:45 on the church commons (front lawn). Email John if you haven't already to let him know how you're going to be involved. Our special and celebratory worship service begins at 10:30 AM!!! There's much, much more I could share but time is short. We hope to see many new and familiar faces as we celebrate community together! Our special events will continue after worship with a bouncy house for the kids and everyone else who is young at heart. There will be grilled hotdogs and brats along with other yummy food. In sum, There's nothing quite like a special event at St. James that brings out the best in food and hospitality! It's worth being here for those reasons alone. There's more info about Sunday's activities as well as a place to post photos, videos, and feedback on our Facebook event page. Spirit up Church! - it's First and 10 with a whole season to go! It's going to be a great and joyous day! Our homecoming will be all the better because you'll be here along with friends or family members that you bring to St. James. Let's Sing a New Song to especially give thanks for Jesus Christ's presence and God's Grace in our lives as we begin this church year together. Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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It was (and is) the most memorable day of my adult life. Friends of mine had relatives in the World Trade Center. It was the beginning of a new school year. One of Howie's closest friend's spouse died in the Pentagon that dead.
We live in the cross-shaped shadows of that tragic day. We live in the truth of Christ's resurrection as we seek to co-create with God a just, peaceful, and compassionate world.
The Rev Adrian Amaya, Rector of St. Mark the Evangelist in Syracuse, New York was kind enough to share this Prayer for the Anniversary of 9/11/2001.
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Almighty God, Lord of all compassion, We remember the terrible events of this day in America thirteen years ago. We are reminded that we live in a broken and grievously divided world, where some are bent on terror and destruction. We recall that day when planes speared into the twin towers in New York City, that later collapsed in dust and fire to rubble; another hit the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed because brave men fought to stop it reaching its target.
In a world where some are willing to die in the name of their religion, killing and maiming thousands of innocent people, we struggle to understand and combat terrorism.
As Jesus commanded, we pray for our enemies; for an end to the hatred, the wrong teaching and beliefs, and the recruiting of suicide bombers, some no more than children.
We pray for the victims of this day in 2001 and other atrocities. We pray for the children left orphaned; for bereaved parents; for people still suffering from injuries and terrible memories.
We pray for those who work to relieve and heal the suffering. Pour your Spirit upon us to enable us and all your people to work for justice and true peacemaking, In the name of Jesus Christ, King of peace and Lord of Lords, Amen.
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123 Street Name City, ST - 555.555.5555
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