The Tower
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!" -The Psalms
Friends,
Our 9 o’clock service has taken on a new flavor this summer. Because of the construction, we were unable to move outside into the Garden., so the staff and I came up with a service that is more relaxed and yet, still ancient.
We began by contemplating what the early churches must have done in about 100 AD. By this time, they were gathering around an altar or table of some kind to share the bread and the wine. We know that there was a prayer of consecration, readings of Scripture, and singing.
So in lieu of our usual Anglican processions and beauty, we simplified things a bit. The clergy are wearing simple vestments, but all the others wear regular clothes. We moved the altar closer to the people, so that we could see Christ in each other’s faces. And we have been playing some wonderful music on the piano.
I realize that this service may feel different to some of you. You may prefer the more formal, reverential liturgy of the 11 a.m. service. Please know that we are simply trying something new, something that would help us experience God in a new way. That is the blessing of a larger church, you have many kinds of worship to choose from.
I a.m. grateful for all of your comments and questions. Please continue to let us know what you think!
In Christ’s love,
Kate †
Blessing of the Pilgrims
Please join us at the 5:30 service on Saturday June 21st as we are Blessed and Sent Forth just as pilgrims were long ago. You will be able to keep up with us while we are gone by going to the Church’s website and there will be a link that will allow you to see pictures we download each day while we are gone.
Friends for Dinner
Please join us for the St. James for Dinner with John Bell as your host on Friday June 20,2008 at 6:30 p.m.. John will provide the meat and beverages. Please call John at 686-4712 to RSVP with the number attending and what side dish you are bringing. John’s address is 625 N. Broadmoor, Wichita, KS
Hope to see you there for a lovely celebration of summer!
New Announcements for June 15, 2008
The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God
In memory of Orvin Cooper and Bret Evans
Given by Dorcas Cooper
Basic A
Come join our class for newcomers on
Wednesdays at 5:30-6:30 in the Lounge
Taught by Kate Moorehead
Come and learn about what it means to be an Episcopalian.
How do we read the Bible? Why do we do all those strange things during worship? How do you use the Book of Common Prayer?
These are some of the many questions we will be addressing.
Nursery is provided.
The Screwtape Letters
By C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis first published the book in 1942, the story takes the form of a series of letters from a senior demon ,Screwtape, to his nephew a junior tempter named Wormwood. Advising him on methods of securing damnation of an earthly man known only as “the Patient”.
Lewis provides a series of lessons in the importance of taking a deliberate role in living out Christian faith by portraying a typical human life, with all the temptations and failings, as seen from the demon/devils viewpoint.
Come and join in a discussion with Mother Kate on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 –7:30 p.m. this summer in the Lounge.
Fun , Food, and Activities
Parents/guardians and children
(3 years old through 4th grade)
Please Join us
Sundays; June 15, July 20 and August 17
10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
St. James Church (outside, so dress accordingly)
The Catechesis teachers and assistants invite you to join us for a monthly parent/child get together for fun, food and activities. Parents and their child or children will be asked to complete a fun activity together each month to share at the next meeting.
Construction Update
Beginning next week the edging on the new slate floor will be stained and painted to match the edging in the Brides Hall and the stairway.
As the rain continues the contractor is still making progress removing all the stone on the north wall of the Guild Hall. The structural wall for the storage room is taking shape and the roof will then be installed.
The steel for the addition on the south side is in place and the roof will be installed next.
Staining and placement of the ceiling beams continues and should be finished also next week.
The north end of the parking lot is suffering the pains of the construction equipment but will be restored as soon as the heavy equipment is no longer needed. So please try to avoid the north end for parking.
The stain for the kitchen cabinets has been picked and the process of staining and sealing will begin next week.
The east side expansion of the kitchen will begin soon and there will be more digging where the steps go down into the kitchen. Footings and walls will then follow.
The lounge and the bathrooms are now back in service and Scott is working hard to try and remove all the dust that has not been accessible to clean.
-Gary Pierce Jr. Warden
Financial Report for May 2008
May pledges, contributions of record and open plate offerings totaled $46,593.07.
Budgeted totals were $44,500.00, making an excess of $2,093.07.
Year-to-date, we have received $235,024.96 while budgeting $234,500.00, making an excess of $524.96.
Total expenses were under budget for the year by $424.83.
Attendance for May was an average of 320
St. James Calendar for June
June 15
Intermediate Camp Begins
Sunday Adult Education: Thoughtful Devotion
June 22
Sunday Adult Education: Anglican Music and Harmony
Pilgrims blessed and sent forth @ 5:30 service
Seeds of Tomorrow
This time of year, many of us like to get out in the garden and plant flowers or vegetables. But do you give much thought to the seeds that create the wonderful mature plants we envision?
Jerry Hoffman, Director of the Center for Stewardship Leadership at Luther Seminary, writes the following: In a world of instant gratification, seeds are counter-cultural. Instead of fulfilling our desires on demand, they require planting, attention and time –– lots of time. Seeds need to be tended, or stewarded. The same goes for the rest of creation, for which God has called us to be stewards. That means we are entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of carrying out God's work in the world –– the very definition of stewardship.
Jerry also offers this story (paraphrased): Imagine going into a store that Jesus owns. He tells you, “we have just about everything here. Feel free to browse, see what it is you want and make a list. Then come back here to the counter and I'll see what I can do for you. "You come back with a list that includes peace on earth, no more war, no hunger or poverty, peace in families, harmony, no dissension, no more drugs and the wise use of the earth's resources (and maybe lower gas prices??). Jesus takes the list, smiles and says “no problem”.
Bending down behind the counter, Jesus picks through all sorts of bags and boxes. Finally, he stands up and lays out dozens of seed packets on the counter.
At this point, shocked, you say "A seed store? You mean I don't get the finished product?" "No," Jesus says, "this is a place of dreams. You come in here and see what 'could be' looks like and then I give you the seeds. You go home, plant the seeds, water them, nurture them, help them grow, and someday someone will reap the benefit."
Each of us then must decide, do we take the seeds and plant the dreams, or do we leave the store empty handed? Will you help steward God’s creation by planting the seeds of tomorrow?
June 15 Readings
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Genesis 18:1-5
Psalm 116:10-17
Matthew 9:35-10:8
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St. James Episcopal Church 3750 E Douglas Ave Wichita KS 67208-3708 (316) 683-5686