Volume 9, Issue 3

March 2017

T here’s a strong link between prayer and gratitude, and one that’s part of an even bigger picture involving worshipping God. Worship, in turn, is deeply rooted in the Great Commandment found in all the synoptic Gospels. Here’s

how it’s presented in Matthew 22:37-39:

[ Jesus] said, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”

A s we’ve been learning in our Sunday Bible series Prayer in the Bible, prayer is indeed one of the greatest gifts from God and one of the greatest gifts we can give to God. Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God. The Holy

Trinity is, of course, the ultimate model of love in relationship. In other words, prayer is essential to connecting and staying connected to the source of all life, and the source of all love. Since God is the source of all life and love, if we don’t stay connected to God, then we’ll struggle to establish meaningful and loving relationships with our family, friends and neighbors.

W e also pray with thanksgiving, offering our gratitude to God for all God has done for us, for all our God-given blessings, and through all the circumstances of our lives. Our prayers of thanksgiving flow from the

knowledge that we are God’s beloved children. Every human being is worthy of dignity and respect. Made in God’s image, we are all of immeasurable and equal value in God’s sight. Loving God with a grateful heart incites in us a response. That’s why we offer ourselves in service to the Lord. The process of discerning our spiritual gifts and the ministries into which God is calling us, is also part of our prayer life – both individually and as a community of faith.

T hrough our worship together as the body of Christ in community, otherwise known as the temple of the Holy Spirit, we honor God with our prayers and praise. We listen and learn from God’s word in Scripture. We’re also

strengthened for the journey through the sacramental gift of Holy Communion. We open ourselves, especially our hearts and minds, to welcome God’s presence among us and within us, guiding us on our journey of faith together.

T he shape of our worship is such that we’re sent back into the world to do the work that God has given us to do. Worship is therefore two-fold. It involves our common worship, where we find ourselves in the intimate presence of

God in community, and receive the gifts of grace that strengthen and form us in our faith. Worship is also how we respond to God in gratitude by what we do, how we share our gifts in Christ’s name, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

O ur Lenten journey provides us with an excellent opportunity for intentional reflection in which we can offer ourselves to God in prayer, gratitude and worship. May God bless us all, as we continue our journey together.

SSSSuuuussssaaaannnn++++

Look

Inside

For. . .

Page 2 Bishop Committee Reports

The Faith Difference

Page 3 Youth Group

Page 4

Children & Family Ministries

Page 5 Journey to Jerusalem

Fellowship Opportunities Community Outreach

Page 6

Confession & Reconciliation Acolyte Schedule Lent-to-Lent Bible

Page 7

2017 Lenten Study 2017 Lent Madness

Page 8 CFFA

Adult Bible Classes Ladies Tea

Page 9

Pancake Supper First Fruits

Prayer and Gratitude

Bishop’s Committee Meeting

Thursday, March 16th

6:30 pm

Treasurer’s Report

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From the Senior Warden

Watching the Godly Play children with our community garden last week was

great. It was fun watching them prepare the soil before carefully planting the

new vegetables. This is a great example for us all to follow during our Lenten

journey. Preparing ourselves so that we may grow also. It takes thoughtful

intent and practice to grow as Christians. For me, Lent is a time that reminds

me that I need to practice being a Christian. This is similar to William

Faulkner’s view on “freedom”. He states: “We must be free not because we

claim freedom, but because we practice it”. Peace, Bob Klassen

Treasurer’s Update

Our numbers continue to look very positive for the fiscal year as you can tell from the accompanying year-to-date numbers. In January we started receiving payments from T-Mobile for the cell phone tower and we are proactively looking for other rental income as well. Your financial support continues to help us accomplish wonderful things – including support of UMOM programs and initiatives! Please let me know at maryhovden@gmail.com if you have questions, comments, ideas, etc. about St. James financial matters. In Christ, Mary Hovden

Total Income $56,564.10

Total Expense $41,210.16

Sub-total Surplus / (Deficit) $15,353.94

Diocesan Support $2,066.67

Total Surplus / (Deficit) $17,420.61

Year-To-Date through Feb. 22, 2017

The Faith Difference! The Faith Difference! The Faith Difference! The Faith Difference!

During Lent many faithful people choose to take on a new

ministry or discipline, and many choose to give something up or

try to eliminate a bad habit from their lives. To help us along, we

invite you to participate in The Faith Difference. On the first

Sunday of Lent you’ll find a sticky note in your bulletin with the

question:

What are you giving up and/or taking on for Lent this year?

As Lent progresses we’ll be asking you to share how you are

using your time or resources differently, or what has changed for

you in your new ministry and new habits. Then at the end of

Lent, as we celebrate the season of Easter and resurrection

living, we’ll be asking what difference your Lenten discipline or

ministry has made in your life, and the lives of others.

Faith alive makes a difference. Let’s share the faith difference!

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VBS is right around the corner, come by on Friday, March 31st for a VBS work day from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in rooms 4 and 5. We will be making some greenery and some vines for decoration.

I wanted to say Thank you to all the youth and parents who participated in Feed My Starving children last month. It was a great time to do a great outreach project. Thank you to everyone who put money in the coin jar. it was great to be able to donate it at the Feed my Starving children center. Here are some pictures from the event:

Thank you,

Eileen Flock

eflock@cox.net

(480) 586-1124 (cell)

What is Godly Play? Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. Godly Play helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond. Beginning Sunday, March 5th we will explore the Faces of Easter. Journey with us through story, wonder, and play as we prepare for the Mystery of Easter. All are welcome!

Come join us! We meet in Room 4, Sundays, 9:40-10:30. After our story and feast, children help water the garden, take care of the fish and play on the playground together. Parents and caregivers are very welcome to stay. All Ages Welcome.

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On-Going Children and Youth Faith Formation

Godly Play Sundays in Room 4

9:40-10:30 am

All Ages

Weaving God’s Promises Sundays in Room 4 during the 10:30 service.

Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Youth Gathering Sundays in Room 5 during the 10:30 service.

Sixth through twelfth grade.

Treasure Hunters Third Sunday of the month,

following the 10:30 service in the church.

Lunch, friends, faith forming bible story, craft, games and music.

Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Third Sunday of the month,

following the 10:30 service in the library Lunch, friends, faith forming bible study and

perspectives on living our faith.

Sixth through twelfth grade.

Acolyte Ministry Children and youth fourth grade and older who wish

to train and serve as an acolyte, contact Deacon

Robin Hollis (robin.b.hollis@gmail.com)

Cry Room & Nursery available for wee ones

during all church services.

In addition to our Sunday and monthly faith formation

for children and youth, watch for announcements

about service projects, and special fellowship events

throughout the year.

For More Information: Eileen Flock, Youth Minister (eflock@cox.net)

The Rev. Anne Ellsworth, Assisting Priest for Family & Children’s Ministries, annestjamestempe@gmail.com.

Godly Play Wish List:

⇒ A small watering can for the indoor plant, preferably non-plastic and small enough for a child to use.

⇒ $10 gift cards to PetSmart for to help us care for our fish: Tucker, Jimmy, Ahab and Nimo.

⇒ Monetary donations for our garden upkeep and planting days.

Planting Day February 26, 2017

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We are on our way. Thank you all for participating in our Journey to

Jerusalem with Jesus. We are taking a northern route and will be embarking

on the ocean adventure to Europe from New York. Please keep up the great

work, and feel free to encourage your family and friends to send in walking,

cycling and jogging miles each week to Diana@stjamestempe.org. Everyone

is also welcome to fill out the mileage cards each week and drop them in the

offering basket.

Blessings to all as we proceed on our Lenten pilgrimage. Our journey will

culminate with the events of Holy Week, Easter and our celebration of Jesus’

glorious resurrection.

Join Us for Lunch!!

Thursday, March 23rd 11:15 am

Biscuit’s

4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix (SW corner 48th & Elliot)

St James Bookies St James Bookies St James Bookies St James Bookies March’s book is “The

Underground Railroad” by Colton

Whitehead. We will meet Sunday,

March 26th, after the 10:30

service at The Paradise Bakery in

the Chandler Pavilions.

The second Tuesday of every month the Ladies of St. James meet

for dinner and we choose a different restaurant each

month. Please mark your calendars and join us on March 14 at

Picazzo’s Organic, April 11 at Abuelo’s Mexican and May 9 at

RigaTony’s Italian. Invite other ladies to join us and let’s have fun

ge,ng to know each other be-er. Please feel free to contact,

Terri Beck (602) 502-1086) with any ques8ons or restaurant

sugges8ons. Hope to see you next month!

St. James Monthly Outreach to our hungry neighbors is at the UMOM Watkins St. Shelter. There are 10 spots available each month. Please sign up for our next service evening beginning at 5pm and ending about 6:00pm on Friday, March 10th. The Watkins shelter is located at: 1120 W. Watkins St. Phoenix, AZ 85004. Anyone who is 13 years and up is welcome to be part of the team. Also, please remember that if you sign up you are committing to show up, otherwise we’ll be short staffed. If you sign up and can’t come please arrange for a replacement.

Upcoming dates are:

April 14 May 12 June 9

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DATE 8:30 am Service 10:30 am Service

2017 March 5 Pamela C = Pam H. BU = tbd

March 12 Barbara C = Dylan BU = Brandon

March 19 John B. C = Aly BU = Pam H.

March 26 Barbara C = Collin BU = tbd

Acolyte Schedule for March 2017

Reconciliation of a Penitent & Individual Confession: The season of Lent is a

particularly appropriate time to consider the Rite of Reconciliation of a

Penitent (see pages 446-452 in the Book of Common Prayer). Confession

is an ancient practice of the Church and is not confined to any season of the

year. However, many choose to make a formal confession during Lent. If

you have any questions, or would like an appointment to make your

confession, please let Susan+ know.

The LentThe LentThe LentThe Lent----totototo----Lent Bible Challenge: Lent Bible Challenge: Lent Bible Challenge: Lent Bible Challenge:

Final Prophetic WordsFinal Prophetic WordsFinal Prophetic WordsFinal Prophetic Words

Our Lent to Lent Bible challenge is now complete. Congratulations to all who persisted in the readings, whether it was for the whole Bible or a specific section. My prayer is that this time with God’s word has changed your life as it has mine. This month we completed our journey with Zechariah and Malachi, as well as some re-reading in psalms and through the gospel of Mark and Luke. For those who’ve been encouraged to start the reading through the Bible in a year, please go to www.thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org. For those who’ve just completed the Lent to Lent Bible challenge, perhaps you’ll want to do it all again! Go for it. We end this month with final prophetic words from Malachi 3:16-17:

“Then those who revered the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the LORD and thought on his name. They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them.”

Susan+

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2017 Lenten Study: Les Misérables – Transformation through Forgiveness, Redemption, & Love

Join us Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:15 pm for a soup supper each Wednesday beginning March 8th and ending April 5thbeginning March 8th and ending April 5thbeginning March 8th and ending April 5thbeginning March 8th and ending April 5th. Please sign up so we know how many materials to have available. Find the sign-up sheet on our fellowship table.

This five week study is based on the epic 2012 (PG-13) musical “Les Misérables” adapted from Victor Hugo’s timeless novel. Our Deacons will offer an opportunity for fellowship and study through the lens of biblical truths while examining how we can learn and apply it in today’s world. We will begin with a soup and salad supper followed by a course of study. All ages are welcome!

The story of Les Misérables is a story of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, redemption and love. It chronicles the transformation of Jean Valjean and his pursuer of justice, Inspector Javert who is rooted in the ‘Law’ believing people cannot change/transform. Valjean’s journey helps us to understand how mercy and grace can lead to transformation offering insight into our own spirituality. This film won 3 Oscars and 4 BAFTA awards. A workbook will be provided. Our discussion and reflection will include watching portions of the film followed by a discussion. The discussion will revolve around weekly themes:

Week 1 March 8th Introduction, overview, & discussion of the forgotten (beginning of the film)

Week 2 March 15th (more film) Mercy & Compassion

Week 3 March 22nd (more film) Redemption & Forgiveness

Week 4 March 29th Transformation and Reflection

Week 5 April 5th (scene review) Faith in Action: Spirituality, Grace, & Love Please feel free to drop in as often as you can. If you have any questions, please see Deacon Pat, Deacon Fritz, or Deacon Robin (robin.b.hollis@gmail.com or 480.242.7178). See you Wednesdays!

2018 Lent Madness is here!! Get your Halo on!! Open to all ages!!

Learn about these saintly folks, forecast the “winner”, and win the right to direct a donation to any of our St. James’ Ministries! This is a fun and engaging way for a very special kind of Lenten Devotion. Beginning Thursday after Ash Wednesday (March 2nd), 32 Saints begin pairings just like the basketball March Madness. You can join the

team by picking up one of the free booklets “The Definitive Guide to Lent Madness 2017: Saintly Scorecard”. The booklets are free and are back on the sign up table. Each booklet includes a bracket card at the back of the book; and again this year, prior Golden Halo winners ‘trading’ cards!!

In our Fellowship area a large poster-size bracket will follow the results on a weekly basis. On the back table will be a projected winner sign-up sheet. Put your name and your pick for the Golden Halo by April 2nd and be in the running to win the right to designate the Lent Madness Donation Pool to any of our St. James ministries and of course receive your own “Golden Halo”. Donations can be made by check and note in the memo section: Lent Madness.

The ‘winner’ of the 2016 Golden Halo was Dietrich Bonhoeffer! And our own Steve Wilmot predicted this champion. For the first time, responding to public outcries, Lent Madness

officials also bestowed a Silver Halo to the runner-up who was the mystic, Julian of Norwich. As the winner of Lent Madness here, Steve Wilmot decided where to allocate the $120 ‘pool’ and he selected the Youth Ministry! Thank you to everyone who participated last year!

The website for voting, videos, copies of the bracket and more can be found at www.lentmadness.org. For more information or questions, please see Deacon Robin (480.242.7178). Get your Halo on!

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’

Thursday’s

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Room 4

All Men Welcome!

Wednesday’s 4:00 pm Room 5

Women

In the Word

Christian Formation For All (CFFA) We will complete our study of Prayer in the Bible this month, and begin our new study of Hunger in the Bible on March 26th. Our Lenten journey will inform our exploration of hunger in the Bible. By studying the scriptures we begin to raise our awareness of hunger in our neighborhoods and our world. How might we live in the integrity of our faith and work towards ending hunger today? Everyone is welcome to join the conversation between services at 9:45am each Sunday. Come and explore your faith and share your insights. There are no right or wrong answers!

Susan+

You Are Cordially invited to the 5th Annual St. James Ladies Tea

Date:Date:Date:Date: April 29, 2017

Time:Time:Time:Time: 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.

We Will Serve:We Will Serve:We Will Serve:We Will Serve: Delightful Tea Sandwiches, Dainty Desserts and Delicious Tea

Cost: Cost: Cost: Cost: $10.00 per person

This year we are having a “ Design a Centerpiece” Contest! Decorating supplies will be provided or you can bring items from home too!

For tickets, or if you are willing to help, please contact Eileen Flock at eflock@cox.net,

Ruth Flinn at oldrn@cox.net or Ellie Kenyon at ejkenyon6315@verizon.net.

First Fruits Sunday, March 5th! We celebrate the first Sunday of each month as First Fruits Sunday. Thanks to all who already bring in non-perishable food items. Your gifts make a difference. This is a great way to put our faith into action, and to continue our Lord’s mission to care for, and feed our hungry neighbors.

The greatness of community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace and a soul generated by love. -- Coretta Scott King

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

February 28, 2017

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