Today's Lenten reflection is by our Youth Groups and their leaders.
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John 8:33-47
They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father."
They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does." They said to him, "We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."
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A Reflection for Lent
After reading this passage, we talked about how Jesus’s anger and frustration really shows through (something we don’t always see in the Bible and stories of Jesus.) We discussed how Jesus is like a parent, trying to get his children to see the truth (but how often have you ignored your parent’s wisdom?) We concluded that despite his anger, Jesus still goes ahead and dies on the cross, showing his unending love for us, much like the unending love of a parent for their child. Below are reflections from both our middle school and high school youth.
We will all deal with unreasonable people and Jesus definitely had his fair share of them. He may have lost his temper like all humans do when faced with people who continually dismiss what you are telling them, but he did not lose his reasonableness. These verses display Jesus’s human nature and [teaches us] that we can work through our anger at unpleasant people in life.
The people weren’t listening to him. It reminded me of when I don’t listen to directions.
Jesus was angry that the people believed in God, but not him, the Son of God. Jesus was upset at how they were acting, but he still decided to die on the cross. If he died, he could prove his faith in people and come back when they will support him.
This passage makes me think about parents and their struggle with love and forgiveness [when their children misbehave.]
It made me think about my parents because they yell at me a lot, but I know they are only doing that because they don’t want me to end up in jail.
In this passage, Jesus is really frustrated with the people and how they are ignoring evidence. Despite his frustration, he still tries to help them and this shows his unconditional love for us.
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Keep scrolling there's lots of news to share ...
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Tuesday, March 21
Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall
A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion of the bible and good food.
Young Adults - 5:45 pm, location varies
We'll gather for a combination of fellowship, prayer, and Bible or book study.
For more information and/or to get on the GroupMe, contact the Rev. Blake Singer.
Wednesday, March 22
Living Faith Bible Study - 10 am via Zoom
This opportunity for fellowship, study and discussions that help to make
our Christian faith a “living faith” and apply the witness of the Scripture
to our everyday lives. Please contact Betsy for the Zoom link.
Wednesday Noon Eucharist
in the Chapel
Wednesday Night Dinner and Fun-DO-Mentals Class - 5:30 pm, Valentine Hall
And go here for information about the Fun-DO-Mentals Class
Thursday, March 23
Thursday Men's Breakfast Bible Study - 7:30 am
This group meets every other Thursday to read and discuss the Lectionary Readings
for the upcoming Sunday. It’s a great way to learn the scriptures and
build deeper relationships with other St. Jamesers.
Women in Fellowship - 7 pm, location varies
The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at a parishioner's home.
We’ll be following the lectionary, and reading and discussing the upcoming week’s Gospel.
For information about where we'll meet this week, contact Kendal Sibley.
Keep scrolling there's more to read .....
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This week's eChimes features |
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- Dylan Mass
- Holy PEEPS! An Easter tradition
- Join our Slave Trail walks
- Legacy Giving
- Add some amazing to your summer
- Come make crosses for Palm Sunday
- Volunteer for the Palm Sunday Youth Pancake Breakfast
- We need your help to find out who made this gift
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- Wednesday Night Dinner and Fun-DO-Mentals
- Easter Lilies
- DOERS Doing in the community
- Those who have died
- Prayers of the People
- Virginia Diocese information
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Dylan Mass is this Sunday
at 9am service
with prelude starting at 8:45
One of the most anticipated musical masses of the year is next Sunday. The Dylan Mass, featuring the West Gallery choir and the Guitar Ensemble performing songs by Bob Dylan, is March 19 at the 9 am service.
Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls (Jeremiah 6:16). Prayerfully, the good way will be illuminated as we worship in the spirit and words of Bob Dylan.
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Holy Peeps!!
One of our favorite Easter traditions is back.
This Sunday, Youth Groups and Sunday School Grades 2-5 will be working on dioramas for the Holy PEEPS contest.
The Youth Group will meet in Michaux House, Room 302 and Sunday School Grades 2-5 will meet their regular rooms.
Come, eat peeps and Easter candy, and make a diorama of your favorite Bible story or sacrament!
Whether you make your Peeps diorama at church or at home, ALL of our children and youth are invited to submit entries by Sunday March 26.
On Palm Sunday, April 2, the congregation will see all the entries and vote on their faves. The winners will be posted durng church.
All the Holy PEEPS dioramas will be on display through Easter, April 9.
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Join our Slave Trail Walks
Sat., April 1, or Sat., April 15
The Becoming Beloved Community ministry is happy to announce two opportunities to walk the historic and moving Slave Trail, led by the Rev. Ben Campbell, social justice advocate and author of Richmond’s Unhealed History.
The walks will take place on April 1 and April 15, starting at 9am. The 2.1 mile walk follows the route taken by enslaved people destined for the slave market, starting in Manchester and ending at Lumpkin’s Jail. After each walk we’ll gather for a complimentary lunch to discuss what we’ve just experienced.
There is a 25-person limit for the April 1st walk, and 30 for the April 15th walk, and we are partnering with St. Philip’s Church, so space is limited.
Please sign up here as soon as possible. Information about carpooling from the end point back to Manchester will follow.
You can find more information about the Slave Trail here.
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LEGACY GIVING
To learn more about the power of Legacy Giving, pick up a brochure in the Narthex or go here.
Legacy Giving is a way to make a lasting difference in the future of St. James’s. It’s easier to do than you probably think, and there are many ways to make your gift, most with tax benefits.
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St. James’s Youth:
Add something amazing to
your summer.
There are so many opportunities at St. James’s to be part of a Youth mission or to volunteer this Summer – and now is the time to sign up.
By taking time this summer to give back, you’re doing more than being God’s hands in the world, you’re starting new friendships, strengthening old ones, and putting yourself in situations that will leave you feeling inspired and proud.
You can learn about our summer mission and volunteer opportunities here.
To sign up, complete this form.
You can also reach out to Katie Ricard, Director of Youth Ministry, at youth@doers.org or by calling (804) 355- 1779 ext. 334.
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Help us make crosses
for Palm Sunday.
Sunday, March 26
Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday, March 26, during formation hour to learn a skill you can use for the rest of your life – making palm crosses.
During this workshop, we’ll make 300 palm crosses, which we’ll hand out on Palm Sunday. We need lots of hands to help us.
For our children, we will have another palm activity if they wish to do that instead.
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You’ll flip
for this service opportunity.
The Palm Sunday Pancake breakfast is approaching and we need cooks! Youth in grades 5-12, as well as any adults, are invited to volunteer for this fun event on April 2.
For those attending, breakfast will be from 8:30-9:30 am and the Palm Sunday Parade will begin at 9:30 am. There is a suggested donation of $5 per individual, $20 per family.
All donations benefit youth missions.
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We’re trying to figure out
who sent us this gift
Around December 1, 2022, a generous parishioner sold 71 shares of MFS Massachusetts Trust Fund stock through Wells Fargo as a gift to St. James’s. Unfortunately, there’s no name attached to the gift.
If you instructed Wells Fargo to send us this gift, please email Poconna Thiel at pthiel@doers.org or call her at 804.355.1779 x311, so she can make sure it’s on your gift record. Thank you.
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Wednesday Night
Class & Dinner
Do you want to learn more about the Book of Common Prayer? Come to this Wednesday's
Fun-DO-Mentals class. This week’s class will focus on Baptism and Eucharist.
Why stay home for dinner when you can enjoy a delicious meal prepared by our Lenten food team. Wednesday night's menu is the best homemade meatloaf, roasted potatoes, green beans, salad and bread. And yes there will be desert!
Please RSVP here by Monday noon, so we get an accurate idea of how many folks will be coming to our popular Wednesday night dinners. Thanks!
Dinner at 5:30 pm
Class at 6:30 pm
The suggested donation for dinner is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per family.
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Remember
those you love with Easter Lilies
St. James’s is filled with beautiful lilies on Easter. If you would like to contribute a lily as a memorial for or in thanksgiving of a loved one, please do the following:
*Contact Veni Davidkova at vdavidkova@doers.org or at 804-355-1779, ext. 315 no later than Wednesday, March 29 with the name(s) as you would like them to appear in the bulletin.
*Send a check for $25 (clearly marked for a lily) and the name of the honoree to:
St. James’s Church,
1205 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220.
Lilies will be delivered to the sick and home-bound after Easter services.
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DOERS Doing
in the Community
March opportunities
Creation Care
Our March Doers Doing activity focuses on creation care! Join us for a James River clean up at Belle Isle on Saturday, March 25 from 10 am-12 pm.
We’ll meet in the Belle Isle parking lot (300 Tredegar Street). Cleaning materials will be provided, just wear sneakers and bring water!
Greater Richmond Scan
There are three great events to get involved with SCAN during March:
- CASA Give Back Night
- SCAN Orientation
- CASA Info Session
For the details and to sign-up, go here.
Greater Richmond SCAN provides the awareness, treatment, advocacy, and education needed to enhance the lives of children. SCAN’s services promote positive parenting, strengthen families and help create a community that values and cares for its children.
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Parishioners who passed away recently:
Elizabeth “Betty” Broaddus Cox, parishioner died March 15, 2023. Her date of birth was 01/12/1938.
We commend Betty to God’s love.
If you would like information on how to reach out to the loved ones of the deceased, please do not hesitate to contact the church office.
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We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please email Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org or call her at 804-355-1779 ext. 313
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St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
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