Weekly News from St. James' Episcopal Church | Leesburg, Virginia

August 9, 2024

WORSHIP

Sunday Worship

August 11 | The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist

View the service order

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II

View the service order

Watch the Service Live on YouTube

Watch the Service Live on Facebook

Watch the service live at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning or at your leisure at a later time.

Wednesday Worship (August 14)

11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Children's Chapel Returns August 18

Children are always welcome in worship! If needed, Nursery care is available beginning at 8:45 a.m. Children's Chapel will resume on August 18.

Christian Formation

Summer Camp at St. James' Update

August 12-16 from 9am to noon

VBS begins on Monday! Please be in prayer that all the campers and volunteers have a safe and fun week together.

We will always accept volunteers, so if you have a free day or a couple hours to give, please let Rev. Marybeth know via email.

Blessing of the Backpacks and Teacher Commissioning

Sunday, August 18, during 10 a.m. Worship

All families and their friends and neighbors are invited to join us for a special Blessing of the Backpacks and Commissioning of our Preschool and Formation Teachers. Campers from VBS will also share a special musical moment.

Men's Service Ministry Book Study

All men of St. James are invited to join a weekly MSM meeting at 7 p.m. Mondays in the lower level of the Parish House. The group is now studying the Gospel of John. For additional info or should you have questions, please email Mike Scott.

Opportunities to Serve

Homecoming & Ministry Fair

Sunday, August 25

Save the date for our annual celebration of the ministries of St. James’ on August 25, 2024. The Ministry Fair will be held in the Parish Hall following both the 7:45am and the 10:00am services. The Homecoming procession of banners will take place at the 10:00am service. There are a variety of ways your ministries can be involved, from just a banner to hosting a table. For more details on options, reach out to Rev. Marybeth Sanders-Wilson.

Sacred Soil Society - Come Join Us!

Even the warm weather didn't deter this hardy group. We're mostly on to maintenance now; weeding, raking, picking up stems, watering. No experience is needed!

Work days:

August 17, 8 to 10 am
August 23, 6:30 to 8
August 29, 1 to 3 pm

We could use some help with watering several specific areas. Usually takes 25 minutes for any given area. If you'd like to help in this way, please email: pamelam1950@verizon.net.

Loudoun Hunger Relief Breakfast Food Drive

July 28-August 18

Beginning July 28th, we will collect cereal, oatmeal, breakfast bars, etc. for Loudoun Hunger Relief. Please drop off all items in the designated bins located in the narthex on Sundays or at the church office Monday – Friday from July 29 – August 19.

Creating Community

Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont

Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 22

Relax, spend time with your St. James’ family, and take advantage of opportunities for games, hiking, prayer labyrinths, and even salamander catching!

Want to join the planning committee? Contact Dottie Brannock.

Our goal is to ensure that every member of our congregation who wishes to participate in the retreat can do so. If the cost of the retreat presents a challenge, please contact Fr. Chad. Your request will be kept confidential.

St. James' Preschool

Providing children with a creative learning experience in a Christian atmosphere of love and acceptance since 1972.

Registrations now open for age 2-PreK
Now hiring assistant teachers!

Visit the Preschool Website

Parish Life

Baptism Sunday

Sunday, September 1

St. James' will offer the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, September 1 at the 10:00 a.m. service. If you're interested in being baptized or having a child baptized, please email info@stjameseleesburg.org or call 703-777-1124.

Demolition Update

The sheds and garages are now gone, and the area has been graded and seeded. It is much safer and more attractive than before. Many thanks to the Property Committee and especially Tom Horne, Ray Longo, and Tony McGraw who made this work possible!

Community Garden Harvest

Despite the drought, 28 community garden volunteers were able to harvest 1,200 pounds of potatoes this past Saturday (along with some other produce like zucchini and tomatoes). The harvest will be taken to Loudoun Hunger Relief.

Want to volunteer in our garden? Contact John Jennings at 804-387-4630 or call the Parish office at 703-777-1124.

Fred Williams Meditation Garden Update

Further plans are being developed so certain garden components can be installed this Fall. With funds received to date, we plan to install structural elements: a hedge at the Cornwall St. frontage, a Redbud along the fence, 1-2 Evergreen shrubs to conceal the utilities, an entry arbor, and signage at the garden's entry. We will also do stump removal if funds allow. Before any of this work commences, the site will need to have further clearing of a multitude of rocks, some of which will be integrated into the garden.

Please take a look at the bulletin board in the Narthex to see where we stand in reaching our goal to fund the entire garden.

Many thanks to all who have contributed. If you've been meaning to contribute, now would be a good time as it could impact what we are able to complete this Fall.

Questions? Email Pamela McGraw.

Those Requesting Prayers This Week: Brayan Cruz, Jefferson Zapata, Arthur Guari, Kaleb Cortes, Dwayne, Joan Douglas, Brad Douglas, Sr, *Michael Dowling, *Harold Neely, *Charlotte Woods, and *Rachelle Graves.

Those on Our Long-Term Prayer List: *Joan Corderman, Martha Burton Huie, Skip Hovsmith, Adam Gedney, Stephanie Kreuger, Tony Beltrano, Pat, Ethan Stoller, Bob Menas, *The Murphy Family, Gale Hudson, Emily, Nesbit Hatch, Kenneth Wurster, Bonnie, *Keith Castilon, Mary Ellen Hurley, *Barbara Roark, *Fran Smith, Nicholas Rodney, Ed, *Scott Clark, *Pam Mossburg, Virginia Laughlin, and *Alice Lynn.

Those who have died: Juan Jose Osario Perdoma, John Ballagh, Mary Page Lay (Former organist & choir member at St. James'), Joseph L. Arrowood, *Bruce Bucklin, and Carol Taylor.

Those Who Need Our Prayers:

All those impacted by acts of violence, those affected by COVID-19, the Holy Land, the people of Ukraine and those involved in the Ukraine war, those who are unemployed or underemployed, those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Virginia's Continuing Care Communities within the Diocese and their Residents and Staff

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church in Kenya

Do You Need Prayer or Care?

"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified." (BCP p. 453)

Make a prayer request here.

Call the Church Office | Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(703)777-1124 ext 1 | info@stjamesleesburg.org

After Hours Pastoral Care Line | (202)750-4247

Prayer List Changes

The clergy and Pastoral Associates of the Parish have been considering ways to deepen the prayer life of St. James’. Our parish prayer list is a vital part of our corporate and individual prayers. We also know there are many in need of prayer who are known to God alone.

One of the ways we hope to hold our St. James’ family in prayer is to denote St. James’ congregants using and asterisk in our printed list. This way, whether on the short-term or long-term, those praying in worship will be able to hold those closest to us in mind. We will always continue to pray for friends and family.

Though we only name a few names out loud, please use the long-term list in your personal prayers. Many who reside on the list are our home bound folks we send communion to. They are a part of us. Please check our weekly email each week for suggested prayers and our diocesan and Anglican prayer cycles. For questions or suggestions, please reach out to Rev. Marybeth.