October 8th, 2023

We'd love for you to join us!

We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.

https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

Bishop Brown reminded us this past Sunday that our lectionary readings are placing us firmly in Holy Week, the last week of Jesus’s life before his crucifixion. Jesus’s teachings in this last week of his life continue as we hear the parable of the Wicked Tenants this upcoming Sunday. It’s a story of extreme violence as those who have been tending to a vineyard harm and kill the servants and, eventually, the son of the landowner who had previously entrusted them with the care of his property.

There’s a selfishness to the workers in the vineyard who want to keep all that’s been produced and are killing and maiming those who come to collect the fruits of the vineyard. They think that if they can kill the son of the landowner that they will be able to take everything for themselves, either by assuming the landowner will never return or that he’ll pass on with no consequences for themselves.

When Jesus asks what fate will befall these wicked tenants, the chief priests and Pharisees know that the landowner will likely respond in kind, that the tenants will be removed from their posts and their positions given to others. From there, it’s easy to see the connection that Jesus is trying to make with how he has been received and responded to by the chief priests and Pharisees, those leaders who have been threatened by his presence and influence.

There’s also something here about what it means to carefully and faithfully tend to what has been entrusted to our care. Coupled with the other parables we’ve heard to this point, we realize that this one is also about the kingdom of heaven and faithful discipleship. The wicked tenants just couldn’t do what the landowner expected of them, and so they will lose their position of trust. Instead, the landowner will call into his employ those who can be trusted to do the work that has been given to them to do, work that will glorify the landowner, work that will glorify the Kingdom.

Confirmation Sunday “Thank You”

Our thanks to everyone who helped make our recent Confirmation Sunday and Bishop’s Visit a good celebration for our community. Thank you to the Parish Life committee who once again put together a lovely reception. Thank you to the choir for their musical offerings.

Thank you to the confirmands who have made their decision to be a part of this community. And thank you to the people of St. James’ for making this a community where people can feel welcomed and loved in the name of Christ!

Congratulations, Keith!



Keith St. John, organist and choir director, has recently been elected to the Board of Directors of the Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). An induction ceremony of all Board members will occur during an Evensong Service held on October 15 at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of the Christ Child at Christ Church, Christiana Hundred.

Thank you, Keith, for your work with the AGO, the New Ark Chorale, and your ministry at St. James’ spreading the Good News through the gift of music.

Garden Committee Announcement:

Final clean-up of the gardens around the church and parish house.

Please join the garden committee on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 9:00 am for the final garden clean-up around the perimeter of the church and Parish House. This will allow for the outside of the buildings on the church property to look nice through-out the Fall and Winter months. We are always looking for new members.

Bring your garden tools ie (shovels, clippers and garden gloves). The more people that show up will allow for this project to be accomplished in no more than several hours or sooner. 

Plan:

• Various shrubs or plants, need to be pruned or maybe replanted.
• Final weeding and clean-up of the Memorial Garden and other areas around the church, including the Columbarium and parish house. Weeding and clean-up is perpetual and have been an on-going task through-out the Spring and Summer, taken on by the members of the garden committee.

Please call Carol Bruno at 302-250-3121 or Barbara Anzilotti at 302-267-2276 with any questions or comments. We certainly appreciate any help that can be provided.  

2023 Annual Bazaar



Friday, 11/3 & Saturday, 11/4

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Both Days

Please plan to attend our Annual Bazaar. 

It’s an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and to Support our Church.

Bake Shop News

Please bring your baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, candies, etc.

to the Parish House at the following times.



                       Thursday, November 2nd                      5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

                       Friday, November 3rd                             8:00 am – 2:30 pm

                       Saturday, November 4th                        8:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Bazaar Ladies Will Need Help

Sunday, October 29th

  After the 9:30 Service

Items in the Bazaar Workshop need to be brought upstairs.

They will also need help setting up Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 30^th and 31^st

      We appreciate any help you are willing to provide.

See you at the Bazaar,

The St. James’ Bazaar Ladies

Meals on Wheels Announcement

Our current Meals on Wheels coordinator is moving, and we are in need of someone who can take over coordinating and scheduling. Meals on Wheels is an important charity that helps feed seniors in our community. Without it, many folks would go hungry.

If you are interested in helping, please call Sherry Ceranos at 302 784 4073.

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others

Reaching out to those in need

And serving them with dignity and respect…

New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.

What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running.  Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance. 

If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.

How can you help?

Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.

 Current items needed:

• Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
• Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
• Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
• Tide pods or other laundry pods
• NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
• New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
• New books for adults and children

Please drop the items off:

     ·        Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch 

Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.

    ·        On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.

 We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.

Thank you,

St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry

Prayer Team Updates

The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.

For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675

St. James' Pastoral Care Team

St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.

If you or someone you know is in need, we: 

·        send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.

·        Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.

Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.

Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.

“Blessful” Meditations

We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.  

Psalms 147:3

"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds."

Prayer from St. Augustine’s Prayer Book



O Lord support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening come, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. 

 Find more Morning Psalm and prayers please visit

https://delaware.church/psalms-and-prayers/