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Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint James' Church:
In 1993, I was the rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sheboygan Falls, WI for only six days, when I received a 2AM phone call from a parishioner whose son was just killed in a terrible motor vehicle crash. I had not even met this family, but they were calling me to their home in the most tragic of circumstances. Since this was the in days before Google Maps, I had to call the sheriff’s department to get directions to where I was going, for the family was so distraught I could not hear their directions.
On the way there, I kept thinking, “What am I going to do? What will I say? Dear God, I am in over my head on this one. I don’t even know where I am going!”
When I arrived, I was greeted by the mother and grandfather of the young man. I expressed my condolences and prayers. I told them I felt very sad to be meeting them under these circumstances and that I had no idea what they must be going through. From that point, all I could do was listen, hold their hands, give them a hug, say a prayer. During this time, I felt I should be saying or doing more. The grandfather, who had at that point 47 years in recovery, at this point began to speak such eloquent and holy words to his family. I went from person to person in that house, holding them, hugging them, putting a soft hand on their shoulder, all the while thinking as I listened to the grandfather, “This man is the real priest here. What the heck do I think I am doing there?”
After about an hour of saying little, but merely comforting them as best as I was able, the tiredness from their stress began to take over and the visit was coming to an end. The mother, grandfather and rest of the family, thanked me profusely for being there with them. I apologized them I was not able to do more. At that moment, the mother said, “No, Father, you did a great deal for us.”
About three, or four years ago, I received a phone call from the mother who had tracked me down. We both were elated to hear from each other as we spoke on the phone. She said she was going to send me a copy of the book she wrote on how she coped with her son’s death, as a thank you for what I had done. The memory of that night rushed back to me with such vividness. I felt the memory I experienced of me being of very little help, but I simply told her, “It was blessing for me to be with all of you that night. Thank you for letting me into your home.”
When the book arrived, I opened it to the chapter she had marked for me to read. She described in her note why she wrote about me. She said something to the effect, “Dear Fr. Rich: The night my son died, and you came to my home, I noticed how you felt so uncomfortable, even scared as you walked in. You looked so very young. You said very little. Yet, as we cried and wept, you went around the room holding, hugging, consoling us with a touch of the hand, and loving a bunch of strangers. In that dark night, the light of Jesus’s presence came to us through you.” At that moment I finally accepted that I had done something special that night.
As we continue in this season of Epiphany, we reflect on Jesus’ manifestation of His light and love to the world. Each of you had been the light of Jesus Christ to someone, somewhere in your life. Maybe you were afraid to say so. Maybe you were uncomfortable to be so. In the kindness of your words, or the softness of a touch you showed Jesus to others. I pray that each of you will know how you are the reflection of Him, who enlightens the nations. In our journey Godward, may we be guided and warmed by light and love.
In our blessed Lord,
Rev. Richard Daly, SSC
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WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT SAINT JAMES':
Low Mass at 5:30pm
Supper at 6:00pm— Enchiladas, Spanish Rice and Beans
Classes, activities and adult choir at 6:30pm.
Tonight in the Adult Class:
The theological and pastoral nature of Christian healing in medicine and psychology. The class is based on Fr. Morton Kelsey’s, Healing & Christianity, Augsburg Press.
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Low Mass at 8am.
Christian Education for all ages at 9 am.
First Holy Communion Class for those receiving the Sacrament for the first time at Easter
Sung Mass at 10am.
Nursery provided from 9am onwards.
In the Adult Class: SUNDAYS AT 9AM THROUGH THE END OF LENT:
The development and history of the New Testament. The class will focus on being an overview of the cultural context in which various New Testament books were written and how they came to be compiled in their present form. In general, this class will use as an outline, An Introduction to the New Testament, by D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, published by Zondervan Academics.
Annual Parish Meeting following the 10:00 AM Mass.
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ITEMS OF PARTICULAR NOTE
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: The rescheduled Annual Parish Meeting will be held this Sunday, February 9, 2020, in the Great Hall following the 10:00 AM Mass. Along with the usual reports will be a brief update from the Rector Search committee on our progress to-date.
SCOUT SUNDAY: February is the traditional time for holding a Scout Sunday event. As the parish is now the sponsoring organization of both a Scouts BSA Troop for girls, and a Cub Scout Pack for boys and girls, members of the Troop and Pack will be worshiping with us on Sunday. Please be sure to extend to them a warm welcome.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A PASTORAL VISIT from Fr. Richard, please contact the parish office, or email sandrak@stjamestxk.org or rdaly@saintsamestxk.org. He will be available to start visitations the last week of January. No one should feel obligated to have a visit, but if you would like one, please contact the office. Sandra will be helping to coordinate the scheduling and she will be able to assist you setting up a visitation. The visits are designed to be around twenty minutes, but no more than thirty minutes. Each visit will conclude with a prayer and a house blessing.
IF YOU HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR NOTICES for the bulletin or Kneemail, please send them to the church office by 4:00pm on Monday of each week.
IF SOMEONE IS SICK AND IN THE HOSPITAL, please do not forget to contact the Priest so that the prayers and sacraments of the Church can be offered.
COLLECTION OF PALM CROSSES: Please bring your palm crosses to church and place them in the silver bowl at the back of the church. These palms will be burned for use on Ash Wednesday services.
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RECTOR SEARCH UPDATE
As is natural, there are many questions circulating around the Parish about what happens next as we work to discern God's will for our next Rector. The Wardens and Vestry have appointed a search committee to guide us through this process. The committee is being co-chaired by Senior Warden Brian Purtle and Phillip Jordan.
The Rector Search committee will be providing a update on our upcoming Rector search at the annual parish meeting on February 9, 2020. Please make plans to attend so we can fill you in on our progress thus far, and our next steps in this process.
Please note: Per Diocesan policy, Fr. Daly cannot be involved in the rector search process in any way, and thus he will not have current information as we move forward through this process, nor will Sandra. Please direct your questions and suggestions to the Search Committee through either Brian or Phillip.
If you have a recommendation for a priest we should consider for the position, we would be most grateful to receive it. |
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UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS
February 9, 2020: Annual Parish Meeting following the 10am Mass.
February 11, 2020: This is our evening where the men of the church serve dinner at the Randy Sams Outreach Shelter. Please be at the shelter by 5:15. Following our service, which should end by 6:15, we will head over to Hopkins Icehouse for a time of fellowship. If cannot make it to help serve the dinner, please mark your calendar to come over for the fellowship.
February 15, 2020: Acolyte meeting at 10AM. This will be a practice for all acolytes to review your ministry roles at the Mass. Chalice Bearers are welcome to attend, too. Fr. Richard will be providing a pizza lunch following the meeting for all attendees.
February 25, 2020: Shrove Tuesday EYC Pancake Supper at 6:00PM in the Great Hall.
February 26, 2020 – Ash Wednesday: Said Mass with Imposition of Ashes at 12:05PM.
Sung Mass with Imposition of Ashes at 6:00PM
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NOTICES
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION class is in session.
Christian education classes for adults and children not in the First Holy Communion class are also in session.
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PARISH NOTICES
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
Nancy Malone (3), Gary Knaupe (5), Matthew Delk (6)
CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES:
Jennifer and Carter Adams (6)
WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD PRAYERS:
Billy Deloach
REST ETERNAL.
Rest Eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Anniversaries of death falling this week:
None from the parish this week,
but let remember our departed loved ones and friends
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Did you know that you can now pay your pledge or make a gift to Saint James' Church through our secure online payment system?
See http://saintjamestxk.org/giving/ for details.
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LAY SERVER SCHEDULE
| THOSE WHO SERVE |
February 9th – Fifth Sunday of Epiphany |
| C.B. 8am |
David Waddle |
| Reader 8am |
Leighsa Bean |
| C.B. 10:00am |
Cory Floyd
Wade Fowler |
Acolytes
10:00am |
Scouts from Troop 1
Norah Jordan |
| Reader 10am |
Scout for Troop 1 |
| POP 10am |
Brandon Willis |
| Sunday School |
Leighsa Bean
Suzie Davis |
| Snacks |
Cathy VanHerpen |
Ushers 10am |
Herbert Huntley
Julie Huntley
Night Keyes
Bo Malone |
| Altar Guild |
Team 2 |
| Household Week |
Billy DeLoach |
Vestry
Lock Up |
Mark Storey
Phillip Jordan |
BY WAY OF REMINDER:
It is our custom to send out reminders to those serving the following Sunday on three occasions: Tuesdays (by email), Wednesdays (via the Knee Mail), then then again on Thursdays (by email, with the Bulletin). It helps the Office to know of any conflicts sooner rather than later!
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PARISH GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
FITNESS FOR SAINTS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of each week at 5:30pm.
THE FLOWER DONOR CHART is in the Narthex (porch) to sign-up to give flowers in memory or in thanksgiving of a loved one, or you may call or e-mail Martha Bean at 903-547-6911 – e-mail wpmvb@windstream.net . The cost is still just $35 per donor, per Sunday. What a great way to honor or remember those who are important in our lives!
You can also now make your flower dedication through the Parish Website by visiting the form here.
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