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Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint James' Church:
Viktor Frankl is a famous German, Jewish, psychiatrist and the author of the book, Man’s Search for Meaning. During the 1930 and early 1940’s, he was internationally known for his medical and psychological work. As the Nazi war machine marched through Europe and began rounding up more of the Jewish people for the death camps, Frankl was afforded an opportunity of fleeing to America for safety. However, doing so meant he had to leave his family behind, especially his elderly parents.
He struggled with what he should do and prayed that God might give him a sign. As he was walking to his parents’ home, he stopped in front of a synagogue destroyed by the Nazis. He found a random piece of wood with an inscription on it and kept it as a keepsake for his parents. When he arrived at their house, he cleaned off the wood and saw that carving read: Honor thy father and mother.
Frankl accepted this as a sign and did not take advantage of his ability to escape Germany for the United States. He was rounded up with his family and sent to the concentration camps. By the time the camps were liberated, everyone in his family had been killed, except for him and his sister. During his interment, Frankl wrote the first version of his book, Man’s Search for Meaning.
If Viktor Frankl had not stopped that day in front of the synagogue and picked up that carved piece of wood, there might never had been such a book. His book speaks of how and why he believes he and others survived the concentration camps, while others simply gave up and died, even before the Nazis were able to send them to their deaths. During those years, he experienced incredible suffering and degradation but further developed his theory of Logotherapy which focuses on the meaning of human existence and man's search for meaning. “He who has a why for life can put up with any how.”
The book sold tens of millions of copies and is still influential to this day.
His book has been very influential in my life, both emotionally and spiritually. His point is not just directed at how humans can survive terribly horrific situations, but how they can still viably thrive in the situation.
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Though this statement is sometimes attributed to him, no one knows who said it. As we come near the close of the season of Epiphany, we recall the theme that Christ is our light in the all too often dark and pain filled world. Frankl observed the spiritual resilience he saw in so many of his fellow prisoners who were able to say the “Lord’s Prayer” or the “Shema” as they faced certain death. Prayer is the outward indicator that the Light of Christ burns within us. Though the difficulties and tragedies of life attempt to cover the Light of Christ, it never can be snuffed out.
During these last two weeks of the Epiphany season, may the Light of Christ continue burning with brightness in your daily lives so that others will see the good that you do and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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— Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Peas
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 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY:
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Low Mass at 8am.
Christian Education for all ages at 9 am.
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.
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ITEMS OF PARTICULAR NOTE
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. 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.
THE LATEST LAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE is on the table on the porch of the church. This schedule up to Easter, but the Holy Week Schedule will be available at a later date. Please make sure you get a copy.
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.
THANK YOU TO JASON DOWD and his crew for coming in an scrubbing down the built up grease on the hood over the stove in the kitchen.
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UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS
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. Please make every effort to attend. Thank you!
VESTRY MEETS ON FEBRUARY 17TH at 5:30pm in the parish library.
SHROVE TUESDAY EYC PANCAKE SUPPER – February 25th 6:00pm in the parish hall.
ASH WEDNESDAY is February 26th – Imposition of Ashes will take place at 12:05pm (said Mass) and at 6:00pm (sung Mass).
STATIONS OF THE CROSS BEGIN – February 28th at 12:05pm. After the Stations of the Cross are concluded there will be a light lunch available in the parish hall. Attending Stations of the Cross is a good spiritual way to increase spiritual disciplines and devotions in the season of Lent.
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PARISH NOTICES
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
Mark VanHerpen (10), Judie Firmin, Todd Shores (11) Joan Richards,
Melissa Cook, Brandon Rampy (12), Davis Crouch (14)
CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES:
None Listed
WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD PRAYERS:
Melissa & John Delk
REST ETERNAL.
Rest Eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Anniversaries of death falling this week:
Madeline Logan (11), Allan Hoffman, Sylvester Kendricks (13)
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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 |
Feb. 16th: Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany |
| C.B. 8am |
Scott Bruner |
| Reader 8am |
Tammy Cowdery |
| C.B. 10:00am |
Shari Keller
T-B-A |
Acolytes
10:00am |
Thompson Matteson
Austin Miller
Davis Crouch
William Burks |
| Reader 10am |
Carter Adams |
| POP 10am |
Jane Bruner |
| Sunday School |
Leighsa Bean
Sarah Kyles |
Ushers 10am |
George Matteson
Bill Miller
Nick Prime
Brian Purtle |
| Altar Guild |
Team 3 |
| Household Week |
Melinda Dixon |
Vestry
Lock Up |
Julie Huntley
Ann Coleman |
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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