St. James' Episcopal Church

Ladies and Gentlemen...and Children

2012-01-27T12:26:00.004-06:00

Dear Family in Christ,

This Sunday, Jan. 29, while the women of St. James' meet in the library following the 10am Eucharist, the men are invited to join Nathan Jennings for Christian Ed. He'll be in the back media room.

All children are invited to Godly Play, offered during the same time, also in the back of the fellowship hall.

After the ECW meeting is over, Kelly and Christina will be meeting in the Godly Play room/s to take account of the story supplies we have. YOU are invited to join us and come see what Godly Play is all about. Please prayerfully consider joining Christina in this ministry for our children, as the year progresses.

All Good Gifts Around Us

2012-01-19T12:06:00.001-06:00

Dear Family in Christ,

This Sunday, Jan. 22, we celebrate God's abundance by sharing it with others. Come help us distribute His good gifts--a delicious meal in this case--with those in need in the Taylor community. Prep starts right after the 10am Eucharist. And we can especially use DRIVERS for the deliveries once the meals are packed and ready.

If you're an early bird, come to our 8:30am Morning Prayer service, followed by a hot breakfast. Alternative: invite a friend to breakfast, then stay on for the Eucharist service.

Godly Play will take place during Meals on Wheels prep time, finishing around 12:15pm.

Women, don't forget our quarterly ECW meeting, happening the following Sunday, Jan. 29, after the Eucharist, in the library.

Bearing Gifts, We Traverse Afar

2012-01-04T21:14:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,
Please join us this Friday night at 7pm for Holy Eucharist, on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany. It's principally when we celebrate the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus. It's also the beginning of the season (often called Epiphany) in which we recall the ways the Christ was made known to the world.
Then, this coming Sunday, join us for Holy Baptism. It's one of the big days for the church to baptize, since this is also the day we remember Jesus' own baptism in the River Jordan.

Nine Lessons and Carols

2011-12-13T10:56:00.004-06:00

This Friday, Dec. 16, at 7:00pm, come hear and join with the St. James' Choir who will lead us in a service of Nine Lessons and Carols. We are grateful to our lectors who have key roles as well. Followed by a reception.
There is a long tradition behind this service. See this link for the story.

Almost there!

2011-12-09T12:44:00.001-06:00

The pink candle this third Sunday of Advent marks Gaudete Sunday. It's where we breathe a little, and recognize that we have almost made it to Christmas. So take time to breathe a little, and leave the checklists, etc., up to the One who loves you.

Join us for Eucharist this Sunday, Dec. 11, 10:00am. We welcome our guest preacher, the Rev. John Newton, Canon for Lifelong Formation, in the Diocese of Texas. He will stay on and join Nathan's adult ed. class following worship, at which time we will also offer Godly Play for our young ones.

Find out more about Canon Newton here.

Church election results: we had three candidates and three spots available on our Bishop's Committee. All three were approved by a congregational vote on Sunday, Nov. 27. Congratulations to Rosemary Fellows, Michael Holder, and Martha Sneary.

Don't forget! Our Lessons and Carols service will be held on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:00pm. It is free and open to the public.

Give Thanks

2011-11-23T15:02:00.001-06:00

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thess. 5

Join us Wed. evening, Nov. 23, at 7:00pm for Holy Eucharist in the church for a Thanksgiving Eve service. The Rev. Jerry Sneary will offer a meditation.

This coming Sunday is the first day of the new church year, the first Sunday in Advent. We will be offering a new Morning Prayer service at 8:30am, starting this Sunday in the church. It will be a quiet, meditative way to start your Sunday.

Then, after our regular Eucharist at 10:00am, we will stay on to elect our new Bishop's Committee members.
Then, we'll proceed to the fellowship hall, for our second annual Advent Event, with music and crafts: advent wreaths, ornaments, Christmas cards and Anglican rosary beads.

Come all who are weary and I will refresh you

2011-11-09T10:53:00.000-06:00

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. – Psalm 100:4
(see below for note on the photo above)

Dear Family,

If you have not joined us for worship recently, know that we do miss you, and that you are valuable and needed for the work of God's kingdom. At St. James' this season, here are ways for you to participate in His work:

1. Meals on Wheels happens on Sun., Nov. 20, this month. If you have wheels, you are valuable to us. We prepare helpful maps for delivery destinations, and the batches are usually no more than 6 meals or so.

2. Pledge Sunday will happen that same morning. That's when we bring back our pledge cards and ask for God's blessing on our pledges of giving to His church in 2012. If you did not receive a pledge card, please let us know.

3. Our Advent Event is Nov. 27 following worship. We'll have music and different crafts for young and older, to get us into the spirit of the new season, and celebrate the New Year in the church. Let us know if you'd like to help get things set up for this.

4. Ongoing: a community Bible study meets at 9am on Weds. in the library; the mens' group, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, will meet at El Corral Lozano on Sat., Dec. 3, at 9am.

Note: the baptismal font is in the ruins of a 5th century Byzantine church, located in Shivta, a world heritage site in Israel.

Anglican prayer beads - Craft Night Sat. Nov. 5, 4:30

2011-11-04T09:55:00.002-05:00

Anglican prayer beads? Yes, they are part of our prayer tradition and fun to make! Come to our Craft Night tomorrow, Sat., Nov. 5 at 4:30-6:30pm, and make your own set. You'll even learn how to pray with them. You can also make a set of your own jewelry. Projects for children also. AND free supper included. Fellowship hall - be there!

Come Sing of the Saints of God

2011-11-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us,

that we should be called the children of God. - 1 John 3.

Come join us for Holy Eucharist tonight, All Saints' Day, at 8pm. We will remember the dead, particularly those who are connected to our church family members.

Giving Thanks for our Young People

2011-10-28T11:50:00.004-05:00

Be strong and courageous...for the Battle is not yours, it's the Lord's. Whether we are young or older, we always encounter battles in our lives.

This Sunday at 10am, we'll have our regular Eucharist service. Within it, however, we'll place special emphasis on our young people. The sermon will be for young and older alike, so please plan to keep children in the service for its entirety if at all possible. Nursery care of course will be available should there be a need.

Our theme on Sunday will center around the Battle of Jericho.

ECW meeting will happen immediately after the service. Godly Play will also be offered at the same time for all our young people.

Finally, a special THANK YOU to all who helped make our Fish Fry last Sunday a great success!

Bring Them To Where the Food Is

2011-10-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

Good morning, Church family,

You've got to check out this video on the diocesan website. Just click on the little TV-shaped icon to play it.

It reminded me of how easy it is to help another person enter God's joy on a Sunday morning.

The videos are helping to promote the Bishop's Conference on Evangelism, happening Nov. 11-12 at the stunningly beautiful Camp Allen. What a great place for a retreat alongside. Please see Dr. Tad Whited (eawMRC@aol.com) on Sunday or email him if interested in sharing a ride to the conference. The church can help with your registration fee.

Lots to give thanks for: our choir is now rehearsing on Sunday mornings at 8:30am. We are hearing from church family members about what motivates them to give to St. James', AND we are planning for our...

Potluck Fish Fry (catfish provided and fried on site) on Sunday, Oct. 23 following the Eucharist. Do please bring a dish that would be enough to also go towards our Meals on Wheels, which will get filled and get delivered that same Sunday.

See you for our Holy Meal, aka Holy Communion, this Sunday, at 10am.

Kelly

Ponder Anew What the Almighty Can Do

2011-10-07T11:18:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, our men's group, will be meeting tomorrow at El Corral Lozano on 2nd St. for breakfast at 9am.

Later tomorrow afternoon, Courtney Brown will be leading a come-one-come-all mask making workshop tomorrow in the fellowship hall--Saturday, Oct. 8, 4-6pm. Please email her directly if you have further questions:

therynody@yahoo.com

This Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings will be teaching after Eucharist this Sunday in the media room. If you miss him this time around, you can catch up with him in Advent, when he will offer us 3 more classes. More TBA.

Put Oct. 23 on your calendar for St. James' Sunday, our patron saint's day, and Fish Fry, following the Eucharist. Pledge cards will go out that day as well, as we step into a season of prayerfully reflecting on our family life at St. James:

What is the BEST that can happen?

Finally, some community info:

Marge Tripp, 352-9898 is seeking volunteers for the Taylor City Wide Cleanup on Sat. Oct. 22, 8am - 3pm. Murphy Park is the home base for this event. They will begin by sending out volunteers to help clean up the yards of folks on the Meals on Wheels list.

[The photo above is of the baptismal font at St. Theresa of Lisieux, Austin]

Do Not Worry About Your Life

2011-09-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of the upcoming feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who preached to the birds and tamed a wolf, please join your neighbors this Sat., Oct. 1, 10am-11:30am, at our Blessing of the Animals, in the courtyard of St. James' Church.
A brief liturgy will start around 10:30am.
There will be goodies and drinks for humans and their pets.

Fall Organ Concert & Blessing of Animals

2011-09-09T05:37:00.000-05:00

For your calendars:

Sunday, Sept. 25, 4:00pm - our Fall Organ Recital, featuring the talents of our organist, Ms. Helen Wiley, and several other UT organ graduate students. Music by Mozart, Bach, among others. Click here for the facebook link. Tickets $10 at the door, or whatever you can give - all proceeds go to Calvary Episcopal Church, Bastrop.
Blessing of the Animals, Saturday, October 1, 10am-noon.

Seek the Lord while He wills to be found

2011-08-16T20:19:00.003-05:00

Friends,
What a busy fall coming up. Here are a few things on the immediate horizon. And come join us!
Sunday, Aug. 21 - Blessing of the Backpacks, bring a symbol of your vocation, and come dedicate it to the One who empowers us to live into our vocations.
Sat. Sept. 3, 4-6pm - Craft Night in the fellowship hall
Sun. Sept. 4 - 12:30-3:30 - Safeguarding God's Children training, in the fellowship hall. If you find yourself around children on Sunday, you need to take this. That means all of us, essentially. See Rev. Kelly if interested.

Who says summer is a low-activity season?

2011-07-26T12:16:00.003-05:00

This is a glimpse into our Godly Play program, photo taken 2 Sundays ago. The children are doing their work, following the story of the Tabernacle. Two more children are at work in the Desert Box, out of range of the photo.

Calling ALL women: your ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will be gathering this Sunday, following the service, to pray, address issues pertinent to our group ministry, and get to know each other a little better. Sunday, July 31, about 11:30am in the library.

Calling ALL family members: here is a quick, easy way to get your Safeguarding God's Children training in, whether for the first time or to renew every 5 years is to sign up for the 3-hour session at Grace, Georgetown. It's scheduled for Sat., August 20th from 9:00am - 12:00pm and anyone can register for that by clicking here.

Did you know that St. James' now has a sexton who is also verger-in-training? Michael Holder is this man. What are those odd titles anyway, you say? Here are some definitions.

A verger is a person within the Church who assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship. It is said that the Verger serves the church in a ministry of welcome and the duties of the Verger vary from parish to parish. Vergers can be full-time or part-time, paid or volunteer. Their duties can be purely ceremonial or include other responsibilities such as parish administration, leadership of the worship committee, sexton, etc. He or she may serve in other capacities throughout the church; such as Sacristan, Acolyte Master, Sexton, Chalice Bearer, Lay Reader, Usher, Protector of the Procession, Doorkeeper, Grave Digger, Master of Ceremonies or anything else that the parish requires. The Office of Verger dates back to the Middle Ages when the Verger was the "Protector of the Procession." He led the Procession into the Church or Cathedral, clearing the way for the Procession and protecting it from vagabonds and animals that tried to attack it. Today, in many parishes and cathedrals you will see a Verger ceremonially leading the Procession. The Verger wears a gown and carries a Virge (staff of Office) to help clear the way, and point the way for the procession (definition from this site).

A sexton is a church, congregation or synagogue officer charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard. In smaller places of worship, this office is often combined with that of verger. In larger buildings, such as cathedrals, a team of sextons may be employed.

The word "Sexton" and "sacristan" both derive from the Medieval Latin word sacristanus meaning "custodian of sacred objects". "Sexton" represents the popular development of the word, via the Old French "Segrestein", from Latin Sacristanus "Sacristan" (From Wikipedia).

Michael will be reporting to the Bishop's Committee as regards the maintenance needs of the church buildings. Thank you, Michael.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Be a Godly Play Builder

2011-07-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

Like going on treasure hunts? Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics, carry items that go well with the kind of stories needed for our Godly Play story boxes. Here is a current list, along with other staple items we can use regularly. See items below.

If you’d simply like to donate money and not do the shopping, let Kelly know. We are building a list of donors to the Godly Play program, where you or someone in whose memory you give will be remembered as a Godly Play Builder.

Here are the items:

Two CD players

Moses story (all items should be no bigger than maybe palm size, or smaller; ideally 4in x 4in.):A Baby in a basket; Burning bush (can be stand up, or 2 dimensional – goes for most of these); 2 quail; “manna” in a clear box; staff and a rock; A big rock (1 ft. x 1 ft.) for Mt. Sinai; a Golden calf; Broken 10 Commandments tablets; Ark of the Covenant; A picture (3in.x3in.) mounted on carboard, of burning bush

Ruth Story (all items should be no bigger than maybe palm size, or smaller; ideally 4in x 4in.):an outline/stand up little model of Bethlehem; stalks of grain (mini); crown; blue yarn; A picture (3in.x3in.) mounted on cardboard, of a woman gathering wheat.

Samuel Story (all items should be no bigger than maybe palm size, or smaller; ideally 4in x 4in.):a wrapped “present” (empty inside); 3 coats; sleeping mat; small clear bottle of oil; crown; A picture (3in.x3in.) mounted on cardboard, of a horn of oil

Staple items: paper napkins & paper plates in liturgical colors (green, white, red, purple); snacks for our “Feast” (fresh fruit, crackers, cookies); wipes; 1 broom w/dustpan; about 8-10 more carpet squares (to sit on); 8 rectangular trays (Ikea has them with white bottoms and wooden sides); older-kid scissors that cut well; construction paper; glue and glue sticks; containers for organizing supplies inside our cabinets.

Let Our God Arise

2011-05-31T11:17:00.003-05:00

O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory,

Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Through the blessing they were assured

That You are the Son of God,

The Redeemer of the world!

-an ancient hymn for Ascension Day

Friends,

Join us for Holy Eucharist this Thursday, Ascension Day,
June 2, at 7:00pm. And celebrate with the Church how
Christ, in reuniting with His Father in heaven, united
heaven to earth.

We especially welcome the church families of
St. Thomas', Rockdale, and St. Paul's, Pflugerville.

Annual Rummage Sale & Brisket

2011-05-27T14:43:00.002-05:00

Saturday, May 28 - starting at 8:00 AM

Come visit us, browse, buy a hidden gem, snag a deal, chat, eat, and get to know your neighbors on 7th and Davis...

Gently used children's and adult clothes/shoes, cooking Items, big screen TVs, furniture, electronics, LPs, books, lots of kitchen items, toys, etc.

PLUS:

Authentic Kansas City style barbecue on Sale for $5 a plate (Brisket, Beans, Coleslaw, Pickles, and Bread),
Brisket by the Pound at $10.

Someone New This Sunday

2011-05-13T14:49:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends in Christ,

Want to hear someone NEW from the pulpit? This Sunday, Good Shepherd Sunday, is your chance!! The Rev. Ben Long, associate priest at St. James', Austin, will preside and preach. Their rector is also new, along with a brand new church sanctuary. It's quite a place. Check it out.

Father Ben grew up in Mexico and is fluent (also preaches) in Spanish. (He won't do that Sunday.) His father is also an Episcopal priest and still serves in Mexico. Father Ben and his wife, Amy, live in Austin.

Further dates to remember:

1. Our Annual Garage Sale & Brisket Lunch rapidly approaches - Sat., May 28, 8am thru lunch. Let Rev. Kelly know if you'd like to drop things off before Sunday, May 22. From that Sunday on, you can bring your items by the church. Ask friends, neighbors if they would like to donate any furniture, baby items, kitchenware, etc.

The sign up list needs YOUR name on it! This is such a good ministry for meeting the community and letting folks know who we are at St. James'. So please prioritize this date, and speaking of Spanish, if anyone can speak it, it would be so helpful to have you around that day. We need people to make and post lawn signs, post on listserves, assist at the tables for 2 hr slots, and set up / take down.

2. Ascension Day Eucharist, Thursday, June 2, 7:00pm. One of the church's "big 7" principal feasts. We will be joined by respective vicars and church families from St. Thomas', Rockdale, and St. Paul's, Pflugerville!

3. Sat., June 4 - Family Craft Night, 4-6pm. Cake/cookie decorating. Let Rev. Kelly know if you are interested.

4. Bishop Payne's visit with Receptions and Reaffirmations - Pentecost Sunday, June 12. If you would like to be reaffirmed in your faith, or even wonder what that means, see Rev. Kelly.

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

2011-05-03T10:58:00.000-05:00

As Mothers' Day approaches, join our church family for another first...
Family Craft Night!
When: This Saturday, May 7, 4:00-6:00pm
What: We're making awesome greeting / Mothers' Day cards--NOT your average store-bought type either. Come learn from a master.
For whom: everyone. Family friendly.
Food: Mac n cheese supper
How much: freewill offering
Where: in the church fellowship hall, next to the church

Organ Recital - Friday, April 29, 7pm

2011-04-26T21:00:00.003-05:00

Join us for the first annual Spring Organ Recital at St. James' Episcopal Church!

You think THIS pipe organ is beautiful...come check ours out.

Works by Bach, Buxtehude, Howells, Mendelssohn, and others will be performed by Alvez Barkoskie IV, Aaron Garcia, Jordan Peek, and Helen Wiley. Trumpeter Christopher Heldt joins us to perform "The Prayer of St. Gregory".

Tickets are $10 or donation. Half the proceeds will support the new choir program at St. James', and the other half goes to the performers. Tickets will be available at the door. For advance tickets, contact Philip Jones or Helen Wiley.

There will be a reception following the program. Hope to see you there!

The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation

2011-04-20T11:55:00.001-05:00

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you. - St. Paul in 1 Cor. 11

Friends, come participate in what has been handed down to us:

Holy Week 2011

April 21, Maundy Thursday – 7pm Holy Eucharist, foot washing, Stripping of the Altar. Followed by Prayer Vigil in fellowship hall. Nursery care available.
April 22, Good Friday – 6pm Stations of the Cross; 7pm Solemn Collects - a joint service with our brothers and sisters in Christ at United Christian Church, Taylor. The service will be held at St. James'. Nursery care available.
April 23 (Sat.) Holy Saturday – 10am, followed by decorating for Easter.

Easter Sunday, Apr. 24 - Holy Eucharist with Baptisms, followed by celebration of our newest church members, and egg hunt. Nursery care available.

We anticipate a full house on Sunday. Come early!

Upcoming events: St. James' Organ Recital, Friday, April 29, 7:00pm. Tickets are $10 or goodwill offering.

Family Night, Sat., May 7, 4-6pm. Fellowship hall. Come make Mothers' Day cards. Supper included.

Discipleship

2011-03-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

Join us on Wednesday nights, March 16-April 13, 7:00pm-8:30pm, for opportunities to reflect on the Christian journey.

The facilitators will be using the book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message. He takes a look at each of the Songs of Ascents, the psalms numbering 120-134, which are those believed to be the psalms sung as pilgrims went up to Jerusalem for each of the three main festivals.

You do not need the book, but a Bible would be nice to have alongside.

We start with a brief compline service, then share a simple supper of soup and bread (provided by our church members), and then have the program. We finish promptly at 8:30pm.

With many thanks to two guest facilitators: the Rev. Parker Jameson (March 23), from St. Luke's on the Lake; and the Rev. Jerry Sneary (April 6).

Shrove Tuesday

2011-03-08T11:09:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,
You are invited to join us for a feast of pancakes and bacon, as we say goodbye to an "ordinary" season, and welcome in the lean season of Lent:

7:00pm, March 8 - in the St. James' Fellowship Hall
No need to bring anything but an empty tummy.

Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, March 9.
Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes will be at 7:00pm in the church.

Feast of the Epiphany

2011-01-05T14:54:00.001-06:00

Come join us for the Feast that bids farewell to the Christmas season, and greets the one we have come to call the Epiphany season.

Candlelit Holy Eucharist 7:00pm, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

O, Come Let Us Adore Him

2010-12-22T16:00:00.000-06:00

Friends and Family,

Join us for Christmas events this Friday, December 24:

Tamale Supper - 5:30pm in the Fellowship hall, for everyone
A Children's Lessons and Carols - 6:00pm in the church
Candlelit Holy Eucharist - 7:00pm

Nursery care will be available from 7pm, but children are invited to be a part of the whole service, particularly as we close with handheld candles and sing Silent Night.

We welcome you to St. James' Church this Christmas.

Adventful

2010-12-08T14:58:00.000-06:00

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says the Lord." - Isaiah 55.

The photographer in Taylor, Andy Sharp, who did our lovely photos for the Austin paper's article on the Blessing of the Animals, caught St. James' in the gorgeous sunset a few nights ago. Thank you for sending, Andy.

A busy day coming up, Saturday, Dec. 11:

- all day, one hour shifts - Salvation Army bell-ringing at the Taylor Walmart. If it's warm, don't forget your church T-shirt.

- 10:00am: pew-polishing at St. James'. If you need a good stretch, come to the church, and John Edwards will provide you with a bottle of wood polish and a rag. Then, let your joints and muscles feel the goodness.

- 10:00am: cooking for Meals on Wheels in the kitchen, which leads to...

Meals on Wheels will be going out this Sunday, Dec. 12, shortly after worship. Deliverers always needed.

Donate a poinsettia for Christmas Eve - help brighten our sanctuary, and give thanks or remember someone dear in the process. Just memo a check, flowers, and let us know how you would like people remembered by attaching their names, or emailing Kelly.

Other things coming up:

12/18 - Food Pantry at old middle school across the street - St. James' turn to distribute, beginning at 9am.

12/19 - Christmas Eve rehearsal for acolytes, 9am

12/24 - 5:30pm Tamale supper (Kelly has list of ingredients needed, will publish soon)

- 6:00pm A Children's Lessons and Carols

- 7:00pm Candlelit Holy Eucharist, with soloists, Don & Crystal Edwards

Here are some photos from our Advent Event...

All Saints' Day

2010-10-31T15:19:00.001-05:00

Join us Monday, Nov. 1, at 7:00pm for Holy Eucharist in the church. One of our seven principal feasts of the church year. We will be remembering those members of our church family who have died and, we pray, have gone on to join the cloud of witnesses, the Communion of Saints.

Blessing of the Animals, Sat. Oct. 2

2010-09-20T20:32:00.007-05:00

Dear Friends,

What did St. Francis really say to the birds (and to his friars listening in)? Come find out!

Bring your pet, and join us for St. James' first annual Blessing of the Animals, on Saturday, October 2, 10-noon.

We'll share a brief liturgy amid the barks and meows, and then do individual blessings of each animal and owner.

Look for us in the courtyard...

Click here for the Taylor Daily's recap of the day. And click here for the article in the Austin Statesman.

Our Brothers in Pakistan

2010-08-01T14:57:00.004-05:00

Father Nazir surveys damage to St. Peter's Church

St. Peter's Church, Abbottabad

Dear Family in Christ,

The devastating floods in NW Pakistan (Peshawar) hit very close to home. Both priests who have visited St. James' in the past, Father Riaz and Father Nazir, have recently communicated with me about the dire situation their respective towns and communities are currently in. It is hard to imagine.

I will be sending some financial assistance to them from my discretionary. I hope that you will pray about adding whatever gift the Holy Spirit directs you, toward assisting their parishes with recovery work. Please make the checks out to St. James' Church, and memo them "Pakistan flood."

Additionally, a woman has contacted me about needing help with buying school supplies for her children. If you would like to help in any way, please let me know.

Finally, don't forget National Night Out this Tuesday, Aug. 3, 6:30pm at 10th St. Methodist Church (bring covered dish),

...and it's St. James' Church's turn to serve at the Food Pantry this Sat., Aug. 7, 8:30am.

Let us pray:

For the Poor and the Neglected

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(BCP)

The Father's Gifts

2010-07-21T11:43:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

We have a very special offer from some of our members: freshly-made chicken salad in the Meals on Wheels boxes this Sunday!

So come, be bearers of a summer gift to our neighbors. Join us for worship at 10am; fellowship and meal prep following; drivers at NOON.

For our early birds, there is plenty of abundance to be had in God's Word: 8:30am Bible study in the library. Come see what immediately follows Jesus' teaching of the Lord's Prayer...it might surprise you.

By His grace,

Kelly

Freedom

2010-06-30T11:30:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

This coming Sunday, July 4, start your holiday with prayer, Morning Prayer, at 10:00am.

It is rare to find this beautiful service held on a Sunday. Mr. Rob Franks will lead, the Rev. Jerry Sneary will preach.

There will be nursery care available.

Here is the collect for Independence Day. The Lord be with you...Let us pray:

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Festival of Bric-a-Brac and Brisket

2010-06-11T14:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

You are invited to St. James' Church's 8th annual Rummage Sale, taking place this Saturday, June 12, 7:30am - 2:00pm. New this year: delicious brisket plates with all the sides, coffee and donuts earlier in the morning; and additional vendors.

We hope you'll join in the fun of just mingling with neighbors and maybe finding a treasure or two. Our donations are so plenteous, that this year we've opened up several rooms in the back of the fellowship hall, one just for holiday items.

For our church members: please consider coming and staying for as long as you are able. We will need all the volunteer help we can get. (Don't forget your T-shirt and name tag). Thank you to those who have already put in many hours this week, cleaning and sorting.

Then, see you for another Meal the next day, Sunday, at 10am: Holy Eucharist.

Happy Reunion

2010-05-26T12:04:00.004-05:00

Dear Friends in Christ,

Here is the video I referred to in the Pentecost Sunday sermon (get kleenex ready):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkGzqpGx1KU

Pentecost is indeed about a reunion with our Loved One, the Lord God, who says at our baptism: you are my beloved son/daughter, with you I am well pleased.

What an uplifting Sunday that was last week. We welcomed 7 of 11 new church family members, and had red "Happy Birthday Church" balloons for the children (thank you, Cheryl Cotton).

Bishop's Committee meeting tonight, at 7pm - all invited.

This coming Sunday is another principal feast, Trinity Sunday. We will be premiering service music by our very own organist, Alvez, so all "choir members" are encouraged to come early and learn beautiful, original settings to the Sanctus, etc.

Upcoming event: Sat. June 12 (starting 7:30am) our 8th Annual Rummage Sale.

You are invited to bring gently used, clean items to the church fellowship hall (we are not taking adult clothes; but most everything else!). Philip and LuAnn Jones have offered to provide brisket for sold lunches that day, and there is a sign up for further contributions to the lunch plates.

Please consider this a spiritual exercise, and ask God to help you give away things you might be clinging to, but don't really need.

Finally, congratulations to new grandparents, the Rev. Jerry and Martha Sneary.

Yours in Christ,

Kelly

God's Wedding Day

2010-05-12T15:13:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

You are cordially invited to join us this Sunday, May 16, as witnesses to a renewal of marriage vows. Lou and Curtis Brown, church family members, are celebrating 35 years of marriage. What a joy to share in this celebration with them, and with their friends and family members who will also attend.

The brief liturgy will be held in the context of our regular Eucharist service, beginning at 10am. Please stay for the reception too.

Ascension Day is Thursday, May 13 - we will be hosting a joint service of Holy Eucharist, with St. Thomas', Rockdale, at 7:00pm (at St. James').

God's Last Word

2010-04-14T15:51:00.001-05:00

Friends, this Eastertide, come worship with us--10am on Sundays. And in the context of worship, come learn more about God's last word to us in the Bible, the Book of Revelation.

Walk With Jesus

2010-03-26T14:25:00.004-05:00

Dear Guest,

Please check out the left margin for our Holy Week schedule, and join with our St. James' family as we walk with Jesus toward the cross, and on to Easter Sunday.

If able, come serve Him with us this Saturday, March 27, at the Taylor Resource Center's Food Pantry. Meet at the old Middle School (7th and Davis, across from our church), at 8:30am.

In Him,

Kelly

Baptism at St James'

2010-03-20T13:42:00.001-05:00

Baptism is full initiation into the body of Christ, invitation to the table of the Lord, the washing away of sin, burial in Christ and a share in his resurrection.

The person to be baptized or his or her parents or sponsors, if the person to be baptized is a child or infant, must take three baptismal preparation classes with the priest-in-charge.

Weddings at St James'

2010-03-20T12:44:00.002-05:00

St James' sanctuary provides a beautiful location for Christian marriage.

A Christian wedding is a ceremony whereby the church blesses legal marriages on behalf of the local civil authority and whereby the church celebrates the mystery of the union of Christ with his bride on earth, the holy Church.

Because of this, the church cannot bless any union that is not legal according to local laws; which, for us here at St James' means the laws of the state of Texas.

Those seeking marriage at St. James' must therefore be legally old enough to marry, or granted legal consent by guardians, they must obtain and show proof of legal marriage certificates issues by an authority of the State of Texas, and one of the two must be a baptized Christian.

Four pre-marital counseling sessions with the priest-in-charge are mandatory. Two legal witness are required at the final ceremony.

It is customary to give $100 to $200 to the church as a gift on behalf of the priests services, in addition to any rental fees for the parish hall for receptions following.

Please contact the priest-in-charge for more information about getting married at St James'.

Burials at St James'

2010-03-20T12:33:00.001-05:00

The burial of the dead is one of the chief corporal acts of mercy within the Christian tradition.

The service of burial is an Easter and Baptismal service where we remember that Christ is the first fruits of all those who shall be raised from the dead on the last day. We bury our dead in the clear and certain hope of everlasting life in the coming kingdom. Nevertheless, burial is a time of loss for those who mourn and we acknowledge the need for, and appropriateness of sorrow.

The church urges all her members to prepare responsibly for death by setting up clear and legal wills, advanced directives, and bequests to the church. The church also urges her members to plan their own funerals in advance, so that their final wishes may be observed by those they leave behind.

It is particularly appropriate for the Christian dead to be buried "out of the church," which is to say, to have a burial service conducted in the church building, with remains if possible, before they are committed to the elements.

All members are invited to plan their burial out of St James' with the priest-in-charge at their earliest convenience. Any Christian may request burial for themselves or on behalf of a loved one. We also have rites for the burial of those who do not profess Christian faith or for those for whom their faith is known to God alone.

Renting Facilities at St James'

2010-03-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

St James has great facilities for wedding receptions, recovery groups and the like.

Please contact the priest-in-charge for more rental information and estimating fair cost for your event or group.

Be Reconciled to God

2010-02-10T16:18:00.006-06:00

Dear Family in Christ,

Lent - a "lengthening" of days is the origin of the word. In the life of the church, the 40 day season is about allowing the Lord to stretch our own spirits. As we draw closer to Him in worship and prayer, and in meditation on His Word, we are saying to worldly things that they are less important than God in our lives. And we come clean with the Lord and with others, and admit where we have fallen short.

So we approach Lent like runners getting ready for the Austin marathon this weekend: it's gonna be hard, but it's gonna feel meet and right to do. And Easter Day is our finish line. We will know reconciliation with the Lord and with others, as we give thanks at that finish line for what Jesus did for us: He died so that we might live.

Join us for:

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Feb. 16, 6:00pm cooking, 6:30pm eating

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7:00pm Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes

Wednesday night Lenten suppers with Bible study: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Feb. 24, Mar. 3, Mar. 10, Mar. 17, Mar. 24

Holy Week schedule to come.

An Episcopal Visitation

2010-01-27T11:26:00.002-06:00

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. John 10:11

Dear Friends,

Please put February 7 on your calendar - Bishop Don Wimberly, recently retired diocesan bishop, will visit us on that Sunday. He is helping Bishop Harrison with visitations this month.

The main course will be provided, but please consider bringing a potluck dish for our luncheon following worship. Worship at 10am as usual.

Please also pray for the Holy Spirit to guide His church as the Diocese of Texas meets for its annual council on Feb. 12-13. Pray for Kelly and your lay delegate, Chip Cotton, who will participate as voting members on behalf of St. James' mission church.

Grappling with Haiti

2010-01-21T13:21:00.003-06:00

Dear Church Family,

Like many of you, I imagine, I have been searching for how the Church would speak to the disaster in Haiti. Here are some resources, which, I pray, may help in your own prayer life; and in your relationship with the Lord as well as with a world that suffers so greatly.

An Episcopal priest in Indiana's post: Where was God in the earthquake?

Click here for further articles.

Peace to you, through the One who defeated evil and death on the cross, our Lord Jesus.

Kelly

The eyes of all were fixed on Him

2010-01-21T12:03:00.004-06:00

Dear Friends,

I encourage you to check out this youtube video of the Bishop of Haiti speaking about the church there. It was filmed in 2007. Please continue praying for him and the long road of recovery ahead; and continue giving through the Episcopal Relief and Development ministry, as Haiti's enormous crisis only compounds.

May Haiti's people see and know, through relief efforts underway, that the Lord walks among them, offering them "shelter in His wings" (Psalm 61).

If able, please come worship with us at St. James' this Sunday, then stick around, even if it's your first time with us, to help us distribute God's abundance to the people of Taylor. It's Meals on Wheels this Sunday - following worship, anyone can help put food into containers, and deliver the meals to the needy.

May you too know the presence of the Lord in your journey this week.

Pastor Kelly

Making the Ordinary Extraordinary

2010-01-13T12:30:00.005-06:00

Dear Church Family,

Thank you, on behalf of my family, for the love you showed us through your presence and presents, on the occasion of our daughter, Maria's baptism last Sunday. What a bright, memorable day it was.

This coming Sunday, immediately after worship, is our annual All Mission Meeting.

Luncheon to follow - please bring a dish to share if you are able. But come along anyway even if you are empty-handed and be filled nonetheless.

Consider that this meeting is unlike any other you may be a part of in the secular world. This coming together is about the Stuff, the Gifts of God's Kingdom--both those gifts we have within ourselves and use in our ministries; and also, the gifts we receive in money form for His sake.

So come pray with us for the future of St. James' Mission Church, give thanks for the year that is past, and hear about plans for the year to come. Together as the Body of Christ, we are responsible for how we proceed with the gifts He gives us. Help us to make good decisions about how we use those gifts.

In His peace,

Kelly

Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry - 2010 - Join us!

2010-01-06T15:34:00.009-06:00

Who and when? St. James' Episcopal Church volunteers (all welcome) will serve on the following Saturday mornings in 2010:

March 27

August 7

December 18

Plan to be at the location by 8:30am.

Where?

The Food Pantry's entrance is around the back of the old Middle School, directly across the street from our church (behind the community gardens), on Davis and 7th St.

What?

You will be a part of distributing around 350 bags of groceries to the needy in the Taylor-area community. Things finish up by 11am.

Pray for:

The regular organizers of this ministry (Shepherd's Heart Ministry is sponsored by Christ Fellowship in Taylor), as they reach so many people every Saturday; for the poor and hungry who wait in line to be served every week; for the Taylor High volunteers who sack the groceries every Friday; and for St. James' continued contributions, esp. of canned meats, to this ministry.

There Came Wise Men

2010-01-01T08:32:00.003-06:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Wondering when to take down your tree and lights? January 6 is a good day. Though the world around us may not show it, Christmastide, as the church recognizes the 12-day season, continues on until that day, the Feast of the Epiphany. We will have an evening, candlelit service that night, Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7:00pm.

On Sunday, January 10, it is the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, the day we remember Jesus’ baptism, and a big baptism day in the church. We will baptize Maria Jennings that day, with the Rev. Dr. Alan Gregory preaching and presiding.

The following Sunday, January 17, we will have our All Mission Meeting immediately after the service. That’s the time when we pray over our goals and strengths together; and for our active members to review and approve our stewardship plan, and elect our new bishop’s committee members and lay delegate for council.

Who said January was a boring month?

Together may we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Your vicar,

Kelly

To You Is Born a Savior

2009-12-23T09:37:00.004-06:00

Dear Family in Christ,

Join us Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, at 7:00pm, for a candlelit Eucharist service. There will be more music than ever. So, plan to come a little early, and hear Ashley Tapia, UT student and our guest soloist, to prepare your hearts to worship the Lord.

You are also invited that night, to join your church family for a tamale supper, provided by the Browns. We'll be in the fellowship hall, starting from 5:30pm.

In His peace,

Kelly

Mary Went In Haste

2009-12-16T14:05:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends in Christ,

Is much of your life spent "in haste?" Come this Sunday to be filled with God's word and His sacrament of Holy Communion. And reflect with us on what it meant that Mary went in haste to see her cousin, Elizabeth.

Lots coming up:

1. Christina's education in Pakistan: $350 has been raised for Christina and we only need $250 more to cover her 2010 education expenses .. please indicate on the memo line that the check is for Christina.

2. Poinsettias: We will be buying poinsettias with the funds that are donated .. the deadline to order is Sunday December 20 .. please indicate on the memo line that the check is for flowers, and also let me know "in memory of/thanksgiving for" message. I will be able to give you names and messages after the service on December 20.

3. Christmas Decorating this Sunday: We will be decorating the church and Christmas tree after the service on Sunday December 20, and will appreciate everyone's assistance.

4. Supper before Christmas Eve service: Lou Brown has graciously offered to host a Christmas Eve tamale supper, for one and all. It will begin at 5:30pm on Dec. 24 in the fellowship hall. Sign up this Sunday, to let her know you will attend.

5. Our Christmas Eve Eucharist service begins at 7:00pm on Thursday, Dec. 24. There will be solo music by a UT student, Ashley Tapia, preceding the service, so come a little early to prepare spiritually for the service, and hear some beautiful singing.

Yours in Christ,

Kelly

Stir Up Your Power, O Lord

2009-12-09T11:38:00.004-06:00

Dear Family in Christ,

St. John the Baptist tells his crowd: Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none.

Consider giving away one of your toys too. Please consider giving new toys (must be in their original store box or wrapper) to Toys for Tots. You can bring them to church this Sunday, or leave them at the fellowship hall door.

Pastor Hutton of New Life Church, is collecting for a Fort Hood unit's families. He'll be picking our donations up on Friday, Dec. 18.

Don't forget to bring your pledge card this Sunday, if you haven't already. Your Bishop's Committee has prepared a budget for next year, and they are eagerly awaiting your pledged contribution, with faith that we can meet our very basic expenses in 2010. Give us hope, St. James' family!

Finally, sign up for the Salvation Army bell-ringing at the Taylor WalMart on Wed., Dec. 23. The sign up sheet is in the narthex.

Peace to all - see you this Sunday at 10am for worship. Christina is planning a Godly Play lesson afterwards for children of all ages. Bring your grandchildren!

Your Pastor,

Kelly

I Will Fulfill the Promise

2009-11-25T13:23:00.005-06:00

Dear Family in Christ,

A very happy Thanksgiving to everyone this week. Here is our collect for tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day:

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the
fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those
who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of
your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and
the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Come join us this Sunday at 10am for Holy Eucharist, as we begin the season of Advent. We'll be doing a trial run of new liturgy booklets, so please give us your input following the service.

Then stay afterward for fellowship time and Bible study in the library.

"The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah." - Jeremiah 33:14-16. Come learn more about that promise. It's for you too.

Hail to the King

2009-11-18T13:42:00.005-06:00

Join us Sunday, Nov. 22, for a celebration of Jesus our King. It's Christ the King Sunday - the last Sunday in the church year.

To honor our King this Sunday, please bring your pledge of giving to St. James' Church for a blessing at the offertory. If you did not receive a pledge card, please let us know.

This Sunday, immediately following worship is our Meals on Wheels preparation and delivery. We always need help with this ministry, so don't be shy about asking how it's done.

Also, this Sunday night, Nov. 22, at 7:00pm, is the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance-sponsored Thanksgiving Service. It will be held again at St. Paul Lutheran Church, our neighbors, literally! See you Sunday.

In Christ our King,

Your pastor, Kelly

Make a Joyful Noise - Welcoming our new Organist

2009-09-23T13:48:00.003-05:00

Alvez T. Barkoskie IV is a native of Saint Augustine, FL and has gained much musical experience

through collaborating at Liturgies and numerous recitals throughout Northern and Central Florida.

Mr. Barkoskie is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree in Composition with a second

concentration in Organ Performance at the University of Texas at Austin. He studies composition with

Donald Grantham and organ with Gerre Hancock, Organist and Master of Choristers emeritus at

Saint Thomas Church of New York. Other activities in the Austin area include singing in the UT Concert

Chorale, accompanying UT vocalists, teaching piano at Albertson Music School and serving as Organist

at St. James Episcopal Church in Taylor, Texas.

Barkoskie recently left his position as the Principal Organist at San Sebastian Catholic Church in

Saint Augustine, where he accompanied for two choirs, under the Direction of Sister Marie Therese

Evrard, SSJ, to study at UT. He has held positions as Organist at All Saints Episcopal Church in

Enterprise, Florida, Organist at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Mill Creek, Florida and

Organist and Choir Director at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Elkton, Florida. In April 2008, he was

invited to play a recital at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, with two other organists, for the Jacksonville

Chapter of the American Guild of Organists at their New Member Recital and in January of the following

year he played with other Jacksonville organists in Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times Union Center.

Barkoskie recently graduated, with honors, from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, where he

received a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance as well as in Theory and Composition. He

studied organ and harpsichord with Boyd Jones, a graduate of Stetson and Yale Universities and he

studied composition with Sydney Hodkinson, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the

University of Michigan. He has also studied composition with Manuel de Murga, piano with Michael

Rickman, collaborative piano with Kristie Born and has coached with Kenneth Griffiths and Juilliard staff

accompanist, Linda Mark.

While at Stetson, Barkoskie collaborated with the University Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic

Band, Concert Choir, Stetson Men, Choral Union, Jazz Band, Jazz Combos and numerous voice

students. Upon completion of his first year at Stetson he was named a 2004-2005 Outstanding

Freshmen in the School of Music. In the spring of 2007 he was accepted into the National Music Honor

Society, Pi Kappa Lambda and in the spring of 2009 his choral composition “Far in the distance the

majestic mountain sighs” received an Award of Excellence from the Stetson University Touchstone 2009

Literary Journal.

Behold, I Will Do a New Thing

2009-09-23T12:34:00.008-05:00

Dear Family in Christ,

First, may we give thanks to the Lord and welcome our new organist, Mr. Alvez Barkoskie, IV. Please click on his name, to learn more about him. We are delighted that God brought him our way. Welcome, Alvez.

Psalm 115 seems fitting today:

¹² The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,

¹³ he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.

¹⁴ May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.

¹⁵ May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Hallelujah! Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf. We finally have a court date, and leave very soon to pick up our daughter. I will be sending out via our church email list, the schedule of supply priests.

Meanwhile, as this will be the last post from the vicar for a while, here are a few things coming up this fall:

Bishop Doyle's visit, Sunday, October 25, 2009 - Worship 10am, including Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

This is a wonderful chance, while our new diocesan bishop is presiding, to have him lay his hands on your head, and ask for the Holy Spirit to renew your spirit, and equip you for ministry ahead. Please just come to the front, when he invites you to. Who says the Episcopal Church doesn't have an altar call?

Meals on Wheels this Sunday, Sept. 27 - A big thank you to Tom and Julie Downs who are leading the way with this month's preparation - immediately following worship in the fellowship hall.

For all potential visitors reading this, Meals on Wheels is a great way to dive right into life at St. James. So consider joining us this Sunday, and staying on to help with a great community outreach (every 4th Sun.).

Peace be to you all this season.

Yours in Christ,

Kelly

Vicar

St. James' meets the Senior Center

2009-09-04T09:46:00.003-05:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who helped last Sunday to make the Fish Fry and Meals on Wheels effort both successful.

We're continuing our look at St. James' letter this Sunday, where James encourages us to act upon our faith. There are chances all around Taylor to do that. Many are directly across the street from us at the Taylor Resource Center.

This Sunday, we will have a representative from the Senior Center located there, Katie Vandersall, who will join us for worship (10am), and then tell us during fellowship time more about the center, and what goes on there.

Also, we welcome Mr. Alvez Barkoskie IV who will step in to play the organ this Sunday. He is a new graduate student in the music program at UT; an organist, pianist, composer and arranger.

Yours in Christ,

Kelly Jennings

Vicar

Visit our church's website:

http://stjamestaylor.blogspot.com/

Please note my new email address, effective immediately:

revkellyjennings@gmail.com

Annual Fish Fry

2009-08-27T11:46:00.004-05:00

Dear Family in Christ,

You are invited, as always, to worship with us this Sunday, and then join us for our St. James' Annual Fish Fry.

When: Sunday, Aug. 30, following 10am worship

Where: St. James' Fellowship Hall, next door to the church

Thanks to: Mr. Wayne Voigt who will provide the catfish and cook them up for us

Also to: Anyone who can bring a side potluck dish (double portioned, so we can distribute to our Meals on Wheels individuals)

Meals on Wheels prep will follow - come witness how the Lord gives in abundance through His church, and take part in His Kingdom by helping to distribute that abundance to the community.

We also welcome Mrs. Anita Volek, organist at First Baptist Church across the street, who will play for us this Sunday. Now that's ecumenism!

Yours in Christ,

Kelly

Vicar

Showing our Faith by our Deeds

2009-08-13T14:06:00.002-05:00

Dear Family in Christ,

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. - James 2

Come see the final paper stage of your Wild Card Project - it shows how you, Church, got from Comments to Christ-centered action. In other words, you took the concerns and joys you expressed about St. James' Church earlier this Eastertide, and put your names to them in ministry form (ministries matching needs/joys/dreams).

From these results, your Bishop's Committee this month is discerning the three strongest areas at St. James' where we show our faith by our work.

When we see these things highlighted, we can celebrate them more fully, invite newcomers into them more whole-heartedly, and the pastor and lay leaders can focus on strengthening these areas more effectively.

In other news...

Habitat lunch item offering this Sunday is COOKIES. Let's have some at least placed in the offering basket (I won't take any). Just put the rest back by the baptismal font.

The Food Bank in Taylor also needs CANNED MEAT (tuna, spam, vienna sausages, etc.) anytime. They would really welcome these gifts from St. James' on a regular basis; and say that they can now get beans cheaper than we can buy them.

Join us this Sunday, August 16, for worship at 10am, with the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings preaching on King Solomon (our first introduction to Solomon this summer).

Also keep in your prayers:

· The Mendez and Martinez families. They lost three members in a traffic accident this past Monday. One was a student of Christina Strnad's.

· Christina's father in the hospital

· Gerry - very limited eyesight

· John - protection in Afghanistan

· Jim Krepps - recovery from injury

Yours in Him,

Kelly

Praise Him With Strings and Pipe

2009-08-05T12:28:00.004-05:00

Dear Family in Christ,

Please see below for our Bishop's Warden's message in our summer newsletter.

Please do pray for the future of music ministry at St. James': that the Lord would bring us, in His time, a gifted individual to help lead us in song and lift our hearts to Him each Sunday morning.

And rejoice with us that God is leading Karol Ann, our current organist, into new vistas.

Our annual St. James' Fish Fry, this year, will be in honor of Karol Ann's ministry here. That will take place on Sunday, August 30 after the service, here at the church.

Yours in Him,

Kelly

The Bishop's Vicar

Bishop's Warden Message

We had a great Rummage Sale in June that raised $2,000 for our church operations. More importantly, it was great to see our church members working together to make it happen and enjoying the fellowship of our church family. Many thanks to Rob Franks for his hard work in coordinating the sale, and to everyone who contributed items and food, helped set up, and worked at it.

It is with regret I have to announce that our organist, Karol Ann Badgett is leaving St. James at the end of August. She feels that she needs to find a situation where she can use more of her skills having completed her PhD in music recently. Please join me in wishing her well; she and her talent will be missed at St. James. We are searching for a new organist so we can continue to enjoy music as part of our worship.

Your in Christ,

Ernest Balla

I Still My Soul

2009-07-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

Dear Family in Christ,

Words of comfort for this week: "I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother's breast; my soul is quieted within me." - Ps 131

This Sunday, July 26, after worship, we need all hands on deck for meal delivery, at about 1:30. Volunteers are welcome before then, to help prepare the meals. Please pray for the families who will receive them.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, July 27, 7pm - Bishop's Committee meeting, open to all.

Sunday, Aug. 2, following worship, will be a re/training session for the St. James' Lectors Guild. The class is open to anyone who feels the Spirit calling them to read the scripture passages during the liturgy, as well as read the Prayers of the People. We will meet in the church. A commissioning liturgy for all our lectors, new and seasoned, will take place later this summer.

Tuesday, Aug. 4, National Night Out - our neighborhood will hold its annual covered dish supper for neighbors at 10th Street Methodist Church, 410 W. Tenth at Hackberry, starting at 6:15pm. (A good place for our new T-shirts, perhaps?!)

Finally, please pray for the following this week:

Those traveling: Pete and Nancy Tyson; Ernest and Cheri Balla.

Our budding effort to provide a lunch in September for the Habitat crew

The Johnsons, for whom the Habitat home is being built

Yours in His unfailing love,

Kelly

A Word from your Rector

2009-07-15T11:37:00.005-05:00

Dear Family in Christ,

With headlines offering up their version of what our Episcopal Church is up to, I thought it would be helpful for you to read what the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, our Bishop of Texas, and the rector of St. James' Mission Church, has to say about it.

Primarily, the no votes of all three bishops in our diocese reflected their desire to remain in the Anglican Communion. The yes votes won. Now, the future will tell us how the rest of that Communion determines their relationship with the Episcopal Church.

See the text just below.

See here for the ongoing blog site of the diocese on General Convention: http://edotnews.blogspot.com/

Yours in Christ,

Kelly

Vicar

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2009

Bishop Doyle on Passage of D025 Monday

Resolution DO25 was passed by the House of Deputies on Monday and moved to the House of Bishops Monday afternoon.

The resolution, despite the headlines of a number of news organizations, was descriptive and offers a vision of where the Episcopal Church is at this time. It speaks to the fact that we are not of one mind on the issues of sexuality, that there is disagreement within the church on issues of ordination, marriage/unions. I think it reflects the reality that there are differences of opinion on how to deal with our differences.

I do not believe the house intended the passage of the resolution to be prescriptive. In other words the resolution did not pass same sex blessings, or ordinations of partnered gay and lesbians. It was not a permission giving resolution or a canonical change to our understanding of marriage.

Interestingly enough, DO25 passed in the HOD clergy order by a 2 to 1 margin, in the HOD lay order by a 2 to 1 margin, and in the HOB by a 2 to 1 margin. I do believe this shows some consistency within this body at this time.

The Diocese of Texas Deputation was divided in their vote and so their vote was registered as a "no" vote. This diversity, appointed by the people of the Diocese at Council, reflects who we are as a diocese. I thought our deputies did their discernment well. We shared together over lunch their thoughts and concerns about the church at home. They too felt as though the resolution was descriptive and not prescriptive.

Bishop High, Bishop Harrison and I each voted against the resolution as we have been and continue to be concerned regarding the repercussions throughout the Anglican Communion. And we were concerned with the idea that DO25 repeals BO33 from the 2006 General Convention. I should add most every one of the Episcopal Church's dioceses in a foreign country voted against the passage as well. Also, bishops of Dallas, Northwest Texas, Rio Grande and West Texas voted no.

There are several thoughts that seem important when reflecting on the resolution and its meaning for us in our diocese. The Diocese of Texas honors the moratorium not because of DO25 or BO33, but because of our belief that the teachings of the church on sexuality have not changed, that the Windsor Report asks the American church to refrain from election and ordination of a bishop who is living in a partnered relationship, from the development of rites for same sex blessings, and our own resolutions and canons currently have reaffirmed our views on the topic.

The House of Bishops carried on a deep debate of listening ears and open hearts. Bishop Hines once called this the "exquisite pain of being a bishop" -- living and praying through times of great division with your brother and sister bishops. This was very hard work today. I thought that the House deliberated and conversed well, prayerfully, and mindful of those who were not like minded in the room.

God's mission is greater that the passage or defeat of any resolution at this Convention. Regardless of which side of the argument you may find yourself embracing, or what you believe the best way of resolving this situation is, we have a mission that is given to us in partnership with Jesus Christ.

I believe that God intends the restoration of creation and those that live within it. I believe that God intends the incarnational body of Christ in the church to be the chief instrument in this work. God intends the Episcopal Church as a member of the worldwide Communion to be a part of this restoration. No resolution will get in the way of this work, nor can it resend the love and providence of God to offer both blessings and challenges.

I will continue to lead us as a Diocese as a member of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. I have plans to be in London in the Fall for a Compass Rose meeting and believe this will be a good time to get a sense of the communion's response.

I am concerned about how this affects our people in every manner of life and relationship, in every congregation. How will this affect our relationship with one another? Nevertheless, our history tells us that we can move through this together and by continuing to focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have already asked Canon Case, Janie Stevens, and Cecilia Smith to help me design a pastoral and small group program for congregations to respond to the actions of General Convention and enable me and the leadership of the diocese to receive feedback regarding strategies in dealing with the pastoral issues which arise out of the actions of this convention.

The Diocese of Texas has self-differentiated itself by Council on the issues of sexuality and the church's teaching on marriage, which is a more traditional stance. I do not believe that the Diocese is prepared to change that stance. It is with greater clarity, I believe that we now see the reality of the church within which and from which we do our ministry.

I should say that the work of this week is not over. We have many more important resolutions to follow. We need to see how the rest of the week continues to play out and what the reactions of the greater communion will be.

Bishop Gary Lillibridge hosted a wonderful gathering for the Diocese of Texas and West Texas deputations. It was a very good time to be together and to have fellowship. Afterwards we had the deputation dinner and broke bread together. This was an important time and while we spoke some of the business of the day, there was also laughter, reconnecting friendships, and new relationships born out of the evening. I think we were again reminded of our deep communion relationships built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.

I hope you will keep our deputation in your prayers as we continue to move through ever longer legislative days.

Taking Part in the Lord's Work

2009-07-08T13:29:00.005-05:00

Dear Church Family,

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God...He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. - Ps 147.

Come worship the God of Israel, known through Jesus Christ, this Sunday, 10am at St. James' Church. Our journey through the story of King David continues in the sermon - this week, David dances before the ark. Sermon title: Welcoming the Lord in our Midst.

After worship:

Your church invites you to learn further how to take part in God healing the broken-hearted. Come hear Christie Johnson from the Williamson County Habitat for Humanity program talk with us about how St. James' can be involved in the new Habitat program already at work in Taylor.

Other news:

Our St. James', Taylor "You've Got a Friend" T-shirts are IN! They are $12 each. Please allow those who placed an order for them to purchase theirs first. Please make your checks to St. James' Church. We should have plenty left over, however.

Prayer requests:

Continued recovery for Elizabeth and Pamela; and for their caregivers, Rob and Bill.

Peace for Lou Bergstrom's family following the loss of her brother, Sam.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention, the national decision-making body that meets every 3 years, is currently going on in Anaheim, California (July 8-17). See this website for more details: http://www.epicenter.org/eventcalendar.asp?CID=2&txtEventID=479&cdEventCurrentDate=7/8/2009&SNID=1219117016

In His peace, your pastor,

Kelly

Brothers, Choose Seven Men

2009-06-18T14:18:00.004-05:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Saturday, June 20, we have two special events happening in two separate parts of the diocese:

First, our annual church rummage sale will be held 8:00-5:00pm, with food available, and lots of great deals. Thank you to many of you already who have put sweat equity into this event - it has been a very hot week, and loading heavy items from storage shed to church is not what most people would have chosen to do this week! The money raised will go toward our operating expenses this year.

Second, this Saturday at 10am at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Dr. Nathan Jennings will be ordained a deacon in God's one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. For many this is a six-month period of service before being ordained a priest (Nathan's case). For some, this is a permanent position.

Acts 6 describes the choosing of the first 7 deacons in the church. The apostles knew that they had to devote their time to prayer and the "ministry of the word" (teaching, preaching). But there were many poor people, especially widows, whom the early church wanted to care for but couldn't do so efficiently--nobody had been especially charged with this work.

The twelve apostles said: let us choose seven men from among all Jesus' followers here who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom . . . And so the word of God spread. In other words, there was more order, so the gospel could keep on reaching people.

So Nathan takes Holy Orders this Saturday, and becomes a deacon who is charged to serve particularly the poor and the hungry, and to preach the gospel in the world. Meanwhile, our St. James' family continues its own ministry of hospitality to the world as they welcome visitors this Saturday to our church hall.

Please pray for both events, that the Holy Spirit would be alive in each, and that we would all converge on Sunday to give thanks and praise for His holy order in our lives.

Yours in Jesus,

Kelly

Come, Holy Spirit

2009-05-28T10:05:00.007-05:00

Dear Family,

I was reminded, in a sermon I heard this week, that we can't always be assured that the Lord will give us what we ask, but we can be assured that He'll give us His Holy Spirit, if we ask.

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" - Luke 11:13

Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate and participate in the coming of the Holy Spirit upon God's people, is this Sunday, May 31. And this day, we welcome a special guest presider and preacher, the Rev. Micah Jackson. He is Associate Professor of Preaching at the Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin.

Some of you got to meet him during a Lenten supper night earlier this year.

Please join your church family at 10am for worship, followed by fellowship time.

Also coming up:

St. James' T-shirt sign up; and Rummage Sale sign up available in fellowship hall

Bishop's Committee meeting, Monday, June 1, 7pm

Prayer requests:

Nathan and Kelly's safe travel to and from Russia to meet their prospective daughter;

God's guidance for the Cotton's granddaughter, Jaycie, who graduates from high school this week;

Blessings on all graduates who touch our lives and are connected to our church family;

Thanksgiving to Curtis and Lou Brown for their generous care of our church flower beds.

Let us rejoice in the coming of His Holy Spirit - glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask for or imagine.

In Him,

Kelly

The Phoenix

2009-05-20T10:29:00.005-05:00

Join us this Thursday evening, May 21, at 7:00 pm for one of the "Big 7" principal feasts in the Church: Ascension Day.

It is a day that would seem to turn Ash Wednesday (each day is 40 days on either side of Easter Sunday) on its head. On Ash Wednesday we recall that we are dust and to dust we shall return.

But Jesus, God in human flesh, is the first to rise from those ashes. Through Baptism, we too, follow him out of the ashes of sin and death, and into a new body. Just like the new bird who rises out of the ashes of the fallen Phoenix.

Sharing in His body and blood in Holy Communion, as we will do this night, is a way that our Lord continues to draw us into this new life of His Son.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Eph 5:8).

Devoting Ourselves to the Apostles' Teaching

2009-04-21T14:49:00.005-05:00

Brothers and Sisters,

Please join us on Sundays in May, following worship, for adult Christian education. We will be using the diocese's Discovery Series program, complete with a DVD segment each session.

We begin with a focus on what it means to worship in the way we do.

It's a great series for anyone, whether you've just started attending at St. James' or you've been part of our family for a long time.

He is the God of the Living

2009-04-02T21:06:00.008-05:00

Please join us as we participate in the suffering (passion) of our Lord and celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Our Holy Week and Easter Sunday schedule is as follows:

Palm Sunday - Apr. 5, 10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, beginning outside with procession into the church

Maundy Thursday - Apr. 9, 7:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist with foot-washing and stripping of the altar

Guest preacher, Dr. Nathan Jennings

Good Friday - Apr. 10

6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross

7:00 p.m. Solemn Collects with a meditation on the Cross

Guest preacher, the Rev. Roland Timberlake, St. Luke's on the Lake, Austin

Holy Saturday - Apr. 11, 10:00 a.m.

a quiet, meditative Prayer Book liturgy,

followed by preparation for Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday - Apr. 12, 10:00 a.m.

He is Risen, Hallelujah!

Holy Eucharist, with Renewal of Baptismal Vows, and music, music, music

Goodies and egg hunt to follow

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

2009-02-15T14:58:00.006-06:00

Join us on Wednesdays in Lent 2009, for our 5-week, St. James' Lenten Supper Series.

This year the topic is Temptation. And each week, we welcome a guest facilitator who will lead us through a Bible study on this topic.

When? Wednesdays: March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 2009.

Time? 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where? St. James' Fellowship Hall

What will we do?

We'll start with a candlelit Compline prayer service, then share in a simple meal together, and proceed with a look at a passage in Holy Scripture that deals with temptation.

Bring a Bible if you can. We have plenty here too.

Who will lead the studies?

Mar 4 The Rev. Dr. Parker Jameson, St. Luke's on the Lake, Austin (Associate Rector)

Mar 11 The Rev. Micah Jackson, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin (Asst. Professor of Preaching)

Mar 18 Mr. Matt Boulter, former Presbyterian pastor, preparing for ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church

Mar 25 The Rev. Roland Timberlake, St. Luke's on the Lake, Austin (Rector Emeritus)

Apr 1 The Rev. Bobbie Knowles, St. Philip the Joy-Giver, Austin (Priest-in-charge)

Remembering That We Are Dust

2009-02-11T13:09:00.012-06:00

"I invite you in the name of the Church to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word (Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday liturgy)."

In addition to traditional Lenten services in the church (see left side bar for dates and times), your St. James' Family welcomes you to our Annual Shrove Tuesday Supper on Tue., Feb. 24, 7pm.

Also, we will gather on Wed. nights in Lent for compline, a soup and bread supper, followed by this year, a Bible study on TEMPTATION, led by a different guest facilitator each week. See a separate post for more details.

Don't forget the Ministerial Alliance's Lenten services on Wednesday mornings in Lent, at First United Methodist Church, 907 West Lake Drive, 9:30am refreshments; 10am worship.

Hitchhiker's Guide to Mark

2009-01-08T13:55:00.008-06:00

This 2009 Epiphany season (the season preceding Lent), join us in the library after worship and fellowship time for a look at the Gospel according to St. Mark. We'll be hearing a lot from his gospel this year on Sunday mornings.

We'll be using our own Bishop Andy Doyle's extensive resource on the gospel, found at this website: http://hitchhikingmarksgospel.blogspot.com.

Guide us to that Perfect Light

2008-12-31T09:45:00.005-06:00

Join us on Tuesday, January 6, 7:00pm, for a service of Holy Eucharist.

This day is the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord. It's also called the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.

It is the beginning of the church season called Epiphany, where we recall the stories about Jesus in which his Kingship over all the world is made known to the world (the visit of the wise men, His baptism, His transfiguration).

O, Come Let Us Adore Him

2008-12-10T21:10:00.009-06:00

Christmas Eve,

Wednesday,

December 24, 7:00pm -

Join us in celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, with a service of Holy Eucharist, including: familiar carols, beautiful organ music, and this year, a tenor soloist, Mr. Joseph David. The evening draws to a close as we sing together Silent Night in a darkened candlelit sanctuary.

There will be nursery care available in the neighboring fellowship hall. But children are more than welcome to participate throughout the service.

A very brief history

2008-12-04T19:22:00.001-06:00

The first Episcopal worship service was held in Taylor in 1878. The service was conducted by the Reverend Edwin Wickens who continued to hold services periodically for the next several years. The first Bishop’s visitation was November 7, 1880 when Bishop Gregg conducted services. For several years, services were held in various homes and in the Opera House.

St. James’ parish was formed April 25, 1885 when a small group petitioned the Diocese of Texas to accept it as a new parish.

In 1893, parishioners built the church that stands today at the corner of Seventh and Davis Streets. The cruciform church was built with three different woods: oak, cypress, and pine. The tall steeple and bell and classic design are in the tradition of Episcopal churches built in that era.

The church’s tracker action pipe organ is rare and historic. It was built by George Jardine and Sons in New York around 1890 along the traditional lines of the old European pipe organs. Originally installed in a church in Waco, St. James’ acquired it in 1894. For many years, young men of the church took turns hand-pumping bellows air into the organ. Later, the organ was converted to an electric wind system.

In 1970, the church received a Historical Marker from the State ofTexas.

The Parish Hall and offices were added in1990. In 2001, the large lot next to the Parish Hall was purchased to give the church room for future parking and expansion

How to find us

2008-12-03T22:05:00.001-06:00

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