Volume 4, Issue 12

December 2012

God’s Own ChoosingGod’s Own ChoosingGod’s Own ChoosingGod’s Own Choosing

The people and situations God chose in association with the coming of the Christ child reveal a lot about his divine will. Jesus earthly parents were not especially rich or famous, educated or talented. Mary and Joseph, were it not for their contribution to the incarnate birth of Christ, would surely have lived and died anonymously. The town where Jesus was born, Bethlehem, was not large, nor prestigious, nor noteworthy in any way. It was essentially a 'suburb' of Jerusalem, just a few miles outside the city. When Jesus was actually born, the location was a stable, alongside what was essentially a motel. It would be like being born in a parking garage in modern times. Actually all this shouldn't be too surprising, for God has almost always chosen to work through ordinary people, in ordinary circumstances, even ordinary set backs, to accomplish his divine purposes. David, who was to be king of Israel, was a shepherd. Amos, who was called to preach r e p e n t a n c e t o t h e N o r t h e r n Kingdom, Israel, was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore trees. When we realize this, we can accept the fact that God places a calling in our own lives as well, despite the fact that we are ordinary people living, for the most part, ordinary lives. Even in the midst of everyday events, God can accomplish wonderful things through us. Simple things, like the sending of a card, or an encouraging phone call, or lending a helping hand, can be very powerful. The Apostle Paul wrote that God is at work in us to accomplish his work through us (Philippians 2:13). Even as we face the challenges and stress of daily life, we can know that our service to God is not without effect. This is because of God's own choosing, and God is no dummy! Rev. Rick +

From the Senior warden

“Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with

me”. There is some beautiful music that is only

played during this Advent and Christmas season.

When I take the time to really listen to the lyrics of

some of my favorite songs, I wonder why I do not

listen to them year around. I particularly like this

song because it reminds me that we cannot expect

merely expect that there will be Peace on Earth,

Peace in our community or even Peace in our

families without working to make it happen. During

this time when we are anxiously awaiting the

celebration of the birth of Christ it is easy to feel

like we are losing this feeling of “Peace” with the

commercialism of the holiday season. But if we are

to listen to the lyrics of this song, “Peace” begins

with us. This means that we cannot lose “Peace”

through commercialization unless we allow

ourselves to.

Media and commercialism is not always the bad

though. Watching the 12-12 -12 tonight I am

heartened to see how so many musicians are willing

to donate their talents to bring money and attention

to the continued stress and destruction from

Hurricane Sandy (which has left the eyes of the

mass media). I see this as another example of… “Let

there be Peace on Earth and let begin with me”.

Peace,

Bob Klassen

The older I get the faster the

years fly by. It seems like

only yesterday, the preschool

was preparing for the new

school year. Now the days

are shorter and colder and

we are in the middle of

Advent. The Preschool is

buzzing with the sights and

sounds of Christmas. The children have been busy learning

all about the Advent Season. Their beautiful artwork can be

seen though out our school. We have also been busy

preparing for our Christmas Program on Tuesday, December

18th. The program will begin at 6:30 PM in the

Sanctuary. Please come and join us.

April Culbertson

Join Us for Lunch!! Thursday, December 16th

11:30 am

Biscuits 4623 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix

Sorry no report this month as our treasurer is out cruising’. . .

From the Junior Warden . . .From the Junior Warden . . .From the Junior Warden . . .From the Junior Warden . . .

Recognition CornerRecognition CornerRecognition CornerRecognition Corner:::: December 2012December 2012December 2012December 2012

This month I want to recognize an individual with several hundred volunteer hours for the benefit of St.

James Church. This individual has undertaken the lead (doing most of the work himself) for a number of

projects all of which are completed or nearly completed. The individual is Jim Disney. His initial emphasis

was as volunteer treasurer. After several months he was able to get all of the accounts reconciled

within an acceptable margin. The Church has since been able to establish an annual budget and we now

know where the money came from and how it is used. Additionally we are now able to partially pay our

Diocesan assessment.

Jim spearheaded the design and installation of our new electronic signs. These signs have generated

conversation by the general public a well as new members for St. James. The fabrication was done by Dan

Welch.

Jims’ current project is the replacement of the fence around the pre-school. The framework has been

accomplished and only the main gate and pickets remain to be done. The gate is on order and will be done

shortly. Once the gate and pickets are in the old fence will be removed by volunteers from the

congregation.

Good job Jim, thanks for all you have done to improve St. James.

Taize Worship at St James

Taize is a service of comfort and quiet with a very simple liturgy and music. It's a great way to reconnect with God, especially after a hectic and stressful day. We'll be having a Taize service on Wednesday, December 26th at 7:00 pm. It should last about 45 minutes. All are invited to enjoy the tranquil setting, in God's presence, amidst the candlelight.

A Word from Father Steve

The Best Gift Ever

A nurse at the hospice where I work recently shared with me something along these lines: "I got my son the best gift ever! He's going to love it! I totally rock!"

I smiled sympathetically. Hey, I recognize a person who’s down for the count when I see one. In my experience, "This is the best gift ever!" is a s ta tement that usua l ly precedes the giving of a s p e c t a c u l a r l y atrocious gift. It’s memorable, maybe -- but memorable for all the wrong reasons. And generally the story of that really bad gift gets told and retold at family occasions wherever gifts are being unwrapped.

I've learned the hard way over the years that anything pitched on late night TV probably isn't "the best gift ever" -- even if it slices and dices, and it's not sold in any store. But wait -- there's more! What about ShamWows? What could possibly be better than making clean up a breeze for my loved ones -- in the kitchen, in the bathroom, and in the car? So for only $19.95 (plus shipping and handling) last year I knocked Becky and my mother off of my Christmas list -- all from the comfort of my own home. The trick was having my credit card ready. But did they squeal with delight, "shamWOW!" when they opened 'em? Not so much, it turned out. So now knowing what isn't a good gift -- "live and learn," I say -- I've finally stumbled on what I know for sure really is the "best gift ever." This year, everyone on my list is getting a Snuggie.

I've gotten some awful gifts over the years, too. There’s the electronic minaret I got from my sister, who then lived in Syria. It bellows out Allahu Akbar (“God is great!”) regularly, lest there should be any doubt. And the ceramic Jesus with a little clock where his navel should be. "Time to get saved,"

it says on a cardboard clock-face insert. Wise words for all of us, no doubt.

While lousy gifts abound in my life (both giving and receiving), there was, years back, one gift I got that really was “the best one ever.” I’ll bet my mom doesn’t even remember giving it. But I was five, and there it was under the Christmas tree, all wrapped up and with a bow. A flashlight (batteries not included). Just a regular

flashlight – the kind they sell today at the dollar store. But to this little kid, who was afraid of the dark, it was the miracle of a new and confident night life. “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (Jn. 1:9).

Suddenly, when I woke up in the middle of the night, I didn't have to be terrified of strange noises and shadowy shapes that seemed to surround me. I’d turn on that flashlight and the terror was gone! And when I had to get up to go to the bathroom, no more fears about tripping over things and possibly waking up dead. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness [can] not overcome it” (1:5).

All of us, in some sense or another, are afraid of the dark. Whether it’s stumbling over stuff in the middle of the night, or not seeing where our lives are going, or the ultimate darkness which all of us face, our own death. Yet Christ, “the best gift ever,” is our light in the midst of that darkness, so we never have to be afraid of anything again.

“Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (BCP, p. 113).Far more likely, they’re just our opinions.

Father Steve +

St James Book Club

January’s book is Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio. We will meet Sunday, January 6th, after the 10:30 service at Paradise Bakery, Chandler Pavilions, 940 N. 54th Street, Chandler, 85226.

Nets for Life

GIVING…

As we await the most incredible gift of all in this season of Advent, we encourage the gift of saving lives! Nets for Life

offers each of us the opportunity saving three lives for a mere twelve dollars. If that isn't enough, more lives are

saved by the insecticide in the nets and by culture-specific education provided by local

(and therefor trusted) teaching.

The simplest way is to put a check in the collection plate, payable to St. James and

marked with Nets for Life on the subject line.

Stay open to possibilities! Opportunities to "Love and serve our Lord" abound.

Blessings,

Deacon Pat

Guild of St Homobonus

The next meeting of St Homobonus Guild will be Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 6:30 pm in the Church

Library. We will also meet on February 7 and have a Church “showing” of our items to be sent on February

24, 2013. The deadline for the next distribution of clothing is March 1, 2013. At our meetings we will

distribute fabric and patterns, getting to cutting and sewing as time permits.

Will you be a part of this great ministry helping the poor and marginalized? Bring your sewing and craft

tools. We have 2 sewing machines at the Church. Feel free bring your own sewing machine, serger, or

coverstitch. Please check your fabric and notions stash for items you no longer need. We have some fabric

but we need interfacing and thread desperately.

Contact Jon Cox at (480) 268-9376 or drjoncox@alumni.uwindsor.ca for more information.

And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least

of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matt 25:40

St. Stephens Food Bank is in need of non-perishable items — canned goods, pasta items and peanut butter are especially useful. You may leave your items in the box in the Narthex on Sunday, December 23rd and December 30th. The items will be delivered to St. Stephens after the New Year.