From the Rector – Celebrating 10 Years on North Main Street
This Sunday, as we kick off another program year, we will also be celebrating that 10 years ago St. James’ made the move into this “new” building on North Main Street. In honor of this anniversary we are asking everyone to bring 10 items for the Mt. Airy NET Food Pantry. And to mark a decade in this building that was the culmination of dreams and planning and sweat and tears (both of frustration and joy!), we will conclude our services with a blessing before we are dismissed to go in peace to love and serve God and neighbor.
As you know, I love any occasion where we can bless and fling holy water – and we will be doing so on Sunday. I feel certain that some of it will land on the walls and floor of our amazing building. But most of it will be directed at you – because the church is ultimately and most essentially the people, not the structure that houses them. And so while we will indeed be celebrating 10 years of ministry here on North Main Street – we will be blessing and sending forth all of us – the body of Christ – to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world. I look forward to sharing in this blessing and dedication of ourselves in service with all of you. See you Sunday!
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
FORMATION
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School classes will begin September 10th! We look forward to welcoming back all students preschool through high school and meeting new students as well. Welcome all! (Please complete a registration form for your child/children).
The Format
Each Sunday, preschool through 5th graders will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Great Hall by the altar. After an opening prayer and music, students will follow their teachers to the lower level classrooms. Dismissal from classes will be at 10:15 a.m. The middle-high school students will go directly to their classroom at 9:30 a.m.
Bible Stories for Preschoolers
This young group will gather in the lower level open space to hear a different Bible story each Sunday. They will enjoy a simple related activity while sitting on their favorite colored mats.
The Curriculum
Living the Good News curriculum is used for grades kindergarten through high school. It is lectionary based and students hear the same lessons at their grade level that parents are hearing during worship. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to share conversation during the week.
4th Sunday Fun
On the 4th Sunday of each month, all classes meet together in the lower level for a planned group activity with a focus on outreach. Older students are encouraged to assist the younger children. It is a fun way in which to get to know one another.
You Can Help
We depend on parent participation with classroom activities and “team” and “sub” teachers for each grade level. Can you lend a helping hand with this fulfilling ministry?
Please contact: Yvette Allen yallen@asbury.org – Betsy Davis jbeezd@aol.com or
Joan Fader faderj1@juno.com
- Bible Stories for Preschoolers: Yvette Allen
- Kindergarten-2nd Grades: Betsy Davis, Jessica Bahorich
- 3rd – 5th Grades: Karen Phillips
- 6th – 12th Grades: Joan Fader
- Group Activities: Nancy Nanavaty
- Children’s Music: Jon Fader
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY
Studying scripture with others is one of the fundamental building blocks of a life of faith. Sitting down to read the Bible alone can be a daunting task. Where should you start? What do you do if you have a question or don’t understand something? This is where our Sunday Bible Study comes in! Join others at 9:30 am on Sundays to explore one of the weekly scripture lessons using a program called Reading Between the Lines. We begin by reading the selected text and then enter the story through notes on its context. A series of open-ended questions invite you to connect the passage to the world around us as well as your own life. The take home handout then offers additional questions, reflections, and excerpts from other sources to stir up, console, challenge, enrich, and tantalize you. We hope you’ll make this Bible Study a part of your weekly routine – or join us whenever you’re able to!
Youth Group
Youth Group has officially kicked off! This year we have our largest group of middle and high school students ever. We are looking forward to a multitude of events as well as retreats to Ocean City, Camp Wright, and the Claggett Center. We will continue to have our monthly meetings on the second Sunday of each month from 6:00 – 7:30. We will gather for fellowship on the fourth Sunday of each month for a fun outing together – look for details in the new bi-monthly Youth Group email. Brochures containing Diocesan events are available in the narthex. If you have a youth, or know a youth, encourage them to join – and friends are always welcome! It is going to be a year full of community and adventure. For more information please email youth@stjamesmtairy.org
Weekly Announcements
Robert & Rita Larrimore Committal Service this Sunday
All are invited to attend the Committal service for Robert & Rita Larrimore immediately following the 10:30 am service this Sunday, September 10th. Robert (Bud) and Rita were members of St. James’ and the parents of Bob and Karen Larrimore. Rita died in 2011 and Bud passed last May. We will bless their niche cover and inurn their ashes in our columbarium. Please keep the Larrimore family in your prayers.
Farewell from Flat Jesus
One final pic from Flat Jesus’ summer travels arrived last weekend! Carla & Tom Kaufman titled this one “Anyone can get along on vacation with divine intervention!” Thank you to everyone who shared pictures – and be on the lookout for Flat Jesus’ friend Flat James to accompany you on your Summer 2018 adventures.
Crop Walk for Hunger
Mark your calendars! Crop Hunger Walk is Sunday, September 24th at 2:00 p.m. The CROP Walk is a 2.6 mile loop (approx 1 and 1/2 hours) that starts at St James, heads down to Calvary United Methodist Church (403 S Main St, Mount Airy, MD 21771) and back up to St. James. We also have our CROP Walk Rockers that participate by rocking for an hour instead of the walk. This is a great event for ALL ages! We are looking for people to walk, rock and/or to help register participants. If you are interested, please see the CROP Walk table in the narthex or contact Cheryl Windsor at Outreach@stjamesmtairy.org
Remember 25% of the amount collected goes to our very own Mt. Airy Net community crisis center. The remainder of the funds help with disaster and hunger relief in countries around the world through Church World Service. To learn more visit: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/Static/About-Us
Come Honor our Local Police Officers—Feast of St. Michael
On October 1st at the 10:30 am service we will honor our local law enforcement with prayers and a blessing in celebration of St. Michael, Patron Saint of Police Officers. Please be sure to invite your family and friends who serve our communities; so we can show our thankfulness for their dedication.
St. James’ 11th Annual Basket Raffle & Silent Auction
Will take place on Saturday, October 7th – mark your calendars! In the meantime, there is much to do to prepare and make this fundraiser a success.
Items for the Silent Auction continue to be accepted. These are items that would generate higher bids by themselves than as a part of a basket. Such items could include paintings, quilts, unopened perfume, fine jewelry or, high-value gift certificates, and the like. If you have questions about the Silent Auction, please contact Mary Hutchins-Danna at 443-277-0505 or at mhdslp@hotmail.com.
Thank you so much to those who have already donated items!!
Blessing of the Animals — Feast of St. Francis
October 8, 2:00 pm in the Memorial Garden. In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis, we invite you to bring your pet to be blessed, to remember those pets who have died, and to celebrate the gift God has given us in all his creatures, especially those who are our companions. For the safety and comfort of all attending, animals should be leashed or contained in a safe carrier.
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2017 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you to pray on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
| Stanley and Yvette Allen | |
| Brian and Jessica Bahorich | |
| Isabella, Ryker | |
| Robert and Kathleen Barazotto | |
| Patrick, Phillip, Daniel | |
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
