These days in mid-January seem more ordinary than the rush of the last six weeks, which included Advent, Christmas and the New Year. To be ordinary often is defined as being mundane, average or as expected, but the Church applies a more interesting definition to the word.

In a New Year’s Greeting from Episcopal Relief & Development, President Rob Radtke offered this lovely prayer of Henri-Frédéric Amiel with artwork by the Reverend Jay Sidebotham

Download the Sunday bulletin and follow along live on Facebook at the 10am service.

Saturday, January 6, is the twelfth day of Christmas, the Epiphany of our Lord, known in our Anglican tradition as “The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles”, the three Wise Men from the East.

Here you can download the 8am and 10am bulletins. There is a baptism at the 10am service and you can follow along live on Facebook.

Well, today is the fifth day of Christmas, and my true love did not give me five golden rings; however, we did have a wonderful celebration with our children in Huntsville, and we have connected with friends and family members daily. That’s really what Christmas is all about.

At the end of the calendar year, during the Christmas season, my husband and I have a tradition of writing an annual letter, sharing a few remembrances from the year just past.

The 10am Sunday Service will be broadcast live on Facebook. Download the bulletin and follow along.

Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran and Roman Catholic children around the world are celebrating the shortness of Advent this year. No four-week-long calendar this year, no sir, just a scant 22-day Advent to wait for Christmas to come.

This is indeed a season of gifts – gifts to give and gifts to receive.
I imagine many of us are busy choosing just the right gift for family and friends.

Download the 9am Morning Prayer Bulletin and the 5pm Christmas Eve Service Bulletin. Follow along Live on Facebook for the respective services.

It was about 10 years ago that Jennifer James, our church administrator, came to work for us. Born and raised in Alex City, Jennifer had been working for a local bank when family demands required that she take a part time job instead. She heard about the opening at St. James from a friend.

This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we light the rose candle, the candle of JOY. This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday, for we are to REJOICE.

Download the Sunday Bulletin and follow along online live on Facebook for the 10am service.

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights begins this week. I love that our Christian tradition of the Advent Wreath and candle lighting echoes the ancient Jewish tradition of lighting the candles on the menorah.

Download the Sunday Bulletin and follow along with the 10am service on live on Facebook.

The rush and the work of the St. James Bazaar is over. The Thanksgiving turkey leftovers are long gone and our families have returned home. Our Angel Tree, covered in paper angels with the names of our neighbors in need written on them, stands nearly depleted of angels. It’s finally time to slow down for Advent!

Why do we Americans find waiting so difficult? Waiting in lines, waiting on hold (your call is very important to us……..), waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for news of a loved one….

Click here to download the Sunday Bulletin and follow along with the service on Facebook at 10am.

A priest once commented that our Eucharistic Liturgy is a drama with two acts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Table. The Liturgy of the Word enriches us with scripture, an inspired message, and prayers.