God’s Perfect Law
Why is the Bible full of rules and “thou shalt nots”? How can Psalms speak of delighting in God’s Law when they seem so restrictive and arbitrary? This week, Deacon Kevin Vailes helps us understand the purpose of the Law, which is to show us God’s character as well as our own sin. Join us on this third Sunday of the Season of Lent as we delight together in God’s perfect law.
One Sent
What are missionaries and how can the Church support them? This Sunday is World Missions Sunday in the ACNA. One of our resident missionaries, Matt Wright, with The 631 Solution encourages us to pray for those who have left everything behind and have been sent to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. Join us as we hear of the needs every missionary faces and how the Church can support those we send.
Instructed Eucharist
Why do people bow at the mention of Jesus’ name? Why do people cross themselves? What is the significance of taking communion every week? Why do Anglicans worship the way we do? This Sunday we hold what we call an Instructed Eucharist. Instead of a sermon, we take periodic pauses and teach through the service. Join Fr. Ben Williams for this informative service.
Casting & Mending
When Jesus began his public ministry, he preached a very simple message. “The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the good news.” This week, we meet the first disciples Jesus calls to follow him: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Fr. Ben Williams looks at the significance of what these disciples were doing when they were called. The message Christians are to continue proclaiming must be accompanied by the call to repentance. Otherwise, we are casting broken nets as we seek to obey Jesus’ call to fish for men and women.
Active Listening
How do we hear God speaking to us? This is a crucial question and we find some answers in the Old Testament prophet, Samuel. Just as Samuel needed help identifying God’s voice, so we need others to help us identify the voice of God. This week, Mission Saint James welcomes Dean Horace Tipton as we wrestle with what it means to be active listeners to the voice of God.
Beloved of God
Have you ever felt like you were a disappointment to God? This week’s gospel passage is the baptism of Jesus. In this major event in the life of Jesus, the Father declares that Jesus is his beloved Son and in Him, he is well pleased. Join Fr. Ben Williams as he expounds on this important gospel event. Because the Christian is in the Son, we too are well-beloved children of the God of the universe.
The Whole Christ for the Whole You
Why did Jesus come as a human being? Couldn’t he have redeemed us some other way? The incarnation of the Son of God has many implications for us, but perhaps the most important is that he came to redeem our entire being, not just the invisible parts. On this First Sunday of Christmas, Fr. Ben Williams reminds us that we don’t have to escape our physical existence; even our bodies will be redeemed.
Rejoice!
How are we to find joy when there is so much wrong in the world? This is the question Advent asks us every year. The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. It marks the middle of the Advent season and means rejoice. This week, Dcn. Kevin Vailes encourages us to rejoice, even in the space between the first coming of Christ and his return, where sorrow threatens to steal our joy.
Comfort My People
The Bible is a story about God’s love for his people. It is a bit of a romantic comedy. Not a comedy because it makes us laugh, but a comedy in the sense that it ends well. Advent is a season of anticipation and waiting. We know that Christ has already come, but we await his return. We wait in hope, knowing that man can be reconciled to God and at peace with his Maker. Join us as we listen in on the beginning of Mark’s gospel when John the Baptist prepares the way for the Lord.
Stay Awake!
The season of Advent is about waiting. It is about anticipation. Ultimately, Advent is about hope. This week, we begin to observe the season of Advent, which marks the beginning of the Christian year. In the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, the celebration of the incarnation of the Word of God, we move from hope to joy to peace to love. Join us this week for the beginning of this journey as we reflect on Jesus’ teaching about his second Advent.
Christ Is Your King
Who do you serve? We all must ask this question. We either serve ourselves or we serve our Creator. This Sunday marks the end of the Christian Year as we celebrate the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a world full of rivals to our Lord’s kingship, it can be difficult to discern who we serve. Even our own selves vie for our worship, but only King Jesus promises an easy yoke and a light burden.
A Look Ahead
What lies in our future? To what work has the Lord called Mission Saint James? As we wrap up our first year of weekly services, Fr. Ben shares our vision for what our future together might look like. As a church that seeks to be a place for the wanderer to dwell, the possibilities are endless. Join us as we take a look ahead, not only to the next year together but much further beyond.
Preparing for the Feast
What does it mean to be a casual Christian? How can we follow Jesus wisely and avoid folly? This week’s gospel passage is Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins. As we near the end of the Christian year, Jesus has some sobering words for all who are invited to the wedding feast: bring extra oil for your lamps. Join us as Fr. Ben Williams encourages us to get ready for the feast.
Source Over Self
Where did we come from? What is our source? The answer to this question will determine whether we seek our own interests or the interests of others. In this week’s gospel passage, Jesus challenges us not to call anyone teacher, instructor, or even father. Is Jesus concerned with titles we give others or is he telling us something else? Join us as Fr. Ben Williams encourages us to seek our Source over our selves.
Do Not Be Anxious
What are we to do when we find ourselves plagued by anxiety? St. Paul admonished the Philippian church to pray. But does prayer “work?” In this last passage of our series on the Book of Philippians, we discover that prayer is an invitation to intimacy with our Lord rather than a transaction. Join Fr. Ben Williams for some practical teaching on how a life cultivated in prayer is the path to joy and peace, even in the most difficult circumstances
The Upward Kingdom
Where does anxiety come from? How are we to overcome anxiety when it is in the air we breathe? This week, we continue our sermon series in the Book of Philippians. In chapter 3, St. Paul tells us to keep aiming upward, where Christ is because when we set our minds on earthly things, we become enemies of the cross. Join us as Fr. Ben Williams encourages us to aim for the heavenly kingdom, where our true citizenship lies.
A Community of Joy
How does the Church maintain a non-anxious presence in an ancient age? The answer is by becoming a community of joy. St. Paul teaches us that the path to joy is through humility. Join us on this second Sunday in our sermon series on the Book of Philippians, Anxious for Nothing. Fr. Ben Williams reminds us that just as there was joy on the other side of the cross for Jesus, there is joy on the other side of our difficulties. If we are to be a community of joy in the midst of anxiety, like Jesus, we must humble ourselves.
Striving for the Gospel
With the rapid changes happening in the world around us, we face uncertainty, which produces fear. How we respond to these conditions can breed anxiety. As the Body of Christ, each of us brings our own anxiety into the Church, which is why it is important to discern its sources. Fr. Ben Williams begins a 4-Week series in the Book of Philippians this week. Rather than fight or flight, St. Paul admonishes us to strive together for the faith of the gospel.
In Honor of the Lord
How are the strong in faith to love those who are weaker? What determines the strength of one’s faith? In this final installment of our series in the Book of Romans, Fr. Ben Williams looks at Romans 14:5-12 to answer these questions. Within certain limitations, we allow one another to honor the Lord as we are resolved to honor him in our hearts.