Living Not Knowing
What is the point of knowledge? Christian theology is vital to the thriving of God’s church, but it can also be difficult to understand. This is especially true of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This week, Fr. Kevin Vailes helps us understand the purpose of our knowledge, which, if not remembered, can lead to a puffed up mind. Join us for this important Trinity Sunday sermon.
We Have Work to Do
Jesus promised to send us another Helper, his Holy Spirit. The Feast of Pentecost marks seven weeks after Easter and is also called the Feast of Weeks. On this day, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples and they began to proclaim the mighty works of God. Join us this week as Fr. Ben Williams’ preaches on the implications of the spiritual gifts given to Mission Saint James. Indeed, we have much work to do!
Jesus Prays for Us
Has someone ever asked to pray for you? When others pray for us, we can see ourselves through the eyes of a fellow Christian. In John 17, Jesus prays for the Church. Through this High Priestly Prayer, we learn about Jesus’ heart for us. This week, Lucas Brogdon helps us understand that we are united in Jesus, we belong to him, and we have eternal life in him.
What is Love?
Is love all we need? What exactly is love? Our culture is obsessed with love, but how should Christians define love? This week, Fr. Kevin Vailes asks these questions as we reflect on 1 John 4:7-12 and Jesus’ teaching in John 15:9-17. Join us as we seek to understand who God is and what it means to love as he has loved.
Evangelism as Hope
Who is the Holy Spirit and why did Jesus send him to indwell all believers? This must have been a question Jesus’ disciples asked when the Lord promised to send Him. They would soon find out that among other things, the Holy Spirit would use them to share the good news of Jesus with the world. In our Acts reading today, Philip the Evangelist was sent by the Spirit to share the gospel with an Ethiopian Eunuch. Join us as Fr. Ben Williams encourages us to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit and share the gospel of Jesus as he guides us.
The Good Shepherd
As we celebrate our first anniversary of weekly services, what lies ahead for Mission Saint James? Whether changes are planned or simply occur, circumstances rarely remain static. This reality is evident in the 23rd Psalm. This week, Fr. Ben Williams reminds us that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is in control, no matter what our circumstances may be. He unites us and is our ultimate safety.
The Tangible Body
The Church is a collection of believers in Jesus. This is the case whether they are gathered in a local church or not. If the Church is also the Body of Christ, what might his physical, bodily, and tangible resurrection mean for the Church’s existence on earth? This week, Fr. Ben Williams challenges our assumptions of the nature of the Church. She is not only an invisible and spiritual reality, but, like Christ’s bodily resurrection, She is a very real and tangible reality as well.
This Changes Everything
Imagine what it would be like to be born blind, without any concept of color or light. You would be dependent upon those around you to describe reality, what is true. But what you really want is to see it for yourself. On this Palm Sunday, we enter into worship with the joy of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem only to end at the cross of his crucifixion. The irony is that until Jesus, who is the Truth and Light, breathes his final breath, no one recognizes who he really is. Join us as Fr. Ben Williams explains that that death of Jesus changes everything.
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.