Shows
Saint James MessagesInvest Your LifeInvest Your Life by Saint James Church Alexandria VA2022-08-1230 min
Saint James MessagesLord I Believe, Help My UnbeliefOn Sunday we will hear a message from Mark Hayes. Mark has been at Saint James for a number of years and has served as the Chair of Church Council, on the Staff-Parish committee, runs and manages slides and lyrics during worship, and creates Sunday sermon graphics. He will be speaking to us from one of his favorite scripture passages.2022-02-1640 min
Saint James MessagesGrowing Up JesusGrowing Up Jesus by Saint James Church Alexandria VA2021-12-2624 min
Saint James MessagesChristmas EveSaint James is celebrating Christmas Eve online and carefully in-person. We will shorten our worship, wear our masks, and keep the doors open to the worship center in order to facilitate better ventilation.2021-12-2618 min
Saint James MessagesTable as WelcomeI am excited to begin our #Table series this Sunday. Saint James offers communion weekly, gathered around the table. Most folks spend time at the table eating and Jesus spent a lot of time eating with and feeding others. The Table is a central part of our lives and it is a place we find meaning and share stories. This week we will explore the table as a place of hospitality and welcome. Join us at 11AM Eastern Sunday in person or online.2021-09-1334 min
Saint James MessagesEphesians: Part 3Ephesians: Part 3 by Saint James Church Alexandria VA2021-06-2123 min
Saint James MessagesGod Is Not An Either:OrThis Sunday is celebrated in many churches as Trinity Sunday; it is an opportunity to talk about the theology of our God who is Three-in-One and One-in-Three. Still when it comes down to everyday living, we may wonder what this enigmatic understanding of God has to do with us. This Sunday Pastor James will do his best to talk about the impact of Trinity on our faith and way of living.2021-05-3127 min
Christian Saints PodcastSaint Athanasius of AlexandriaSaint Athanasius of Alexandria, also known as Saint Athanasius the Great, was a 4th century Patriarch of Alexandria and one of the main opponents of the Arian heresy. In his struggle against the heretics, Saint Athanasius was deposed, banished and reinstated from his post as Patriarch of Alexandria five times. He gained the epithet, Athanasius contra mundum (Athanasius against the world) because at times he was the only Christian leader who stood for Trinitarian doctrine against the Arians.He is also a very celebrated theologian, recognized by the Roman Catholics as one of the four "doctors of t...2021-05-0126 min
Saint James MessagesLife Happens: The Power of the SpiritFollowing the events and excitement of Easter, many of us are left, similar to the disciples, wondering what this means for the imperfect and difficult world we live in. It was only natural for the disciples to assume the coming of Jesus, his death, and resurrection meant freedom from the oppressive Roman Empire and restoration of the kingdom of Israel. But, as things with Jesus usually go, it was much different than expected. Much better than expected.
Join us at Saint James on Sunday morning at 11 am as we begin our new series discussing how we navigate an imperfect world...2021-04-1236 min
Saint James MessagesChristmas Eve 2020Our Christmas Eve message at Saint James2020-12-2714 min
Saint James MessagesWhat's the Catch?We continue the Beginning the Path: We Start Where We Are with a fish story. Jesus begins his ministry in Mark with calling two fishermen and then another two fishermen. Apparently, fishermen make the best first disciples. So, what can we learn about our own calling from the calling of these four folks? Join us Sunday as we explore the callings of Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Online only at 11:00AM Eastern.2020-11-1725 min
Saint James MessagesMoses, Paul, And JamesOur second installment in the Beginning the Path: We Start Where We Are takes a look at some of the big, memorable stories of call in the Bible. Over the many years I have served as a pastor, I have been asked why a person didn't get a burning bush like Moses or a blinding light like Paul. Wouldn't it be cool to have a BIG call story like one of the biblical characters? Sure. But if you think about how each of us is a once-in-infinity creation, then it seems reasonable that we'd each have a unique experience of...2020-10-1223 min
Saint James Messages#blessedWe continue our series on the writings of Paul. This week in Philippians. Where Paul writes about living a life "worth of the gospel of Christ."
What is a life worthy of the gospel? How do we both boast in Christ and live in humility? On Sunday we discuss how we can not only live a life worthy of the gospel but live one that reflects it leading others to encounter Jesus.2020-09-2129 min
Saint James MessagesLetting go is hard to doThis week, Matthew shares another story that includes Simon (aka Peter, the Rock). This time Simon wants to know how much forgiving is he really expected to do. In other words, Simon wants to know what limit Jesus is placing on this forgiveness-thing. Simon thinks he's being pretty generous and offers 7 times. Jesus has a counter offer and a story. Join us Sunday as we talk about forgiveness, Jesus-style.2020-09-0924 min
Saint James MessagesWhere is Your Mind?Jesus has called Simon (“Peter”) out for getting who Jesus is, for receiving that knowledge as a gift from God. Now Simon completely misses the point and gets called out for that, too. Jesus uses strong words no less. Now Simon is labeled as adversary! Which is it? Is Simon for or against Jesus and the mission Jesus has laid out? Join us Sunday as we take a look at Matthew 16:21-28 for clues.2020-08-3123 min
Saint James MessagesWho Are You?We are moving on in Matthew’s gospel to a place where Jesus asks who the disciples think he is. What is so powerful about this story is that in it, Simon discovers his own identity. This weekend we ask who Jesus is and how that relates to who each of us is.2020-08-2524 min
Saint James MessagesLearning From Our MistakesJesus is out for a walk with his disciples (pretty much, that is his whole ministry pattern). A gentile, a Canaanite woman, calls to him for help. He doesn’t respond. She keeps calling. His disciples ask him to respond. He does. As we continue to learn from the Jesus stories in Matthew’s gospel, we’ll look at what this story can teach us. Does Jesus not care for this woman calling out to him? What might be the reason Matthew included this story?2020-08-1727 min
Saint James MessagesOn Shaky GroundDo you feel overwhelmed by all that is going on? Do you feel like the storms of life are conspiring against you moving ahead? You are not alone! Many of us feel that way and certainly, the disciples felt that way on a stormy night, in a boat battered by waves and working against a serious headwind.2020-08-1026 min
Saint James MessagesLiving The DreamSolomon, David's son, followed a winding path to the throne of Israel. Murder, exile, marriage, sacrifices. Despite all these things, he was on the throne, leading Israel. An encounter with God, in 1 Kings 3 changes the course of Solomon's life. Do you ever think that God could not love you? Or the neighbor you don't like because of something in the past? Living the dream is possible! We can learn from Solomon's story and God's action in it.2020-08-0323 min
Saint James MessagesWhen All's Not WellAt the end of Job, we learn that chaos is simply a part of life, that there isn’t always a reason for the troubles that come. The book concludes with Job having more children, more wealth, and a long life following his ordeal. It’s considered a happy ending. But is it? The truth of life is that there isn’t always a happy ending, that good times don’t always return and that people don’t always live “happily ever after." What about those times, when no resurrection comes? Join us Sunday as we talk about ‘When All’s Not Well.’2020-07-2724 min
Saint James MessagesNow Me Eye SeeJob has been asking for, demanding, a face-to-face with God. He gets a meeting and his way of seeing is changed. And his life is changed. As we draw Job’s story to a close, what do we see in Job now that can inspire us and teach us something about facing challenging times? This weekend, we will ask this Bible passage to give up its hints about knowing God better.2020-07-2030 min
Saint James MessagesThe Lord Answered!Job has repeatedly insisted he is both innocent and demands an audience with none other than God! And in a surprise (not really), God does indeed show up! What does this “showing up” mean for Job and, by extension, for us today?2020-07-1327 min
Saint James MessagesCapacity For HopeThings are not looking good for our hero, Job. He has lost everything and now his friends lecture him about how it is all his fault. And it is not. Yet in spite of the “forces” arrayed against him, Job dares to toy with hope. It is only a hint and then a declaration. When things come unglued, can we learn to cling to hope? What can Job teach us?2020-07-0624 min
Saint James MessagesGod'es Target JobWhat do we do with suffering, ours and that of others? How do we speak of it? The Job who had everything is a man in the rear-view mirror. The Job who has lost much and faced tragedy is here and now. And yet Job also hold tight to his integrity and struggles to understand where God is in all his suffering. Join us as we listen to and learn from Job and his friends about our own struggles.2020-06-3030 min
Saint James MessagesHave You See Job?The book of Job has been a source of conversation, consternation, and hope in suffering for more than 2000 years. Over the next 5 weeks, we will search with Job for answers (maybe just better questions?) to our own struggles and suffering. What do we expect from God? What does God see in us? How do we find a way through suffering (not to be confused with a way around suffering)? The timing for a conversation about Job seems right in light of the pandemic and the uprising in response to racial injustice. What can Job teach us? This week we get...2020-06-2327 min
Saint James MessagesIn Due SeasonI don't know about you, but I want "due season" to mean "when I am ready" or "when I want it." Sometimes, waiting for any other timing than my own is difficult. Yet this life is not made this way. Can Abraham and Sarah teach us something that helps us prepare for "due season?" You can read our text for this week (Genesis 18:1-15).2020-06-1523 min
Saint James MessagesThings in CommonAs the early gatherings of Jesus-followers began forming, what did it look like? How have things changed since then? And what can those early followers teach us about being church now, in the world as it is today? This Sunday we will look at a piece of Acts, Acts 2:43-47 to be exact.2020-06-071h 21
Saint James MessagesWatch your languageHave you ever thought about that phrase, "Watch your language?" How can you watch your language when it's floating invisibly through the air? Of course, the warning has more to do with the choice of our more colorful metaphors than with seeing what we're saying. Still, in the early beginnings of church, one of the biggest barriers was people who didn't speak the same language. So 50 days after Resurrection, the Spirit flowed and people could hear what others were saying. With this, church (literally "the gathering") was born.2020-06-0124 min
Saint James MessagesWhy look up?he resurrection is accomplished and Jesus is still teaching the disciples. As we turn our eyes toward the story in Acts, we find the disciples asking Jesus when the kingdom will come. Sometimes we find ourselves asking the same kinds of questions: God, when will we see your kingdom, your plan unfold? This Sunday we will wonder together about this passage and Jesus' ascent into the sky. What can it mean for us today?2020-05-2618 min
Saint James MessagesDo You Love Me"Do you love me?" The risen Jesus asks Peter this question-three times! So, what was Peter's response? (read John 21:15-19) As I hear the question asked, I wonder what my response would be. Could I honestly say, "Yes?" And just what does "loving" Jesus entail? Could I do so wholeheartedly? How does a question addressed to someone else 2000 years ago fit into our following Jesus now? Join us online-only this Sunday at 11:00AM Eastern for a response.2020-05-1817 min
Saint James MessagesGone FishingIt's another #resurrection story with a fishing twist. (read John 21:1-14) The disciples have seen the resurrected Jesus appear twice. Now that everything has changed, they go back to what they know? If the truth be told, most of us would welcome getting back to what we know; it is, after all, comfortable. So what will be next for these disciples? And what will be next for us as modern-day disciples?2020-05-1122 min
Saint James MessagesSo That You May BelieveThis week we will continue with the gospel of John. The last two verses in chapter 20 (30-31) say there’s more, a LOT more that could be said and written. However, the writer has given us “just enough” so that we might believe. So, what is “believing?” And how does believing offer us life? This weekend we will explore what it means to believe and how we might find life in believing!2020-05-0423 min
Saint James MessagesUnless I See...have spent a lifetime coming to know Thomas as the doubtful disciple, the one who demanded a sign in order to "believe." The descriptions of Thomas almost always had negative undertones (i.e. "Don't be a 'doubting Thomas!'"). Is what Thomas does in asking for a sign really bad? Does the gospel writer say that it is bad to doubt? As I am an occasional skeptic myself, I want to find a comrade in Thomas! This Sunday we will take a closer look at his much maligned disciple of Jesus.2020-04-2819 min
Saint James MessagesAS the Father sent me...As we continue to gather virtually, what does the Easter message mean to us? In this week's story (John 20:19-23), Jesus appears to his disciples who are hiding. He speaks to them, shows himself, and offers them direction in their bewilderment. Can these same words offer us some sense of direction in this time in which we find ourselves?2020-04-2023 min
Saint James MessagesNew Life In A Hurting WorldEaster is a robust celebration of the power of Life, life in the face of death. This year in the midst of a global pandemic, that robust feeling seems a bit more muted. There will be no large gatherings for Easter worship with the characteristic sound of voices lifted in victorious worship. What word of hope can this day, this Easter event, speak into our everyday struggles? Where is the God of Resurrection in our world right now?2020-04-1419 min
Saint James MessagesGood Friday: Into the Dark NightGood Friday has always had a harsh edge to it. This year with all the suffering and uneasiness in the world, Good Friday seems an opportunity to struggle with these challenges we face. What can we learn from looking at Jesus being crucified that might help us? To be honest, most of the time it is easier to turn away. Pain and suffering does not go down easily. One night, one day really, is what the church has given us to stare Death in the face and ask, "Why?" How do we deal with grief and anxiety and fear and...2020-04-1123 min
Saint James MessagesLove And Fear"There is no fear in love..." What did he say? Could the elder writing the First Letter of John have any idea about what he is saying? Let us be honest with one another. When the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the world passed 1 million on Thursday, it shook us a bit. I know it gave me pause.
If I have fear, does it mean I don't have love? Since fear and personal struggle are on many folks minds, it seems providential that one of our readings this last week in First John is about fear. This Sunday...2020-04-0625 min
Saint James MessagesReflecting the Image of GodJohn tells us that love comes from God because it is the central characteristic of God. Those who love are "born of God and know God." In John's Gospel Jesus leaves his disciples with a final command: love one another. But how can we actually show God's love to our neighbors during this time of physical distancing?2020-03-3118 min
Saint James MessagesSee What Love...1 John is a letter to a community with identity issues. So, who are they and what is the true message? What is their communal identity? And how can they reflect that identity in their lives? This letter has beautiful and challenging echoes for us today. Furthermore, our work to be the “church” is at stake.2020-03-2317 min
Saint James MessagesDon’t Love the World?1 John 2:15-17. What does it mean to “love the world?” And why is it “bad?” I mean, we have been talking about how LOVE is a good thing; to love is to “walk in the light,” right? This Sunday we will tackle what this elder who is writing may mean by not loving the world.2020-03-1514 min
Saint James MessagesLove One AnotherLove One Another by Saint James Church Alexandria VA2020-03-0922 min
Saint James MessagesRise To The Call1 John 1. The first week of readings invites us into a world loved and created by God- through Jesus. So, is this just esoteric theology or is this something more? Is there some way to apply these teachings to our everyday life? Hint: yes!2020-03-0222 min
Saint James MessagesIncandescent JesusMatthew tells the story of Peter, James, and John (Jesus’s followers) on a mountain with Jesus. In itself that is not all that unusual sounding. Then Jesus starts “shimmering” and talking with Moses and Elijah. No big deal until one realizes that Moses and Elijah are long dead by the time of Jesus. So what are we to make of this? And how are we to find application of this “glowing” Jesus to our own lives?2020-02-2425 min
Saint James MessagesStrength Through DifferenceThis weekend we are fortunate to hear a word from Devon Blake as our message Sunday.2020-02-1618 min
Saint James MessagesTo Know NothingAfter the “foolishness” of last week, we turn to the message Paul delivers. So what wisdom does he bring? Christ and Christ crucified. What does he mean and what could this mean for us? Join us un Sunday at 11am Eastern in person or online as we take a look. (1 Corinthians 2)2020-02-1023 min
Saint James MessagesThe Foolishness of FaithIn his letter to Corinth, Paul opens fairly quickly with the “foolishness of the cross.” What could he mean? Is he saying we are fools for following in the way of Jesus? I don’t know about you but I’m not fond of being a fool! This Sunday we will talk about the foolishness of faith and what it may mean for us.2020-02-0223 min
Saint James MessagesObedienceIn our final week of our series based on The Monkhood of all Believers we’re going to talk about the vow of obedience. It doesn’t mean just being a good little boy or girl and obeying what those above us tell us to do. Rather, its meant to bring peace and stability in a world that encourages ambition and ladder climbing.2020-01-2728 min
Saint James MessagesA Vow Of ChastityThis week we will be looking at the second monastic vow, the vow of chastity. Chastity carries a whole host of connotations, some of them less than encouraging, especially for those of us who are in relationships. Is that all there is to this vow? Is it really that narrow? What would a vow of chastity look like for the non-monastic in this modern world as we seek to follow Jesus?2020-01-1931 min
Saint James MessagesA Vow of PovertyI admit it: this first vow does not sound very “attractive.” Further, it may sound a little counter-intuitive. Would God really want me to be in poverty? So, what if delve a little deeper into what poverty might have looked like to a monk making the vow, and how we might find some places where it would make sense for us?2020-01-1323 min
Saint James MessagesNurturing the Space Withinhis week we begin a series on The Monk-hood of All Believers. Lest you be dissuaded by this series title, this series is for anyone. Furthermore, we reflect faith through practice. A monk takes vows to shape life around practice. So we launch the series this weekend with a look at creating a monastic space where you are!2020-01-0724 min
Saint James MessagesSo Now What?We expected more from Christmas: more hope, more peace, more joy, more trust, and more love. And Christmas has come. So we ask: was there more that mattered? Or were there just more things? Further, now that Christmas Day has passed, what do we do with the “more?”2020-01-0123 min
Saint James MessagesChristmas Eve WorshipJoin your neighbors in person or online for Christmas Eve worship as we figure out what Luke 2 has to say to us today about the love of God in Christ.2019-12-2517 min
Saint James MessagesLongest NightChristmas is not “happy, happy, joy, joy” for everyone. Further, this season reminds some of someone missed, a lost loved one, an “empty nest,” a broken relationship. So we recognize the mixed feelings of Christmas in our Longest Night worship experience.2019-12-2308 min
Saint James MessagesExpect More TrustWe end out Expect More from Christmas series with trust. To be clear, it is the bedrock of every relationship. And in the end, Christmas is all about a relationship.2019-12-2229 min
Saint James MessagesExpect More JoyIsn’t joy the same thing as happiness? And if it is, chasing after it just leads to disappointment, right? Furthermore, I am too busy to be joyful just now. Perhaps I can fit it in between gifts on Christmas? So it goes. Yet find joy is a core message of Christmas!2019-12-1524 min
Saint James MessagesExpect More HopeDoes Christmas bring out your hope or simply anticipation and anxiety? Certainly, the season leading up to Christmas is busy. Furthermore, the preparations are overwhelming. And the world is overwhelming! So what will we do about it? And where will we find hope, let alone, more hope? In short, is there “hope” in this season at all?2019-12-0920 min
Saint James MessagesExpect More from Christmas: More PeacePeace? You’ve got to be kidding! This is busiest, sometimes pressure-filled time of year. So how will we find peace? And how would “more peace” be possible!?2019-12-0217 min
Saint James MessagesThanks: A Beautiful DisciplineThanks: A Beautiful Discipline by Saint James Church Alexandria VA2019-11-2525 min
Saint James MessagesAn Opportune MomentTiming is important. We will take a look at timing on Sunday.2019-11-1822 min
Saint James MessagesCome ForwardFor 1500 years Christian mystics, monks, and nuns have sought union with God in the religious life. But for those of us who lead lives in the ordinary world, it seems like an unreachable goal, and that often saddens us. But should it? And can we touch this feeling of union even though we don’t live our whole lives in seclusion in a monastery? The answers will surprise you! Join us on Sunday to learn more.2019-11-1128 min
Saint James MessagesMeasuring JesusHave you ever wanted to size up Jesus? If so, you are not alone! Even when people saw Jesus in the flesh they wanted a measure of the man. So Zacchaeus was one of those folks. And he measured Jesus. Further, Jesus measured him. By love. This Sunday we will look at the story for hints about who Jesus is.2019-11-0325 min
Saint James MessagesDesiring God“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
- Psalm 63:1
Having spent these last weeks talking about The Universal Christ, we turn again to why it matters. This Christ is not some abstract thought-project. This Christ is at the core of all that exists, the first Word spoken, and is in some way our “connection” to the Eternal! So this week we will explore desiring God.2019-10-3009 min
Saint James MessagesFrom Jesus to Now: Part 2Last week we discovered there are a number of theories about who Jesus was and what part he played/plays in our God-connection. So this week we dig in and ask, “What does my ‘theory’ say about who I am and who God is?” And how will I let the “theories” play out?2019-10-2327 min
Saint James MessagesFrom Jesus to NowThe Universal Christ, the First Word spoken, the Shape and “Blueprint” of All-That-Is, took form. He is the One we call Jesus. And we have been trying to describe this “Jesus” ever since. So I suspect anyone asked would give some description of who Jesus was/is/will be. Whose explanation of Jesus, of the Eternal Christ, gets to hold sway? Is it possible to define and limit the Infinite? This Sunday we will look together at these questions.2019-10-1326 min
Saint James MessagesWhen I Am WeakHave you ever felt weak? Perhaps you also felt it difficult to press on? So this week’s topic is all about weakness. And it is all about discovering our place in the universe through, you guessed it, the Universal Christ. In summary, sometimes I am weak; sometimes you are weak. This weekend we will discern how Paul considered weakness a “good” thing. Moreover, we will seek to divine how weakness might be a good thing for us, too.2019-10-0724 min
Saint James MessagesWhat's So UniversalHave you ever thought about the Universe and where we fit into it? So it is a question of scope and meaning. This second message in our Universal Christ series is about our place in it all.2019-09-2925 min
Saint James MessagesJacob's LadderJacob is on the “road.” He is traveling and he stops for the night. Then he gets a rock for a pillow and shuts his eyes. And as you might imagine, Jacob dreams. He dreams of a ladder/staircase/ramp with God’s messengers ascending and descending and God speaks to him. Where Jacob sleeps is a piece of the Promised Land. What is more, Jacob will inherit it. When Jacob arises in the morning, he sets up his “pillow,” the rock, and anoints it with oil. So what does this have to do with The Universal Christ?2019-09-2226 min
Saint James MessagesHopeHope by Saint James Church Alexandria VA2019-09-1626 min
Saint James MessagesTransformationThe Way of Jesus changes us. Sometimes the change is instantaneous but more often the change happens over a lifetime. Moreover, it is the path itself and practicing the relationship that changes us. Still more confounding, we find who we are becoming is the person we always were. Jesus invites us to a path; our walking the path transforms us. Still want to say, “yes?” We will talk about transformation this Sunday at 11am Eastern in worship.2019-09-0929 min
Saint James MessagesEmbodimentEmbodiment sounds like a fancy, churchy word! So why are we using it? Well, to start we all live in a body. And contrary to what some may say, our bodies are good things! Bodies are the way we experience life and the way we hold hands and listen and talk and the list is ongoing. Furthermore, we believe that the Eternal “Word became flesh” and lived among us; that in itself implies the Whole Body is a pretty awesome.2019-09-0125 min
Saint James MessagesTransparencyWhat does it mean to be transparent? It is when others can see the truths they feel they need to know in one another. Further, it is actively being open to others. This is a tall order. But it is one we are called to follow. This week we will talk about how we might be transparent.2019-08-2620 min
Saint James MessagesIntegrityKeeping it all together is hard work! Holding together all the pieces of our fragmented lives in a crazy world is challenging. Then how do we bring it together? Integrity. God works in us and through us to help us approach life as a whole.2019-08-1926 min
Saint James MessagesAuthenticityWe begin talking about our values at Saint James with Authenticity. Debbie shared the message with us this week and challenges us in how we practice authenticity as Christians.2019-08-1222 min
Saint James MessagesKeep GroundedFor all of us, our most original “footing” or grounding is in the image of God written on each of us. Harkening back to our days of movie clips in worship (before the live streaming), our message will unpack the Marvel hero, Thor. The message will be based around the discussion of how our insecurities and flaws shape who we are. Not only that but it makes us who God wants us to be.2019-07-2823 min
Saint James MessagesKeep LovingGod’s love for us is unequivocal. It flows to us without measure or preconditions. But just like forgiveness, which caries an expectation that we will forgive as we’ve been forgiven, love is a key marker that signifies our relationship with God, and also carries expectations. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love,” (1 John 4:8).2019-07-2228 min
Saint James MessagesKeep SearchingAre you ever uncertain about where you’re going? What you should do? How do you figure things out? Staying open to God invites us to keep searching, to be in conversation with God daily. We will look at the prophet Jeremiah and his words to the Israelites in exile found in Jeremiah 29: 5-14. God invites us to keep searching through our lives. In that search, our hearts will be changed.2019-07-1522 min
Saint James MessagesKeep OpenHow can we be open to experiencing God? Since Jesus tells us to come to him as children, we will explore how being childlike can create an openness to God.2019-07-0826 min
Saint James MessagesKeep AwakeIs it possible that God is trying to connect all the time? Would we notice? That is why this week we take up keeping awake.2019-07-0125 min
Saint James MessagesLive the Practices that Bring You Closer to GodHow do we regularly communicate with God? How do we continue to grow closer?2019-06-2324 min
Saint James MessagesDo All The Good You Can“Do no harm” is behind us and fair “do all the good you can” awaits! So this week we take a look at the second general rule. The rule invites us to do our best to do good all the time everywhere. Now that is a challenge. This week we will take on the challenge.2019-06-1728 min
Saint James MessagesFirst, Do No HarmDo no harm. It seems very simple until you look a second time. So I looked a second time. When do words escape my mouth that hurt others? When do I judge myself extra harshly? And when do I let thoughts cross my mind that are negative? Still we can catch ourselves, can we? Now it is clear there is more to doing no harm than it appears at first glance!2019-06-0928 min
Saint James MessagesRules and Grace, Grace and RulesWhat do we need rules for? And how do they go with the “grace” thing? Furthermore, aren’t the rules covered by grace? This week we begin the Rules series by looking at the big picture of rules.2019-06-0324 min
Saint James MessagesWho Do You Say That I Am?“Who do you say I am?” Jesus asked. So how will we answer? That is to say how will you answer? Moreover, having answered, will it make any difference? We will ask this weekend after Jesus’s identity and how that matters in real life.2019-05-2834 min
Saint James MessagesLegacyEveryone leaves a legacy and is a legacy, too. Who we are is a gift to us from God. And we can thank those who came before us as well. So what have we received? And what will we pass on?2019-05-2122 min
Saint James MessagesStepping Into God’s Futureod’s deep concern for us and the universe calls us to step out and step up. So that seems “big.” And I feel inadequate to the task. You probably do, too. Hence, we will talk about it this week. Above all, we will look at our stepping toward God’s vision.2019-05-1325 min
Saint James MessagesMoving Toward God’s Vision Of LoveHow do we discover God’s vision for us? Does God give us any hints? This Sunday in worship we will focus on God’s vision for us and some steps we may take toward discovering the vision.2019-05-0622 min
Saint James MessagesGift of DoubtChristianity labeled Thomas as doubting Thomas. Yet nothing less than Love can label us. However, we have been slow on the uptake! What if doubt is a gift and not a curse? How will we receive this gift? And is it really a gift?2019-04-2955 min
Saint James MessagesEaster SundayOn Easter Sunday (April 21) we will have two worship experiences! We will ask the question in both: What is YOUR resurrection story?2019-04-2123 min
Saint James MessagesGood FridayThe crucifixion seems difficult to “celebrate.” And yet every year we gather on Good Friday to remember what the crucifixion means for us. Is there good news for us in death, in the death of one we call “Lord?”2019-04-2022 min
Saint James MessagesWhat Now?Now that we’ve walked through the 12 steps and even talked about practicing them, what now? We know that we will see growth and change as we make the steps real in our lives. So let’s talk about applying the steps.2019-04-1522 min
Saint James MessagesWhat Comes Around Must Go AroundWe have now come to step 12 in our Breathing Under Water Series. Now that we have begun to spiritually practice the 12 steps, we give it away! So as we change our lives, we give the gift of what we learn to others. And in so doing, we more completely internalize them ourselves. What would it look like to practice step 12?2019-04-0720 min
Saint James MessagesBe StillSometimes I feel like that squirmy kid, you know the one who is anxious to get somewhere, anywhere else. Sometimes this is how we are in our faith life, squirmy, unable to listen. Sunday in worship at 11:00AM Eastern, we will look at Psalm 46 and Ephesians 4 to see what God has to say to us about prayer, listening, and the call to just be still.2019-04-0124 min
Saint James MessagesLove Measures UsWe are taking a one-week break in our Breathing Underwater Series to talk about love (yes, AGAIN!). Additionally, we will talk a bit about what the recent decision by the United Methodist Church means for us. Some worry about what this decision. So, how it will impact our policy of loving and accepting people as God does: as they are, right where they are? What does this mean for Saint James being Saint James?2019-03-0527 min
Saint James MessagesPowerlessnessWe believe we are in control: of our lives, of our time, of what we think, of what we do. As a consequence, we do not fully experience or enjoy the life we truly have. So what do we do about it? This week we will take step one together as we trust God more.
The sermon series is based on a book about the spirituality of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is not too late to find/order/get a copy of Father Richard Rohr’s book Breathing Under Water. We will also gather two Thursday evenings each mo...2019-01-1421 min
Saint James MessagesEntering The New Year With JoyJames and James discuss entering into the new year with joy. This simple discussion responds to three questions: "What do we find that prevents us from being joyful? Some Examples?" "What does God really have to do with joy in a pragmatic way?" and "What are some things we can do (or do more of) to receive and embrace the joy (that God is actively and regularly providing) in the new year?"2019-01-0134 min
Saint James MessagesChristmas EveChristmas Eve message at Saint James.2018-12-2712 min
Saint James MessagesLive ThanksThis year's Thanksgiving message at Saint James.2018-11-2625 min
Saint James MessagesDaring to Leadhis week we begin a series based on Brene Brown’s newest book, Dare to Lead. Pastor James will look at the lessons of the book against the backdrop of the leaders in the Bible. Furthermore, all of us lead somewhere; additionally, we wonder what “real” leadership looks like. So Brene Brown fleshes out principles that are clearly evident in the biblical witnesses. And Pastor James freely admits that he is preaching this series selfishly in hopes of improving his own skills. Maybe overhearing his learning will help us all?2018-10-2924 min
Saint James MessagesMaking Reading SacredJoshua 1:8. Last week, James challenged us to read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) over the next month. How can we read the Bible in ways that make the sacred words breathe new life into us? This weekend we will look at some ways the Bible has been read for thousands of years so that it might speak anew to us.2018-10-1527 min
Saint James MessagesOn The Mountain With Jesus: A ShowHave you ever thought that religion is a show that, if it’s good enough, might attract God’s attention and let people know just how holy we are, too? I am sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but God is not interested in the show and even less so if we “do the show” so others will see just how religious we are. There was a time when folks referred to me (Pastor James) as “the religious guy” when I was hanging out in Starbucks! I thought that was pretty cool. I wonder now if it was cool at all...2018-08-2722 min