Come Sing With Us!

The St. James' Parish Choir is comprised of volunteer adult singers. No special musical ability or great singing voice is required to participate in the choir! Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come together for fun, fellowship, worship, discipleship and ministry - oh, and we sing, too! The Choir enjoys singing both traditional and spirit-filled contemporary praise music that blesses them and lifts up the congregation! Beginning Wednesday, September 4, rehearsals will be held every Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, and on Sunday mornings at 9 AM in St. James' Church prior to the 10 AM service. For more information about Choir activities, please contact Parish Music Director, Marie Harrison, at stjameslothianmusic@gmail.com.

New Worship Schedule Begins in January 2019

Beginning on January 6, 2019, St. James' Parish will hold three services instead of four – 8:00 AM at St. Mark's Chapel; 10:00 AM at St. James' Church; and 5:30 PM at St. James' Church.

With the departure of Associate Rector Anne Nicholson+ at the end of 2018, the logistical challenges of meeting the current four service schedule with one priest would be prohibitive. After serious consultation with many parishioners, the Vestry determined that combining the 9:00 and 11:00 AM services would best serve the Parish at this time. Also starting on January 6, our Church School will begin classes at 9:30 AM. Classes will end by 10:30 AM, and students will join their families in the 10:00 AM service at that time.

Parish Christmas Caroling!, December 16

The St. James' Parish Chancel & Celebration Choirs invite you to join them for Christmas Caroling at Greenstreet Gardens on Sunday, December 16th at 1:00 PM. For more information, please contact Parish Music Director, Marie Harrison at stringsandivory@gmail.com.

Christmas Messiah Sing-Along - Watch on YouTube!

Thanks to Scott Hymes, Severn Media, who videotaped the 31st Annual Messiah Sing-Along held November 26, 2017, and posted it to YouTube. Those unable to attend, can enjoy viewing the event online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwMOjJAze0.

Adult Choir Rehearsals Resume

St. James' Parish offers two adult choirs – the Chancel Choir and the Celebration Choir – both are comprised of volunteer singers. No special musical ability or great singing voice is required to participate in the choirs! Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come together for fun, fellowship, worship, discipleship and ministry - oh, and they sing, too!

The Chancel Choir sings at the 11 AM service and features traditional music. The Celebration Choir sings at the 9 AM service choosing more contemporary praise music. Fall Choir rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, September 6 at 7 PM (Celebration Choir) and Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 PM (Chancel Choir). For more information about choir activities, please contact Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net.

Come Sing With Us! Adult Choir Rehearsals Resume

St. James' Parish offers two adult choirs – the Chancel Choir and the Celebration Choir – both are comprised of volunteer singers. No special musical ability or great singing voice is required to participate in the choirs! Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come together for fun, fellowship, worship, discipleship and ministry - oh, and they sing, too!

The Chancel Choir sings at the 11 AM service and features traditional music. The Celebration Choir sings at the 9 AM service choosing more contemporary praise music. For more information about choir activities, please contact Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan, at mryansings@verizon.net.

Celebration Choir rehearsals resume Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 PM; Chancel Choir rehearsals resume Thursday, September 8 at 7:30 PM.

Summer Note Reading Course

Anyone seriously interested in the annual Note Reading Course should contact St. James' Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net by June 30th to register. The class begins in mid July and is held for 5 weeks, 2 evenings per week. All work is done in class and the workbook is available for $10.

Sing with the Summer Choir

Music is an important part of our worship experience and we make every effort to provide it to our congregations during the summer months. Beginning on June 12, just show up in church at 9 AM on any given Sunday and prepare an anthem to sing for the Service at 10 AM. Everyone is invited to participate - either on a regular or a one-time basis. This is a great time to try singing in the choir... and, it's fun! Music is selected depending on the group we have on each Sunday.

Sing with the Summer Choir

Music is an important part of our worship experience and we make every effort to provide it to our congregations during the summer months. Beginning on June 7th, just show up in church at 9 AM on any given Sunday and prepare an anthem to sing for the Service at 10 AM. Everyone is invited to participate either on a regular or a one time basis. This is a great time to try singing in the choir... and, it's fun! Music is selected depending on the group we have on each Sunday. Everyone is welcome to participate. You can do this!

Note Reading Course

Anyone seriously interested in the annual Note Reading Course should contact St. James' Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net by June 30th to register. Class begins in mid July and is held for 5 weeks, 2 evenings per week. All work is done in class and the workbook is available for $10.

Come Sing With Us!

Singing in the choirs offers the opportunity for very enjoyable fellowship, and the music contributes greatly to our Sunday Worship experience. If you have any calling to this important ministry, but have held back because you think "they already have so many," or "they probably don't need me," or "I'm not a good singer," please think again! We do need you!

For more information on how you can participate in one of the choirs, please contact Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net, or speak with any of our choir members. We would love for you to join us!

Salvation Army Carol Sing, December 9th

Please join with the Salvation Army's Brass Ensemble December 9th to help less fortunate families and enjoy singing Christmas carols. The Carol Sing at 7:30 p.m. in the church is preceded by fellowship at 6 p.m. and a potluck supper coordinated by The Women of St. James’ Parish at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. The carols are accompanied by the Brass Ensemble and Patricia Tyndall on the organ. Two of the highlights of the evening are the three holy kings chosen from the audience for the carol, "We Three Kings," and the solo by St. James' Parish Music Director Michael Ryan.

Every year, the youth of the parish make a pilgrimage to a toy store to buy toys for needy children to be distributed by the Salvation Army. The money for the toys comes from the Thanksgiving offering, the free-will offering at the Messiah Sing-Along and by the sponsors who cover all the expenses of both events so that the poor will benefit.

Please join us on December 9th for fun, fellowship, and Christmas caroling to benefit the important work of the Salvation Army.

Messiah Sing-Along - Sponsored for both Fall and Spring

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, our Messiah Sing-Along is fully funded for both fall and spring. All donations at these events will go to the Salvation Army (fall) and the Community Assistance Fund (spring). The fall Messiah Sing-Along will be held on Sunday, November 30th.

Summer Note Reading Course

Anyone seriously interested in the Annual Note Reading Course should contact St. James' Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net. Class begins in mid July for 5 weeks, 2 evenings per week, all work is done in class, $10 for workbook.

Sing with the Summer Choir!

Summer Choir begins on June 22nd at the 10 AM service. Just show up in church at 9 AM for rehearsal, and you pass the audition! Everyone is invited to participate - either on a regular or a one-time basis. It's a great way to try out the choir and see if it's a good fit for you in the fall season... and, it's fun! Everyone is welcome to participate!

Worship Survey Results

The Worship & Music Committee thanks everyone who participated in the recent Worship Survey. You can view a summary of results at the following URL: goo.gl/2V8Xz2.

Worship and Music Committee Survey

Please take a few minutes of your time and answer this 12 question survey from the Music and Worship Committee. This is the same questionnaire that is being distributed in church bulletins starting December 22.

Click on the following link to take the survey: tinyurl.com/ka9jwqw.

Salvation Army Carol Sing

Please join with the Salvation Army's Brass Ensemble December 11th to help less fortunate families and enjoy singing Christmas carols. The Carol Sing at 7:30 PM in the church is preceded by fellowship at 6 PM and a potluck supper at 6:30 PM in the parish hall. The carols are accompanied by the Brass Ensemble and Patricia Tyndall on the organ.

Please join us on December 11th for fun, fellowship, and Christmas caroling to benefit the important work of the Salvation Army.

Christmas Caroling, December 8th

Join members of the Celebration Choir at the St. James' Parish Annual Christmas Caroling at Greenstreet Gardens on Sunday, December 8th from 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM. Song sheets will be provided. For more information, please contact Robyn Henshaw at robinhenshaw@verizon.net. All Are Welcome!

Messiah Sing-Along Sponsors Needed!

Sponsors are now being sought for our 27th Annual Messiah Sing-Along to be held on Sunday, December 1st. Our sponsors make it possible for all donations collected at the Sing-Along and the December Salvation Army Carol Sing to be added to our parish-wide Thanksgiving Offering, all of which is donated to the Salvation Army in support of their ministries in the community. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, there is no cost to St. James' Parish for these events which include a reception held after the Messiah and the pot-luck supper that follows the Carol Sing. Sponsors will be recognized in the printed program.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact St. James' Parish Music Director, Michael Ryan at mryansings@verizon.net.