Lenten-Easter Messiah Sing-Along, March 3 - Reminder

The first annual Lenten-Easter Messiah Sing-Along will be held March 3 at 4 p.m. in St. James' Church. The sing-along will be directed by Michael S. Ryan and accompanied by pianist Beverly Babcock and Clifford Brambora on trumpet. Soloists, all former "Messiah" veterans, are May Rybak, soprano; Roger Isaacs, Counter tenor/alto; Aurelio Dominguez, tenor; Alvy Powell, bass, and Michael Ryan, bass.

Singers are asked to bring a score, a snack or a dessert. Some scores available to borrow or buy. A free will offering will benefit the parish discretionary fund for the struggling families of the community. A light reception follows.

YAC Prom Dress Drive - Update

Check out the article on the Prom Dress Drive in the South River Source; you can also visit the St. James' Prom Dress Drive Facebook group.

If you have donations to drop off, we will be collecting them every Sunday until April 1, 2013 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. If you have no clothes to donate, we are accepting cash donations to help cover the costs of additional dresses, accessories and shoes. The Dress Drive will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Caroline Pickart (cf.pickart@aol.com), Katherine Milbradt (kmilbradt@gmail.com) or Karen Furr (karen.m.furr@gmail.com). Thank you.

Lenten Program Session #2, February 27th

Please join us for our 2013 Lenten Program, Embracing an Adult Faith, session #2:

What Does Jesus Mean to Us?

6:00 PM Fellowship
6:30 PM Soup Supper
7:30 PM Program

Lenten Program Session #1, February 20th

Please join us for our 2013 Lenten Program, Embracing an Adult Faith, session #1:

How We See and Experience God?

6:00 PM Fellowship
6:30 PM Soup Supper
7:30 PM Program

Holy Hands and Hearts 2013 Conference, March 16th

Holy Hands and Hearts 2013 Conference
Woven Together: Contemplation and action in our daily lives
Saturday, March 16, 2013 8:30 am to 4 pm
Bishop Claggett Center, Buckeystown, MD

How can we weave contemplation and action together in our daily lives? Come for a day of creativity, prayer, fellowship and sharing with others who seek to weave art and stillness into their busy lives.

Register online: www.bishopclaggett.org

For more information, please see the event flyer or contact Linda Stewart (e-mail lstewart1563@gmail.com or dkerner@bishopclaggett.org)

Hand-painted Wooden Easter Eggs To Benefit Outreach Committee Ministries

Once again, Barbara Howard's beautiful hand-painted wooden Easter Eggs will be for sale during the Lenten Dinners and the Coffee Hours throughout the Lenten Season. Proceeds from these beautiful eggs, which are offered for only $10 each, support the many important ministries of the St. James' Parish Outreach Committee. Through your generous support, we hope to top last year's contribution! For additional information, please contact Barbara Howard at kbhoward@comcast.net.

Goodness Gracious Bible Study, Begins February 18th

Would you be interested in meeting Mondays from 12-2 p.m. from February 18th to March 11th to discuss issues pertinent to our faith including:

1. Encouraging Hope in myself and others
2. Prayer, Our Link to God
3. Spiritual Strength
4. Wisdom that prevails.

Your job would be to have read prescribed passages before coming and to bring a Bible, notebook and pen. We will have lots of discussion, and I will include personal input/teaching. There will not be a study book.

If you are interested in joining us, please email nanwlewis@gmail.com by Monday, February 11th.

Pancake Supper, February 12th

St. James' Parish Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Fellowship at 6 p.m. Dinner 6:30 - 8 PM
Cost: Donations support the Christian Formation Committee programs

PLEASE JOIN US!

1st Annual Lenten-Easter Messiah Sing-Along March 3!

The first annual Lenten-Easter Messiah Sing-Along will be held March 3 at 4 p.m. in St. James' Church. The sing-along will be directed by Michael S. Ryan and accompanied by pianist Beverly Babcock and Clifford Brambora on trumpet. Soloists, all former "Messiah" veterans, are May Rybak, soprano; Roger Isaacs, Counter tenor/alto; Aurelio Dominguez, tenor; Alvy Powell, bass, and Michael Ryan, bass.

Singers are asked to bring a score, a snack or a dessert. Some scores available to borrow or buy. A free will offering will benefit the parish discretionary fund for the struggling families of the community. A light reception follows. For information, contact Val Hymes - valhymes@aol.com.

YAC Collecting Prom Dresses, Accessories for Girls in Our Community

YAC (Young Adults in Church) is collecting gently used and cleaned prom style dresses, as well as accessories and shoes for girls in and around our community. YAC believes this is a terrific opportunity to recycle prom dresses while helping out young girls in the community who may be in need. If you have donations to drop off, we will be collecting them every Sunday from January 20, 2013 until April 1, 2013 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. If you have no clothes to donate, we are accepting cash donations to help cover the costs of additional dresses, accessories and shoes. The Dress Drive will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Caroline Pickart (cf.pickart@aol.com), Katherine Milbradt (kmilbradt@gmail.com) or Karen Furr (karen.m.furr@gmail.com). Thank you.

Thanks from the A.A. County Dept. of Social Services

The A.A. County Dept. of Social Services wishes to thank us for participating in the Holiday Sharing Program. With the time and generosity of 396 donors and monetary contributions of $18,452, the Holiday Sharing Program was able to assist 1,454 families and seniors for Thanksgiving and 3,295 families and seniors for Christmas. Thirty-four schools, churches, and non-profits in the county cleared their family and seniors' names from the Holiday Sharing database enabling them to avoid duplication. Working in partnership with these organizations, a total of 8,213 families and seniors throughout Anne Arundel County received food and/or gifts for the holidays.

SCAN Food Bank Looking for Volunteers

The SCAN Food Bank is looking for volunteers with pick-up trucks to transport food from the A.A. Co. Food Bank in Crownsville to SCAN. Also, volunteers are needed to assist with unloading. If you are able to help, contact Lucy Arthur at donlucyarthur@verizon.net.

Record-Breaking Support for the Salvation Army!

The Thanksgiving Day offering, the Messiah Sing-Along offering, and the offering collected at the Salvation Army's Carol Sing was the largest amount ever donated by St. James' Parish to the Salvation Army! The sponsors for the Messiah Sing-Along enabled the entire offering that evening to go to the Salvation Army. At the Carol Sing, directed by Michael S. Ryan, we presented $1,526 in toys and $2,458 in checks for a total of $3,984. Some people, before the Sing-Along placed their offerings in the Salvation Army's kettle. So we can, with joy, say that for the first time we donated more than $4,000! God bless you all.

Decorating the Church, December 23rd

Immediately after the 10 AM service on December 23rd, please join us and help decorate St. James' Church for Christmas! We need everyone's help, and you'll have a lot of fun participating in this very meaningful activity. For additional information, please contact Lillie Barrett at 301-855-7829.

Lunch with Santa, December 15th

Santa will be coming to St. James' Parish on Saturday, December 15th from 12 Noon to 2 PM!

Children ages 1 year through 11 years old, are invited to join us for lunch, games, crafts, and a visit from Santa and his helper who will hand out a surprise to the children attending. Please sign up in the Parish Hall on the Youth Bulletin Board across from the Clergy offices. For additional information, please contact Sharon McGlaughlin at sharon.mcglaughlin@yahoo.com.

Middle and High School Students - we need you! Please consider volunteering to assist with activities at the Lunch with Santa. Sign up by contacting Sharon McGlaughlin. This will be documented for Community Service Hours.