Weekly Announcements
July 20, 2008

Note: Phone numbers of parishioners are not listed on the web page.
Call the church office if you do not have a church directory.

Millennium Development Goals

New Church Doors and Stained Glass

Weekly Celebrations, Actions and Meditations  To Promote Earth Stewardship

Wednesday (7/23)   

6:30 am     Men’s Breakfast (Parish Hall)

11:00 am   Summerville Potomac Nursing Home

Thursday (7/24)  

10:00 am   Women’s Bible Study (Meeting Room)

11:00 am   FA (Church Lower Level)

1:00 pm     Intercessory Prayer (Chapel)

Friday (7/25)   

7:00 pm     Child Transfer Center (Church Lower Level)

Saturday (7/26)

Sunday (7/27)  

8:00 am     Holy Eucharist I (Church)

9:15 am     Adult Forum (Parish Hall)

10:15 am   Sunday School (Church Lower Level)

10:30 am   Holy Eucharist II (Church)

6:00 pm     Praise Service with Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

6:00 pm     Child Transfer Center (Church Lower Level)

7:00 pm     Book Club Discussion (Meeting Room)

Coming Events (See Pilgrim for details)

Welcome:  We welcome all newcomers and visitors to our service.  Please sign our guest book in the church foyer and join us in the parish hall following morning services.  The fellowship hour this week is hosted by the Ushers.

Summertime, and the Giving is Easy...MDG giving, that is! Starting today, look for information about our new "Easy Giving" program. Soon you'll be able to make monetary donations to some of the most popular Millennium Development Goal (MDG) charities through St. James.' We'll forward the funds to the organization you choose (from a select list) and your MDG contribution will appear on your Statement of Giving along with your pledge and other offerings. Plus, you won't be added to more mailing lists! So look for "Easy Giving" beginning on today, July 20. It's our way of helping you help the world.

Adult Forum - 9:15 am – Parish Hall: Our Summer Bible Study on The Kingdom of God, using the popular Lifeguide Bible study guides is beginning.  The guides, which we have used in the past, will be available for loan or purchase.  The Summer Bible Study is designed so that participants can miss many sessions and still be able to attend and participate in other sessions.

Holy Baptism: A service of Holy Baptism is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, St. James’ Day, at the 10:30 am service. Any parents seeking baptism for their children, or adults seeking baptism, should contact the rector, Cindy Baskin, as soon as possible to arrange for pre-baptismal instruction. Cindy may be reached in the church office at 301-762-8040 or by email at rector@stjamespotomac.org.

St. James' Day – July 27: This year we will celebrate St. James' Day at the 10:30 am service with lots of praise and "saints" music, re-affirming our own baptismal covenant and a special presentation. A delightful part of celebrating the Feast of Saint James' will be a parish brunch served in the parish hall sponsored by our youth and the Worship Commission.

Pilgrim Articles:  All articles should be submitted electronically to Pilgrim@stjamespotomac.org by the Thursday 10:00 am deadline.  Submissions are subject to editing by the editor, Elton Smith.  The next deadline is Thursday, August 7.

Midweek Bible Study: The rector, Cindy Baskin, leads a midweek Bible Study on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm, in the Chapel. The study focuses on the Old Testament book of Job and its relevance to our lives today. Come join us for this fascinating and stimulating study. We gather in the chapel area of the main church at 7:30 pm.

Typhoon Fengshen:  We have received a personal request for prayers and aid for victims of Typhoon Fengshen, and the associated ferry accident, from Manuelita "Maui" Nosdo, a member of our congregation, who sang in the choir, and is now back in the Philippines.  Please consider making a donation to ERD's "Emergency Relief Fund (Philippines)".

Missions and Outreach Appeal for Aid for Midwest Flood: After recent history-making floods along the Mississippi River Valley, entire towns in this Midwest valley have been submerged. Churches there are shouldering a special--and nearly unbearable burden, for reconstruction and for relief of church members. The "Midwest Flood Fund" of Episcopal Relief and Development is seeking to respond to this emergency through your gifts.  Checks can be sent directly to: Episcopal Relief and Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058, marked for "Midwest Flood Fund", or you may contribute by a gift to St. James', marked for "ER-D Midwest Flood Fund.) and we will be happy to forward your much-needed gift. This appeal is being requested by our Missions and Outreach Commission.

Summer Sunday School: As we thank our current teachers, we welcome a variety of volunteers for the summer program.  Please sign up with a friend for a Sunday and come join us for fun and fellowship with our youngest parishioners.  Second grade through eighth grade go to service, there is opportunity for two or three students per week to help out in the nursery or preschool program, depending on the numbers.  Infants- 3's are in the nursery from the beginning of the service until communion.  Preschool - first grade are welcomed to come and attend children's church, then snack and craft project and join the service at the offering.  These grades are what they completed and not what they will go into for the fall 2008 school year, God bless.  Debbie and Janice 

Book Discussion This Month: The next book discussion, scheduled for Sunday, July 27 at 7:00 pm, will focus on The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 6 months to live. The book represents the "last lecture" he decided to give at Carnegie Mellon University where he was a professor of computer science. His lecture is not so much about dying as it is about the importance of overcoming obstacles, enabling the dreams of others, and seizing every moment. This lecture can also be seen on the web at YouTube. Join us at 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 27 in the parish hall Meeting Room for an evening of fellowship and discussion. We will order pizza and would appreciate your contributions to cover the cost. Salad, dessert, and drinks will be provided.  Please RSVP to the church office so that we may order sufficient food and have enough seating for everyone.

Coffee Hour Needs: Would you be willing to bring snacks  occasionally for our Sunday Coffee Hour? Our various program ministries will continue to serve as hosts, but anyone can offer to bring cheese and crackers, a vegetable or fruit plate, etc. You don’t have to serve in a particular ministry to help with this. Just sign up in the narthex of the church for a particular Sunday. Many thanks.

Summertime, and the giving is easy...MDG giving, that is! On July 20, look for information about our new "Easy Giving" program. Soon you'll be able to make monetary donations to some of the most popular Millennium Development Goal (MDG) charities through St. James.' We'll forward the funds to the organization you choose (from a select list) and your MDG contribution will appear on your Statement of Giving along with your pledge and other offerings. Plus, you won't be added to more mailing lists! So look for "Easy Giving" beginning on July 20. It's our way of helping you help the world.