"A warm, caring parish"

"Is it nothing to you, all ye who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me"

The events of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, started with the final supper of our Lenten Supper program, where St. James hosted St. John’s Essington and Christ Church, Ridley Park. About 60 people from the 3 parishes partook of delicious soups, breads, and salads, followed by a discussion on Sacrificial Service led by our rector Fr. Rory Harris. Following this was a very moving service of Tenebrae led by Fr. Harris in the church. Tenebrae is the medieval "service of darkness" that recalls the light of Christ being gradually extinguished in the world.

On Thursday, the Maundy Thursday service featured a seder demonstration by Fr. Harris, followed by the foot washing. Those present at the service had the opportunity to have their feet washed and to wash the feet of others, to remind us of Jesus example to be of service to each other at the last supper. After the Eucharist, the altar is stripped bare and the remaining consecrated bread and wine is carried out in a solemn procession to the Altar of Repose in our flower filled Garden of Gesthemane set up in the chapel. Then starts the prayer watch which lasted through the night until Noon Friday. Parishoners prayed in 1/2 hour segments as the Apostles kept watch with our Lord in his agony in the garden.

On Good Friday, St. James participated in the Interboro Ministerium (an ecumenical organization of churches in the area) service at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Essington. The service featured a procession to the site of the First Baptist Church which was burned down by vandals. There was extensive local news coverage of this procession.

Friday Evening we held our own Good Friday liturgy. As the choir sang the ancient "reproaches" (an example is the line above), members of the congregation came forward to venerate the cross at the front of the church. Following this was communion from sacrament brought in from the chapel. No bread or wine is consecrated this day to symbolize our Lord’s death and absence from the earth until the resurrection celebrated on Easter eve.

Saturday began with several members of the parish gathering to clean up the grounds in preparation for the Easter services. We were greatly aided by the energy and presence of the Youth Group.

That evening the grounds were immaculate for our visit from Bishop Turner who first met with the new members to be confirmed into our community. The Great Vigil began with the church in darkness as the great fire was lit. From this the paschal candle was lit and in turn each person present lit a candle. The symbol of the Light of Christ spreading throughout the church was very moving. Then followed the several readings interspersed with hymns and psalms by the choir telling the story of the people of God from Genesis to the coming of the Messiah. Bishop Turner then confirmed several new members into the Body of Christ, followed by a festive Eucharist that featured the ringing of many bells during the Gloria.

On a gloriously beautiful Easter Sunday we celebrated a well attended Mass of the Resurrection. Following the service the coffee and conversation hour featured a cake in honor of the new confirmands plus a visit by the Easter Bunny.

Don’t miss Bible Study held each Tuesday 7:45 to 8:45 PM proceeded by a Eucharist in the chapel. There is also a service Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM where we honor the lives of the many Saints on our calendar.