Mission Saint James

What does it mean to live in the Kingdom of God? What difference does our citizenship in the Kingdom of God make in the world? In 2 Corinthians 5:1-11, St. Paul describes a new reality that Christians live in, a reality based in a heavenly dwelling. While he is referring to our resurrected bodies, he is also giving the reason for his boldness and courage in gospel ministry. This week, Fr. Ben Will...

Church history is filled with saints who have dared to obey Christ to the extreme. Saints, martyrs, and heroes of the faith fill our imaginations and leave us both the desire to follow their example and fear of what that might cost. St. Paul was no different. As we continue our series in 2 Corinthians, we see that the Apostle and his friends would stop at nothing to communicate the love of Jesus C...

Most Christians believe that they are called to ministry of some kind, but what is ministry? As we move into the Ordinary season of the Church calendar, a season marked by growth and mission, this is an important question. St. Paul insists that his own ministry was to unveil the glory of Christ and that he was wholly dependent on the Holy Spirit to succeed. This week, Fr. Ben Williams delves into...

What is the point of knowledge? Christian theology is vital to the thriving of God’s church, but it can also be difficult to understand. This is especially true of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This week, Fr. Kevin Vailes helps us understand the purpose of our knowledge, which, if not remembered, can lead to a puffed up mind. Join us for this important Trinity Sunday sermon.

Jesus promised to send us another Helper, his Holy Spirit. The Feast of Pentecost marks seven weeks after Easter and is also called the Feast of Weeks. On this day, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples and they began to proclaim the mighty works of God. Join us this week as Fr. Ben Williams’ preaches on the implications of the spiritual gifts given to Mission Saint James. Indeed, we h...

Has someone ever asked to pray for you? When others pray for us, we can see ourselves through the eyes of a fellow Christian. In John 17, Jesus prays for the Church. Through this High Priestly Prayer, we learn about Jesus’ heart for us. This week, Lucas Brogdon helps us understand that we are united in Jesus, we belong to him, and we have eternal life in him.

Is love all we need? What exactly is love? Our culture is obsessed with love, but how should Christians define love? This week, Fr. Kevin Vailes asks these questions as we reflect on 1 John 4:7-12 and Jesus’ teaching in John 15:9-17. Join us as we seek to understand who God is and what it means to love as he has loved.

Who is the Holy Spirit and why did Jesus send him to indwell all believers? This must have been a question Jesus’ disciples asked when the Lord promised to send Him. They would soon find out that among other things, the Holy Spirit would use them to share the good news of Jesus with the world. In our Acts reading today, Philip the Evangelist was sent by the Spirit to share the gospel with an Ethio...

As we celebrate our first anniversary of weekly services, what lies ahead for Mission Saint James? Whether changes are planned or simply occur, circumstances rarely remain static. This reality is evident in the 23rd Psalm. This week, Fr. Ben Williams reminds us that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is in control, no matter what our circumstances may be. He unites us and is our ultimate safety.

The Church is a collection of believers in Jesus. This is the case whether they are gathered in a local church or not. If the Church is also the Body of Christ, what might his physical, bodily, and tangible resurrection mean for the Church’s existence on earth? This week, Fr. Ben Williams challenges our assumptions of the nature of the Church. She is not only an invisible and spiritual reality, bu...

Imagine what it would be like to be born blind, without any concept of color or light. You would be dependent upon those around you to describe reality, what is true. But what you really want is to see it for yourself. On this Palm Sunday, we enter into worship with the joy of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem only to end at the cross of his crucifixion. The irony is that until Jesus, who is t...

Why is the Bible full of rules and “thou shalt nots”? How can Psalms speak of delighting in God’s Law when they seem so restrictive and arbitrary? This week, Deacon Kevin Vailes helps us understand the purpose of the Law, which is to show us God’s character as well as our own sin. Join us on this third Sunday of the Season of Lent as we delight together in God’s perfect law.

What are missionaries and how can the Church support them? This Sunday is World Missions Sunday in the ACNA. One of our resident missionaries, Matt Wright, with The 631 Solution encourages us to pray for those who have left everything behind and have been sent to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. Join us as we hear of the needs every missionary faces and how the Church can support t...

Why do people bow at the mention of Jesus’ name? Why do people cross themselves? What is the significance of taking communion every week? Why do Anglicans worship the way we do? This Sunday we hold what we call an Instructed Eucharist. Instead of a sermon, we take periodic pauses and teach through the service. Join Fr. Ben Williams for this informative service.

When Jesus began his public ministry, he preached a very simple message. “The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the good news.” This week, we meet the first disciples Jesus calls to follow him: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Fr. Ben Williams looks at the significance of what these disciples were doing when they were called. The message Christians are to continue proclaiming must be ac...

How do we hear God speaking to us? This is a crucial question and we find some answers in the Old Testament prophet, Samuel. Just as Samuel needed help identifying God’s voice, so we need others to help us identify the voice of God. This week, Mission Saint James welcomes Dean Horace Tipton as we wrestle with what it means to be active listeners to the voice of God.

Have you ever felt like you were a disappointment to God? This week’s gospel passage is the baptism of Jesus. In this major event in the life of Jesus, the Father declares that Jesus is his beloved Son and in Him, he is well pleased. Join Fr. Ben Williams as he expounds on this important gospel event. Because the Christian is in the Son, we too are well-beloved children of the God of the universe.