Announcements March 15, 2026
Parish event Calendar from 03/15/2026 to 04/03/2026 is located following these announcements. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The St. James Mission Statement:
St. James exists to Gather as God’s people.
Know the love of God in Christ.
Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Give to the world what God has given to us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please turn off your cell phone before worship begins.
Welcome, Everyone! Two restrooms are located in the front of the church, through the double doors to the left of the altar area. There is also a baby changing table that accommodates a child up to 50 pounds. “Buddy bags” for children are available behind the pews containing crayons, coloring paper and other materials to help keep little ones occupied during the service.
Giving Altar Flowers Altar flowers are given in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one or for a milestone event. Flowers cost $35. Please note “altar flowers” on your check. A sign-up sheet is on the table as you enter church and there are envelopes to complete and place payment inside. Place your envelope in the collection plates on Sundays. Altar flowers and prayer shawls are available to take to someone who may be ill, hospitalized – or who simply needs cheer.
Altar Flowers No Altar Flowers are given today.
40 Days of Lent Lent is traditionally considered 40 days long, even though the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter is actually 47 days. This is because Sundays are not considered part of Lent. From the very earliest days, the Church has declared that Sunday, the day of Christ's Resurrection, is always a feast day, and therefore fasting on Sundays has always been forbidden.
Lent is a season of penance and reflection in the Christian liturgical calendar, and its associated color, purple, plays a significant role in setting its tone. This color is not only a symbol but also a visual cue that guides the faithful through their Lenten journey of conversion and preparation for Easter. In the context of Lent, purple also symbolizes penance, repentance, and renewal.
During Lent, the altar, vestments, and other decorations in the church are draped in shades of purple. This color change serves as a visual reminder of the season's solemnity and the call to deeper spiritual reflection. It marks a stark contrast to the festive colors of other seasons, reinforcing the nature of Lent.
Mite Boxes During Lent we make available "mite boxes" in which you can collect change to aid Episcopal Relief and Development in its anti-malaria campaign in sub-Saharan Africa. If you would like to participate in this Lenten giving, please take a mite box from the table as you enter the church. Please return the mite boxes to St. James by Easter Sunday when we will bless them at the altar before sending all donations to ER&D.
Choir Rehearsals for the Season of Lent and Easter will be held immediately after church until March 29. The choir will sing each Sunday in Lent and on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The choir is open to anyone who would like to join! If you're interested, please speak with Sonya.
S.O.M.E. Dinner Volunteers are needed on the last Wednesday of each month from 5:00- 6:00, set-up, 6:00-7:00, serve, and 7:00- 7:45, clean up. Members of L.A.C.E. and Redemption Church have been helping us each month and without their help we would not be able to host a dinner. If you are able to help, please sign up on the sheet on the table behind the pews. Thank you!
Fellowship-Coffee Hour If you would like to host a fellowship/coffee hour one month, the sign-up sheet for 2026 is on the table behind the pews.
Thought to Ponder - These monthly fellowship/coffee hours are perfect opportunities for us to bring a friend to church.
Bible Study “A Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, will be tomorrow, March 16th. If you wish to join the study, there is a sign-up sheet on the table behind the pews. Books can still be ordered. Cost is $14.00. Please bring a brown bag lunch.
Parish Annual Meeting Our yearly meeting was held on February 15th. For anyone who missed the meeting, there are packets on the table behind the pews. We reviewed 2025, presented the budget for 2026, and elected parish delegates to Diocesan Convention – Rose Capitano, Cat Amos Schaumberg, and Pam Bergey with Denise Ciambrello as alternate. Rose Capitano, Denise Ciambrello and Chris Jacobs will be delegates to Bucks County Deanery. We are still hoping for new vestry members and if you would like to be nominated for vestry, please tell any current member. If you have any questions about 2025, please speak with any vestry member (list in the packet).
Bristol Film Club On Friday, March 13, @ 7 pm in the Parish Hall “Waking Ned Devine” was shown and was well attended. April 17th is the next Film Night and “District 9” will be shown. This film night will include trivia and prizes!
Support Silverlake Nursing Home and Rehab Center Thank you for the many donations received for our support of our neighbors impacted by the recent explosion at Silver Lake Nursing Rehab Center. Thank you to Rose and Betsy and Linda Jones for taking the donations so they can be distributed.
Food Donations Thank you everyone who has contributed to this ministry over the past 13 years for a total of 10,947 pounds! Latest collection is 68 lbs. Thank you to Bill Keller for delivering our donations to the United Methodist Church Food Pantry each month. God bless everyone, and please continue to bring non-perishable items for those in need.
Prayer List The prayer list in the Sunday bulletins is for people with immediate needs and conditions. If you want someone to be on the Sunday list, please contact the office (215-788-2228); or ([email protected]). Names remain on this list for up to a month then, if still needed, they are moved to the Intercessory Prayer list. See below.
Intercessory Prayer Please speak with Pam Bergey regarding people on this list and to receive a prayer for daily use. Please pray for: Bruce C., Donna Mc., Gary G., Craig G., James H., Jr., James H. IV, Scott G., Debbie, Bonnie, Donna I., Lilli, Ebony, Chris J., Roxanne, Kevin, Doug, Janel, Nellie, & Terry R.
Stewardship Packets Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge to St. James of treasure, talent and time for 2026. Please take an envelope from the table behind the pews if you wish to pledge and place it in the collection plate any Sunday as pledges are accepted at any time. Remember, your pledge is confidential, and can be changed at any time during the year if your circumstances change.
Pew Plaques Pew plaques are given in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one as a forever remembrance. The cost is $250. A payment plan is available to purchase pew plaques. If interested, please speak with Jim Lombardo.
Hats for Preemies & Prayer Shawls Thank you! We have collected over 300 hats for the Mad Hatters Ministry. Ginny Capriotti has distributed many of these caps to hospitals near and far with NIC units! Prayer shawls are also needed. Patterns for the caps and prayer shawls are on the table behind the pews.
Bingo’s Foundation is a non-profit, all-volunteer cat adoption and rescue organization. They are a NO-KILL shelter and the cats roam free. We are collecting Soda/Beer/pull tabs and now BROWN’s Shop Rite receipts to aid in the cost of their electric bill! It takes about 1,128 tabs to make 1 pound for recycling and the best price is about $0.60/pound. Cathleen will mail the tabs & receipts. For more information, contact Bingo’s Foundation at www.bingosfoundation.org: or mail: PO BOX 7130, Penndel, PA 19047, or phone 215-781-0378.
Burial Lots Do you or someone you know need a burial lot? Why not choose our own peaceful churchyard? Our rates are extremely competitive. Please see Denise Ciambrello or call the office (215-788-2228).
With the blessing of the Diocese, wine is served at communion. Eucharistic doctrine affirms the simultaneous presence of Christ's body and blood in each of the Eucharistic elements. The doctrine of concomitance upholds the truth that the fullness of communion is available by receiving either the consecrated bread or wine. The Eucharistic ministers will sanitize their hands after each communicant. We are using high alcohol content wine. Per direction from our Diocese, intinction (dipping) of the bread into the wine is strongly discouraged. Anyone who doesn't feel safe drinking from the communal cup can leave the rail after receiving the bread.
St. James on Facebook and Wikipedia St. James has its own page on Facebook, the world's leading social network: http://www.facebook.com/stjamesbristol church. Also, St. James has its own entry on Widipedia, the Web's leading encyclopedia.
You're Invited The Diocese of Pennsylvania now has its own closed Facebook page just for the people and clergy of the diocese. Bishop Gutiérrez says that it "...will better allow us to share our great ideas, be in prayer for one another, nurture our mutual love for ministry, promote programs and activities in our parishes, and build deeper community with one another." To join, go on Facebook and search for Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Click on "like."
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - EVENT CALENDAR -03/15/2026 -04/04/2026
Location/Event Date Time
Church - Morning Prayer - 4th Lent 03/15/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 03/15/2026 9:00am - 12:00pm
Parish House:Bible Study "A Purpose Driven Life" 03/16/2026 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Parish House: Teen Art Club 03/16/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 03/17/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 03/18/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: A. Pesante 03/21/2026 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Church - Morning Prayer - 5th Lent 03/22/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 03/22/2026 9:00am - 12:00pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 03/24/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall: S.O.M.E. Dinner 03/25/2026 6:00 - 7:00 pm
volunteers 03/25/2026 4:00 - 7:45 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 03/25/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Girl Scout Troop #295 03/26/2026 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: A. Reed 03/28/2026 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - PALM SUNDAY 03/29/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 03/29/2026 9:00am - 12:00 pm
Parish House:Bible Study "A Purpose Driven Life" 03/30/2026 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Parish House: Teen Art Club 03/30/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 03/31/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 04/01/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - Maundy Thursday 04/02/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - Good Friday 04/03/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - EASTER 04/05/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 04/05/2026 9:00am - 12:00pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 04/07/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 04/08/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Girl Scout Troop #295 04/09/2026 6:30 - 8:00 pm
The St. James Mission Statement:
St. James exists to Gather as God’s people.
Know the love of God in Christ.
Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Give to the world what God has given to us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please turn off your cell phone before worship begins.
Welcome, Everyone! Two restrooms are located in the front of the church, through the double doors to the left of the altar area. There is also a baby changing table that accommodates a child up to 50 pounds. “Buddy bags” for children are available behind the pews containing crayons, coloring paper and other materials to help keep little ones occupied during the service.
Giving Altar Flowers Altar flowers are given in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one or for a milestone event. Flowers cost $35. Please note “altar flowers” on your check. A sign-up sheet is on the table as you enter church and there are envelopes to complete and place payment inside. Place your envelope in the collection plates on Sundays. Altar flowers and prayer shawls are available to take to someone who may be ill, hospitalized – or who simply needs cheer.
Altar Flowers No Altar Flowers are given today.
40 Days of Lent Lent is traditionally considered 40 days long, even though the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter is actually 47 days. This is because Sundays are not considered part of Lent. From the very earliest days, the Church has declared that Sunday, the day of Christ's Resurrection, is always a feast day, and therefore fasting on Sundays has always been forbidden.
Lent is a season of penance and reflection in the Christian liturgical calendar, and its associated color, purple, plays a significant role in setting its tone. This color is not only a symbol but also a visual cue that guides the faithful through their Lenten journey of conversion and preparation for Easter. In the context of Lent, purple also symbolizes penance, repentance, and renewal.
During Lent, the altar, vestments, and other decorations in the church are draped in shades of purple. This color change serves as a visual reminder of the season's solemnity and the call to deeper spiritual reflection. It marks a stark contrast to the festive colors of other seasons, reinforcing the nature of Lent.
Mite Boxes During Lent we make available "mite boxes" in which you can collect change to aid Episcopal Relief and Development in its anti-malaria campaign in sub-Saharan Africa. If you would like to participate in this Lenten giving, please take a mite box from the table as you enter the church. Please return the mite boxes to St. James by Easter Sunday when we will bless them at the altar before sending all donations to ER&D.
Choir Rehearsals for the Season of Lent and Easter will be held immediately after church until March 29. The choir will sing each Sunday in Lent and on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The choir is open to anyone who would like to join! If you're interested, please speak with Sonya.
S.O.M.E. Dinner Volunteers are needed on the last Wednesday of each month from 5:00- 6:00, set-up, 6:00-7:00, serve, and 7:00- 7:45, clean up. Members of L.A.C.E. and Redemption Church have been helping us each month and without their help we would not be able to host a dinner. If you are able to help, please sign up on the sheet on the table behind the pews. Thank you!
Fellowship-Coffee Hour If you would like to host a fellowship/coffee hour one month, the sign-up sheet for 2026 is on the table behind the pews.
Thought to Ponder - These monthly fellowship/coffee hours are perfect opportunities for us to bring a friend to church.
Bible Study “A Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, will be tomorrow, March 16th. If you wish to join the study, there is a sign-up sheet on the table behind the pews. Books can still be ordered. Cost is $14.00. Please bring a brown bag lunch.
Parish Annual Meeting Our yearly meeting was held on February 15th. For anyone who missed the meeting, there are packets on the table behind the pews. We reviewed 2025, presented the budget for 2026, and elected parish delegates to Diocesan Convention – Rose Capitano, Cat Amos Schaumberg, and Pam Bergey with Denise Ciambrello as alternate. Rose Capitano, Denise Ciambrello and Chris Jacobs will be delegates to Bucks County Deanery. We are still hoping for new vestry members and if you would like to be nominated for vestry, please tell any current member. If you have any questions about 2025, please speak with any vestry member (list in the packet).
Bristol Film Club On Friday, March 13, @ 7 pm in the Parish Hall “Waking Ned Devine” was shown and was well attended. April 17th is the next Film Night and “District 9” will be shown. This film night will include trivia and prizes!
Support Silverlake Nursing Home and Rehab Center Thank you for the many donations received for our support of our neighbors impacted by the recent explosion at Silver Lake Nursing Rehab Center. Thank you to Rose and Betsy and Linda Jones for taking the donations so they can be distributed.
Food Donations Thank you everyone who has contributed to this ministry over the past 13 years for a total of 10,947 pounds! Latest collection is 68 lbs. Thank you to Bill Keller for delivering our donations to the United Methodist Church Food Pantry each month. God bless everyone, and please continue to bring non-perishable items for those in need.
Prayer List The prayer list in the Sunday bulletins is for people with immediate needs and conditions. If you want someone to be on the Sunday list, please contact the office (215-788-2228); or ([email protected]). Names remain on this list for up to a month then, if still needed, they are moved to the Intercessory Prayer list. See below.
Intercessory Prayer Please speak with Pam Bergey regarding people on this list and to receive a prayer for daily use. Please pray for: Bruce C., Donna Mc., Gary G., Craig G., James H., Jr., James H. IV, Scott G., Debbie, Bonnie, Donna I., Lilli, Ebony, Chris J., Roxanne, Kevin, Doug, Janel, Nellie, & Terry R.
Stewardship Packets Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge to St. James of treasure, talent and time for 2026. Please take an envelope from the table behind the pews if you wish to pledge and place it in the collection plate any Sunday as pledges are accepted at any time. Remember, your pledge is confidential, and can be changed at any time during the year if your circumstances change.
Pew Plaques Pew plaques are given in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one as a forever remembrance. The cost is $250. A payment plan is available to purchase pew plaques. If interested, please speak with Jim Lombardo.
Hats for Preemies & Prayer Shawls Thank you! We have collected over 300 hats for the Mad Hatters Ministry. Ginny Capriotti has distributed many of these caps to hospitals near and far with NIC units! Prayer shawls are also needed. Patterns for the caps and prayer shawls are on the table behind the pews.
Bingo’s Foundation is a non-profit, all-volunteer cat adoption and rescue organization. They are a NO-KILL shelter and the cats roam free. We are collecting Soda/Beer/pull tabs and now BROWN’s Shop Rite receipts to aid in the cost of their electric bill! It takes about 1,128 tabs to make 1 pound for recycling and the best price is about $0.60/pound. Cathleen will mail the tabs & receipts. For more information, contact Bingo’s Foundation at www.bingosfoundation.org: or mail: PO BOX 7130, Penndel, PA 19047, or phone 215-781-0378.
Burial Lots Do you or someone you know need a burial lot? Why not choose our own peaceful churchyard? Our rates are extremely competitive. Please see Denise Ciambrello or call the office (215-788-2228).
With the blessing of the Diocese, wine is served at communion. Eucharistic doctrine affirms the simultaneous presence of Christ's body and blood in each of the Eucharistic elements. The doctrine of concomitance upholds the truth that the fullness of communion is available by receiving either the consecrated bread or wine. The Eucharistic ministers will sanitize their hands after each communicant. We are using high alcohol content wine. Per direction from our Diocese, intinction (dipping) of the bread into the wine is strongly discouraged. Anyone who doesn't feel safe drinking from the communal cup can leave the rail after receiving the bread.
St. James on Facebook and Wikipedia St. James has its own page on Facebook, the world's leading social network: http://www.facebook.com/stjamesbristol church. Also, St. James has its own entry on Widipedia, the Web's leading encyclopedia.
You're Invited The Diocese of Pennsylvania now has its own closed Facebook page just for the people and clergy of the diocese. Bishop Gutiérrez says that it "...will better allow us to share our great ideas, be in prayer for one another, nurture our mutual love for ministry, promote programs and activities in our parishes, and build deeper community with one another." To join, go on Facebook and search for Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Click on "like."
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - EVENT CALENDAR -03/15/2026 -04/04/2026
Location/Event Date Time
Church - Morning Prayer - 4th Lent 03/15/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 03/15/2026 9:00am - 12:00pm
Parish House:Bible Study "A Purpose Driven Life" 03/16/2026 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Parish House: Teen Art Club 03/16/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 03/17/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 03/18/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: A. Pesante 03/21/2026 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Church - Morning Prayer - 5th Lent 03/22/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 03/22/2026 9:00am - 12:00pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 03/24/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall: S.O.M.E. Dinner 03/25/2026 6:00 - 7:00 pm
volunteers 03/25/2026 4:00 - 7:45 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 03/25/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Girl Scout Troop #295 03/26/2026 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: A. Reed 03/28/2026 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - PALM SUNDAY 03/29/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 03/29/2026 9:00am - 12:00 pm
Parish House:Bible Study "A Purpose Driven Life" 03/30/2026 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Parish House: Teen Art Club 03/30/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 03/31/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 04/01/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - Maundy Thursday 04/02/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - Good Friday 04/03/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Church - Holy Eucharist - EASTER 04/05/2026 9:00 - 10:00 am
Parish House: Redemption Church, Bristol 04/05/2026 9:00am - 12:00pm
Parish Hall Usage: Tues A.A. Meeting 04/07/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Rental: ZUMBA 04/08/2026 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parish Hall Usage: Girl Scout Troop #295 04/09/2026 6:30 - 8:00 pm