Worship & Formation
Welcome to Worship at Saint James!
At St. James, we respect our Christian traditions but are flexible in how we are Church together. Our style of worship is “liturgical” and traditional, following the worship form handed down from the early Christian church, although expressed in contemporary forms. Our Choir leads us in traditional and contemporary music played on our 1890 Woodberry & Harris organ, and children join their families in worship from our Church School just before it is time for the Eucharist.
Our Worship Times:
Worship and Church School. Every Sunday at 9:30 am
Sunday services begin at 9:30 am in our Sanctuary. Church School for children preschool-8th grade begins at the same time. Children and Church School teachers join their families midway through the service for the Eucharist. We also celebrate Morning Prayer in months which have 5 Sundays on the 5th Sunday/ Please see our calendar for more information and come join us!
Lenten Series Begins February 29: click here to read more about the four Lenten services being held at four different churches on Wednesday evenings beginning on February 29. Soup, bread, Bible Study, Compline. Child care available.
Our Worship Music:
We have a small, but active and enthusiastic choir which enhances our worship at the 9:30 AM service weekly and on special occasions. The senior choir has seven regular members, including the director. As well as leading the congregation in singing the hymns and canticles, special settings of the Communion service and anthems are also done as part of the worship service.
Homilies: Click here to listen to our homilies for the past few months.
Our Church School
Our Church School provides opportunities for learning and growth through classroom-based curriculum for preschool through 8th grade. Youth Sundays are participatory; a multigenerational Eucharist is celebrated once every eight weeks during the church school year. Click here for the Calendar. The Wiki Page Link is http://stjameschurch.pbworks.com/
Meet Our Church School Teachers
Julie Beaver: I became a St. James member after immigrating from my native Australia over 20 years ago. I've been involved with Sunday school in one form or another many of these years. I've been blessed with a deep understand of learning style differences from personal experiences. My hope is that each child that comes into a class room I teach will be able to learn about God. Our curriculum allows us to use a variety of methods to teach a class. This way we can select the activities that best suit our class needs. My hope is that every child can have fun while learning, even if they struggle in other areas of learningand that this is a safe, fun place to be on Sunday mornings.
Elena Costanzo: notes to follow.
Maria Costanzo: My name is Maria and I grew up in church, participating in choir, youth fellowship, liturgical drama and most importantly Sunday school. I am comforted to know that I still know most of the children I spent Sunday with at church. Like our St. James Church, the kids didn’t all attend the same school, live in the same neighborhood or all like the same things about church.
We learned, practiced and participated in the rituals of church; understanding them at varying degree as we grew older. We learned together about the faith our church family and parents were raising us in. It was a special time in my life and remains special to me since I still have my faith and these friends.
I teach Sunday School (grades 4-6) to inspire our children to think for themselves as they learn their faith and encourage each of them to share their lives with each other since we are all trying to be more like Jesus. I find them all amazing as they evolve, and I find them a constant reminder that I too am still evolving.
Together we are a wonderful support to each other and what we learn during our Sunday school days are words that will resonate with us through the high’s and low’s of life. And with hope and faith our friends will be there with us.
Kristen Gillett: I teach because I feel the children need to be supported as they come to understand what it means to be a member of our church family. Teaching gives me a chance to get to know God, Jesus and the Bible more closely. Really--it is just so much fun. The kids see things in such a creative way--I love hearing about their lives and how God and church fit there.
Michelle Paszko: I want the children to know that they can always rely on God and God wants a relationship with us and loves us no matter what and I want to share how we can do that in a good way. I love having the kids in my class. I enjoy their expressions, laughs and candidness about stories we share. I want them to have a fun time, build friendships and learn about God.
Jill Robinson: Notes to follow
Adult Formation
Adult Formation includes book studies, Bible studies, retreats and other similar programs We are always exploring who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do. Our baptismal covenant (click here) forms the foundation for how we relate to each other and how we are ministers to the world. We actively live out our responsibility to our local and international neighbors and to each other through our missions and programs. Click here to see our Calendar of events.
Adult Confirmation Classes
In years past, Confirmation was perceived as a rite of passage. It was performed as one entered adolescence and it was often required before one could receive Holy Communion.
Today, Confirmation is defined as a "mature public affirmation" of faith. (Book of Common Prayer, p.412.) For those baptized as infants or young children, it serves to confirm the vows that were made at baptism.
Confirmation is performed by a Bishop with the laying on of hands. Those who have made a mature public affirmation of faith in other denominations may also be received into the Episcopal Church. Confirmation usually is scheduled once each year in our deanery or at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston.
Led by The Rev. Marya DeCarlen, Rector, the Adult Confirmation Class teaches the basics of the Christian faith, explores our uniquely Episcopalian outlook on our faith, and prepares those wishing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation. Adult Confirmation classes are held once a year -- to sign up, please contact the church office at 978-373-1270 by Feb 24, 2012. When we have a class roster we will contact those interested for a convenient time to meet. Adult Confirmation classes will be begin in March and meet for 6weeks - with Confirmation on April 21, 2012 at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Baptism Guidelines
Baptism is a ritual of inclusion and belonging that indicates our desire to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church. We baptize adults and infants in the Episcopal Church on the belief that God's love extends to everyone regardless of their age.
Baptism always takes place within the Sunday Eucharist, usually on designated days throughout the year. Baptisms are always offered on the following feast days:
- The Day of Pentecost (May or June)
- All Saints' Sunday (November)
- The Baptism of Our Lord (January)
- The Great Vigil of Easter (March or April)
Preparation for the baptism of a child includes a three-week class. During these sessions, you will learn about the grace and love that God gives us at baptism as well as the role of parents and godparents. There will also be instruction in the meaning and purpose of baptism. Plenty of time is set aside for questions and reflection.
For more information about the Sacrament of Baptism or the next preparation classes, please contact Rev. Marya DeCarlen.
Wedding Guidelines - click here
Funeral Guidelines:
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