During this safer-at-home period, we will be observing the following worship schedule. Please join us in worship and fellowship!
Beginning Sunday, February 28, 2021, we will return to in-person patio services at 10:15 am. Masks, social distancing, and other safety precautions will continue to be maintained. For those uncomfortable with attending the service, individual car-side prayer and distribution of the Blessed Sacrament will be available in the parking lot from 11:15 am to 11:30 am.
We will continue to live stream this service on our live stream page (you can also watch on Facebook). View our service library for past services.
Watch ServiceDrop in for our virtual coffee hour at 11:30 am via Zoom. Sit down with friends, have a cup of coffee, and catch up.
Join Coffee HourCompline, the Night Prayer of the Church, is being offered every night at 8:00 pm via Zoom. Join others via Zoom for nightly prayer and a daily check in.
Join ComplineGuest Speaker: Susan Baker. Susan is a long-distance friend of St. James’ and knows our church well. She has ministered on the staff of the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, Pennsylvania for twenty-eight years, served as Director of the Center for ten years, and is a gifted spiritual guide and retreat leader.
Have you ever come to the end of a day and wondered where the time went? Have you ever felt burdened by regret over the way you may have handled a situation or treated someone? Have you ever received good news or felt relieved by something in your day and rarely had time to take that in or celebrate it?
In the busyness of our lives, the act of daily living can become a blur rather than what God desires for us: living life richly, living in the fullness of life. To help us become more present to the experience of God in our everyday living and to encourage us to live more consciously, St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order and Ignatian Spirituality gifted us with what he called “the most important prayer” – the daily Examen. In our time together, we will explore and reflect on this spiritual practice which invites us to maintain a posture of discernment as a way of daily living.
Guest Speaker: Mother Victoria, Orthodox Church of America. Mother Victoria is Abbess of St. Barbara Monastery, Santa Paula, CA. Mother Victoria is also a friend of St. James’ and has remembered us in prayer over the years. Mother Victoria is a kind and thoughtful theologian, scholar, religious leader, contemplative, and an insightful guide of souls. She has prayed the Jesus Prayer for much of her life.
Someone recently asked His Grace, Rowan Williams, retired Archbishop of Canterbury, how he survived his term as Archbishop during painful and turbulent times in the worldwide Anglican communion. He replied, “I prayed the Jesus Prayer each morning.”
For at least 1700 years, the Jesus Prayer, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner, has been the cornerstone of the spiritual life of the Eastern Church. The aim of prayer,” says Mother Victoria, “is not to come to the end but to come into the presence of God.” Mother Victoria will teach a way of personal prayer known as “The Prayer of the Heart.”
Guest Speakers: Allison Rector, Cynthia Sherman, and the Rev. Dr. Michelle Baker-Wright. Our Senior Warden, Allison Rector, long time parishioner, Cynthia Sherman, and Rev. Michelle have practiced Centering Prayer for many years. They will share with us how the practice of Centering Prayer has shaped their spiritual lives.
There are many different ways to pray, which often involve our speaking our thoughts and concerns out loud to God, which is good and important. Centering Prayer starts from a different place, out of the recognition that we often get so caught up in our thoughts and feelings that we fail to be fully attentive to God’s presence. When we enter into Centering Prayer, we practice releasing our own concerns as often as we need to, while sitting before God in silence.
Guest Speakers: Wil Hernandez, PhD, Obl. OSB. Wil is a long-time member of St. James’ and a Benedictine Oblate of St. Andrews Abbey, Valyermo, CA. He ministers as a spiritual director, an International Retreat Leader, and Director of CenterQuest, an ecumenical hub for the study and practice of Christian Spirituality. Wil is the author of several books. His most recent publication: Accidental Monk: A Chronicle of Struggle, Faith and Surrender.
During this season of uncertainty and seeming instability, the reality of the pandemic has brought into focus many crises that we must face. Our guest speaker asks: how can we stay grounded in everyday spirituality? This class will focus on a core value of St. Benedict, the dynamic of centeredness.
Guest Speakers: Bishop John H. Taylor. Bishop Taylor serves as the 7th Bishop Diocesan of Los Angeles. Bishop Taylor brings a wealth of background and insight to the complexity of issues followers of Jesus must bring to prayer. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood, he served as Chief of Staff to former President Richard Nixon, and later as Executive Director of the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA. Bishop Taylor served as Vicar of St. John's Episcopal Church and School of Rancho Santa Margarita prior to his election. We are grateful to Bishop Taylor for offering to teach a class for us as part of our Lenten program.
We look forward to hearing Bishop Taylor share his reflections with us. There will be an opportunity for discussion following his presentation.
From January 25 to February 15. Join Rev. Gethin to explore the Epistle to the Romans in which Paul lays out his understanding of the Good News of Christ and our relationship to it as a people of God. Historical context and a variety of themes will be explored with thought given to how the thought of Paul intersects with our own experiences as followers of Jesus. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Join ClassFrom January 12 to March 2. Join retired pastor Stan Hirtle and friends to view and discuss a series of video lectures entitled “America’s Religious History” presented by professor of history, Thomas Kidd, PhD. of Baylor University. The lectures will trace Religion in America from Early America to the Twenty-First Century. 9:30 am - 11:30 am.
Join ClassEnjoy delving deeper in the word as you join Rev. Michelle and others to study and discuss the scripture readings for each upcoming Sunday. Texts are viewed from a theological, exegetical and pastoral perspective. 10:00 am - 11:00 am.
Join Class
1325 Monterey Road
South Pasadena, CA 91030