Mission Saint James

Why is it that Christians can praise God one minute and turn their backs on Him the next? For this Palm Sunday message, Fr. Ben Williams suggests that this happens because we are ambivalent people. Unlike us, Jesus was not ambivalent, nor did He take the easy way out. Join us for this Palm Sunday message leading us into Holy Week.

Why is there so much suffering in the world? If God is so good, why is there so much death? These are some of the most vexing challenges to the Christian faith. However, in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of just how deep the goodness of God goes. This week, Fr. Ben Williams reminds us that the suffering and death we experience is the whole point of the gospel, not a barrier.

Which eyes do you see the world through? Do you see the world through your own eyes, or through the eyes of God? This week, Fr. Kevin Vailes challenges us with these questions. Having been born blind to God’s sight, we now have the opportunity to allow Jesus to give us new eyes to see the world as it truly is.

We often make snap judgments of others based on superficial information. This was not the case for Jesus when He met the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. This week, Fr. Wes Gristy visits Mission Saint James from our mother church, All Saints, with a message about loving others beyond our snap judgments.

What is God’s plan? What is He up to? Is it all about saving us from our sins? Going to heaven when we die? As important as this is, God’s ultimate plan is to reclaim and remake His own family. Join us this week as Fr. Keven Vailes preaches on John 3:1-16 with a message about following God’s plan.

What is sin and how do we fight it? This fundamental question faces all Christians. Lent is a season for focusing on repentance, but what are we repenting for? What is the end goal? This week, Fr. Ben Williams preaches on the temptation of Jesus and how it relates to our struggle with sin. While the Christian life requires us to avoid the forbidden fruit of sin, it also opens a world of feasting on permitted fruit God has given us.

What is the significance of Ash Wednesday? Why do we smear ashes on our foreheads? These questions arise each year as we begin the Lenten season. It is a season that reminds us of our deep need for a Savior. But we don’t enter Lent as though we are weighed down with our sins and offenses. That is the beginning of the story, the bad news. But we keep the end of the story in mind, too: the good news that we can be and have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Join Fr. Ben Williams as he leads us into the season of penitence.

What if you walked with Jesus and saw every miracle He performed? Do you think you would still struggle to believe? Or would He still seem like a regular person who happens to be a miracle worker? On the Mount of Transfiguration, the apostles Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus in His glory. Like them, we can become so familiar with the ordinariness of Jesus that we forget He is the creator. This week, Fr. Ben Williams expounds on Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration to see just who it is we are dealing with when we deal with Jesus.

What does it mean to go and make disciples of all nations? In today’s world, it is hard to believe that there remain entire people groups who have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ. We often forget that the faith we confess has been handed down to us, often at great cost. This Sunday’s message comes from Matt Wright. Matt and his wife Cindy have been missionaries for over 25 years. Join us as we are challenged to get out of our comfort zones and obey the call to go.

How do we know that Jesus is God? How do we know that Jesus is the only way? January 18 marks the Confession of St. Peter. When Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus responds by saying that flesh and blood had not revealed this to him. Anyone can introduce you to Jesus of Nazareth; only the Father can introduce you to the Son of the Living God.

What is the significance of the baptism of Jesus? This crucial question is often ignored, but it has important implications for every sinner. Join Fr. Ben Williams on this first Sunday of Epiphany as we wrestle with the implications of Christ’s baptism and how this helps us reimagine evangelism today.

Have you ever made a recommendation to someone who just didn’t get it? It seems that all the passion in the world doesn’t help others to see what we see. Just like our impassioned recommendations, we can let the responses of others keep us from shining our light in the darkness. As we kick off our Epiphany series on this special feast day, Fr. Ben Williams encourages us to remember that like the wise men from the east, God is already drawing those who are far off to His light through His church.

Have you ever been found somewhere you didn’t belong? Where do you belong? This week’s gospel passage is about the 12-year-old Jesus who stayed behind in Jerusalem after his parents mistakenly left him. When they finally found them, he was exactly where he belonged. Join Fr. Ben Williams this week as we consider the implications of living in God’s presence.

What does the incarnation of Christ have to do with shame? Whether we admit to the depths of our own shame or barely notice it, we all have it. Shame is one of the results of the fall. The story of redemption, however, offers a reversal of those results and the good news is that Christ’s incarnation is the means of that reversal. On this first Sunday of Christmastide, Fr. Ben Williams encourages us that, rather than living in shame, we can be clothed in Christ.

How many times have you heard the Christmas story? The story of Christ’s incarnation can become so familiar to us that we lose the impact of just how scandalous it must have been. This week, we wrap up our Advent series on Awaiting the Light with Mr. Brian Denker, who leads us in imagining this old story anew. Join us as we consider the scandal of the incarnation.

Do you struggle with doubt? Has your faith fluctuated over the course of your discipleship? You are not alone. When John the Baptist was in prison, he feared that he had been wrong about Jesus. But Jesus’ response was surprising. Join us this week as our guest preacher, Dr. Gary Osborne encourages us to take comfort that doubt is a normal part of following Jesus.

What is peace and how do we know it when we see it? It can be discouraging to look for the peace of Christ when it seems all we see is violence, evil, and unrighteousness. This week, we light the peace candle and contemplate the promise of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Guest preacher, Mr. Josh Krebs, expounds on the readings for the second Sunday in Advent. He reminds us that the bells of Christmas are a declaration of peace, a pronouncement that the table of the Lord is now open.

What is Christian hope? Is it simply wishful thinking or is it something more? This week, as we begin our Advent season together, we hear from our own Matt Wright, who reminds us of our ultimate hope in Jesus Christ. This hope is not only fulfilled in Jesus’ first Advent, but has been prophesied in his second Advent as well. The hope that is in us changes the way we live our lives and love our neighbors. Join us as we hear this Advent message, Something to Hope For.

What is power? Where does it come from and what is our relationship with it? This Sunday marks the final Sunday in the church year and we call it Christ the King Sunday. Join us this week as we remember that above all earthly powers, especially the power of death, our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Where do you look for stability? Where do your foundations lie? This week’s gospel passage contrasts the stability of the earthly Temple in Jerusalem with the stability of eternal life promised in Jesus. We will interpret the instability of our lives here and now through a particular lens. The question is whether we will see instability through the lens of fear or through the lens of faith.

What has God called each of us to do in this life? How do we remain faithful to that call when we experience challenges and afflictions? This week, we focus on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, where St. Paul encourages his readers to pray, stand firm in the faith and to continue the work of ministry in the midst of persecution and affliction. Join us as Fr. Ben encourages us to remain steadfast and resolved to persevere in ministry.

What does it mean to be blessed? How do we receive blessing? Where does it come from? When Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount, he began with a passage we know as the Beatitudes, or the blessings. This week, Fr. Horace Tipton visits Mission Saint James from Marion, Arkansas. Join us as we hear his message of a blessedness that lasts for eternity.

After spending several weeks in Holy Scripture looking at creation, gender, marriage, children, and celibacy, what can we now say? What is the meaning of it all? How are we to understand these realities in light of God’s revealed Word? This week, Fr. Ben Williams wraps up our series, Very Good, with St. Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5 on the analogy between Christ and his Church. It is all about Christ’s bride, the Church, and his unfailing love for her. It isn’t about you, it’s about our marriage to him.

How do we keep going when we are beset by so many trials, setbacks, and brokenness? Where is God when we cry out and only hear silence? This week, Dr. Gary Osborne joins us at Mission Saint James and shares a message about persisting in the faith, despite life’s many setbacks. When we are at our lowest is when trusting Christ is most important.

Is the celibate life a life of lack? How do single Christians reflect God’s good design for human flourishing? This week, we continue our series on creation, marriage, and chastity called Very Good by focusing on living the celibate life. Join Fr. Ben Williams as we consider the fulfilling and prophetic gift of singleness.

What is the purpose of physical intimacy? Is it an end in and of itself or is it a means to another end? When God created Adam and Eve, His first commandment was for them to be fruitful and multiply. Physical intimacy within the boundaries of marriage is not only a means to bring two persons together as one flesh, but to produce the blessing of children. This week, Fr. Ben Williams shares the fourth installment of our sermon series on creation, marriage, and chastity with a message on the blessing of children.

If half of marriages end in divorce, why get married? What is marriage, anyway, and why do Christians make such a big deal about it? There is much confusion today about the purpose and meaning of marriage. Often reduced to a legal contract between two parties, marriage seems old fashioned and superfluous. Yet, Holy Scripture provides a much greater picture of marriage and human sexuality. This week, Fr. Ben Williams delivers the third installment of our series titled Very Good, on creation, marriage, and chastity with a message about the meaning of marriage.

What is the purpose of gender? Is there an essential difference between male and female? These questions are a stumbling block to many folks today, including Christians. It seems that the world grows more skeptical and cynical when it comes to God’s design for gender. This week, Fr. Ben Williams delivers the second installment of the sermon series, Very Good, which examines creation, marriage, and chastity from a theological perspective. Join us as we discover the goodness of gender.

Is the material world good? Does our existence have any meaning? How we view God’s creation determines how we live life in His creation. This week, Fr. Ben Williams begins a six-part sermon series on creation, marriage, and chastity. We begin by setting the foundation of the goodness of God’s creation. All that God has made is good and has a purpose. Join us as we delve into the most important topics of our moment in history.

How are we to conform to the image of Christ? What characterizes a child of God? We know our efforts do not earn God’s love, but Scripture still calls us to live a life pleasing to God. This week, Mr. Matt Wright explores our lectionary readings and shares with us what he calls a mouthful of be’s. Join us this week as we seek to follow Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives.

As Jesus moves closer to His crucifixion, His teaching becomes more urgent and even chilling. When asked if only a few will be saved, He teaches about entering by the narrow door. The implication is that only a few make it through. This week, Fr. Ben Williams’ message is an encouragement to remain faithful to Christ through adversity and complacency. Otherwise, we may find ourselves on the outside once the Master shuts the narrow door.

Did Jesus come to bring peace on earth? The angels announced that he did bring peace at his birth. So why does Jesus tell us that he didn’t bring peace, but division in Luke 12:49-56? As we continue to journey with Jesus toward the cross, Fr. Ben Williams shares a message about the great divide the gospel brings between Christians and their closest relations.

Are our possessions good or do they weigh us down? Are they an idol? Do they encumber our discipleship? This week, Fr. Ben Williams shares Jesus’ admonition to sell our possessions and invest in the kingdom of God. Only by downsizing our lives can we make room for Christ and his kingdom.

Do you have what you need? Do you have more than you need? How will you steward your abundance? Our relationship with worldly goods can quickly tell us where our true treasures lie. This week, Fr. Ben Williams walks us through Jesus’ parable of the rich fool, who coveted more wealth to enjoy. As it turns out, there are eternal consequences for how we steward our abundance.

Who are you and what do you do? We are used to such a question because it tells us something about one another in our culture. But our work is not our identity. This week, Fr. Michael Schwandt visits us from Faith Anglican Church in Cordova, Tennessee. In his sermon on Mary and Martha, Fr. Michael challenges us to not let our labor become an idol. Although we are invited into good work, it is never at the expense of sitting at Jesus’ feet.

Who is my neighbor? What does the Bible say? How do we read it? Who are we really required to love? Jesus was once asked this question, which led to him telling the parable of the good Samaritan. This week, Fr. Wes Gristy, rector of our mother church, All Saints Anglican Church, challenges us to consider whether we are the kind of people who love indiscriminately or simply desire to justify ourselves.

Can we have peace when we are surrounded by chaos and destruction? This question must have been on Judah’s mind when their prophet Isaiah declared both destruction in the immediate future, but peace beyond. This week, Fr. Ben Williams preaches on our Old Testament passage, which prophesies about peace like a river even in the midst of chaos and destruction.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? We often get discouraged when we fail in our discipleship or undergo trials and temptations. It can be tempting to resort to easy answers and solutions when Christ is calling us to the cross. He often leads us where we do not want to go. This Sunday is the Feast of Peter and Paul. Join Fr. Ben Williams as we look at the resurrected Jesus’ call to St. Peter and what it meant for him to follow Him.

What is the most important question in life? Jesus once asked his disciples who the crowds said he was. Next, he asked them who they said he was. This week, Mr. Matt Wright asks this question to each of us. How we answer will determine whether we will pick up our own crosses and follow him.

What is the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and why is it important to Christians? Trinitarian theology is often pushed aside because it is either too hard to think about or seemingly irrelevant. This Sunday is known as Trinity Sunday and it marks the first Sunday of Ordinary Time within the church calendar. In this sermon, Fr. Ben Williams focuses on the necessity of this doctrine for our salvation.

What does it mean for us to do the “greater works” Jesus promised, and how can our ordinary labor be part of God’s work? In this Pentecost sermon Fr. Ben Williams explores how our everyday labor can either be self-serving or be transformed into “the works of God” through faith in Christ.

Who is Jesus? This age-old question has been asked for nearly 2,000 years. This week, in Mission Saint James’ first episcopal visit, Archbishop Foley Beach shares God’s Word from Jesus’ high priestly prayer to answer the question: Who is Jesus to you.

At Mission Saint James we long to be a place for the wanderer to dwell. In other words, we want to be a spiritual home. But what is a home? It is a place of security, belonging, stability, and so much more. No matter how great a home may be, our hearts are restless until they rest in God (St. Augustine). This week, Fr. Ben Williams shares a message that no matter what, God’s children are already at home with God.