Father James T. Yarsiah, Priest - In - Charge

Phone: 732-775-5414

             Email us at: saintjamesbb@gmail.com

605 4th Avenue

Bradley Beach, NJ 07720

CURRENT WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, w/Choir,

Zoom Remote Worship is Available During the 9 AM Service        Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88377383368?pwd=UXV6YnM0Z0ZmVG9zckwrelRHUEZSZz09

Meeting ID: 883 7738 3368

Passcode: 629708

Sunday School is in session and Nursery is available.

All are welcome!

 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE - March Newsletter

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cultivating spiritual disciplines during Lent (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 and Psalm 103:8-14)

Another Season of Lent has commenced and I pray that each of you observes a Holy Lent. As Christians, there are practices we can cultivate during Lent and beyond.

Lent is a forty-day Penitential Season, excluding Sundays. Lent is also a period of sober reflection on the relationship between God, and us and between our fellow human beings and us. On Ash Wednesday, the Church invited each of us to the observance of a Holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (BCP p.265). These acts are geared towards our spiritual nurture and growth. However, we cannot achieve these things by ourselves, but rather by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.   

With intention and desire, one can cultivate spiritual disciplines during Lent. I wish to recommend three important aspects of Lent, namely, prayer, fasting/abstinence and almsgiving or charity.

Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness. It is also about repentance (to turn or return) and receiving God’s mercy and love. There is a very serious need for prayer at all times, and we are reminded to pray that we do not yield to temptation. Prayer makes us stronger to withstand the woes of the devil.  There is a very serious need for prayer during these challenging times (Matthew 26:41).

Fasting/abstinence is a very common practice during Lent. The idea is that giving up something that’s a regular part of life, especially something you love dearly, can be a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. The time or thing you give up, can also be replaced with more time connecting with God. It is also possible to create a new, good habit during the 40 days of Lent and beyond, like engaging in personal devotion/quiet time, joining a group Bible or book study, like our Joint Lenten Series “Meeting Jesus at the Table,” etc.

Almsgiving or charity is encouraged at all times. However, during Lent, we are specifically asked to give alms or do something good for others in a way to respond to grace and love. For example, some people spend time volunteering or donating money they would normally use to buy something they may not need. The need to give alms and/or volunteer has increased, especially during these challenging times. I, therefore, appeal to everyone who is capable and can afford, to give alms and to also explore ways to volunteer (Bradley Food Pantry) if you are able. Let your almsgiving begin at St. James and spread abroad. 

My prayer is that each of us will observe a Holy Lent and at the end of these forty days, be revived and renewed in mind, body, and spirit, to celebrate a glorious Easter Feast Day, on April 9, 2023.

May the Lord bless and keep us. 

Canon Yarsiah