When You Visit St. James'
WHO WE ARE
We are a community of loving and caring people. For more than 75 years, Saint James’ has been a beacon in the Third Ward community of Houston, Texas. At the heart of our work and our worship we seek to bring others to Christ and grow in Christ like-ness.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are faithful followers of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God is active in our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and with each other in Christ.
WHEN WE GATHER
You can expect a range of worship styles at our varied services.
9 am Traditional Service of Holy Communion with choir, pipe organ and trumpet
11:30 am Contemporary Service of Holy Communion with St. James’ Jazz Ensemble
3 pm Jubilee Service – An outreach ministry to the community
WHAT TO EXPECT
You can expect to be warmly greeted when you arrive. We are an Episcopal Church, and our worship follows a liturgy (work of the people). The order for the service is outlined in the Book of Common Prayer, the red book found in the back of the pews. The page numbers will be printed in the bulletin you receive when entering the church and will be referenced by the letters BCP. We also use the 1982 Hymnal and the “Lift Every Voice and Sing” hymnal (LEVAS), also found in the back of the pews.
Eucharist
Holy Communion or the Eucharist (which literally means "thanksgiving") is the family meal for Christians and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. All baptized persons are welcome to receive the bread and wine, and to be in communion with God and each other.
Bowing and Crossing
Before we enter or leave the pew of the church, some will bow before the altar. Some people genuflect or bend the knee. Both are gestures of reverence given to the cross and to the Altar where the sacrament or consecrated bread and wine representing the Body and Blood of Jesus are kept. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We also cross ourselves at times during the service by touching the forehead, heart, left shoulder and right shoulder. When we do, we are asking God to be “in our heads,” “in our hearts,” “and in all of me. Generally Episcopalians cross themselves whenever the priest blesses them, or at the words, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Paul writes, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Sharing Peace
After we hear the sermon, or having heard the Word of God proclaimed, having stated our basic beliefs in the Creed, and having confessed our sins to God, we express our desire to be at peace with God and each other by greeting one another. The exchange often begins with one person saying, “The peace of the Lord be with you,” and the other responding with, “And also with you.” The “Passing of the Peace,” as it is called, is based on the Kiss of Peace mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:16. It also provides us with an opportunity to express our peace to one another before we engage in the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or Eucharist.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious education is offered for children, youth, and adults between 10:30 and 11: 20 am.
Adult Christian Education
Adults meet in the Office Conference Room year round studying a variety of topics and participating in a book study during June - August.
Children’s Sunday School
Our children’s ministry classes for kindergarten through 5th grade (elementary) meet from September – May in the Atrium classrooms behind Tucker Hall.
Middle and High School Ministry
Our middle and high school ministry group, SWAGG (Serving, Worshiping, and Glorifying God), meets in the SWAGG Hangout behind the Atrium in Tucker Hall.
Join us for Coffee!
We'd love to meet you! Join us in Nettleton Hall in the next building for coffee immediately after the morning services. Our priest is available after each service in case you would like to ask a question, ask for prayer, or just say "hello."
Visit a Bible Study during the week
A variety of adult Bible Study groups meet throughout the week.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study - The Tuesday Evening Bible study group meets for prayers and Bible study led by the priest weekly from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Christian Meditation, Tuesdays , 7 – 8 pm in the Church Conference Room. Led by Deacon Divine
Men’s Discipleship, Tuesdays, 7 – 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall - Prayer, fellowship, and Bible study with a light meal
Wednesday Bunch, Wednesdays, 10 am – noon, Parish Hall - Seniors, aged 50 and older, gather for worship, fellowship, lunch, and Bible study. Worship with Holy Communion begins at 10 am.
Becoming a Member of St. James’
We hope you will find St. James’ to be a place where you feel welcome and are spiritually fed. Should you wish to make a deeper commitment, we would love to have you become a part of this fellowship of believers.
Ways to Become a Member
1. By transferring membership, if you belong to another Episcopal Church
2. By being received or confirmed into the Episcopal church, if you belong to another Christian denomination
3. By Baptism followed by Confirmation
4. By attending a New Members Class, which gives a basic introduction to St. James’ and the Episcopal Church
For more information about St. James’, the Episcopal Church, or about becoming a member of St. James’, contact the Rev. Victor J. Thomas, Rector, at revthomas@stjameshouston.org.
Growing Together in Christ-likeness
St. James’ Episcopal Church
3129 Southmore Boulevard
Houston TX 77004
www.stjameshouston.org
713-526-9571
We are a community of loving and caring people. For more than 75 years, Saint James’ has been a beacon in the Third Ward community of Houston, Texas. At the heart of our work and our worship we seek to bring others to Christ and grow in Christ like-ness.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are faithful followers of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God is active in our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and with each other in Christ.
WHEN WE GATHER
You can expect a range of worship styles at our varied services.
9 am Traditional Service of Holy Communion with choir, pipe organ and trumpet
11:30 am Contemporary Service of Holy Communion with St. James’ Jazz Ensemble
3 pm Jubilee Service – An outreach ministry to the community
WHAT TO EXPECT
You can expect to be warmly greeted when you arrive. We are an Episcopal Church, and our worship follows a liturgy (work of the people). The order for the service is outlined in the Book of Common Prayer, the red book found in the back of the pews. The page numbers will be printed in the bulletin you receive when entering the church and will be referenced by the letters BCP. We also use the 1982 Hymnal and the “Lift Every Voice and Sing” hymnal (LEVAS), also found in the back of the pews.
Eucharist
Holy Communion or the Eucharist (which literally means "thanksgiving") is the family meal for Christians and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. All baptized persons are welcome to receive the bread and wine, and to be in communion with God and each other.
Bowing and Crossing
Before we enter or leave the pew of the church, some will bow before the altar. Some people genuflect or bend the knee. Both are gestures of reverence given to the cross and to the Altar where the sacrament or consecrated bread and wine representing the Body and Blood of Jesus are kept. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We also cross ourselves at times during the service by touching the forehead, heart, left shoulder and right shoulder. When we do, we are asking God to be “in our heads,” “in our hearts,” “and in all of me. Generally Episcopalians cross themselves whenever the priest blesses them, or at the words, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Paul writes, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Sharing Peace
After we hear the sermon, or having heard the Word of God proclaimed, having stated our basic beliefs in the Creed, and having confessed our sins to God, we express our desire to be at peace with God and each other by greeting one another. The exchange often begins with one person saying, “The peace of the Lord be with you,” and the other responding with, “And also with you.” The “Passing of the Peace,” as it is called, is based on the Kiss of Peace mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:16. It also provides us with an opportunity to express our peace to one another before we engage in the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or Eucharist.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious education is offered for children, youth, and adults between 10:30 and 11: 20 am.
Adult Christian Education
Adults meet in the Office Conference Room year round studying a variety of topics and participating in a book study during June - August.
Children’s Sunday School
Our children’s ministry classes for kindergarten through 5th grade (elementary) meet from September – May in the Atrium classrooms behind Tucker Hall.
Middle and High School Ministry
Our middle and high school ministry group, SWAGG (Serving, Worshiping, and Glorifying God), meets in the SWAGG Hangout behind the Atrium in Tucker Hall.
Join us for Coffee!
We'd love to meet you! Join us in Nettleton Hall in the next building for coffee immediately after the morning services. Our priest is available after each service in case you would like to ask a question, ask for prayer, or just say "hello."
Visit a Bible Study during the week
A variety of adult Bible Study groups meet throughout the week.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study - The Tuesday Evening Bible study group meets for prayers and Bible study led by the priest weekly from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Christian Meditation, Tuesdays , 7 – 8 pm in the Church Conference Room. Led by Deacon Divine
Men’s Discipleship, Tuesdays, 7 – 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall - Prayer, fellowship, and Bible study with a light meal
Wednesday Bunch, Wednesdays, 10 am – noon, Parish Hall - Seniors, aged 50 and older, gather for worship, fellowship, lunch, and Bible study. Worship with Holy Communion begins at 10 am.
Becoming a Member of St. James’
We hope you will find St. James’ to be a place where you feel welcome and are spiritually fed. Should you wish to make a deeper commitment, we would love to have you become a part of this fellowship of believers.
Ways to Become a Member
1. By transferring membership, if you belong to another Episcopal Church
2. By being received or confirmed into the Episcopal church, if you belong to another Christian denomination
3. By Baptism followed by Confirmation
4. By attending a New Members Class, which gives a basic introduction to St. James’ and the Episcopal Church
For more information about St. James’, the Episcopal Church, or about becoming a member of St. James’, contact the Rev. Victor J. Thomas, Rector, at revthomas@stjameshouston.org.
Growing Together in Christ-likeness
St. James’ Episcopal Church
3129 Southmore Boulevard
Houston TX 77004
www.stjameshouston.org
713-526-9571
