​A delightful presentation of the Nativity Story was enjoyed by all as we entered the Christmas week.  Children and young folks of all ages participated in the production, including the newest member of the congregation, Elijah, as our own baby Jesus in the manger.  The kids did a wonderful job, and as is typical of children’s performances, we had a loose sheep or two running around the set.  It was a joy to watch for all in the pews.  Afterward, everyone joined together for fellowship over pizza and cake recognizing the birth of our Lord.  Many thanks to Barb and Diana for their vision and creativity in putting the pageant together this year.  We can hardly wait for next year’s performance!

December 22
4th Sunday of Advent
1:30 pm Service
St. James Christmas Pageant
The pageant will be presented during the Service.
Following the service we will have Pizza, salad and goodies. Please come and join us!!

Practices for pageant. Dec. 8th and 15th right after the church service for about 15-20 minutes.

December 24th
Christmas Eve Service
8:00 pm Sing along
8:30 pm Service begins
Campus Bible Church
222 E. Fountain Way, Fresno, CA 93704

December 25th
Christmas Day Service
10:00 am Church Office Chapel
1300 E. Shaw Ave. #174, Fresno, CA 93710

In the last article about Bread and Wine we looked at Jesus’ words in John 6.  He declared that He was the Bread come down from heaven, and all who eat of His flesh will never die.  We considered what it must have been like to be a first century Jew hearing a famous Rabbi saying these words.  ​

In the eyes of all the disciples it went downhill from there!  

One of the things that stands out as one reads the writings of the Early Church Fathers from Ignatius of Antioch (@100 A.D.) onward is how universal is the idea of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar; what Ignatius and later fathers all called the Holy Eucharist.  Ignatius, who was a disciple of John the Apostle, and was the Bishop of the Church of Antioch (where both Paul and Peter taught) declares that the Holy Eucharist is the “Medicine of Immortality.”  He says that he no longer desires the “dainties” of this world, but for bread he longs for the flesh of Christ and for drink he longs for the blood of Christ “an immortal love feast indeed!”  The Real Presence means that the bread and the wine truly become the body and blood of Christ by the end of the prayer over the elements and that they are the very life of God, eternal life, as God’s people eat and drink.

The first annual St. James family picnic was held on September 7th at Meadow Lakes.  We all gathered together on a perfect day for some sunshine, fishing, swimming, fellowship and most importantly LOTS of great food!  Wally celebrated his 72nd birthday, which coincidentally happened to land on the very same day as our picnic, and was treated to a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday and his own personal birthday cake.  

Original Article: ​https://world.wng.org/2019/07/true_grit

Rugged pioneers settled a desolate landscape in the plains of north Texas nearly two centuries ago. So, it seems fitting for a group of Christians who fled an arid spiritual landscape more than a decade ago to gather here and survey their progress after pulling up stakes to build something new.

​If you have been to the church office/chapel recently, you may have noticed a beautiful new creation depicting our Lord and Savior.  Iconography allows the viewer an opportunity to meditate on the subject, and is an ancient artform that has been used by the Church for centuries.  This gorgeous rendition was created by our own master iconographer, Sue Hague.  Let’s allow her explain the spiritual meaning behind the painting:

​The saints of St. James jubilantly looked on as two new young ones were received into the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  On Easter Sunday, Kiara Grace Sanders, presented by her Parents and Godparents, was accepted into the kingdom of our Lord.  Then on Sunday May 19th, Isokan Tunde Estes King received the Sacrament of Baptism, as his Parents and Godparents took the vows to guide him faithfully to trust and serve God wholeheartedly.  We receive them into the fellowship of the Church with joy; confess with them the faith of Christ crucified; proclaim with them the resurrection; and share with them the royal priesthood of all of His people.  Alleluia!  Glory be to God Almighty!