Events
Lessons & Carols
The Saint James' Adult Choir, the Saint James' Church Band, the Saint James’ Ringers, and students from Saint James’ Episcopal School will offer their gifts as we tell the Christmas story through scripture and carols.
A festive reception in the Parish Hall will follow. It will feature bubbly beverages (both adult and kid friendly), chocolate-covered strawberries, and other treats.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was popularized by King’s College, Cambridge, in 1918, and its origins are found in Victorian-era Anglican traditions. The service begins with the hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City,” and continues with nine scripture readings paired with nine pieces of music that together tell the story of God’s redemption of the world and the birth of Jesus.
Contact Jesse Ratcliffe at music@saintjameswarrenton.org for additional information.
Christmas Eve Pageant with Eucharist
This service is especially geared to young families, but it is a joy to all. All children are welcome to participate in the reenactment of the birth of Jesus, and there is no prior rehearsal they need to attend. Just arrive at least 15 minutes early to be fitted in a costume. The service includes familiar Christmas carols woven into the celebration of Holy Eucharist.
The pageant is for everyone! No prior rehearsal is required. Parents can walk their children to the Parish Hall before the service begins and help them pick out a costume (angels, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph, and the three wise men). Parents should also help their children put on the costume.
Crayons, coloring pages will be available to children to keep busy while they wait for their turn for the pageant. We have several volunteers helping the kids while they wait. Children will be included in the pageant as the Christmas story progresses and remain on the chancel until the end of the pageant. The children will return to their parents following the prayers of the people and the peace. Costumes can be returned to the Parish Hall following the service.
There will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered during this service. For children who need a little break or need to stretch their legs, the Reception Room just outside the Side Chapel will be open.
Photos from 2024
Christmas Eve Service with Eucharist
This service features a liturgy for Christmas Eve, with readings from the Bible that tell the Christian story along with familiar Christmas carols.
Children are welcome and an important part of our life at Saint James’. There are bags of crayons and children’s bulletins in the back of the church and outside the Side Chapel. And while there will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered during this service, the Reception Room will be open for children who need a little break or need to stretch their legs.
Photos from 2024
Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist
This service is the liturgical high point of our Christmas Eve celebrations, featuring a festive liturgy and the full choir singing cherished carols with soaring descants and intimate choral anthems as we bask in the candlelit beauty of the space. An extended prelude performed by a guest harpist will begin at 9:45 p.m.
Children are welcome and an important part of our life at Saint James’. There are bags of crayons and children’s bulletins in the back of the church and outside the Side Chapel. And while there will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered during this service, the Reception Room will be open for children who need a little break or need to stretch their legs.
Photos from 2024
Christmas Day Eucharist
This informal and intimate Holy Eucharist service provides a time to worship with your parish family on Christmas morning.
Blue Christmas Service with Eucharist
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many people, but that isn’t the case for everyone. This service acknowledges that fact, providing an opportunity to light candles in recognition of the sadness that comes from the loss of a friend or family member, or any other pain and emptiness we may feel. As we light those candles, we proclaim that foundational truth from John’s Gospel: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The carols at this service reflect Christmas hope in that darkness, and we offer prayers for healing and support one another.
Common Threads Sunday
The First Baptist Church congregation will join us for worship at the 10:15 service, and the Rev. Dr. Dwayne E. Brown from First Baptist will deliver the sermon. This is part of our shared Common Threads initiative, a racial healing and justice ministry founded by Saint James’ and First Baptist. It’s also Christ the King Sunday — and we’ll celebrate a baptism — so it’s sure to be a very Spirit-filled morning at church! Please also join us for Café (8:45-10 a.m.) to help welcome our guests before we worship together.
Thanksgiving Eucharist
In this special Thanksgiving service with Saint James’ Episcopal School, we thank God “for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them” and ask that we may be “faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need.”
This service replaces the usual weekly Wednesday noon service.
All Saints' Sunday
On this day when we “remember those we love but see no longer,” the Saint James’ choir will present a choral Eucharist at the 10:15 service that utilizes music spanning styles and eras. An organ transcription of Samuel Barber's transcendental “Adagio for Strings” will begin the service. The Mass setting and Communion anthem were composed by English composers Charles Stanford and John Goss — both known for composing “Cathedral Music.” The offertory is a shape-note hymn harmonized by William Averitt, a retired Shenandoah Conservatory professor. As the melodies soar over you, we hope that you are inspired and can reflect on those that formed you.
There will also be special music at the 8:00 service, including an choral anthem from Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.”
Chalice Bearer Training Session
Could this be your calling?
Chalice bearers fill a unique role with their presence and assistance to the priest. Being part of the worship team is an honor.
As the fall approaches, it’s an appropriate time to refresh all the logistics involved in this ministry. It’s also a perfect time to invite those in the congregation who might be interested in joining this ministry.
This refresher session shouldn't last more than an hour. It will be held in the sanctuary. A complimentary light lunch will be served afterward.
Email Anita Sherman at anitajustwrite@gmail.com or text/call her at 540-272-9200 for more information.
Events listed on this page reflect special events and services that occur once a month or less. Click here to find a comprehensive schedule of what’s happening this week at Saint James’ Warrenton, including weekly services and events.
