The Letter of James – Practical Christianity

‘James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ So begins this brief writing of the New Testament, penned during a time of mounting difficulties for the early Christian movement. Its overall theme is perseverance to live consistently what we say we believe. James is full of practical instruction on doing just that: applying the Gospel to everyday life.

You are encouraged to study prayerfully the Letter of James over the coming weeks. Each Sunday’s sermon in September will be based on the readings that are taken from James. Here below is a simple outline of the main points. The passages which appear in bold are those that will be read on Sundays.

1.1       Salutation

1.2-16   Rejoicing in trials

1.17-27 Be doers of the word and not just hearers (2 September)

2.1-17   Partiality and the royal law of love (9 September)

2.18-26 Faith and works

3.1-12   Taming the tongue (16 September)

3.13-4.12 Befriending the world (23 September)

4.13-17    Trusting the Lord

5.1-6        The folly of riches

5.7-12      Patience

5.13-20    The prayer of faith (30 September)

Those of you who were in church on 5 August have already heard the sad announcement that The Revd Christine Bloomfield will soon be leaving the Ministry Team of St Alban’s to take up the leadership of Christ Church and the Old Catholic parish in Lausanne, Switzerland.  Sad for us, as we have loved and cherished Christine and Lionel among us these many years, but quite a happy occasion for them and for those who will benefit from their ministry among them. Even still, they will be sorely missed at St Alban’s.  On Sunday 2 September at 10.30h there will be a special farewell Service of Celebration of Christine’s ministry with St. Alban’s.

Please take the time to read their letter to the congregation, here attached in English and in French.

Letter from Christine and Lionel August 2018

Christine and Lionel with dogs in the Swiss Jura – not too far from Lausanne.