Let us pray. Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Friday Online Morning Prayer on our Youtube Channel, 9:00 am

Sunday Services 9:00 & 10:30 am

Church School at 10:30 am

Coffee Hour after both services

Christmas Pageant Rehearsal at 11:30am

No Confirmation class

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded of how deeply gratitude shapes our life together at St. James the Less. This season invites us to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the blessings we have received — and to consider how we might share those blessings in return.

Just as we gather around our tables to give thanks for God’s abundance, our Annual Appeal gives us a chance to express gratitude for the spiritual home we have been given. Your pledge is not only a commitment — it is an offering of thanksgiving, honoring the generations who sustained this parish and helping build its future for those who will come after us.

We are delighted to share that we have now reached $243,000, bringing us close to the 50% mark toward our goal of $500,000. Thank you to everyone who has pledged so far! Your generosity is already making a difference.

If you have not yet made your pledge, we invite you to consider doing so during this season of gratitude. Every pledge helps us!

All are welcome to help us pack 300+ grocery bags for the food insecure in the neighborhood of our partner parish, St. James Episcopal Church in Fordham. To be added to the email distribution list for this ministry (where you'll receive reminders and occasional updates), click the button below and we'll add you to our list. Thank you!

Part assignments in the Pageant will be announced THIS Sunday, November 30th!

Parents! We could use some more volunteers for set building in December. If you are interested, please register below.

The Christmas Pageant is a wonderful way for all of us to come together (and all ages!) to celebrate and learn the story of the Christ Child. If you haven't signed your child up today, please do so! If you haven't signed up, come anyway to rehearsal on Sundays 11:30-12:30 afer church. All are welcome at this special event! The Christmas Pageant is on Sunday, December 21st during the 10:30am service. Questions?  Email Director of Music, Victoria Shields at music@stjamesscarsdale.org

Join us for our first of several monthly gatherings as we prepare for our journey next summer to England to walk the Pilgrim's Way. We'll begin by learning about some of the sites we'll be visiting, then plan out (optional) walking outings to get ourselves ready for the trip and get to know each other better. All are invited, even if you're not able to attend the pilgrimage. There's always something to learn!

We’re so excited that Mother Astrid Storm returns on December 7th! Let’s celebrate her return from sabbatical with a special Sunday Brunch following the 10:30 AM service on Sunday, December 7th.

Please sign up below if you’d like to contribute a dish or item to our celebration — your participation will help make this a joyful and delicious welcome back!

Thank you for your support and for helping us celebrate Mother Storm’s return to St James.

The 4th Annual Youth Group Christmas Party is happening on Sunday, December 7th from 5:30 PM to around 7:30/8:00 PM. A big thank-you to Ocean and Tom for generously hosting again at their home in Edgemont.

More details are in the link below. Please eachout to the office you would like to join the mailing list! (For grades 7-12)

Hi all, now is the season to buy a gift for Children's Village - see the attached Signup Genius for the boys who live there. Please deliver your gift in a gift bag, with a tag and their name and cottage, by December 12 to Cheryl's office. Thank you!

Every year at Christmastime, St. James bakers deliver home-baked cookies for 40+ boys at Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry.  The boys are so appreciative of these tasty (and sometimes decorated) treats.  Please bring your cookies to St. James on Sunday, December 14th at 10am.  No fancy packaging necessary as we will be putting together a mixed box for each boy.

IMPORTANT:  NO NUTS!  And no almond extract either.

Please contact Margy Loftus at margyloftus@yahoo.com with any questions.  Please sign up below and indicate what you are likely to bake -- keeping in mind that we want to offer a nice variety.  Thank you!

We are proud to feature this year, Westchester-based, Charis Chamber Voices. Join us for “Rejoice!” a festive concert of sacred masterworks and seasonal carols featuring Britten’s “Festival Te Deum” and “Rejoice in the Lamb” as well as Vivaldi’s radiant “Gloria”. Carols of the season complete this celebration in song. A festive reception follows to meet greet the artists!

Our Breakfast with Santa on December 13 includes delicious foods including pancakes and bacon, munchkins, bagels and more. Enjoy holiday arts and crafts, pick up a Gingerbread House kit, take a family portrait, and bid on the silent auction to benefit the playground.

With the holidays upon us, it becomes the time of year for welcoming family home, preparing the home for the onslaught of visitors, and fretting about whether you managed to get everything done. This parking lot construction is not so different. Each week, we welcome new and old friends to St. James, explaining (and apologizing for) the current state of our parking lot. I am in constant touch with neighbors, the Village, and our construction crew about the state of the parking lot, the construction timetable (singularly the most often asked question), and various material inquiries. The questions range from the color of mortar to the placement of benches to the flow of water. Personally, it is stressful and exhausting. But like the holidays, you are rewarded with the result and the joy felt by those around you.

Like the Thanksgiving feast many of us are preparing this week, there are materials everywhere. However, the final product is taking form. Yesterday, the balance of the parking lot was paved with the binder (the base coat before we pave over the entirety of the parking lot). The stairs to the Cloister are nearly finished. The stairs to the Parish Hall are done, and the ramp will be poured either this week or next. In short, we are in the home stretch. The expected completion date is Friday, December 19, with the exception of the topcoat.

Like the holidays, there is always a surprise or two. The latest has been the sudden shift to cold weather. This has complicated the asphalt installation. The hope had been to have the topcoat installed this week. However, Jack Frost has slowed down the construction, namely the pouring of concrete, which is needed for the curb on the driveway exit. Accordingly, we do not yet have that portion of the parking lot paved or open for use. We are trying to figure out a three-day stretch when the church isn’t in use. Ha! Good luck with that! Our church is a lively place with lots of events happening every day.

Thank you for your support and understanding through all of this. It has been trying, exhausting, with highs and lows, tears of joy and pain – much like the holidays.  And like the holidays, we wouldn’t change a thing. We are all very blessed that we have this wonderful church and parish. I am incredibly thankful for all of you.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Thankfully yours, Ocean

Get your tickets now as we sell out every year!

Ring in the New Year with all six of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos led by former St James the Less Music Director, Matthew Lewis. This masterpiece, forgotten and unpublished for over 100 years, almost lost during WWII, and today's most popular Baroque work, will be performed by an all-professional orchestra on the eve of a promising new year. Returning once again this year is a dinner that includes champagne, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages in our festive setting at St James the Less.

$125, dinner included

Join us for services at 5 and 8 pm for Christmas Eve services. The 5 pm is a simple Eucharist with congregational singing, the adult and children's choir, brief homily and Holy Communion. The 8 pm service includes an extended prelude (begins at 7:40) consisting of music for choir and organ, sermon, and congregational singing. Both services last an hour and include a candlelit singing of Silent Night. On Christmas Day we'll have a quiet service with hymns, a sermon, and Holy Communion.

Sunday's sermons will continue to be posted during Mo. Storm's sabbatical. You can click the link below each week for the latest from Rev. Michelle, Mother Eliza or Father Holton.

You can view this Sunday's bulletin at the link below. Names of all readers, servers, and acolytes are always listed on the last page of the bulletin. Readings are also there for readers to view in advance.