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125 Beverly Rd, Ashland, VA 23005  •  Worship Times

804-798-6336     Contact Us

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Menu
  • I'M NEW
    • Worship Times
    • What's a Sunday like?
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Our Vestry
    • Self Guided Worship
    • Our History
    • Our Music
    • Past Sermons
  • FORMATION
    • 4th Quarter
    • Adult Bible Study
    • Children
    • Middle and High School Youth
    • Wednesday Book Club
  • GIVE
  • OUTREACH
    • A.C.E.S.
    • Ashland Circles
    • Fall Line Farms
    • Food Outreach
    • Free Clinic
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Peter Paul
    • Ronald McDonald House
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A Second Take
Preaching Date
Sunday, 08/20/2023
Liturgical Day
Proper 15
Scripture
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
Preacher
The Rev Rock Higgins

Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

[Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”]

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

St. James the Less
Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Rd.
Ashland, VA 23005

P. 804-798-6336

Google Map

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Worship Schedule

Sunday 8 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I

Sunday 10 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Last Sunday 5 pm - Contemplative

Wednesday 7:30am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II

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  • I'M NEW
    • Worship Times
    • What's a Sunday like?
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Our Vestry
    • Self Guided Worship
    • Our History
    • Our Music
    • Past Sermons
  • FORMATION
    • 4th Quarter
    • Adult Bible Study
    • Children
    • Middle and High School Youth
    • Wednesday Book Club
  • GIVE
  • OUTREACH
    • A.C.E.S.
    • Ashland Circles
    • Fall Line Farms
    • Food Outreach
    • Free Clinic
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • Peter Paul
    • Ronald McDonald House
    • Sr High Outreach
  • PARISH LIFE
    • Chenery
    • Pastoral Care
    • Social Clubs
    • Supper Club
  • NEWS/INFO
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Calendar
    • FR Rock's Blog