Authors

Ben E. Helmer

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Ben Helmer has been vicar of St. James' since June of 2009. He has been ordained to the priesthood for 38 years. He was raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, graduated from Michigan State University and received his M. Div. from General Theological Seminary in New York. His wife, Jane, is a mostly retired horticultural writer and editor. They have two sons. Richard is a priest in the Diocese of California and Steven is a carrier pilot in the U.S. Navy. Ben has served churches in Northern Michigan, Western Kansas and West Missouri. He was also the staff officer for rural and small community ministries for the Episcopal Church from 1999-2005 when he retired. He and Jane were then invited to work in Louisiana for a year where Ben was a chaplain to clergy, diocesan staff and caregivers and Jane worked as a volunteer following the ravages in Katrina. In June of 2007 Ben and Jane went to Guam for 18 months where Ben served as archdeacon for the Episcopal Church in Micronesia before returning to Missouri. The Helmers now live in Holiday Island about 7 miles north of Eureka Springs with their chocolate lab, Jessie.  

Sermons and Bible Studies

Preoccupied, Advent 1 (C) – 2006

December 03, 2006

Advent, this season on which we embark today, these few short weeks of repentance, preparation, and expectation, begins with a picture of the end of the world. Jesus, already well […]

The Giving of the Ten…, Lent 3 (B) – 2006

March 19, 2006

The giving of the Ten Commandments is read every Lenten season. In some churches the Commandments are read as a preparation for the Confession of Sin during penitential seasons. Recently […]

Resistance, Christmas Eve -2005

December 24, 2005

The birth of the Messiah in a lowly stable is current news. Just a year ago Newsweek devoted a December issue to the topic. It was quite good! It talked […]

Today Is a Day to Feast…, All Saints’ Day (A) – 2005

November 01, 2005

Today is a day to feast on thanksgivings of memory, to recall people who have gone before us, patriarchs, prophets, and pilgrims, who were disciples in their own times. Some […]

Today in Small Towns…, Independence Day – 2005

July 04, 2005

Today in small towns and major cities across the United States there will be celebrations of liberty and freedom. “Old Glory” will wave, bands will play Sousa marches, and people […]

They Are Fondly Heard…, Epiphany 4 (A) – 2005

January 30, 2005

This passage from the Gospel of Matthew is known commonly as The Beatitudes. They are fondly heard by people of good will, and treasured as words of comfort to the […]

Following the Tsunami, Christmas 2 – 2005

January 02, 2005

(Note to the reader: This sermon is written for use the Sunday after the tsunami disasters in the Indian Ocean. While it makes reference to the lessons for the Second […]

In the Popular Current Series…, Advent 1 (A) – 2004

November 28, 2004

[RCL]: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Challenges, Epiphany 2 (C) – 2004

January 18, 2004

There are many challenges to churches today: Some are small and struggling, hoping to grow and not finding their numbers increasing. Others have problems finding qualified clergy or raising enough […]

The Presentation of Christ…, Candlemas – 2003

February 02, 2003

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple is celebrated today. The characters in Luke’s account are brought together in an event that moves them to a new place. Joseph and […]

No Coincidences, Christmas 2 – 2003

January 05, 2003

There are no coincidences. Each of us has had times when we have been struck by the oddness of events in our lives. An unexpected visit or a chance meeting […]

Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending…, Advent 1 (B) – 2002

December 01, 2002

Lo, He comes with clouds descending…are the opening words of a well-known Advent hymn that will be sung in many churches today. Another hymn many will sing is O, Come, […]

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