This Week at St. Thomas
New Adult Education Topic! We will meet virtually for the time being.
The Prologue to John's Gospel with Fr. Terry, Nov. 29 - Dec. 20
The Prologue to John's Gospel with Fr. Terry, Nov. 29 - Dec. 20
Fr. Terry will lead Adult Ed. throughout Advent and he will be teaching on the Prologue to John’s Gospel. Visit the St. Thomas website to join Adult Ed.
Advent Secret Prayer Partners
Today is the last day to participate in the Advent Secret Prayer Partners program. If you put your name in the red box but did not select a name from the box, please contact Carol to receive your prayer partner’s name. Four names were left in the box this past Sunday so we need to find their partners!
Evening Prayer, Tuesdays During Advent, A Time of Advent Worship, 7:30 pm
Fr. Ron will lead an Order for Evening Prayer from our 2019 Book of Common Prayer through Google Meet. The evening will include a short Advent homily/ meditation every Tuesday, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22. Join the meeting every week with code: meet.google.com/rvp-hphq-vkv
The Back Door Will Be Unlocked and the Church Open:
9:30 am to 1 pm Monday December 7 and 14
1 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday, December 8 and 15
9:30 am to 1 pm Wednesday, December 9 and 16
The church will be unlocked and Carol will be in the office during these hours.
(These are the minimum hours).
Please feel free to stop in to pray, visit the chapel, pick up offertory envelopes, drop off basket donations, ornaments or pledge cards.
Church Front Porch Pick Up
There is a plastic bin on the front porch at church. The bin contains...
Bulletins (small and large size) / Devotionals (Jan-March) and Advent / Pledge cards / Annual Reports / Flower Forms & Envelopes
Bulletins for the next Sunday will be in the bin no later than Thursday afternoon.
Hanging of the Greens, December 6
A small group from the worship commission, vestry and altar guild will decorate at noon on Sunday, December 6.
Decorate the St. Thomas Family Christmas Tree
We would like each family in the church to design and create an ornament for our St. Thomas Christmas tree. It can be made in any way you choose, but use something fairly durable. It should mention your family name and 2020. If kids want to make their own, too, that's fine. Be creative!! At your convenience, please place your ornament in the box on the front porch of the church. After Dec. 6, in times when the church is unlocked, you may place your ornament on the tree on the altar. After Christmas, we'll keep the ornaments for future years, always remembering the unique Christmas of 2020.
Christmas Flower Orders, Due December 13
Christmas Flower orders are due on Sunday, December 13th. The cost of each plant is $9.00 and the flowers may be given in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving for somebody. Christmas flowers may be taken home after the service on Christmas Eve. Please complete the flower form and place it, with your payment, in the “flowers” envelope found in your boxed envelopes. You may drop off your envelope during the hours the church is open or drop it in the mail as soon as possible.
Gift Baskets for Our Friends
Once again, this Christmas, baskets will be delivered to all homebound members and friends of St. Thomas to extend our well wishes and love. Please consider donating to the basket project. You may sign up for items here. Please drop off your donations during the hours the church will be open. All donations must be made no later than Dec. 15 as the baskets will be assembled on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 10 am.
Pledge Cards
Please complete your pledge card and drop it off during the hours the church is open or drop it in the mail. Extra pledge cards are on the table at the back of the church.
EVERY SUNDAY
Adult Education at 9:15 am: Live stream
Fr. Terry will lead Adult Ed. throughout Advent and he will be teaching on the Prologue to John’s Gospel. Visit the St. Thomas website to join Adult Ed.
Youth Sunday School
Youth Sunday School will be offered online each Sunday at 9:15 am. The format for class, at least for the first 9 weeks or so, will be to read a parable together, discuss the meaning in simple, straightforward terms and then discuss and plan ways for the kids to put the meaning into action.
WEEKLY VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES
An informal time of prayer led by Donna Goss every Monday evening.
Fr. Ron will lead an Order for Evening Prayer from our 2019 Book of Common Prayer.
The evening will include a short Advent homily/mediation every Tuesday, December 1, 8, 15, and 22.
Join Fr. Ron on Wednesday afternoons for a new Bible Study, Armor of God.
Join us for a short Compline service every Thursday evening.
Altar Flowers and Sanctuary Lamp
If you signed up and paid for Altar Flowers or the Sanctuary Lamp for a time when we were not meeting, please sign up for another day. July is completely available! Please call Carol if you have any questions about flower or lamp donations. Thank you!
Altar flowers and the sanctuary lamp may be given in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for blessings received. The altar flower donation is $23 and the sanctuary lamp donation is $5. Donate both for $25. There is an order form on the table at the back of the church. Please place your payment and completed form in the offertory and sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.
Prayer Requests
If you have a specific need or concern for which you would like to have someone pray, please email: PrayerRequests@SaintThomasAnglican.org We will be happy to share your confidential request with our Prayer Warrior Team .
There will be a new Prayer List starting on November 15. Please circle the names of those whom you wish to remain on our Prayer List. The current Prayer List is on the table at the back of the church.
In Our Prayers
THE ACNA CYCLE OF PRAYER
We pray the Anglican Diocese of the Gulf Atlantic, Bishop Neil Lebhar and his wife, Marcia.
DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER
Pray for all Missionaries especially Alison Barfoot.
Names remain on the prayer list for 3 months. Names will be read during the Prayers of the People for 4 weeks. Please keep our prayer list current by removing names of those who no longer need intentional prayer.
PRAY FOR THOSE ON OUR PARISH PRAYER LIST
Judy Eves; Norm and Ruby Hayden; Pat Ruberto; Terry Rusnak; Marissa Sharkey; Jone Mader; Jean Kifer; Jennie Crawford; Lauren Saul; Rod and Mary; Marge Lytle and family; Paul Jay; Marti Pristas; Billy Egger; Timmy Saxman; Janis Alicandro; Shirley; Andy; Sarah; Bill; Diane Johnstone; Diana.
PRAY FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Chad D.; Mike B.; Mat B,; Ty W.; Stephen M.; Scott M.; Jesse W.; Chris R.; Heidi Jean; Richard; Omar; Todd; Brian; Sonja; Corey A.; Bene K.; Clifford M.; Jordan B.; Tristan Z.; Logan; Jackson S.; and Matthew D.
Pastoral Needs
Home Visits or Communion
For those hospitalized or unable to attend church, home visits or Communion can be arranged easily by contacting the church office at: 724-443-1963 or emailing: Admin@SaintThomasAnglican.org. Communion typically is taken to nursing homes and the homebound on the first Sunday of each month.
Pastoral Counseling
Fr .Ron and Fr. Chris are available for spiritual direction or pastoral counsel upon request. You may email them directly, Fr. Ron at: Rector@SaintThomasAnglican.org and Fr. Chris at FatherChill@gmail.com or leave a message on the church voicemail at 724-443-1963.
Pastoral Services
Please contact Patti Flagg at 724-443-1663 if you or somebody you know in the congregation is in need of Pastoral Services such as meals or rides.