This Week at St. Thomas
Special Request for Prayer on Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
For many months, the people of our congregations have been asked to pray for the discernment process to elect a new Bishop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Many hours of work and prayer have led to the calling of three godly, qualified candidates. The Diocesan Prayer Team is asking ALL our parishioners to pray earnestly for the election process on Saturday morning, April 30th from 10 to 12:30. Pray that the clergy and lay delegates will receive wisdom, direction, discernment, clarity of thought, and God’s grace to do His will in their task of electing our next Bishop. Pray also for peace for the candidates and their families. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)Wow! How Generous! Donations for Ukraine and our Adult Ed Guests
During Lent, St. Thomas parishioners donated:
$310 Anglican Relief and Development
$420 Church Army/Uncommon Grounds
$620 Mars Home for Youth
$384 Hosanna Industries
$2,084 Ukraine (one extremely generous donor gave $1,000!)
The Vestry matched the Ukraine donation with $1,000 and $200 to each of the other 4 organizations. We had a few members write checks directly to the organizations for another $230.
The grand total of cash donations that St. Thomas will be sending to these great organizations will be $5,848
There is more information about each of these organizations on the table at the back of the church. Thank you once again for your generosity.
Church Cleaning Day, June 4
Please save the date! We will hold our first Cleaning Day of the year on June 4 from 9 am to 1 pm and we need your help (and tools!). We will clean up fallen branches, clean the pavilion for the church picnic, clean out the Penny Room, do some reorganizing and other small and larger jobs. A list will be posted in the upcoming weeks. Please see Manny or Carol if you have any questions or suggestions for things that need to be done.New Adult Ed. Starting Sunday, April 24 at 9:15 am
Gender and Sexuality—A Christian Perspective with Fr. Ron Baillie
We are living in a time of redefining gender, sexuality and what it means to be human. What is the culture teaching? How does this redefining sync with Biblical teaching and Christian understandings? And perhaps most importantly: how are we as Christians to respond? Join Fr. Ron Baillie for a 4-week series April 24 through May 15.
Altar Flowers and Sanctuary Lamp
2022 Price Increase for flowers: $23.50
The calendar to sign up for the Altar Flowers and the Sanctuary Lamp is posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall. In order to be sure the flowers are ordered, please do all of the following at least 3 weeks before your scheduled week. If it is less than 3 weeks in advance, please call Carol because bulletins are often done 2-3 weeks early.
• Sign up on the 2022 Flower and Lamp calendar found on the bulletin board or online through the weekly email
• Complete the order form-found next to the calendar on the bulletin board or in the email and return it with your payment.
• Pay for the flowers using the envelope in your offertory envelopes or a blank envelope with “flowers” written on the outside or on your check
The cost of the flowers is $23.50 and the lamp is $5. If you donate both, the cost is $26.50. If you need assistance with signing up, please call Carol on her cell phone, 412-720-3129.
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 .
In Our Prayers
PRAYER TO CALL A NEW RECTOR TO ST THOMAS
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall call the next Rector for St. Thomas, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will preach the Gospel, care for your people, equip us for ministry, and lead us forth in fulfillment of the Great Commission; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
THE ACNA CYCLE OF PRAYER
Pray for the Anglican Province of Bangladesh and The Most Rev. Samuel Mankhin, Moderator.
DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER
Pray for Reconciliation, Penn Hills, PA and The Rev. Chip Bateson (Mara), The Rev. Dave Rucker (Karen), The Rev. Doug Sherman (Winnie). A mid-sized suburban church committed to restoring relationship with God, others, and self. Please pray for the leadership transition. Pray for Fr. Dave to complete his work faithful to Jesus, and for Fr. Chip to assume his work faithful to Jesus. Racial Reconciliation Commission and Mrs. Dolores Oliver (Dan), Dr. Toni Turner.
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
Norm and Ruby Hayden; Pat Ruberto; Judy Eves; Joe Kosarik; Marissa Sharkey; Jone Mader; Mary Egger; Giuliana; Tim; Jim; Polly Johnson; Kathy Vamdevort; Joan McBurney; Steve; Debbie Babcox; Joseph Babcox; Rebecca Ford; Jessica; Richard Wells; Ola; Alexa; Janice; Melissa Schmitzer; John Washburn; Les and Gladys; Bonnie and John Colaianne; Mariah; Jerry; Larry; Kristen Casavale; Cal Goss; Phyllis; Janice; Cindy; Jon; Emily Tedeschi; Timmy; Randy; Jim and Ginny.
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.; and Tristin.
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. Chris is available for spiritual direction or pastoral counsel upon request. You may email Fr. Chris at FatherChill@gmail.com or leave a message on the church voicemail at 724-443-1963.
Pastoral Services
Please contact Melissa Schmitzer if you or somebody you know in the congregation is in need of Pastoral Services such as meals or rides.