This Week at St. Thomas
Outdoor Service
Our 8am Sunday service will once again be held outdoors in the pavilion; this time not so much as a response to COVID but because many of our folks really like worshiping outdoors when weather allows.
Ladies' Bible Study, May 13
This summer the Ladies’ Bible Study will meet once each month, in person. Weather permitting, we will meet in the pavilion. The first meeting is THIS Thursday May 13th at 1:00pm. Karen DeSanto will once again lead the study. If you have questions or would like additional information, please give Karen a call at 724-687-0598.
Game Night in the Pavilion, June 8
This summer we will meet in the St. Thomas pavilion on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays for game nights! We will meet for the first time on June 8 at 6:30 pm. Bring your favorite board/card/lawn game or learn a new one and bring friends, ages 1-121! Please also bring a drink for yourself (alcohol is ok). We will socially distance to be sure everyone feels comfortable.
A WORD TO THE WISE
Fr. Ron is initiating a new way for us to share questions and answers called A WORD FOR THE WISE. These will be brief, irregular postings that Fr. Ron, Fr. Chris and Fr. Terry will make via our weekly email. Questions can be asked anonymously by dropping a note in the offertory, via Fr. Ron’s email, baillieron@yahoo.com, or just ask him the next time you see him!
New ADA-Compliant Handicap Ramp
We are fundraising for a project we have wanted to do for quite some time, construction of a concrete, ADA-compliant, handicap ramp at our front entrance. This will allow everyone, regardless of physical condition, to enter through the front door. Eileen Meyer has made a generous donation in memory of her husband, Hank, to kick off this fundraiser. The total cost is in the range of $10,000-$12,000. Additional gifts can be made in Hank’s memory or as a general fundraising donation. Checks should be made payable to “St. Thomas”, adding "new ramp” or "in memory of Hank" in the memo line. If at all possible, please make your donation before May 30.
House Blessing, May 9 at 12 noon
Manny, Mary, and Andrew Schnepp recently moved into their new home in Middlesex Crossing. They are hosting a House Blessing on May 9th at 12 noon and they are inviting the entire church to join them for the celebration. We will gather at their home, 3056 Humbolt Place, and form a prayer circle outside their home. The Schnepps will be providing “to-go” snacks too!
Fellowship Photos Wanted!
The Fellowship Committee would like some current pictures to post on the website and fellowship bulletin board. Full size pictures at a high resolution would be very helpful!
If you have pictures of your kids planting the seeds from the St. Thomas “Easter Basket” please email them to Carol at admin@SaintThomasAnglican.org. When the seeds begin to grow, please take some pictures of the kids with their plants and send them too! Thank you.
EVERY SUNDAY:
Sunday Adult Education, 9:15 am Sundays, In-person and Virtually
Adult Christian Education takes place at 9:15 am every Sunday in-person and is streamed on YouTube
The link, handouts and recordings are available through the St. Thomas Website.
Join Fr. Ron for a seven-week study looking at how we use our time and the information we take in. As the food pyramid defines healthy eating for the body, the Wisdom Pyramid defines healthy information intake for the mind. All based on scripture, explore together how to be wise as we balance our lifestyle to optimally serve our Lord. We will meet today through May 23, 9:15-10:00 am.
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. Read the May newsletter here.
WEEKLY VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Join Fr. Ron on Wednesday afternoon for a look at the Book of Philippians.
Join us for a short Compline service every Thursday evening.
2021 Altar Flowers and Sanctuary Lamp
The calendar to sign up for the Altar Flowers and the Sanctuary Lamp is posted on the bulletin board at the back entrance of the church. (right above the offertory envelopes). 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 for the 2021 Flowers and Lamps
· 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 and the lamp is $5. If you donate both, the cost is $26. 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 .
There will be a new Prayer List starting on March 7. 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
PRAY FOR THE LEADERSHIP IN OUR DIOCESE
O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to be a good and godly fellowship of faith. Bless those who have been called to exercise leadership during this season, especially the members of the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council, as they begin the search process for our next Bishop. Grant to them, and to each member of the diocese, a fresh outpouring of your Spirit, a renewed determination to seek your will, and the assurance of your presence; safeguard our unity and ignite in us a great passion for the mission of your Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER
New Jerusalem, Carol Stream, IL and The Rev. Dr. George Koch (Victoria), The Rev. Rebecca Teguns, Dcn Judy Davis: A house of prayer comprised of Jews and Christians who realize our common root of faith and are committed to study and worship together with respect and honor. Please pray for our efforts as we work for the honest and
intentional recovery of the earliest expression of faith in God that was shared among the immediate followers of Jesus. Anglican Multi-Ethnic Network (Provincial) and The Rev. Lawrence McElrath (Megan): Embodying the universal saving power of the Gospel by
supporting multi-ethnic Anglican churches.
THE ACNA CYCLE OF PRAYER
We pray for The Diocese of Cascadia and Bishop Kevin Bond Allen and his wife, Stefanie.
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; Marge Lytle; Marissa Sharkey; Jone Mader; Jennie Crawford; Lauren Saul;; Kara; Ann; Cindy; Richard; Heidi; Evan; Barb; Candace, Mark; Jennifer; Cathy.; Maddie Grace; and Bill.
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 Melissa Schmitzer if you or somebody you know in the congregation is in need of Pastoral Services such as meals or rides.