This Week at St. Thomas
Service and Missions Opportunities:
Shepherd's Heart Cold Weather Clothing Drive
Thank you for all the clothing donations. Shepherd's Heart was thrilled to get the huge donation!
Lighthouse Toy Drive, Due December 5
The Lighthouse Annual Christmas Toy Drive distribution for needy children in our area will be on Saturday, December 11. This year may be the biggest distribution ever. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts for children from newborn to age 16 and/or appropriate $25 gift cards for teens 15-16 (suggestions: American Eagle, iTunes, Dunham's, Target, Bath & Body Works, Wal-Mart, etc.). Please place your donation in the sleigh at the back of the church by Sunday, Dec. 5. Please see Marti Pristas with questions.
Hugs and Presents for Friends
You can be a blessing to a homebound St. Thomas parishioner by visiting him or her this holiday season and taking a hug and a wrapped gift. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Some folks are in nursing facilities so as we get closer to Christmas we will need to monitor each facility’s visitation policy. If we are unable to visit in person, the facility will accept and deliver the gift to our parishioner. Please sign up before December 5.
Looking Ahead to the Advent Season:
Advent Prayer Partners
Advent is right around the corner! Deliberately focus on the spiritual side of Advent and participate in the Advent Secret Prayer Partners program this year. Try it! This is the perfect way to take time away from the hustle and bustle and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Forms are available at the back of the church. Please place your completed form in the box on the table at the back of the church no later than November 21. When you place your name in the box, please take a name out of the box so everyone will have a partner before Advent begins on November 28.
New Adult Ed. Beginning November Apocalyptic Visions: A fresh look at the Revelation of John
Did you grow up in fear of being Left Behind? Does the last book of the Bible confuse you? Then this is the series for you! Throughout Advent, November 28-December 19, Fr. Chris will introduce us to a better way to read Revelation - a reading that can inform our lives today and not lead us into wild speculation.
Advent through the Eyes of the Old Testament
WEDNESDAYS IN ADVENT, 7:00-8:00 pm at Fr. Ron’s and Sue’s home
The Christmas story actually began in the Old Testament. God's nature didn't change, nor did ours, and he had our redemption in mind all the time. Join us for an easy Bible study getting us into the spirit of the season while touching on the prophets Jeremiah, Malachi, Zephaniah, and Micah who all proclaim the Christ that was to come.
Hanging of the Greens, December 5
We will decorate the church for Christmas after the service on December 5. We will have a light lunch of homemade soup and cookies. Please plan to stay an hour after the service to get the church ready for Christmas.
Ladies' Bible Study, December 9 at 1:00 pm
This summer the Ladies’ Bible Study will meet once each month, in person. The next meeting is on Thursday, December 9 at 1:00pm in the parish hall. 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.
Return Your Pledge Cards ASAP
Please complete your pledge card and drop it in the offertory TODAY. This is strictly a commitment between you and your Lord. We do report the number of families who pledge and the total amount of pledges to the Diocese at the end of the year and it helps with confirming our budget planning. Please prayerfully consider your financial commitment to St. Thomas and TRUST GOD to provide! There are additional pledge cards on the table at the back of the church.
Offertory Envelopes
Offertory envelopes for 2022 are available on the table at the back of the church. Please be sure to place your name on the sheet next to the box number you take. It is important that you do not use the new 2022 envelopes until January 2. The first time you use your envelopes please write your name on the envelope if you do not enclose a check.
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
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
Pray for Christ the Redeemer, Canonsburg, PA and The Rev. Eric Rodes (Beth), Deacon Nancy Cain McCombe (David). A young, growing church that loves to tell the old, old story of Jesus. Please pray for deeper relationships with local neighbors and for conversations about ministry partnership. Commission on Ministry- shepherding people through the ordination process.
THE ACNA CYCLE OF PRAYER
Pray for The Anglican Province of South America and The Most Rev. Nicholson Drayson, Primate, and his wife, Catherine.
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; Pat Ruberto; Joe Kosarik; Marissa Sharkey; Jone Mader; Jennie Crawford; Lauren Saul; Rod and Mary; Billy and Mary Egger; Nathan; Bill; Richard Wells; Emily Tedeschi; Nathaniel; Ray and Karen DeSanto; Norm and Ruby Hayden; Cindy Gilch; Clayton; Zander; Angie and Addison and their unborn baby boy; Evan; Jessica; Tracy; Gene Montini; Mary Garrison; The Brehl, Goss, Johnstone and Mehlhoff Families; Jack Simich; Lisa; Owen; Nathan; Sam; Bill Meyer; Jim Schantz; Alex; Mary Anne Johnson; Cindy Gilch; and Rita.
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.