Hello faith family! This is the Fifth Sunday of Easter – April 28, 2024, Year B. Alleluia!

This week, we commemorate Saint Monica, who is known as the patron saint of mothers. Monica is a relatable figure, as she had to face several challenges in her life, which are still prevalent today.

She struggled with her abusive mother-in-law and her husband’s infidelity and anger issues. Religion was a significant point of disagreement between Monica and her husband. After his death, she was left alone to raise her three children in a society that didn’t provide much support for single mothers. Some accounts paint her as meek and gentle, while others show a manipulative and controlling mother. Despite all of the challenges and regardless of how we might judge the way she survived, it is unrefuted that Monica remained steadfast in her faith.

Monica’s daughter, Perpetual of Hippo, grew up to become an abbess. One of her sons, Augustine of Hippo, grew up to be a great philosopher and theologian, who wrote lovingly about his mother in his autobiographical work, Confessions, though he never called her a saint.

You MAY explore more about this captivating family beyond what is available in Wikipedia. Even after over 1,600 years, their story still carries a human quality that we can all relate to.

By delving into their history, we can feel a closeness with our early Christian faith family. We may discover similarities between their experiences and our own, and feel inspired to reflect on the way they lived their lives.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Weekly Newsletter. And, many congratulations and much love to fellow parishioner Teri Quinn Gray on her appointment with our Episcopal Diocese of Delaware on becoming the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Our weekly Worship schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Wednesday at noon – Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion in-person. (Intercessory Prayer booklet).
• Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline Evening Prayer, live via Zoom. (booklet).

This Sunday’s Schedule

• Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education
• Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
• This Sunday at 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at YouTube (10:00 a.m. booklet). Bishop Kevin Brown will be visiting and joining us for lunch in the Overflowing Cup Cafe. Sign up to help!

Growth and Fellowship

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
• Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
• 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
• Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
• Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services

Other Parish Events

• Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Pentecost, outdoor worship and picnic. 8 a.m. worship will be indoors indoors, as usual, and 10:30 a.m. indoor/outdoor worship and picnic immediately following worship service.

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Hello faith family! This is the Fourth Sunday of Easter – April 21, 2024, Year B. Alleluia!

This week, we honor Toyohiko Kagawa: was a Japanese Evangelical Christian pacifist, Christian reformer, and labour activist. Kagawa wrote, spoke, and worked at length on ways to employ Christian principles in the ordering of society and in cooperatives. His vocation to help the poor led him to live among them. He advocated for women’s suffrage and promoted a peaceful foreign policy.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Weekly Newsletter.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR ONE SERVICE ONLY Sunday, April 28, 2024 AT 10 A.M, in-person and online at YouTube (10:00 a.m. booklet). Bishop Kevin Brown is coming for a visit and lunch will follow in the Overflowing Cup Cafe. Sign up to help!

Our weekly Worship schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Wednesday at noon – Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion in-person. (Intercessory Prayer booklet).
• Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline Evening Prayer, live via Zoom. (booklet).

This Sunday’s Schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education
• Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).

Growth and Fellowship

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
• Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
• 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
• Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
• Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services

Other Parish Events

• Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. – Bishop Kevin Brown is coming for a visit and lunch will follow in the Overflowing Cup Cafe. ONE SERVICE ONLY THIS DAY, in-person and online at YouTube (10:00 a.m. booklet).
• Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Pentecost, outdoor worship and picnic. 8 a.m. worship will be indoors indoors, as usual, and 10:30 a.m. indoor/outdoor worship and picnic immediately following worship service.

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Hello faith family! This is the Third Sunday of Easter – April 14, 2024, Year B. Alleluia!

This week, we honor Hermione: no, not Hermione Granger BFF of Harry Potter, Hermione of Ephesus. She is a 2nd-century saint and martyr venerated by the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. She was well known as a “great healer” and founded the first Christian hospital in Ephesus. Hermione’s feast day is September 4th except in the Episcopal Church, where she is honored on April 14th with Zenaida and Philonella who were the first “unmercenaries” (physicians who would not accept fees from their patients).

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Weekly Newsletter.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR ONE SERVICE ONLY Sunday, April 28, 2024 AT 10 A.M. Bishop Kevin Brown is coming for a visit and lunch will follow in the Overflowing Cup Cafe.

Our weekly Worship schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Wednesday at noon – Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion in-person. (Intercessory Prayer booklet).
• Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline Evening Prayer, live via Zoom. (booklet).

This Sunday’s Schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education
• Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).

Growth and Fellowship

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
• Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
• 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
• Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
• Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services

Other Parish Events

• Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. – Bishop Kevin Brown is coming for a visit and lunch will follow in the Overflowing Cup Cafe. ONE SERVICE ONLY THIS DAY.
• Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Pentecost, outdoor worship and picnic

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Hello faith family! This is the Second Sunday of Easter – April 7, 2024, Year B. Alleluia! Alleluia!! This week, we honor Harriet Starr Cannon: a nun who founded the Sisterhood of St. Mary, the oldest indigenous Anglican (Episcopalian) order in the United States, in 1865. The Episcopal Church was initially slow to recognize the order, and they only found wide support after four of the sisters died nursing victims of a yellow fever epidemic in Memphis, Tennessee in 1878. These four sisters are now commemorated by the Episcopal Church on September 9 as the Martyrs of Memphis or as Constance and her Companions.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Weekly Newsletter.

Our weekly Worship schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Wednesday at noon – Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion in-person. (Intercessory Prayer booklet).
• Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline Evening Prayer, live via Zoom. (booklet).

This Sunday’s Schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education
• Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).

Growth and Fellowship

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
• Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
• 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
• Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
• Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services

Other Parish Events

• Sunday, April 28, 2024 – visit from Bishop Brown at 10:30 a.m. service with lunch following.
• Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Pentecost, outdoor worship and picnic

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Hello faith family! This is the Sunday of the Resurrection, Easter Sunday – March 31, 2024, Year B. Alleluia! Alleluia!!

There are 3 worship opportunities this Easter morning:

• 6 a.m. – sunrise service in the Grove, in-person only (6:00 a.m. booklet)
  • outside in the Grove around a fire pit
  • With the power of chanting and the simplicity of basic instruments, we can create something truly beautiful
  • connecting with the followers of Jesus on the first Easter
• 8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I, in-person and online at YouTube (8:00 a.m. booklet)
  • traditional wording
  • some organ accompanied music
  • fellowship in the Overflowing Cafe following the service
• 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II, in-person and online at YouTube (10:30 a.m. booklet)
  • modern wording
  • more music
  • join in the Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah)
  • Easter egg hunt following the service

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Weekly Newsletter and other news items:

• Good Friday, March 29, 2024 – Children’s Ministries event
• Sun., March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday
• 2 Saints Readers’ next book is “How To Know A Person” by David Brooks at 10 a.m. on Wed. Mar 6, Mar 20, and April 3, 2024.

Our weekly Worship schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Wednesday at noon – Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion in-person. (Intercessory Prayer booklet).
• Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline Evening Prayer, live via Zoom. (booklet).

This Sunday’s Schedule

• Sunrise Service at 6:00 a.m. in the Grove; spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (6:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education
• Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).

Growth and Fellowship

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
• Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
• 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
• Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
• Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services

Other Parish Events

• Sunday, April 28, 2024 – visit from Bishop Brown at 10:30 a.m. service with lunch following.
• Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Pentecost, outdoor worship and picnic

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644

Hello faith family! This is the Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday – March 24, 2024, Year B. Palm Sunday commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, and the celebrating people there laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him, singing part of Psalm 118: 25–26 – Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.

The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, unlike the horse which is the animal of war. A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Christ’s entry to Jerusalem would have thus symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Weekly Newsletter and other news items:

• 2 Saints Readers’ next book is “How To Know A Person” by David Brooks at 10 a.m. on Wed. Mar 6, Mar 20, and April 3, 2024.
• There will be a blood drive at St. Thomas’s on March 23, 2024 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Please let your friends and neighbors know about this opportunity to give blood and save a life.
• Look for an email invitation to Lenten Evening Prayer this and every Sunday in Lent. The service is online only via YouTube, beginning at 7 p.m. We are all encouraged to participate in the live chat.
• Are you enjoying Fr Howie’s Daily Lenten podcast? How can we continue to grow the Graceful Waves podcast ministry?

Our weekly Worship schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Wednesday at noon – Intercessory Prayer with Holy Communion in-person. (Intercessory Prayer booklet).
• Thursday at 7 p.m. – Compline Evening Prayer, live via Zoom. (booklet).

This Sunday’s Schedule

• Sundays at 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I spoken, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (8:00 booklet).
• Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education
• Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
• Sundays at at 7 p.m. on YouTube – Lenten Evening Prayer

Growth and Fellowship

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
• Third Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
• 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
• Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
• Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services

Other Parish Events

• Sat., March 23, 2024 – Blood Drive. Reserve your appointment now!
• Thurs., March 28, 2024 – Maundy Thursday Soup Dinner and Worship
• March 25-30, 2024 Holy Week
• Good Friday, March 29, 2024 – Children’s Ministries event
• Sun., March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday

The church is aware that some of its members are struggling to make ends meet. If you are in this situation, please let the clergy know of your needs, pray for the church, and feel no guilt about your giving. But if you are able to give, options for giving include mailing a check to our church or online giving.

If you have anything to add to the Parish calendar or the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter, please email the office at StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com.

To see worship, events or news, see our website, FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, or the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Regardless of whether we are together in-person or virtually, we are connected by the Holy Spirit:  Always together; never apart…maybe in distance, but never in heart.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644