Easter 2020 Message from our Rector

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Easter 2020 iconIn the traditional Eastern Orthodox icon of Easter (called the Harrowing of Hell), Jesus is shown retrieving the souls of the faithful who lived and died before his life, death, and resurrection. The scene has been laid out differently by icon writers through the centuries, but one element is always the same. Jesus is grasping those he saves by the wrist or hand, but those being saved remain limp, seemingly unable to assist in their own salvation.

In this season of Easter, we the followers of Jesus come face to face with the power of God acting for us, and in us, and through us. As the body of Christ in the world, the Church proclaims God’s will that none should be lost. In kind words and gentle actions, we do our part to raise up those who feel lost and alone. And make no mistake, through the days and years of our lives, each of us is by turns the rescuer and the rescued.

As we greet Easter 2020 in an unfamiliar way this year, it seems all the more important to be reminded that each one of us is a beloved child of God, a beloved member of St Thomas’s, a rescuer, and one for whom the promised rescue of God is assured. As we do what we can to keep everyone healthy, we also keep everyone in our prayers. I have been greatly encouraged by the stories I hear of on-line Sunday School and Zoom coffee meet-ups and one-on-one telephone check-ins. These are all evidence of the hands of Jesus still at work. I encourage everyone to continue to hold others close in spirit.

May the blessing of new Easter life be with you every day. And until we can gather again to give thanks to God – be well.

Yours in Christ,
Father Howie
The Reverend Dr. Howell C. Sasser, Jr., Rector

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for April 12, 2020

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Greetings faith family!  This week’s Carpenter’s Help newsletter shares several ways to pray the Stations of the Cross from home, including a recording featuring our own Bruce Finnie.  There is also a lego stop-motion version included for the littles (and lego fans like myself). 

The church has worshiped for 2,000 years and no virus will end that. This season presents some amazing opportunities for us to worship as never before, sacrifice like never before, and love our neighbors as always. But this is tough. It’s also worth it. So, keep loving your church; attendance at our online services has been fantastic! Write the encouragement note. Pray like you’ve never prayed before. Continue to give, click like, and share.

While Delaware remains under a “shelter in place” order through at least May 15, 2020 and services are broadcast on YouTube, please consider continuing your giving to St. Thomas’s Giving page.  Contributions can also be mailed to the church at 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE  19711.  The mail is collected daily so checks do not remain in the mailbox for long.

Church is never canceled. Consider yourself invited. We may not wow everyone. That’s okay. If our heavenly father is pleased, that is enough.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Kind Regards and *virtual hugs*,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for April 5, 2020

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Good morning dear friends!  In the this week’s April 5, 2020 newsletter, you will see a list of online worship opportunities, similar to last week, as well as information about contemplative prayer and a special prayer from our parishioner Kate Burchess.  Also, did you receive the email with information about feeding the hungry in Newark?  Today, our first round of meals will be distributed: see more info in the Helper newsletter.

I’m thrilled that we are joining with our brothers and sisters at St. Nicholas for this whole Holy Week!  Palm Sunday will be LIVE from St Nicholas, and “drive-through” palm distribution will take place at both parishes.  Please look for a separate email with more details about palm distribution.

Also, big shout out to Belinda for making sure that Children’s worship continues…and for helping to set up a fellowship ZOOM meeting for our youth.  Please let me know if you have missed any of her communications and I’ll be happy to help you connect.

And finally, the Blue Hen Bounty is OPEN.  If you have a chance to spread the word, please do.  Our pantry is open to ALL college students with an ID – not just UD students.  So, if a student is unexpectedly “home” from their school elsewhere, we welcome them.  There is no paperwork to fill out or explanation necessary.  It is by appointment only by emailing bluehenbounty@gmail.com, by calling 302.368.4644, or by contacting Cana directly 302.354.3277.  Curb-side pick up is available for those practicing self-quarantine.

While Delaware remains under a “shelter in place” order through at least May 15, 2020 and services are broadcast on YouTube, please consider continuing your giving to St. Thomas’s Giving page.  Contributions can also be mailed to the church at 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE  19711.  The mail is collected daily so checks do not remain in the mailbox for long.

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Saints Thomas and Nicholas Palm Sunday 2020

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Good morning faith family!  Here is your leaflet for April 5, 2020 – Palm Sunday.

I’m feeling so filled with JOY because our two congregations are joining together for our Holy Week observances.  CHURCH is is about doing life together with other people, and CHRIST is at the center of that.

You will receive a reminder email on Sunday morning, but please plan to join us LIVE from St. Nicholas on YouTube at 9 a.m. for worship, Liturgy of the Palms, and Holy Eucharist. If you have not already done so, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit that notification bell (twice to receive notifications EVERY time) ? to receive alerts every time we go LIVE.

Drive-through palm distribution will take place at both St. Nicholas and St. Thomas’s.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Thank you for your continued gifts

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While Delaware remains under a “shelter in place” order through at least May 15, 2020 and services are broadcast on YouTube, please consider continuing your giving to St. Thomas’s Giving page.  Contributions can also be mailed to the church at 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE  19711.  The mail is collected daily so checks do not remain in the mailbox for long.

With a grateful heart,
Finance Committee

Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 29, 2020

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Greetings faith family!  This week’s newsletter talks about prayer; specifically, the cycles of prayer that are included each week in our Prayers of the People.

Additionally, you will see an invitation to join with many others lighting a candle in your window this Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 7 p.m. as a symbol of solidarity and thanks to those on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight.  We have invited our neighbors at St. Nicholas Episcopal Parish to join with us.

Please see the Carpenter’s Helper newsletter for March 29, 2020.

Personally, I for one, am glad to have my prayer beads from our fun fellowship activity.  See prayer bead instructions.  If you do not have prayer beads, no worries. String some together, draw symbols on a piece of paper to follow along with your finger, make a log out of play dough and make impressions along it to keep your rhythm. Last week, I shared some news that brought a smile to my face, and many of you replied with your moments of joy. THANK YOU!  This week, I’m asking you to share your prayer ideas. I’m a craft lady, so of course, I think of making tangible prayer aids.  I look forward to your ideas!

To see all events or news, visit our website, check FaceBook, or check out the posted events on the board next to the name tag station. Recent Newsletters, Sermons, or Announcements are also available.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Service for Sunday, March 29, 2020

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Please join us Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 9 a.m. online and LIVE on YouTube. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and click the notification bell so you never miss a service. Here is the accompanying service leaflet for 3.29.20.

Please share this with friends and neighbors looking for a way to worship during these unusual times of COVID-19.  If you need a printed copy of this leaflet or any worship materials, please let me know and I will do my best to deliver.

Kind Regards,
Cana Hartman, Parish Administrator

Holy Week 2020 and Easter Services UPDATE

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Schedule Update – LIVE on YouTube, we are joining with our neighbors at St Nicholas’s Episcopal Church for our Holy Week 2020 observances. ALL Are Welcome!⁠
.⁠
Please join us each day, LIVE on YouTube:⁠
Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 9 a.m. LIVE from St Nicholas⁠
Monday, April 6, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.⁠
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.⁠
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 12 noon and 7 p.m.⁠
Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 7 p.m. and LIVE watch through the night⁠
Friday, April 10, 2020 at 12 noon⁠
Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 8 p.m.⁠
Easter Sunday, April 9, 2020 at 9 a.m. LIVE on YouTube from St. Thomas’s⁠
.⁠

Lord’s Prayer on Wed., March 25, 2020 at noon

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The Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis have jointly called on Christians everywhere to say the Lord’s Prayer at noon (in their various time zones) on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, as a symbol of Christian unity.  We will do this at the Noon Eucharist and I invite everyone to do so wherever they may be at that time.

Please join us LIVE on YouTube for our service of Intercessory Prayer with Holy Eucharist. Here is the accompanying service program. Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you will never miss a LIVE presentation.

Peace and be well
Howie+
Rev. Dr. Howell Sasser, Jr., Rector

Children’s ministries at home for March 22, 2022

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Hello Everyone,

I pray you are all doing well on this somewhat cloudy but promising Saturday, March 21, 2022. And, I pray you know you are in my thoughts and prayers each day. In this uncertain time, there are still wonderful things happening. For example, the Quinones family (AKA the family of Ms. Tori and “little lucas”) welcomed a new member, Noah Michael, this week.

As you know, we will not be meeting at St Thomas’s tomorrow for Sunday School due to COVID-19. However, here are some lessons, stories and activities that would have been the basis of our work and worship in each of the classrooms this weekend:

I encourage you to try a few of the activities with your children, depending on their age or interest. Here is link to a video of the Jesus and Zaccheus story. I chose this one because it conveys the message that I hope “our children” would get from the story.

I hope to see you all soon. Please let me know if and how I can be of service to you in the meantime.

Blessings,
Belinda Young-Payne, Children’s Ministries