Happy Tuesday faith family! While there is no official Carpenter’s Helper newsletter this week, we are an active parish even in these crazy times, and so there are several announcements below. This week, we continue the busy Advent season, preparing our hearts and minds for the arrival of our Savior. Please see the 2020 Advent and Christmas Schedule, which is subject to change. We have to be especially flexible this year because of the pandemic.
- Christmas Eve service LIVE on YouTube at 11 p.m.
- Christmas Day service LIVE on YouTube at 10 a.m.
- Christmas Day Walk/Drive Through Communion and Prayers 11a.m.-noon
- Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 9 a.m. – Lessons & Carols for Christmas LIVE on YouTube
- Sunday, December 27 2020 at 10 a.m. – Novel Theology on ZOOM. ALL are Welcome to discuss “Where Courage Falls” by Jeanette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. Reading the book is never a requirement to participate in the lively discussion.
- Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at noon – Intercessory Prayer LIVE on YouTube.
- Sunday, January 3, 2021 – Walk/Drive Through Communion and Prayers will pick back up on and continue at least through January. ALL are Welcome!
- The Lord of the Rings adult education will be happening, but there is no start date as of yet.
You will receive an emailed invitation to all the above events, and their accompanying leaflets. As always, there are copies available to be mailed, so please let me know if you’d like a paper copy. Reminder: in-person worship has been suspended for this time and all worship is offered online.
One more note – earlier this week, a Christmas letter from Fr. Howie was sent out. In “normal” times, this letter is accompanied by a special Christmas offering envelope, to be gifted in the offering basket. This offering has always been a significant line in the budget. However, this is not a normal year. As we are not gathering in-person, the Christmas offerings will need to be given in a different mode. Any donations may be mailed in to the church building, with Christmas noted in the memo. Alternatively, you can always contribute using our Giving page. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or Fr. Howie (howell.sasser.jr@gmail.com). As Fr. Howie notes in this letter: If you have already given all that you can this year, please do not worry or feel guilty. Instead, I ask for your prayers for the ministries of our church. If, on the other hand, you can give a special Christmas offering, know that your gift will be received gratefully and applied faithfully to the work we all wish to continue.
A few months ago, Bishop Kevin invited everyone in the diocese to submit art to be considered for the Diocese of Delaware Christmas card. We have so many talented artists in our faith family. How THRILLING to announce that Audrey Houghton’s submission was selected! Way to go Audrey!
The office will be “closed” Dec. 24, 2020 through Jan. 1, 2021, however I will absolutely be available via email or text, and will be happy to open the building if there is a need. There will not be a regular Carpenter’s Helper on Dec. 26 or Jan. 1, but you can still look for a weekly email wrap up. I’ll see you all virtually! Have a wonderful week!
Please let me know if you have any meetings – virtual or otherwise – that you would like to included on the Parish calendar.
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
StThomassOffice@googlegroups.com or (302) 368-4644