Call to Holy Week 2023

posted in: Worship | 0

Dear friends,

We come now to the time in the church’s year – eight great days – when the story of God’s love for humanity is played out with power and drama. From the ominous celebration on Palm Sunday, to the command to love on Maundy Thursday, the solemn quiet of Good Friday, and the surprise and joy of Easter, the foundations of our faith are laid. In the words and actions of worship, we bring those great events into our present reality. The stories inspire our minds and hearts; the palms procession and foot washing and kneeling at the cross put us – body and soul – into the most important moments of our faith.

I urge you to join us, and to bring family and friends, for the worship of Holy Week and Easter. Let it be a challenge to yourself to attend at least three services between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. You will be fed by what you hear and see!

The experience of worship is most powerful if you can be “in the room,” but all services will also be live streamed on YouTube. In whatever way you join us, I hope that this Holy Week will be a blessing to you.

Peace, Howie+
The Reverend Dr. Howell C. Sasser, Jr.
Rector

Worship and weekly news – March 26, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Lent – March 26, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week, which has info on …
Interactive Stations of the Cross,
Philadelphia Museum of Art Trip,
Noisy Sundays – bring your change!,
Many ways to show love to our neighbors,
2 Saints Readers Program April 2023,
Holy Week Worship Schedule,
Good Friday Children’s event,
Easter 2023 Flower Donations, and
Annual Meeting 2023 and Vestry Nominations.

Fifth Sunday in LentOur weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Worship and weekly news – March 17, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 19, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week, which has info on …
Interactive Stations of the Cross,
Philadelphia Museum of Art Trip,
Noisy Sundays – bring your change!,
Many ways to show love to our neighbors,
2 Saints Readers Program April 2023,
Holy Week Worship Schedule,
Good Friday Childrens event, and
Annual Meeting 2023 and Vestry Nominations.

Fourth Sunday in LentOur weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Holy Week 2023 Worship Schedule

posted in: Easter, Worship | 0

All services in-person at St. Thomas’s unless otherwise noted and on YouTube. A printable Holy Week schedule is available. Please see our Rector’s call to Holy Week.

Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
Worship and Holy Eucharist services at 8:00 (8:00 a.m. booklet) & 10:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. booklet)
Evening Worship 7:00 p.m. on YouTube.
The Liturgy of the Palms and distribution of palms will take place at both services and palms will be available later in the day.

Monday, April 3, 2023
Holy Eucharist 5:00 p.m. (Service Booklet)
A quiet, spoken service with prayers from the Eastern Orthodox Service of the Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13)

Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Holy Eucharist with anointing for healing 5:00 p.m. (Service Booklet)
A quiet, spoken service with prayers and anointing for healing.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Holy Eucharist 12:00 Noon (Service Booklet)
Solemn Evensong 7:00 p.m. (Service Booklet)
Our usual Wednesday midday Eucharist worship service with intercessory prayer. In the evening, a chanted worship service of evening prayer.

Maundy Thursday, April 6, 2023
Holy Eucharist with stripping of the altar and watch 7:00 p.m. (Service Booklet)
This evening we celebrate the Eucharist, remove the ornaments in the church in preparation for Good Friday and reserve the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose. The church will be open continuously (live and by YouTube) until 9:00 a.m. Friday morning for those who wish to follow Our Lord’s request that we watch with Him “one brief hour.” (Matthew 26:40).

Good Friday, April 7, 2023
Good Friday Children’s event 9 a.m.-Noon
Good Friday Liturgy 12:00 Noon at St. Nicholas, Newark (Service Booklet)
Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m.
The principal Good Friday Liturgy will be observed at noon, with the solemn collects and Eucharist from the Reserved Sacrament. The evening service will be the traditional Christian cycle of prayers on the Way of the Cross.

Holy Saturday, April 8, 2023
Reconciliation (Confession) from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Great Vigil of Easter worship service at 8:00 p.m. at St. Thomas’s with St. Nicholas’s (Service Booklet)
There will be an opportunity for private confession during the afternoon as a way of becoming fully prepared to celebrate Easter. In the evening, we will gather for the Church’s most solemn observance – waiting and watching for Our Lord’s resurrection. We will light the new Paschal fire, renew our baptismal promises, and make a joyful noise (bring bells!).

Sunday of the Resurrection, April 9, 2023
Worship and Holy Eucharist services at 8:00 (Service Booklet) & 10:30 a.m. (Service Booklet)

Worship and weekly news – March 5, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Lent – March 5, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week, which has info on …
Interactive Stations of the Cross,
Philadelphia Museum of Art Trip,
Noisy Sundays – bring your change!,
Many ways to show love to our neighbors,
2 Saints Readers Program April 2023, and
Annual Meeting 2023 and Vestry Nominations.

Our weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship:

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Worship and weekly news – February 26, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent – February 26, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week, which includes articles on
Noisy Sundays – bring your change!,
Many ways to show love to our neighbors,
2 Saints Readers Program April 2023, and
Annual Meeting 2023 and Vestry Nominations.

Our weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s 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 9:15 a.m. – Adult Education topic is Growing Up in the Church; what we learned about faith, race, and gender featuring Teri Quinn-Gray, Denise Burgher, and Fr. Howie.
  • Sundays at 10:15 a.m. – Children’s Ministries program
  • Family Church Sunday – Ministry Breakfast between services (9:15 -10 a.m.) presented by Finance Ministry.
  • Sundays at 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, in-person and online at our YouTube channel (10:30 booklet).
  • Sundays in Lent at 7:00 p.m. – worship via YouTube.

Growth and Fellowship:

  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services
  • 2nd Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
  • Sundays from 4-6 p.m. – free dinners for ECM students. Eat in or take homemade dinners to go.
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers (April program)
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 – adult inquirers class series begins. See Fr. Howie for more info.
  • Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 4:00 p.m., 2 Saints Readers resumes via Zoom with “An Invisible Thread” by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski.
  • Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. – Annual Meeting and Vestry nominations

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Worship and weekly news – February 19, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Seventh and Last Sunday after Epiphany – February 19, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week.

Worship at St. Thomas’s

Services are held in-person and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe.

Our weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship:

  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services
  • 2nd Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
  • Sundays from 4-6 p.m. – free dinners for ECM students. Eat in or take homemade dinners to go.
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Monday, February 20, 2023 – Hope Dining Room volunteers needed
  • Feb. 21, 2023 from 5:30-7 p.m. – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – for food, games, and fun. See dinner details.
  • Feb. 22, 2023 ASH WEDNESDAY: services at 7 a.m., Noon, 7 p.m. In-person and via YouTube.
  • Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 – Family Church Sunday at 10:30 a.m. service. Ministry Breakfast between services (9:15 -10 a.m.)
  • Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 – adult inquirers class series begins. See Fr. Howie for more info.
  • Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 4:00 p.m., 2 Saints Readers resumes via Zoom with “An Invisible Thread” by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski.
  • Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. – Annual Meeting and Vestry nominations

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Worship and weekly news – February 12, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany – February 12, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week.

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Worship at St. Thomas’s

Services are held in-person and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe.

Our weekly Worship schedule

This Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship:

  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services
  • 2nd Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
  • Sundays from 4-6 p.m. – free dinners for ECM students. Eat in or take homemade dinners to go.
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Feb. 21, 2023 from 5:30-7 p.m. – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – for food, games, and fun. See dinner details.
  • Feb. 22, 2023 ASH WEDNESDAY: services at 7 a.m., Noon, 7 p.m. In-person and via YouTube.
  • Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 – Family Church Sunday at 10:30 a.m. service. Ministry Breakfast between services (9:15 a.m.-10 a.m.)
  • Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 – adult inquirers class series begins. See Fr. Howie for more info.

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Worship and weekly news – February 5, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Third Sunday after Epiphany – February 5, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week.

Worship at St. Thomas’s

Services are held in-person and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe.

Our weekly Worship schedule

Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship:

  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services
  • 2nd Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.

In this strange pandemic time, 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

Worship and weekly news – January 20, 2023

posted in: News, Worship | 0

Hello faith family! This Sunday is the Third Sunday after Epiphany – January 22, 2023, Year A.

Weekly News

See our Carpenter’s Helper Newsletter for this week, which includes information on Family Church Sunday, How to make a flower dedication, as well as, several items mentioned below. For those who have requested pledge envelopes, they will be available this Sunday in the Great Hall.

Third Sunday after EpiphanyWorship at St. Thomas’s

Services are held in-person and online via our YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact the office or Fr. Howie with any questions or concerns about these options. We are listening to the experts and considering how to best keep our faith family safe.

Our weekly Worship schedule

Sunday’s Worship Schedule

Growth and Fellowship:

  • 1st Sunday of the month – Gospel in Spanish
  • Last Sunday of the month – Family Church Sunday
  • Last Sunday of the month – Coffee and Fellowship between services
  • 2nd Sundays at 9:15 a.m. – Novel Theology
  • 3rd Monday of the month – Hope Dining Room
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – 2 Saint Readers
  • Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – lectionary bible study in the classroom.
  • Sunday, January 29, 2023 – Family Church Sunday
  • Sunday, January 29, 2023 between services – presentation from The Friendship House/Empowerment Centers hosted by our Outreach Ministry.

In this strange pandemic time, 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