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The Weekly Draft
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church
March 16, 2022
View as Webpage
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Father Ryan and family are on vacation!
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St. Thomas’ Pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Holy Land
Informational Meeting
March 26, 2023
Immediately following the 10 AM service
Guild Room
At this meeting details about the trip will be given including, the tour company we’ll use and their credentials, potential itineraries, costs, and we will discuss the best option for the date of the trip, either late 2024 or early 2025.
Attending this meeting does not constitute signing up for the trip, so please come if you are at all interested. Soon thereafter, however, we will be seeking commitments and non-refundable deposits.
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Stations of the Cross:
with Dee Perconti. See Dee's vision of unity through her interpretation of the Stations of the Cross.
Sponsored by St. Thomas' Art Project
stthomasartproject@gmail.com
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Palms Needed
The Flower guild is requesting palm fronds for Palm Sunday. Please bring them to the church on Saturday, April 1st at 9:00am!
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Music for The Fourth Sunday of Lent March 19, 2023
Prelude "Just As I Am" arr., Arnold Sherman
Bells of St. Thomas'
Trisagion "Holy God"– S101, John Rutter
Psalm 23 - Plainsong Chant
Gospel Acclamation “Heal Me Hands of Jesus” – 773 WLP
SHARPE
Offertory Anthem “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”- arr. Moses Hogan
African American Spiritual
Presentation Hymn "Praise and Honor to the Father" –
166, vs. 6, PANGE LINGUA
Sanctus “Sanctus” –S122
Fracture Anthem "Be Known to Us" - S160
Communion Hymn "Deck Thyself With Gladness" - 339
SCHMUCKE DICH
Processional Hymn "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" –493
AZMON
Postlude Organ Improvisation
About the Music this Week
It is Laetare Sunday, mid-Lent, a time to lighten up a bit. So our service begins with a prelude by the Bells of St Thomas. The piece is a setting of the familiar old-fashioned hymn, “Just As I Am”, tune by William Bradbury (1816-1868) arranged here for handbells by Arnold Sherman in 2005. I cannot hear this hymn without thinking of my youth, seeing the Billy Graham Crusader on TV. They always used this hymn to call people to the altar to rededicate themselves to Jesus. For years that memory ruined this hymn for me and I rarely used it in worship. But with a little age and mileage on me, I have come to appreciate the poem, words of true devotion, submission, and acceptance. Although with this bell setting you hear only the music, I recommend you read the text as a prayer. It is hymn 693 in The Hymnal 1982. The words are by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), a poet, editor and hymn writer from Brighton, England. Bradbury wrote his music for these words and published it in 1849.
Our anthem this week is a setting of the spiritual, “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” arranged by Moses Hogan, (1957-2003). Hogan, originally from New Orleans, was recognized internationally for his spiritual arrangements. Many are still in use and can be heard on recordings of the Moses Hogan Singers and the Moses Hogan Chorale. He is also remembered as a spectacular pianist and conductor. Tragically, he died all too young of a brain tumor. I had the opportunity to sing under his baton and to hear his groups live back in the day. He was a leader in the musical arts. This setting is based on rubato rhythm. That means there is no steady tempo but the tempo ebbs and flows with the words and emotions of the music, (and the baton of the conductor). Enjoy!
Upcoming Music for Easter Day, “A Classical Easter”,
music from the classical period of music.
“Gloria”, “Sanctus”, “Agnus Dei” from “Miss Brevis in C” – W. A. Mozart
“Hallelujah, the Savior Lives”, an Easter Anthem from the Moravian composer, David Moritz Michael
“Assurance”, an Anthem by early American composer, William Billings
Church Sonata #12 – Mozart
Divertimento – F. J. Haydn
Hymn arrangements in the style of Mozart
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Supplies Needed - Mission Trip to Honduras 2023 | |
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St Thomas Mission Trip to Honduras Supplies Needed
When we travel to Honduras we take personal care kits and school supplies to over 500 people. Below is our wish list for the trip, just click on the button below! We will also have a printed list available in the Sanctuary!
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The Watch
Jesus asks us to watch and pray with him for one hour. Be a part of this holy devotion. Use the link below to sign up for your hour. Times begin April 6th at 8pm and go through April 7th at 6am.
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“Why is a raven like a writing desk?” ~ The Mad Hatter.
If you want to decipher the answer to this riddle, sign up to attend our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Red Queen Croquet Tournament, April 29, 3 – 6 p.m. It’s free to attend but we need to know how many people to expect so we can plan for enough food and beverages. To play in the Croquet Tournament, teams of three pay $20/team until the end of March; after that, the fee is $30/team. Wicket sponsorships are $50. Proceeds from the event benefit Benison Farms. Sign-up sheets are available in the portico following church services. If you have any questions, contact Beverly Littlejohn at beverly.littlejohn@verizon.net or (727) 804-6199; or Russ Martin at jaxrussm@att.net or (904) 728-5485. “Don’t be late for this very important date!”
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St. Thomas’ Church offers traditional formation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, lectionary-based classes for Grades 1-6), guild apprenticeship (this year, focusing on altar server training), and fun activities during the school year. The nursery is staffed at both Sunday services. | |
Weekly children's lessons during the first part of the 10 a.m. service continue for kids in Grades 1 through 6. In this Sunday's lesson, children will hear how God chose David and consider how God chooses them to serve (1 Sam 16:1-13). | |
Next movie/dinner event for kids: May 5th, 4:15-7 featuring Encanto, Mexican crafts, and food. | |
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Tall Ships Festival
Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023
Time: 1pm
What to bring: money for snacks (no outside food or drinks allowed), drinks, sunscreen and hats.
We will be able to walk on the Tall Ships, but children 6 or under will need to bring and wear their own life jackets.
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The Tall Ships Festival is coming to St. Pete! We would like to invite St. Thomas' families and friends. The festival will have historical exhibits, live entertainment, food, beverages and best of all, we can board these amazing ships.
Invite your friends! St. Thomas’ Church will cover the cost of all kids’ tickets and those of chaperones. Parents are welcome to come or you may leave your kids/grandkids with us.
If you would like to come, please let me know: the kids' names and ages, if you would like to chaperone, and your contact information. I bought tickets for 16 people so far. Let me know if you'd like to join us.
- Mtr. Anne 954-253-4414
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Please join the St. Thomas’ Art Project in creating origami doves.
In Christian tradition, doves represent the Holy Spirit, hope, and peace. With members of the Canterbury School of Florida community, we hope to create several thousand doves inscribed with individual prayers and meditations.
All you need is an 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of paper. All birds are welcome!
The doves will be suspended in St. Thomas’ main worship space during Eastertide.
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Black Bag Lenten Project: Forty Days – Forty Items
The first day of Lent is Wednesday, February 22 and here’s an easy discipline for you! Each day of Lent, remove one item from your closet that you no longer wear or need. Place the item in the black bag, offering a prayer of thanksgiving. At the end of Lent, donate these items to your favorite charity (ex. Mercy Keepers, St. Bartholomew’s Thrift Shop) where they will be shared with someone who can really use them! The Black Bags can be found on the welcome table. Help yourself!
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Pack-a-Snack
Thanks to all for your help with Pack-a-Snack at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church
No Pack-a-Snack activity the week of March 12th due to North Shore Elementary School's Spring Break
Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of March 19th:
Purchasing: Ann Leavine, Laura Vrooman
Staging: Marilyn Smith, Linda Davis
Packing: WOW, 03/23/2023
Delivery: Julie Songster, Thursday, 03/23/2023
Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of March 26th:
Delivery: Cathy Ball, Thursday, 03/30/2023
Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of April 2nd:
Purchasing: Ann Leavine, Laura Vrooman
Staging: Marilyn Smith, Linda Davis
Packing: Rev. Anne's Special Packing Team, 04/05/2023
Delivery: Lee Coryell, Thursday, 04/06/2023
Thank you to Pat and Dave Bernfeld for their generous donation to our outreach ministry. Thanks to their gift, our Pack-a-Snack program can continue its work in providing weekend food sustainability to qualified students who otherwise may suffer from food insecurity. We appreciate the Bernfelds' donation and their continuous hours of volunteering for St. Thomas'.
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Next Sandwich Sunday:
April 2
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EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
We are watching a humanitarian disaster literally unfold in real time with the events of February 6th's earthquake that struck in Turkey and Syria. The devastation is enormous and sadly the death toll is rapidly climbing. Severe winter weather and the remoteness of the region are also complicating relief efforts and adding to the misery. While there are a variety of options to provide immediate support, please consider a financial donation to Episcopal Relief and Development, a 501(C)3 organization. Visit their website: URGENT: Earthquake Relief.
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Help needed at 8am! We are looking for parishioners who might be willing to offer individual prayers for healing during Communion at the 8:00 service. You could start as a prayer partner before you try it on your own. If you are willing to give this ministry a try, please contact Russ Ball at 727-667-5471. | |
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Would you like to help us reach out to parishioners who can't come to church? Eucharistic Visitors visit parishioners in their homes, hospitals, rehab centers, and assisted living facilities. They visit, listen to, offer to pray with and give communion to fellow parishioners. Eucharistic Ministers serve as chalice bearers during worship services. Text or call Mtr. Anne at 954-253-4414 if you're curious. | |
Remember, we're here for you! If you live alone or need rides or have to go into the hospital, please let the church know so we can pray for you, visit you, bring you communion, and/or arrange for rides or meals. Call Grace Smith in the mornings at 727-896-9641 and call Mtr. Anne anytime at 954-253-4414.
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Do you have questions about what we believe (the Creed)? Come to our adult forum. We are reading Alister McGrath's Theology: The Basics. Next week: Ch. 4 on the Jesus.
At 7pm, Wednesdays after Supper, Song & Prayer.
In the Guild Room, Parish Hall.
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The Gospel according to Mark: We are currently studying the Gospel according to Mark with a view to expanding our skills and comfort in sharing our faith and its place in our lives.
Join this prayerful group of women every Thursday at 9:30 AM in the Founder's Room.
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Men's Bible Study
It's a great time to join this Bible Study led by Fr. Ryan! using the commentary "The Story of God: Genesis" by Tremper Longman III.
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Celebrations
Happy Birthday Blessings this week go out to: Paul Keller, Scott Johni, Emma Hill, Michele Miller, David Gould, and Russ Ball.
Happy Anniversary blessings this week go out to: Michael and Laura Labbee, and Tom and Mary Ellen Shevlin.
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Printed Directory - Privacy Notice
We are about to make available, upon request, the latest directory of the membership of St. Thomas’. Along with your name, the following information will be included.
- Telephone number(s)
- Physical Address
- Email Address
These directories will only be available to members of this parish, and upon request, for pick up in the office or email. However, if anyone does not wish any portion of that information to appear, please notify the office in writing. Thank you!
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The Fourth Sunday of Lent
Lay Minister Schedule
Acolytes: David Gould, Luke Evanoff, Caroline Whitley
Altar Guild: Pat Bernfeld, Beth and David Gould
Camera Operator 10am: Matthew White
Coffee Host 10am: Ellen Burkhart
Healing 10am: Joan and Bill Barns
LEM 10 am: Ann Leavine
Lector 8am: Beth Gould
Lectors 10am: Michael Mahoney, Elise Whitley
Musicians: Chancel Choir, Bells of St. Thomas'
Oblations: Gina and Mike White
Prayers of the People 10am: Joan Barns
Ushers 10am: Teri and Lee Coryell
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Great night out with the Men's Club! | | |
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Parish Calendar
Friday, March 17
Saturday, March 18
Sunday, March 19- The Third Sunday of Lent
8:00 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Spoken
10:00 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Sung
Sanctuary, Chancel Choir, Bells of St. Thomas'
Monday, March 20
9:00 am - Morning Prayer
9:30 am - Staff Meeting
Tuesday, March 21
9:00 am- Morning Prayer
Wednesday, March 22
7:30 am - Men's Bible Study
5:15 pm - Chapel Eucharist Service, Rite I
6:00 pm - Supper, Song, and Prayer
6:30 pm - Handbell Rehearsal
6:45 pm - Compline
7:00 pm - Adult Christian Formation
Thursday, March 23
9:30 am - Women of the Word
6:00 pm - Pub Virtual Happy Hour - On Zoom (See article above)
6:30 pm - Chancel Choir
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