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St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

November 25, 2022

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The First Sunday of Advent Bulletin November 27, 2022

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Fr. Ryan will be back this Sunday.

Music for this Sunday 11-27-2022 

               Prelude         “Savior of the Nations, Come”-Dietrich Buxtehude

        Entrance Hymn, “Lo, He comes With Clouds Descending” –

57, HELMSLEY

Kyrie– Traditional French Carol – arr., Rick Smith

Psalm 122, Claude Goudimel

Gospel Acclamation, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – arr., Rick Smith

Offertory Anthem, “Zion at Thy Shining Gates” – George Guest

Presentation Hymn, Traditional French Carol – arr., Rick Smith

Sanctus – “Puer Nobis” – arr., Rick Smith

Fracture Anthem – "Lamp of God" - S161

Communion Hymn, "Wait For the Lord" -

Jacques Berthier, Taize Community

       Processional Hymn, “Hark!, A Thrilling voice is Sounding” –

59 MERTON

Postlude "Savior of the Nations, Come" -J. S. Bach



Upcoming Christmas Programs

About Music in Advent



Sunday November 27 begins the Christian New Year in the church’s calendar, Advent. That means big changes for our “service music”; it will be infused with the sounds of the season. Before the opening procession, the choir will sing an Introit from the back of the church. It is an excerpt from the “Matin Responsory” set to music by the modern English composer, Richard Shepherd. Both the Kyrie, early in the service and the Presentation Hymn that comes after the Offertory are based on the tune, PICARDY; it’s the tune for the familiar Advent hymn, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”. We’ll use a Gospel Acclamation in the place of the Gospel Hymn, and it is based on the tune, GOD REST YOU MERRY. The Sanctus is based on PUER NOBIS; it’s a tune associated both for Christmastide and Eastertide hymns.

For the psalms and canticles after the first scripture lesson, we will be using responsorial ones. That means the congregation will have a recurring refrain to sing, and the cantors and/or the choir will supply the full text. This congregational refrain, although different each week, will be based on Advent hymns. Some of these hymns might be new to you but I hope you will give them a try.

“Windows of Christmas”, Reflections in Carols, Theater, Art, and Music

St. Thomas’ has had an awakening to the spirituality the creative arts can illicit. We are becoming know for our adventuresome use of the visual arts in our sanctuary. With that in mind, I thought the time was right to venture into a creative musical experience during the Advent/Christmas holidays. This year, in place of our traditional Lessons and Carols Festival service, we’ll have an unusual opportunity to revisit the Christmas story. This will take place on Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 pm.

“Windows of Christmas” is a concert experience using music, theater, and dance to retell the Incarnation story from unique perspectives. The piece uses the medieval stain glass windows of a great cathedral as it’s backdrop. Out of these windows emerge characters to share their part of the story. Narrated by a monk of the cathedral, we meet the Angel Gabriel, the Shepherd, and the Inn Keeper’s Wife. Mary also makes an appearance, dancing at the birth of her child to Celtic dance tunes. In the music are imbedded both familiar and unfamiliar carols: “Lo How a Rose E’er Booming”, “Gaudete”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, Shepherds’ carol”, “Coventry Carol”, “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “In Dulci Jubilo”. The script is by P. Michael Davis, (yes, the same Mike Davis in our choir). The music is composed and arranged by Rick L. Smith, (yes, that’s me). The orchestra includes string quintet, flute, oboe, bassoon, percussion, and organ. The first production was in 2002, here in St Petersburg. The second production was in 2007 in the San Francisco Bay Area. St Thomas will host the third production. It’s an expensive undertaking. Many of you have been Music Angels and helped with other events. You can help produce “Windows of Christmas” with a donation to music ministry at St Thomas.

Blessings,

Rick

Youth Programs

St. Thomas’ Church offers traditional formation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, lectionary-based classes for Grades 1-6), guild apprenticeship (this spring, altar servers), and fun activities during the school year. The nursery is staffed at both Sunday services. 

The story this year is "Listen to the Silent Night" written by Dandi Daley Mackall, and illustrated by  

Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson.

Watch for an email from Mtr. Anne on Sunday, Nov. 27. Or text or call her at 954-253-4414.

St Thomas Mission Trip to La Clinca Nueva, San Francisco de Orica, Honduras, May 13-20

Our St. Thomas community has made several trips to this medical clinic. Many of us help support the clinic through the Foundation for International Missions, based here in St. Pete. We have been in constant communication with our doctor in Honduras, Dr. Davila, all during the pandemic, but of course, have been unable to send mission teams. Dr. Davila has finally cleared us and invited us to visit the clinic again. We are in the process of gathering a team for the trip. Scheduled for May13-20, 2023, our group will hold four “health fairs” in surround villages to accomplish the following:

·        Screen for various illnesses and provide on sight care for    immediate medical issues

·        Connect people in need with Dr. Davila and La Clinica Nueva, the only health care for miles around.

·        Provide women to women health care, promoting better feminine health.

·        Host “fun days” for local children, teaching basic health care, dental care, and providing games, activities, and Bible stories for all ages.

Yes, we are looking for medical skills, but we also need non-medical personnel as well. Training for the trip will begin in February with a visit from Dr. Davila and monthly planning and preparation meetings. Short term mission trips can be and often are life-changing events. Is God calling you to serve? Contact trip leaders, Rick Smith, Grace Smith, and Russ Martin for more information.

St. Thomas Honduran Mission Trip Schedule

·        Sunday, January 22, 5:00pm – Informational & Organizational Gathering

·        Sunday, February 5, 5:00pm – Planning Session 1

·        Wednesday, February 8, 7:00pm – Dr. Davila (Clinica Nueva) speaks at “Supper, Song, & Prayer”

·        Sunday, March 5, 5:00pm – Planning Session 2

·        Sunday, April 23, 5:00pm – Planning Session 3

·        Wednesday, May 10, 7:00pm – Packing Night

·        Friday, May 12 – Leaders depart (Rick, Grace, & Russ)

·        Saturday, May 13 – Group departs

·        Saturday, May 20 – Group Returns

Stewardship - Building Together for God 

For your calendar

Early January, 2023 - Children of all ages are invited to learn to be altar servers. Canterbury Chaplain David Gould will be recruiting and training new altar servers (acolytes, crucifers, torch bearers). David will set up a meeting at the start of 2023.

Adult Formation

Outreach

Pastoral Care