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August 29, 2024

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Bulletin for Sunday - September 1, 2024

Story Reading Assignment for Wednesday, September 11:

The Secret Garden and The Invisible Man

Our Next Sandwich Sunday:

September 1

Come join us between the 8am and 10am services to make 200 sandwiches to feed the hungry in St. Petersburg. Robin Taylor of Isaiah's Place will distribute the sandwiches through this ministry and you are invited to help with the distribution at Mirror Lake. Call Angie Ford for more information, 318-307-2507.

Blessing of the Backpacks

On Sunday, September 8, we warmly invite all students and families to join us for a special and uplifting blessing of backpacks at the conclusion of our service. This cherished tradition not only marks the exciting beginning of the school year but also embodies our nurturing spirit as a congregation dedicated to supporting each member of our community on their educational journey. Together, let us gather in joy and unity, seeking blessings for personal growth, success, and a fruitful year ahead. We look forward to seeing both newcomers and long-time members come together in this meaningful celebration, reinforcing the bonds of connection and spiritual enrichment that define our church family.

CPR & AED Training

The fire department will be on hand on Sunday, September 15 at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall to conduct both CPR and AED training sessions. Please make plans to attend this important and life-saving training. No prior medical training needed. Sign up after church or call the church office to reserve your place. The cost for this training is $40 but the church will pick up the tab for all who preregister. Donations will be accepted. For more information please contact Laura Reitan, 727-631-2838, or Bill Barns, 757-646-5143.

We are delighted to share that our dedicated Nursery Staff will be on hand to lovingly care for your children while parents engage in this training. 

You may notice in this week's bulletin we have begun listing the dates for the composers of each piece of music.  This is something that may be totally uninteresting to you, but I love having a time-frame in my mind about when these composers were living and how knowing that time might have affected their music.  The opening voluntary this week is a piece by George Oldroyd (1886-1951) born in Yorkshire, England and studied at the University of London.  His church life was firmly rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, but he also taught at Trinity College, London and London University.  This particular organ piece was written in 1924. 

Both the psalm tune and the closing voluntary are by James Nares (1715-1783), born in Stanwell, England.  He was the deputy organist of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, organist of York Minster, chorister at the Chapel Royal, and organist and composer to King George III.  His music is very much rooted in the Classical style, even sound familiar to those who like Mozart piano works.  

~Jordan

Music for Sunday, September 1, 2024

Voluntary: "No. III from Three Liturgical Preludes" by George Oldroyd (1886-1951)

Hymn #571 All who love and serve your city, Charlestown

Psalm Tune: James Nares (1715-1783)

Gradual #581 Where charity and love prevail, Cheshire

Offertory Anthem: "Gift of Finest Wheat" by Robert E. Kreutz (1922-1996)

Communion #684 O for a closer walk with God, Caithness

Hymn #592 Teach me, my God and King, Carlisle

Voluntary: "Introductory Voluntary and Fugue" by James Nares

Looking for Choral Singers

Digital Commentators Needed

You are invited you to consider joining our vibrant camera ministry as a digital commentator! This joyful opportunity allows you to connect with fellow community members while enhancing our worship experience for all of our online viewers. By participating, you’ll play a significant role in making our services accessible to all, ensuring that no one misses out on the spiritual nourishment we offer, regardless of their circumstances. And don’t worry about the technical side of things; you won’t need a degree in engineering—just a cell phone and a willingness to learn! With a little training and plenty of support, you’ll find that this role is not only manageable but also deeply rewarding. So, if you feel that gentle nudge to serve, please reach out to our office at 727-896-9641. Join us in this meaningful ministry and help us spread joy and connection throughout our community!

Youth Ministry

Meet our 2024-2025 Nursery Staff!

Our Nursery will be open again starting Sunday, September 8. Our Nursery workers Angel (left) and Joan (right) are looking forward to seeing your children back after our summer hiatus. Our nursery will be open 7:30am to the end of our 10am service. Please remember to sign your child/ren in when leaving them in our nursery. Welcome back.

Feasting on the Word Sunday School curriculum is designed for grades 1-5. Grounded in the Common Lectionary, this engaging program allows children to explore the same scriptures their parents hear during Sunday services, fostering rich and meaningful conversations at home. With classes beginning at 10 am, the transition into the service for Communion is seamless, creating a shared moment of worship where families can come together in faith. We warmly invite all families to join this nurturing environment, where children not only deepen their understanding of scripture but also strengthen their bonds with one another. Embrace this opportunity to grow in faith together, as we all feast on the Word!

At St. Thomas', we warmly invite families and individuals to experience a true sense of community and belonging through our enriching sacramental rites of baptism, communion, and confirmation. Our vibrant youth programs, including Feasting on the Word for grades 1-5 and Truthseekers for grades 6-12, are designed to engage and inspire, ensuring that spiritual growth is both fun and meaningful! We also provide a nurturing nursery during our Sunday services, making it easier for parents to participate fully in our church life. To explore all the exciting activities we have planned for the school year, be sure to visit our website! And if you have a passion for education and a desire to make a difference, we would love to have you join our dedicated team of educators this fall—just let Fr. Ryan know! Wishing everyone a joyful end-of-summer filled with blessings, and we can’t wait to see you back at St. Thomas', ready to dive into a new season of connection and growth!

Truthseekers, Feasting on the Word, and our Nursery will reconvene on Sept. 8

New Beginnings # 75 - September 27-29

The New Beginnings weekend retreat is a transformative experience tailored specifically to address the distinct spiritual and social challenges encountered by youth in grades 6 through 8. Set against the serene backdrop of Dayspring Episcopal Center, this thoughtfully crafted program fosters an environment where participants can freely express their feelings without fear of judgment. Through engaging activities and heartfelt discussions, youth are encouraged to deepen their love for God, cultivate self-acceptance, and forge meaningful connections with their peers. This nurturing atmosphere not only supports personal growth but also empowers young individuals to embrace their faith and emerge as compassionate leaders in their communities.

Diocesan Youth Lock-In - October 11

Calling all youth adventurers aged 8 to 18! Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey at the Diocesan Lock-In on Friday, October 11, at 7 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda, Florida! Prepare yourselves for an evening packed with laughter-inducing movies, mind-blowing games, and uplifting worship that will truly nourish your spirit. And let’s not forget the snacks that will keep you energized throughout the night! But the adventure doesn’t stop there—on Saturday, we dive into Convention time! Join us as we come together to play, worship, and learn in a vibrant community where every youth is valued and welcomed. This is more than just an event; it's a chance to forge connections, deepen your faith, and grow personally within a nurturing environment. So mark your calendars and get ready for a night of fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth that you won’t want to miss!

Adult Formation

Men's Bible Study

Wednesdays 7:30 am

We are in the midst of studying Exodus.

Come join us.

Please contact Fr. Ryan for information,

727-896-9641

Women of the Word

Thursdays 9:15 am

Currently Taking a Break and will

Reconvene October 3

Please contact Joan Barns for information, 757-567-5488

News from the Farm

Outreach

Pack-a-Snack.

Thank you for your generous gifts totaling $1,179 given to Pack-a-Snack for this past Sunday's Giving Plate offering. With your donations, our PAS Team can continue to provide weekend nutrition to our school children.

Pack-a-Snack Volunteers for the Week of September 1st:

Purchasing: Laura and Bill Vrooman

Staging: Linda and Mike Davis

Packing: Men's Bible Study, Wednesday, 09/04/2024

Delivery: Cathy Ball, Thursday, 09/05/2024

Our Next Giving Plate Sunday:

September 15

Benison Farm

Any cash collected in the plate offering on the third Sunday of each month goes to this designated outreach ministry.

FAST is an interfaith social justice campaign in Pinellas County that works on affordable housing, clean water, and criminal justice reform. Click on the FAST logo to learn more about this St. Thomas' outreach initiative.

"Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder, and to praise of the goodness of God."

Thomas Merton

The Festive Meal

Please join us on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the parish hall for the return of The Festive Meal. We will need table hosts to select their table theme and decorate. For more details and to sign up as a table host please speak with any stewardship committee member. We need one more table host. Please contact Linda Sordan if interested, lsordan5@gmail.com.

News from the Diocese

The diocesan annual convention Walking Together as ONE will take place October 11 and 12 and will be live streamed. For more information on agendas, workshops, etc. please click on the button below.

Please keep St. Thomas' delegation in your prayers: Fr. Ryan, Deacon Martha, Mary Jane Park, Jack Day, Mary Clark, and Jonathan Mitchell.

Cursillo #150

"The Light of the World"

September 12-15, 2024

Cursillo (Cur–SEE'–yo) is a Spanish word meaning “short course”. This phrase literally means a short course of lectures in Christian living, but it is not intended to simply refer to a course of instruction (lectures). This is a renewal movement in the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in attending the upcoming weekend in September and would like more information please click the button below. De Colores!

Cursillo is Celebrating 150 Weekends!

The 150th weekend in the diocese will be celebrated on Saturday, September 28, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Christ Episcopal Church 4030 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Food and fun will be provided. For more information call Candy Newman, 941-704-6867.

News from the Episcopal Church

Save the Date - November 2

Our Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will have his investiture on November 2, 11:00 am  in the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City, with a prelude beginning one hour earlier. There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation Stay tuned for more details.

Pastoral Care

Healing prayer with the imposition of holy oil is offered at the 10am Sunday service, and occasionally at 8am. After communion you are invited to come to the back of the church and receive a confidential healing prayer from a trained parishioner. Prayer ministers share the heart of Jesus' love and care, and are guided by the Holy Spirit to listen, love, and pray into your prayer requests for physical, emotional, and/or spiritual needs. Intercessory prayers for others can also be given. If you have any questions about the healing prayer ministry or feel called to serve, please call Joan Barns, 757-567-5488 or email joanmbarns@gmail.com.

The Martyrs of New Guinea

New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, stands as a profound testament to the enduring spirit of Christian mission work, navigating the challenges posed by its rugged terrain and the rich tapestry of cultural diversity, represented by nearly 500 distinct languages. Since the 1860s, when Christian missionaries first ventured into this remarkable land, their journey has been one of perseverance and faith, with the Anglican mission beginning its dedicated outreach in 1891. The harrowing experiences during World War II, marked by the suffering of both missionaries and native peoples, serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of service and compassion. The observance of the fast day commemorates the courageous witness of these missionaries and two Papuan martyrs, who, despite the grave dangers posed by the Japanese invaders, risked their lives to care for the wounded and safeguard countless others from certain death. Their legacy inspires us to reflect on our own roles in supporting global mission efforts, urging us to embrace a sense of belonging and purpose in our spiritual journey. As we consider these noble acts of love and dedication, let us come together as a community to engage in discussions and initiatives that further our commitment to mission work, strengthening the bonds between our local outreach and the broader global community.

[Feast Day: September 2]

Our Mission: Making a difference for others, because God is making a difference for us.

Our Vision: To create a safe, loving, and accepting place for all people to grow in their faith and spread love out into the beloved community.