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Would you like to help light the Advent candles this year? We need two people at the beginning of EACH weekend liturgy from 27 November through 18 December, meaning there is lots of opportunity for you to participate. Often families or friends like to team up for this short, simple act of service. If you would like to sign up, please email office@stthomasglassboro.org with the day and time of the liturgy in which you would like to serve in this way.

Two trainings left! Would you like to serve at the altar at St. Thomas? Acolytes are lay people who help in our worship services to: light candles, assist in preparations for communion, carry the cross in processional and so much more!  We are training and refreshing training for all ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGE 10 AND UP.  Children will be trained to do tasks that match their ability, people aged 16+ will be trained as Eucharistic ministers to assist in administering the bread and wine at Holy Eucharist.  No experience is required! Please consider.

Training will take place on the following dates in the Nave of the Church:

Saturday Dec 17 – 6:30 PM
Sunday Dec 18 – 10:00 AM

To register for training or with any questions please contact:

Sarah A-W (856)308-7503 or sarahkawcnm@gmail.com

TEC@RU continues it’s Monthly Concert Series on 18 December at 6PM.  Come listen to talented Rowan music students and show them that St. Thomas’ welcomes their presence! This month features a vocal group headed by our student choir director, Chris Scire, starting at 6PM in the nave.

The Transition Committee invites you to meet our bishop candidates when they’re here in the diocese for the Walkabouts. The candidates will visit with the public 10-13 January, and tour the diocese. Their visit will include visiting the cathedral and several churches, talking about ministries, and meeting many New Jersey Episcopalians. As part of that visit, there will be four Candidate Forums for the candidates to answer questions and engage in conversation with us. Clergy and delegates to the electing convention are especially encouraged to attend a forum, but everyone is welcomed and all of the forums will be available for remote viewing via the internet. The forum at Holy Trinity, South River will be available in English and Spanish, both in person and on the livestream/recording. Mark your calendar now for the forum of your choice!  More information on locations/times can be found here.  The closest visit to our area will be Wednesday, 11 January 2023 at Church of the Ascension in Gloucester City.

Deadline approaching! As Episcopalians, we belong not just to a congregation but a Diocese. There are many ways to serve God’s community on the Diocesan level, and several of those opportunities (“offices”) will be filled at our 2023 convocation. Now is the time to make nominations! See the letter, list of offices to be filled, and nomination form on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall or online. Nominations are due by 21 December.

Our COVID protocol is following the CDC guidelines for Gloucester County. The CDC COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM. This means masks are not required. But they are still simple and effective protection. Please be sure to stay on top of your recommended vaccinations to protect all those you love.

Lectionary readings for this week: Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Lectionary readings for next week:  Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98

Please continue in your daily prayers for: Dennis, Marge, Joann, Lou, Jennifer, Mary Esther, Cameron, Joe, Jane, Katherine, Chris, Laura, Stacey, Helen, Steve, Gage, Seth, Jessy, Terry, Ginny, Erin, Joey, Jason, Tina, Andrew, Lori, Richard, Cress Family, Theresa, Catherine, Barbara, Bea

Announcements for the parish email are due via email by noon on Wednesday of each week. You can email them to announcements@stthomasglassboro.org

The church calendar can be seen at https://www.stthomasglassboro.org/calendar/ for a list of upcoming events. Please help us keep it current (and avoid hurt feelings) by sending updates to the church office (office@stthomasglassboro.org).

Are you serving in liturgy? Check the rota!

Prayer requests can be sent to prayer@stthomasglassboro.org

Watch our livestream here Saturdays at 5:30pm and Sundays at 8am & 10:30am!

Full-text of the liturgy is available at  https://www.sharedprayers.net