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There are no formation classes for adults or children this weekend due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Join us for our regularly scheduled Eucharists (Thanksgivings) Saturday at 5.30pm and Sunday at 8am and 10.30am.

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Bishop Stokes has written to all of us a Pastoral Letter on the Anniversary of Kristallnacht. I commend it to your careful consideration. I am grateful we have a pastor who speaks clearly to the evils and temptations we face in our efforts to live out our faith with authenticity.

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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.

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ECW MEETING:  The ECW will be meeting on Wednesday, 7 December in the Parish Hall at 10 am.  We will be filling gift bags with hats, mittens, coloring books, and crayons to give to the Kitchen of Hope families’ children.  Please join in the fun!

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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 December 10 – 6:30 PM
Sunday Dec 11 – 10:00 AM

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

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The Jane O.P. Turner fund is a special fund administered by the Diocese of New Jersey for families who need financial assistance due to expenses incurred in the care of children with incurable or terminal illnesses. See the notice on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall to learn how to apply for consideration.

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November is a month to give thanks and throughout November, United Thank Offering (UTO) boxes and envelopes will be in the church and Parish Hall.  Each year, this collection from the congregation is presented to the Diocese of New Jersey through the ECW.

“UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for these blessings and make an offering.”

In 2022 the Diocese Executive Council awarded over a million dollars in grants with funds collected in 2021. Coins, cash, or checks written to St. Thomas’ with UTO on the memo line all will be gratefully received!

Thank you to all who are counting their blessings and making an offering to UTO.  The ingathering for your boxes and envelopes will be the first weekend in December, Saturday, 3 December and Sunday, 4 December.

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See a video from the Episcopal Church about our church’s groundbreaking and ongoing efforts to align our investments with the values of Jesus Christ.

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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.

 

Please join us for Grungy Sunday, immediately following the 10.30 service on Sunday, 4 December. On this day we wear our “grungies” to church and clean up the leaf and branch litter from our campus to prepare it for the winter. Rakes provided or bring your own equipment!

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Mother Idalia Craig writes: December 11, my mother Etla Simmons will be 96. However, the family will celebrate our incredible mom and God’s blessings over her life Thanksgiving weekend, November 24-26. I would like for mom to receive birthday cards and notes of well wishes from any parishioner who would like to bless mom in this way. Cards can be mailed to:

Etla Simmons
85 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA 30523

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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.

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Lectionary readings for this week: Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122

Lectionary readings for next week:  Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Please continue in your daily prayers for: Dennis, Marge, Joann, Lou, Jennifer, Mary Esther, Cameron, Ruth, Joe, Barbara, Jane, Sarah, Shirley, Katherine, Chris, Laura, Stacey, Helen, Steve, Gage, Seth, Jessy

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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