Parish Email for Friday, 3 March 2023

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The CDC COVID-19 Community Level is MEDIUM. This means masks are not required but still not a bad idea! COVID exposures (being around someone who has COVID but doesn’t realize it yet) are still happening, including at church.

 

This Sunday, we continue the Adult Forum series “The Way of Love.”  Led by Deacon John and promoted by Bishop Curry, this program ties the Easter Vigil readings to the seven practices of the Way of Love.  Each week lessons will be introduced, via video provided in the newsletter, and explored.  Weekly videos can also be viewed on the Adult Forum page of the website.

The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption.

Session Two / PRAY: Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-15:1)


Stations of the Cross, convened by Sara J. will take place every Friday in Lent at 7pm.



St. Thomas’ has a history of holding a “Garden Watch” on Maundy Thursday. This is when we sit quietly in the presence of the sacrament remaining from our last Eucharist before the Easter Vigil, as the disciples sat with Jesus after the Last Supper. Would you like to participate? If so, please email office@stthomasglassboro.org (or leave a voicemail on the church line: 856.881.9144) stating what times you would like to watch. See what slots are already filled on the St. Thomas’ rota: https://www.stthomasglassboro.org/rota/ . Please note: if the schedule doesn’t fill out all the way through morning, your requested times may be shifted back to connect with the person before you.



Creative Readings for the Easter Vigil (8 April, 6pm) are being claimed, but there’s still room for you! Please email office@stthomasglassboro.org to sign up for one:

Reading 3       Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 [Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea]
Reading 4       Isaiah 55:1-11 [Salvation offered freely to all]
Reading 5       Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4
Reading 7       Zephaniah 3:14-20 [The gathering of God’s people]


St. Thomas’ is aiming for two tables (of ten persons each) to attend the Bishop’s Farewell gala, benefiting Episcopal Community Services! Will you join us? Please contact Donna F. to sign up or for more information.

 


Partner with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide support to people affected by the deadly earthquake along the border between Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria. Visit episcopalrelief.org today to make a contribution to the Türkiye (Turkey)-Syria Earthquake Response Fund


Come to church this weekend for birthday and anniversary blessings!

March Birthdays

2       Susan C.
3       Andrea R.
18      Rose S.
18      Lily S.
18      Marie J.
20      Brandon D.
20      Tara S.
26      Lois M.
27      Tom V.
30      Matthew O.
30      Kate A.-W.

March Anniversaries

29      Deacon John & Vivian H.



February pledge: $13,765.67
February given:   $12,707.07                92.31%

YTD pledge. 29,184.33
YTD given . $34,255.22                        117.38%


St. Thomas’ is in dire need of an annual audit.  Audits provide valuable information about the missional health of the church: where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.  The process of forming such a committee has been in the works for over a year and 2023 is the year in which we hope to see that dream realized.  Currently in search of 1 or 2 more people to fill out the roster for this project.

Anatomy of an Audit Committee according to the Diocese of NJ:

  • Committee members should be independent of the decision making and financial record keeping functions of the congregation.
  • The committee should include at least one financial expert.
  • Someone with knowledge of accounting, but not necessarily a CPA.

You can view more information on what the Diocese suggests this role should require here.  Please contact Tal K. if you are interested in taking part of this important project.

Interested in joining a new ministry but don’t know where to start?  Every week, a different group will be highlighted at the end of the newsletter.  Information about meetings, what they do in the church or community, contact info and more!  If you have content you want to share about your ministry, send it to announcements@stthomasglassboro.org to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.


Lectionary readings for this week:  Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121

Lectionary readings for next week:  Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95

Please continue in your daily prayers for:  Dennis, Marge, Joann, Lou, Jennifer, Mary Esther, Cameron, Jane, Lori, Richard, Bea, Sue, Lenore, John, Becky, Bill, Theresa, Bennett, Terryon, Melissa, Daniel, Annette, Roy, Ginny, Harley, Bob, Andrea


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

 

Winter at St. Thomas’

  • Holy Eucharist (Nave – now with music!): Saturdays, 5:30pm
  • Holy Eucharist in the Nave – Rite I (Nave):  Sundays, 8am
  • Adult Formation (Parish Hall):  Sundays, 9am
  • Children’s Sunday School (Parish Hall):  Sundays, 9am
  • Coffee Hour (Parish Hall): Sundays, 10am
  • Holy Eucharist (Parish Hall): Sundays, 10:30am
  • Centering Prayer (Nave): Mondays at 4pm (also on Zoom)
  • Holy Eucharist at Lych Gate (most times):  Wednesdays, 5:30pm

 

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