The Worship Ministry is responsible for all aspects of worship. This includes the care of vestments and linens, setting the altar and an awareness of the changes called for by liturgical seasons, organizing and training acolytes, chalicers, lectors and ushers. Training for these activities is conducted by the acolyte wardens and the head usher. ... http://www.stthomasdc.org Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:05:44 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.stthomasdc.org/images/M_images/St-T-Logo-round.png http://www.stthomasdc.org The Worship Ministry is responsible for all aspects of worship. This includes the care of vestments and linens, setting the altar and an awareness of the changes called for by liturgical seasons, organizing and training acolytes, chalicers, lectors and ushers. Training for these activities is conducted by the acolyte wardens and the head usher. In addition, the Worship Ministry works with the Rector and Choir Master & Organist to coordinate special liturgical presentations, including the Blessing of the Animals, Advent and Lenten offerings. The ministry also coordinates the Gifts of the Earth offerings made on Sundays during Pentecost. Teams in this ministry include the Altar Guild, Ushers, Chalicers and Acolytes. http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/advent-christmas-the-furniture-is-moving.html The First Sunday of Advent, begins the Christian Calendar's New Year. To mark this, we are doing several things to call our attention to the spiritual themes of the season. As our Worship Committee reminds us: Advent is a time of waiting, of watching, of hoping for the coming of Christ. ... We are marking this season of reflection and preparation by re-orienting our worship space with two sections of seats facing each other and a central table, upon which the Advent candles will be lit. As we approach Christmas, this table will come to life with the foliage of the season. And through scripture, prayers, music, and quiet contemplation we will invite God's Word to speak to us all. 1. The Advent and Christmas Seasons both focus our attention on the core belief of Christianity -- that in Jesus of Nazareth, God's eternal Word took flesh and came to dwell among us as one of us. The Gospel of John says it eloquently: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory .... (John 1:1, 14) So for a while the Altar is brought closer into our midst, as God drew nearer to humanity in the child in the manger. And the lectern draws nearer, as we gather around the Word. 2. The First Sunday of Advent also comes right on the heels of Christ the King Sunday. The symbolism is intentional -- the King of Glory, whose arrival we await with expectation in Advent, will come in an entirely unanticipated way at Christmas, not as royalty, but as a fragile child born to a working class family. St. Paul later described this dramatic reversal: Christ Jesus, ... though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, ... being born in human likeness. (Phil. 2:6-7) So we are seated facing one another, with everyone on the same level. This is so we don't focus on seeing things as we do on hearing them -- we focus no on the leaders of our worship experience in the Seasons of Advent and Christmas, but rather on the miracle that God came in the midst of people just like those all around us, whose faces we see more directly. You might want to change the side where you sit, just to notice different things. Symbolizing the Word being emptied into the world, at the distribution the altar party and bread and wine come down into the middle of the congregation. We celebrate our common humanity by serving, and being served by, one another. Those not wishing to receive Bread or Wine simply remain seated -- still part of us -- as we all are blessed by Christ passing among us, really present in our midst. We hope these changes will help us all look at ourselves, and one another, and the miracles of the season, in fresh ways. Advent turns our attention inward in anticipation, as our chairs have been turned inward. Then Christmas will turn our attention across to each other as Christ-bearers, as extensions of the incarnation, carrying the miracle of Christmas to others. In the meantime, be hospitality incarnate to our guests, who may not realize that you're temporarily as disoriented as they are! Be gentle. Be generous. Let Christ into the middle of your unfamiliarity, as Jesus came into the world of creation, a vulnerable child with much to learn, but even more to give. Rector, St. Thomas' Parish Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:16:45 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/7-p.m.-thursday-advent-evening-prayer.html ADVENT EVENING PRAYER - THURSDAYS 7 P.M. NOVEMBER 27, DECEMBER 4, 11, 18 Advent is traditionally a time of waiting, silence, and reflection on the miracle of the incarnation of God as flesh. This season, experience it with a Beginner's wonder. Commit yourself to four weeks of Evening Prayer, sanctifying the close of day with light from the Advent wreath, prayer, and silence. For those who wish, we also offer a time of silent prayer or meditation starting at 6:30. Members of our healing ministry are also available then for healing prayers. As part of the service, there will be a ten minute focus and reflection on Benedictine spirituality by Joan Chittister each of the four weeks. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:42:38 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/new-weeknight-compline-service.html Weekly Thursday Evening Prayer Service Beginning September 15, at 7 p.m. Starting Thursday, September 16, a new lay-led Evening Prayer service is being offered to help balance the pace of urban life and make space for God in our lives in the midst of the workweek. This is a great way to calm your mind, spirit, and body after a trying week. Please join us as we come together as a community to begin the process of quieting ourselves to listen to God. Members of the community who seek peace, support, and prayer are especially encouraged to come. This lay-led service begins at 7 pm in the Sanctuary, with optional small group centering prayer at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in leading the service in the coming weeks or months, please contact Topher Bengtson at kris@krisbengtson.com . We are also looking for people who would be willing to lend their vocal or musical talents for parts of the service. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:29:10 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/trinity-sunday.html On the first Sunday after Pentecost, we focus on perhaps the most significant teaching of the early Church, the Trinity. From the earliest centuries of Christianity, the Church has affirmed that One and the same God has been shown to us as our Maker, Lover of our Souls, and Eternal Lifegiver - or as three persons : Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the richness of God's relationships with us that would capture our attention, not the complexity of any mere concept of Trinity - God always exceeds our imagining. Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:50:53 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/summer-choir-opportunity.html SUMMER CHOIR The Saint Thomas' Summer Choir is a special opportunity for musicians of all ability levels to sing in the choir for one day with no strings attached. All you need to do to participate is come to the church at 9:30 am on a designated Sunday, and we'll learn music to sing at the 10am service. No midweek rehearsals, no long-term commitment - just a good morning of invigorating singing! Please come, invite friends and pass the word on to anyone who enjoys singing. All are welcome. 2011 Summer Choir Dates June 19, 26 • July 17, 24 31 For more information contact Timothy Hagy, Director of Music. Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:47:58 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/this-sunday-march-6th-10-00-am-combined-worship-service.html There will be ONE combined morning service March 6th at 10AM -- our Annual Parish Meeting will directly follow that service. Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:38:07 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/morning-prayer-group.html Interested in starting a Morning Prayer group at St. Thomas’? Email the Assistant Rector (http://www.stthomasdc.org/index.php?option=com_contact task=view contact_id=5 Itemid=) if you are! Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:10:45 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/the-flower-fund-and-the-flower-guild-need-you.html Love the flowers each Sunday? Want to make a visible contribution to the church? Join or Contribute to the Flower Guild! Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:56:54 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/my-experience-on-the-worship-committee.html Since we have a rather brief newsletter this month, I thought I'd take the time to write about my own recent experiences serving with our Worship Committee. This committee is tasked with making sure our worship services flow smoothly from start to finish. They do everything from greeting us at the door; ushering us to our seats; reading the lessons; setting up the altar and cleaning up after we've all retired for coffee. This past Autumn I expressed my interest to Jack Reiffer in being One of those people who gets up and reads. Shortly thereafter I was placed on the Fall schedule to read one of the lessons and, to my intense anxiety and excitement; I saw my name on the schedule to be a Eucharistic minister a few weeks after! Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:34:36 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/worship/easy-bake-oven-users-read-on.html You've probably noticed that for quite a while now we've had home-baked bread for Eucharest. What you probably don't know is that it's very easy to make. In fact, it only takes an hour and fifteen minutes to make enough bread for two Sundays. The bread we use at St. Thomas' has six ingredients: whole wheat flour, oil, honey, water, baking powder and salt. the only unusual implements required are a cookie sheet and a rolling pin. This could almost be done in an easy bake oven, but the big one in your kitchen will work just fine. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:26:47 +0100