On Saturday morning, under the direction of Lisa Rush Kelly, a group of St. Thomas parishioners worked hard to pull out the winter weeds and dead leaves and prepare the soil for new planting.  So many new flowers and hostas and other plants were set out to bring pleasure and beauty to the lovely grounds of St. Thomas Church.  Many thanks!

Pentecost, the celebration of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the church, was celebrated at St. Thomas Church with great joy.  Flags of many nations, dove and fire emblems, a Holy Spirit flame banner flying over the congregation, many languages and special music along with Spirit-filled worship framed the culmination of ten days of prayer for the Lord to continually renew his Church by the power of his own Spirit.  ”And it shall be that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

A new Alpha Course has begun at St. Thomas Church on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:30pm.  The Course begins with dinner, followed by a joke, a song and a teaching.  After the teaching, there is an opportunity to respond in the context of a small group where no question is too hostile.  Alpha is a course for the exploration of questions on the meaning of life.  Anyone, no matter who they are, is welcome to come.  Come, bring a friend!  Call the church for more information and check out our Alpha page.

Two new staff members have begun work at St. Thomas Church.  Holly Craighead has been working as Ministry Coordinator at St. Thomas Church for a couple months now and has begun even more in earnest now that she has moved to Oakmont.  She is especially responsible for lay ministry development.  To that end, she is working with Newcomers Welcome, Alpha, small groups and some pastoral ministries.  Ben DeHart is beginning as Youth Minister.  He also will be doing chaplaincy work as well as some preaching and teaching.  Eventually, he will be working as well to develop some young adult ministry.  Please welcome these new workers in the vineyard of the Lord!

Please feel free to worship with us on any Sunday:

8:00 a.m.: This is our most traditional service. It is a beautiful peaceful and quiet holy communion without regular music. It follows the Rite One service from the Book of Common Prayer.

10:30 a.m.: This service is filled with music, both traditional as well as contemporary. A practical message is given every week, applying the timeless wisdom of the Bible to everyday life. A parallel children’s ministry called Gods Kids is offered for kids five years old through fifth grade. The service follows the Rite Two holy communion service from the Book of Common Prayer.

9:00 a.m.: Breakfast (coffee, doughnuts, bagels): Theres plenty of food, especially for the family running late. A donation of fifty cents is welcome but your credit is good with us.

9:30 a.m.: Christian Education:  An Adult Forum class meets in the Parish Hall and a Small Group meets in the Guild Room.  Children’s Christian Education meets in classes in the upstairs Parish Hall.

Small Groups: There’s a small group for just about anyone (meeting at various times), according to what is your interest. There are women’s groups, men’s groups, mixed groups, traditional Bible studies or book groups to completely untraditional offerings like learning to play the guitar or how to use a computer. Won’t you try one out and get to know some folks along the way.

Wednesday mornings: 10:00 a.m. This simple holy communion service is an unpretentious time to worship and pray and includes a special time to pray for healing.

We are a group of people who believe Jesus is alive and welcome people no matter where they happen to be on their spiritual journey.

• What we believe: We believe that we Christians are part of the Body of Christ and that we are accepted where we are. But God never leaves us where we are but calls us to grow: spiritually, in the life of our community, in the life of our congregation and in number.
• Our Mission: We, as members of the Body of Christ, are called to grow: spiritually, in parish life, in our community, and as a congregation.