Bishop Kenneth Price comes to St. Thomas Church on Sunday, January 29, for his last official Sunday visitation as Bishop of Pittsburgh (the bishop will be retiring later this year).  He will preach and celebrate the eucharist at both the 8:00am and 10:30am services and will lead an adult forum class in the Parish Hall between the services.  Candidates for confirmation and reception will be presented and children will be presented for first holy communion.  A special reception will be held after the later service to honor the bishop and his wife, Mariann.

Three new members of the vestry were elected on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at the Parish Annual Meeting.  Allen Cedilote (pronounced “Seed-i-loat”), Rich Dietz and Teri Aber were elected to serve three year terms.  They replace retiring vestry members, Betti Rottschaefer, Bob Farmer and Lisa Rush Kelly.  St. Thomas Vestry comprises nine members, elected in three rotating classes.  The vestry meets on the second Monday of every month (except July and August) and represents lay leadership for St. Thomas Church

Some claim the Mayans foretold that the world would end on December 21, 2012.  What does St. John have to say about the end of the world in the Revelation he was given on the island of Patmos at the end of the first century?  An adult class meets in the Parish Hall until February 5 to try to unlock the mysteries of the last book of the Bible (for more information, click the “What’s of Interest” page)

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.