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Christmastide
a poem
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine; Worship we our Jesus: But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token, Love be yours and love be mine, Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign.
--Christina Rossetti
Rossetti (1830-1894) is the author of the Christmas carol "In the bleak mid-winter", plus many other hymns, poems, and books, including a devotional commentary on the Book of Revelation. |
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Mark Your Calendar for our Christmas Services
Christmas Eve Services, Saturday, December 24, at 5:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Please note that nursery care will NOT be provided for the 10:30 service. Christmas Day Service, Sunday, December 25, at 9:00 am ONLY. Christmas Day Service, Sunday, December 25: 9:00 am only |
Christmas Eve Music Preview
Saturday, December 24, 10:30 pm, Christmas Eve: "Christmas Cantate" by Corelli; "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day" by Gardner; "St. Joannis missa brevis" by Haydn; "O holy night" by Adams. All pieces will be accompanied by strings, trumpet, and organ. Join us for this beautiful service of music and worship. Continue reading this e-newsletter to view larger images of the St. Thomas Choir. Submitted by Rick McKnight, Organist and Choirmaster. |
Episcokids' Pageant and Children's Choir to Perform at 5:30 on Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24, 5:30 pm: Christmas Eve Family Service/Children's Christmas Pageant. All children who want to participate are welcome to do so, and no practice for the pageant is necessary. The Children's Choir will be singing at this time. This is a special time for our church, and you will not want to miss our celebration of the birth of Jesus! Continue reading this e-newsletter to view a larger image of the Children's Choir.
Submitted by Erin Redden, Director of Children's Christian Education and Children's Choir. |
Become a St. Thomas Usher
Greg Herring and Julie Chandler are now co-chairs of the new usher program. We are hoping to get a group of about 16 ushers to participate. This would mean a commitment of once a month or so. Please contact Greg ( greg@wgherring.com) or Julie ( julierema@gmail.com) if you would like to be an usher, continue as an usher, or if we can count on you as an alternate. You may also indicate if you are willing to usher for funerals and special occasions. Thank you for your service!
Submitted by Julie Chandler, julierema@gmail.com or 678-596-9951. |
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Thank You, Donors!
Christmas is a season of giving. As God gave the gift of his Son to us, so we seek to emulate his model of generosity by giving gifts to our loved ones. St. Thomas Episcopal Church would like to thank all those parishioners who also showed their generosity to our church, ministries, and programs. Thank you!
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Christmas and New Year's Closures
In observance of Christmas and New Year's Day, the church office will be closed on the following dates: Monday, December 26; Tuesday, December 27; and Monday, January 2. On all other weekdays, we will maintain our regular business hours, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Wynnton Neighborhood Network Food Bank and Outreach Center is now closed for the holidays, and will reopen at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 3. Thank you. |
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Images from Lessons and Carols, December 18
Our special Advent service, Lessons and Carols, took place on Sunday, December 18. It was a beautiful worship service featuring music and scriptural readings that reflected the hopefulness of Advent and prepared us to celebrate Christmas! The images below show the St. Thomas Choir, the St. Thomas Children's Choir, and guest vocalists and musicians performing at Lessons & Carols.
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Images from the Feast of St. Thomas, Wednesday, December 21
On Wednesday, December 21, we celebrated the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, for whom our parish is named. This day included many events at church, including the Baptism of baby Richard Briggs Freeman (grandson of Martin and Sandy McCann), and trimming the Christmas tree in the Nave. View these images below. The children and youth of our Christian Education programs participated in trimming the tree. We would also like to thank the ladies of the Parish Life Committee and Flower Guild for preparing the Christmas tree, greenery, and decorations, and for hosting dinner and Wassail Bowl. Thank you, all!
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