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| Weekly E-Newsletter |
Week Ending November 27, 2009 |
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Dear Parishioner
St. Thomas the Apostle is an Episcopal Parish in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. We are called by God to be a holy place where love is found, where all are named and where hearts are freed to change the world. |
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Advent |
 Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday. The Eastern churches begin the liturgical year on 1 September.
The progression of the season may be marked with an Advent calendar, a practice introduced by German Lutherans. At least in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25.
Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure for the second coming of Christ.
The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Jesus Christ as Savior, and to his second coming as Judge, special lessons are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.
Many churches make use of Advent wreaths during this season, with one candle representing each of the four Sundays of Advent. The rose candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. During Christmas Day, four lit white candles are used.
The "Late Advent Weekdays", December 17-24, mark the singing of the Great Advent 'O antiphons'. These are the antiphons for the Magnificat at Vespers, or Evening Prayer (in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches) and Evensong (in Anglican churches) each day, and mark the forthcoming birth of the Messiah. They form the basis for each verse of the popular Advent hymn, "O come, O come, Emmanuel".
From the 4th century, the season was kept as a period of fasting as strict as that of Lent. In many countries, Advent was long marked by diverse popular observances, some of which still survive. In England, especially in the northern counties, there was a custom (now extinct) for poor women to carry around the "Advent images", two dolls dressed to represent Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. A halfpenny was expected from every one to whom these were exhibited, and bad luck was thought to menace the household not visited by the doll-bearers before Christmas Eve at the latest.
In Normandy, farmers employed children under twelve to run through the fields and orchards armed with torches, setting fire to bundles of straw, and thus it is believed driving out such vermin as are likely to damage the crops. In Italy, among other Advent celebrations, is the entry into Rome in the last days of Advent of the Calabrian pifferari, or bagpipe players, who play before the shrines of Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Italian tradition being that the shepherds played these pipes when they came to the manger at Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus. It is the second most important tradition behind Easter for Roman Catholics.
In recent times, the commonest observance of Advent outside church circles has been the keeping of an advent calendar or advent candle, with one door being opened in the calendar, or one section of the candle being burned, on each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve.
Adapted from www.wikipedia.com | |
| Book Discussion on Tuesdays |
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Harold S. Kushner's book, The Lord Is My Shepherd - Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-Third Psalm, is our source for a five week study exploring one of the most familiar and intriguing portions of Scripture. In the midst of difficulty people of faith have turned to these powerful verses for comfort and support. Journey with us as we try to find the source of its power and enduring witness.
Steven DeMuth, a candidate for the seminary, leads the book discussion. The discussion meets on Tuesdays after Mass (7:30pm) and will go from November 17 to December 15. You may purchase the book at Amazon or any other retailer. |
| Sponsorship available for Advent Wreath |
 Sponsorship for the Advent Wreath is available. The Wreath itself is $100 for the season and sponsorship of each candle (4 total) is just $25. Please contact the office if you are interested. |
| Coffee Hour Help Needed |
The Hospitality Committee is looking for volunteers to help set up and clean up after the coffee hour on Sundays. They would like four to six volunteers so a schedule can be set up and no one person has to work more than once a month. The coffee hour is an important part in our Parish fellowship allowing us to get to know each other better. Your participation can help keep this essential part of Parish life running smoothly. Please contact John Boughner, Les Rumsey or the Parish Office if you are interested. |
| Communion & H1N1 |
 In response to the H1N1 Flu (commonly known as the Swine Flu), St. Thomas Hollywood encourages parishioners to partake of communion via intinction. (The Sacred Minister will dip the host into the wine and place the consecrated host on the parishioners tongue, which should be extended.)
For those parishioners who out of custom prefer to continue using the chalice, the chalice is cleaned with a grain-alcohol cloth after each use, significantly reducing any transfer of germs.
We are mindful of the sensitivity of certain people to these issues, and we would kindly remind you that receiving just the Sacred Host is full Communion. You do not have to receive the Chalice, and vice-versa: receiving only the Chalice is full Communion.
Common sense will be one of our best weapons against this flu:
- Wash hands early and often, and use appropriate sanitizers. Please use the dispensers that are placed around the Church grounds.
- If you feel sick, stay home as an act of grace to others.
- If you have a family member sick, keep that person home for the same reason.
- Get your information from trustworthy sources: the CDC, local public health, or your health care provider.
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| Convention is Dec. 4 & 5 |
"Faith & Our Future" is the theme for the 2009 meeting of Diocesan Convention, set for December 4-5 at the Riverside Convention Center. Information for delegates and clergy, including meal reservation forms as well as photos, biographies and statements from candidates for diocesan office are on the Los Angeles Diocese website www.ladiocese.org. |
| The Reason for the Season |
St. Thomas' Stewardship of Community Outreach is launching a food drive to benefit SOVA food pantries this holiday season. The goal this year is to fill the SOVA food bin twice during the holidays, once before Thanksgiving and once before Christmas. The food bin is located in the foyer near the church office during the week and will be in the recreation hall during coffee hour on Sundays throughout the holidays. The following items are needed:
Canned and packaged foods
- Personal hygiene products (especially disposable razors, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene items, disposable diapers and deodorant)
- Ribbon and other basket-making equipment and supplies for Baskets of Hope
- New or gently used children's books
SOVA is a nonsectarian program of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, dedicated to alleviating hunger and poverty in the community through food distribution and offering a wide range of supportive services.
Three SOVA food pantries provide free groceries and supportive resources to 7,000 individuals each month. SOVA participants represent our community's diverse cultures, faiths and ethnicities. Volunteers respond to each person's needs, respecting their dignity, individuality and privacy. With extraordinary community support and a service approach that has been described as "the model for food assistance in the future," SOVA has been providing outstanding community service for 25 years.
SOVA also needs volunteers and assistance in linking with manufacturers and distributors as sources of large quantity donations. Also if you or someone you know are in need, please contact SOVA at 818-988-7682 or visit their website at www.http://www.jfsla.org/sova/ for eligibility requirements, locations and times of pantry operation. |
| Christmas Flowers |
If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas flowers and decorations, please fill out the form in the bifold and return it with your donation to the Parish Office no later than Sunday, 20 December. The suggested minimum donation is $25. Contributions are also accepted via Paypal. (Send funds to admin@saintthomashollywood.org and note that the contribution is for flowers.)
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| Pledgers for 2010 |
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Our Every Member Canvass campaign completed on Sunday, November 22, Christ the King. There a number of pledges outstanding. Please return your Pledge Card to the Office as soon as possible to allow for proper planning for 2010. Please contact the Office if you have any questions. We are deeply grateful to the following Parishioners who have pledged for 2010:
Rob Amore
David Anderson
Michael J. Austin
Tom Balamaci & Patrick Wildnauer
Lance Barshinger & David Lynch
Ned James Beedie & Sam Thurber
Robert Beukema & Ken Mosesian
David F. Bode, MD
Rodney Borr
John & Linda Bruce
John Buckley
Kent R. Burke
Christian Antonio Calle
Steven W. Carry
Lucinda Carver
Audrey Chambers
Brad & Wendy Chambers
Ted Chigaros
Herman F. Churchwell
Efrain Cisneros
Jacqueline Elise Cohl
Craig B. Coogan
Scott G. N. Crowell
Donald Cummings
William Daniel
The Rev. Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
John & Janis Davies
Evelyn Davis
Lloyd Davis
Thomas Doyle
Robert L. Ducker
John Eglin
Charles Elliott & Joseph Gaudioso
Michael Ensign Evans
David Firman
Howard Gaass
John Garces & Anthony Palacios
Richard A. Genovese
Clint Gray
Michael Gray
Ward A. Hansen
Andy Harland
Bob Halvorson
Ron Hartwig
Peter & Julie Heimark
Jane A. Heitz
Bob Henry & Linda Wendell
Sarah Hensley
Hans Herst
John Holloway
Jay Howard & Richard Francis Tracz
J. Todd Howell
Helen Slayton Hughes
Jimmy Hughes
Jeffrey Hyatt
Bronwyn, Greg & Henry Jamrok
Luis S. Javier
Patricia Neal Jensen
Jeff Johnson
The Rev. Mr. Walter S. Johnson
Mary L. Johnston
Timothy Joslin
Sue Ann Keeling
James W. Keltner
Stephen Kemp
Peter T. Kempson
Taffy Kennedy
James R. Kennish
Thomas Kingsley
Ken Koonce
James & Elizabeth Lancaster
Helen Land
Dean Larkin & Paul Park
Bruce A. Larson
Michael Laska
Gerard Lavatori
Len Leatherwood & Ray Beaty
Joe A. Lopez
Doris Martin
Vincent G. Mazzucchelli
Robert D. McConnell
Robert D. Miller
Sandra Minott
Brett D. Morana
Richard Morse & Eugene Zhukorsky
Catherine Nameth & Alex Levine
Barry Norcross
Paul Norwood
Randy & Ruth Oglesby
Carolyn S. Olman
Patrick G. O'Shea
Michael Owen
Robert Patrick
Jeffrey R. Pierce
Alison Platt
Jan Quanbeck
Joseph Rials
Josephine Richstad
Gregory Lynn Risse
Linda Rockstroh
Mark F. Rodriguez
Vincent Roncone
John V. Schleif
Darrell Schmitt
Garland & Kathy Schweikhardt
John Scoles
Ryan Scott
Gary K. Shaw
Stan Shipley
William Sileo
Anthony Smilijkovich
Bill Stark
The Rev. Donald Stuart
The Rev. Fr. Mark D. Stuart
Suzanne Tenner
Thomas G. Thanangadan
Darcine Thomas & Howard March
Reece P. Thomson
John Thornbury
Paul Tournay & Lee Cox
Ayako Travis
Robert Van Meter
Mark Stephen Vigil
Christopher Wagner
Lynn Walker
Gary Warning
Joseph Warren
Robert Weihing
Janet West
David Wildman
Billy Ray Williams
Cynthia Williams
Randy Williams
Stephen Yoder |
| Service Schedule |
MASSES & DAILY OFFICES
Sunday
7:30 AM - Morning Prayer
8:00 AM - Low Mass
9:45 AM - Rosary
10:30AM - High Mass with Choir - Childcare Available
4:30 PM - Evening Prayer
Monday through Friday
7:30 AM - Morning Prayer
6:30 PM - Evening Prayer
7:00 PM - Low Mass
Tuesday
6:00 PM - Reconciliations / Confessions
Saturday
10:00AM - Low Mass
5:00 PM - Vigil Mass with Gregorian Chant
6:30 PM - Compline
Many additional activities occur each week at St. Thomas the Apostle. See the calendar for more! | |
We hope to see you soon!
Blessings from
St. Thomas the Apostle |
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Advent I |
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Celebrant (8am)
The Rev. Mark D. Stuart
Celebrant (10.30a):
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily (8am & 10.30a):
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon (10:30a):
The Rev. Walter Johnson
Organist-in-Residence (10:30a):
John West
PRE
Preambule Louis Vierne
Prepare The Royal Highway Swedish Folk Tune, 17th C
Setting by John Behnke
Now Thank WE All Our God Based on Cantata No. 29/Johann Sebastian Bach
Setting by Virgil Fox
Daniel 7.9,10,13,14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1.4b-8
John 18.33-37 |
| Thanksgiving |
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Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.
The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. The Plymouth celebration occurred early in the history in one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States, and this celebration became an important part of the American myth by the 1800s.
On Thanksgiving Eve there will be a Vigil Style Mass held at 7:30pm.
PRE
All Good Gifts - Godspell Stephen Swartz
POST
Now Thank We All Our God Siegfried Karg-Elert
On Thanksgiving Day there will be a Mass held at 7:00pm
Both Masses will be celebrated by Fr. Ian Elliott Davies.
The Office of St. Thomas the Apostle will be closed on Thursday & Friday November 26-27. |
| Clergy |
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The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Rector
The Rev. Mark D Stuart
Associate Rector
The Rev. Michael Cooper
Assistant Priest
The Rev. Mr. Walter Johnson
Deacon |
| Pastoral Counseling |
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One-on-one Pastoral counseling is available. Please contact the office (323-876-2102 ext 2) to schedule an appointment with the Clergy. |
| Vigil Mass |
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Missa Vigil hoc septem dies cum lingua Latina. Missa mos ineo 5 meridianus et cum ero Abeo Gregoriana in Ecclesiae Parochiae Sancta Thomasiensis.
[The Vigil Mass on Saturday will be in Latin this week. Join us at 5pm in the Church with Gregorian Chant.]
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| Homeless Breakfast |
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On the Second and Fourth Saturdays of each month the Homeless Breakfast takes place. Volunteers are welcome and greatly needed!
150 homeless and needy Angelinos are served a tasty breakfast by St. Thomas volunteers. Come at 7:00am to help prepare and share pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and good fellowship. Come at 7:30am to help serve. Come at 9:00am to help clean up.
Deacon Johnson serves as the Social Worker providing outreach to the Homess during the Breakfast. This portion of the program, including providing safer sex kits, hygene items and other critical supplies is funded in part by a grant from The City of West Hollywood. |
| John West at Disney Hall |
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Holiday Wonders - Christmas at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 2:30 pm matinee
PROGRAM:
O Come All Ye Faithful
Angels We Have Heard on High
Joy to the World
O Holy Night
Deck the Hall
The First Noel
Plus, audience sing-alongs and other favorites
Celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney Concert Hall - a concert of nostalgic carols sung by the world-class LA Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Chorale with be joined by our own Voices Within Children's Chorus and John West at the thundering Disney Hall Pipe organ for the rousing finale medley of carols, A Christmas Garland. Holiday Wonders is a great Los Angeles holiday tradition - sure to put you in the mood to decorate the tree!
Rejoice!
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 7 pm
PROGRAM:
Vaughan Williams | Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Charpentier | Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve
Ramirez | Navidad Nuestra
Susa | A Christmas Garland
Rejoice! is LA Master Chorale's annual classic Christmas concert, featuring important holiday repertoire -- inspired by soaring abbeys and cathedrals of Europe to intimate village festivals of Argentina - plus, favorite carols. First, you'll savor Charpentier's Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve, a charming French Baroque Christmas work. Then you will fell in love with Ramirez's enchanting Navidad Nuestra accompanied by Huayucaltia, LA-based South American folk ensemble. Vaughan Williams' rich and stunning Fantasia on Christmas Carols heralds the season. The festive finale, A Christmas Garland, is a rousing medley of carols and sing-alongs featuring the thundering Disney Hall Pipe Organ and John West, organist. Hear Holiday classics as can be sung only by the LA Master Chorale.
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| Angel Tree |
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It's Angel Tree time again! This year we are assisting the children of women living with AIDS through Women at Risk. St. Thomas has supported this organization for a number of years. The needs have quadrupled since last year, while their funding has decreased. This year we'll be assisting 64 families and 129 children. We had 20-30 children last year from this group. For these children, this will be the only present they receive.
The Angel Tree will be available this Sunday, November 22nd, and the gifts should be returned by Sunday, December 13th.
Last year we started giving a gift to the mothers as well. This year, the families desperately need food for their tables, so, if you are able, we are also collecting grocery gift cards. There will be a sign-up sheet under the tree.
Thank you for your generosity! |
| Sing-Along |
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Sunday 13 December: The Annual Choir Sing-A-Long and Christmas Boutique will begin following High Mass. Come along and join in the carolling and visit the boutique which will be featuring holiday goodies especially those wondrous persimmon Christmas Puddings! |
| Mother Knows Best |
Interesting facts about
St. Thomas the Apostle  |
At one time in the the 1920's and 1930's St. Thomas had not only a mixed voice choir, but a dedicated boys choir as well. |
| Julian Sands reads Harold Pinter's Poetry |
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English Actor and St. Thomas Parishioner Julian Sands is best known for his work in such films as Oxford Blues, The Killing Fields, A Room with a View and Leaving Las Vegas. He became familiar with Harold Pinter's poems a few years ago. Pinter had committed to a reading of his poetry to benefit a women's shelter, but his illness had temporarily impaired his speaking voice and he asked Julian to take over. They worked together as Julian was instructed and tutored in Pinter's phrasing, emphases and, of course, his pauses.
For two performances only (29 Nov. 5pm & 9 Dec. 8pm), Julian will be presenting these poems on stage at the Odyssey Theatre. The evening will include observations and appreciations of his time spent with Pinter.
Tickets are only $20, and half of the proceeds will go to the St. Thomas Parish Homeless Breakfast fund. For tickets, click here
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| Vestry Service Opportunity |
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The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in the Parish Hall on Sunday, 17 January 2010, following the High Mass. At the meeting the Congregation will elect four new Vestry persons to serve a three year term. Serving on the Vestry is a further step in your spiritual life, is a further manifestation of Stewardship of our faith and is a tremendous responsibility and privilege.
Existing Vestry persons welcome the opportunity to speak with individuals about the experience of their service. The specifics of vestry service for the class of 2010 are provided in an in-person discussion with Fr. Davies prior to the Annual Meeting.
We invite individuals considering this spiritual journey to contact Fr. Davies as soon as possible. |
| Minutes |
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The minutes from the Vestry Meetings of St. Thomas the Apostle are now available on the St. Thomas the Apostle website. Click here to get the minutes. (Or goto the "Wardens & Vestry" page and click on "Minutes.")
Each month after the Vestry approves the prior months minutes they will be posted in PDF format. |
| ePrayer List |
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Prayer is at the center of our worship and binds us together as a community of faith. This week we commenced our electronic prayer chain email. A list of persons on the prayer list is sent weekly.
Subscribers to the prayer chain email agree to honor confidentiality of the members on the prayer list and to pray for the persons on the prayer list during the week. It is expected that the prayer chain will be sent weekly, though occasional additional emails will be sent if circumstances warrant.
The prayer chain email is an opt-in list only - it will not be sent unless you sign up for it. If you'd like to be on this distribution list, please update your profile (please use link at the bottom of the email, customized with your email)or contact the office. |
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| Shopping
Online =
Donation for St. Thomas! |
Do you shop online? If you shop at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, eBay.com...or any of thousands of companies - they will contribute up to 30% of your purchase to St. Thomas the Apostle at no additional cost to you.
It's easy - goto GoodShop.com ( www.goodshop.com) and in the box "Who Do You Support" put in "St. Thomas the Apostle." Click on the St. Thomas located in Hollywood, CA. Then click on your store - and follow the link "Goodshop this Store." For St. Thomas to receive donations, you must click through to the store from this site.  |
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From October 2008 to September 2009 St. Thomas earned $462.15 in donations from GoodShop thanks to your shopping via GoodShop. During this Holiday Season click on GoodShop first! | |
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