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Greetings!
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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Rector's Corner
 Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,A Blessed and joyous Christmas to each of you!  Rev. Ian Elliott DaviesRector |
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Christmas Hospitality
Christmastime is an especially hospitable time at St. Thomas.
CHRISTMAS EVE: Join us for a Dessert and Savory Reception after Christmas Eve Mass. The Hospitality Committee would like to invite any Parishioner who would be interested making or purchasing a Savory or Dessert Treat for this event to sign up on the bulletin board in the large parish hall or contact John Boughner 310-606-1503 / johnmboughner@aol.com BOXING DAY: There will be an Open House at the Rectory from 12pm to 3pm on Sunday, December 26, 2010 for our annual Boxing Day Open House. All are welcome. The Open House will replace Coffee Hour on this day. All are welcome!
NEW YEAR'S EVE: A pot-luck will be served after the 10:30pm Mass. Sign up on the bulletin board in the large parish hall or contact John Boughner 310-606-1503 / johnmboughner@aol.com |
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Christmas Week Schedule
FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00PM Family Mass (Sermon & Hymns) 11:00PM Midnight Mass (Sermon & Choir)
NOTE: Complimentary Valet Parking will be provided for the Midnight Mass Service. Drop your car off on Gardner Street. SATURDAY, 25 DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS DAY
10:30AM High Mass (Sermon & Choir)
SUNDAY, 26 DECEMBER - ST. STEPHEN'S DAY 8:00AM Low Mass (Sermon) 10:30AM Hight Mass (Sermon & Choir)
FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER - NEW YEAR'S EVE
10:30PM Low Mass followed by alcohol-free New Year's Eve Potluck Party in the Parish Hall. All are welcome!
NOTE: The Parish Office will be closed from 23 December 2010 through 3 January 2011.
THURSDAY, 5 JANUARY - EPIPHANY7:30PM Epiphany Mass (With Choir) |
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Christmas Message
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. -Isaiah 9:2
That's how the first lesson of Christmas Eve opens. It's familiar and comforting, as the familiar words go on to say that light has shined on those who live in deep darkness, that God has brought joy to people living under oppression, for a child has been borne to us. The name of that child is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - and God is bringing an endless peace through an heir to the throne of David (vv 3, 4, 6, 7).
This year we're going to hear a bit we haven't heard in Episcopal churches before, in that missing verse 5. It's pretty shocking, but it helps explain why the hunger for light is so intense, and the joy so great when it comes: "For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire." The coming of this prince of peace will mean the end of all signs of war and violence. An occupied people will finally live in peace, without anxiety about who or what will confront them the next time they go out their front doors. .
People in many parts of this world still live with the echo of tramping boots and the memory of bloody clothing. Many Episcopalians are living with that anxiety right now, particularly in Haiti and Sudan. Americans know it through the ongoing anxiety after September 11 and in the wounded soldiers returning to their families and communities, grievously changed by their experience of war. Remember the terror of war when you hear those words about light on Christmas Eve. Remember the hunger for peace and light when you hear the shocking promise that a poor child born in a stable will lead us all into a world without war. Remember the power of light when you go out into the darkness after hearing those words - and pray that you and those around you may become instruments of peace.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! -Luke 2:14
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori is presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.
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Christmas Eve
Celebrant (8am & 10:30am) The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon
The Rev. Walter S. Johnson
Organist in Residence
John West
PRELUDE
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Polish Carol- arr. Fred Bock
Navidad
Eduardo Torres
Geensleeves
Ralph Vaughn-Williams
Jesu Bambino
Pietro Yon
POSTLUDE
Toccata on Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Felix Mendelssohn arr.Page C. Long
Readings
Isaiah 9. 2-7
Psalm 96. 1
Titus 2. 11-14
Luke 2. 1-20
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Christmas Day
Celebrant (8am & 10:30am) The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon
The Rev. Walter S. Johnson
Organist in Residence
John West
PRELUDE
The Shepherds at The Manger [IN DULCI JUBILO]
Franz Liszt
Jesu Bambino
Pietro Yon
POSTLUDE
Toccata on Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Felix Mendelssohn -arr. Page C.Long
Readings
Isaiah 52. 7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1. 1-12
John 1. 1-14
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St. Stephen
(Christmas I)
Celebrant (8am & 10:30am) The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Homily
The Rev. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon
The Rev. Walter S. Johnson
Organist in Residence
John West
PRELUDE
Noël
Louis Claude d'Aquin
Noël
Henri Mulet
POSTLUDE
Finale on a Noël
Harry Banks
Readings
Acts 7. 51-end
Psalm 119. 161-168
Acts 7. 51-end or
Galatians 2. 16b - 20
Matthew 10. 17-22
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Mother Knows Best
In 1647, the English parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal. Festivities were banned by Puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting and revelry, on what was supposed to be a holy day, to be immoral. The ban was lifted only when the Puritans lost power in 1660.
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Episcopal News online
The Episcopal News, which has told the story of the Diocese of Los Angeles for some 60 years, is switching with the Winter 2010 issue from print to online publication. To read The News online, click here or on the picture. |
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ePrayer
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.
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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