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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.
St. Thomas has a great respect for both the rich liturgical heritage of the church and for living the message of social justice proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Whether you are young or old, gay or straight, single, married or in a relationship, female or male, poor or wealthy, you are welcome at St. Thomas just as you are...a child of God and an inheritor of God's grace. |
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Sermons
| The Fifth Sunday After Trinity |
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Cover Girl
Seminarian Shireen Baker made the cover of News from the Hill, a monthly magazine from Virginia Theological Seminary. In this photo, Shireen leads the procession of graduates from VTS.
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New Catechism Class Forming
On Saturday, 8 September the new Catechism Class will begin. The class is the cornerstone of our Stewardship of Faith and Knowledge program. Anybody interested in being Baptized, Confirmed, Received into the Episcopal Church or Parishioners wishing to renew their vows, please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment. The course commitment is a weekly class each Saturday morning starting with a 10am Mass; the process leads up to a retreat and culminates at the Great Vigil of Easter with the Bishop. Graduates have a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationship with God and with the Parish community. Space is limited.
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"Sixth Sunday After Trinity" from The Christian Year
by Bl. John Keble
David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (2 Samuel xii. 13).
When bitter thoughts, of conscience born, With sinners wake at morn, When from our restless couch we start, With fevered lips and withered heart, Where is the spell to charm those mists away, And make new morning in that darksome day? One draught of spring's delicious air, One steadfast thought, that GOD is there.
These are Thy wonders, hourly wrought, Thou Lord of time and thought, Lifting and lowering souls at will, Crowding a world of good or ill Into a moment's vision; e'en as light Mounts o'er a cloudy ridge, and all is bright, From west to east one thrilling ray Turning a wintry world to May.
Would'st thou the pangs of guilt assuage? Lo! here an open page, Where heavenly mercy shines as free Written in balm, sad heart, for thee. Never so fast, in silent April shower, Flushed into green the dry and leafless bower, As Israel's crowned mourner felt The dull hard stone within him melt.
The absolver saw the mighty grief, And hastened with relief; - "The Lord forgives; thou shalt not die:" 'Twas gently spoke, yet heard on high, And all the band of angels, used to sing In heaven, accordant to his raptured string, Who many a month had turned away With veiled eyes, nor owned his lay,
Now spread their wings, and throng around To the glad mournful sound, And welcome, with bright open face, The broken heart to love's embrace. The rock is smitten, and to future years Springs ever fresh the tide of holy tears And holy music, whispering peace Till time and sin together cease.
There drink: and when ye are at rest, With that free Spirit blest, Who to the contrite can dispense, The princely heart of innocence, If ever, floating from faint earthly lyre, Was wafted to your soul one high desire, By all the trembling hope ye feel, Think on the minstrel as ye kneel:
Think on the shame, that dreadful hour When tears shall have no power, Should his own lay th' accuser prove, Cold while he kindled others' love: And let your prayer for charity arise, That his own heart may hear his melodies, And a true voice to him may cry, "Thy GOD forgives--thou shalt not die."
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The Sixth Sunday
After Trinity
Lections
II Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Psalm 24
Ephesians 1:3-14
St. Mark 6:14-29
Celebrant & Preacher
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies
Deacon
Choir Master
Mr. James Keltner
Organist
Mr. Jeffrey Parola
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Requiem
On Saturday, 21 July at 5pm, a Requiem for Gary Ralph Williams, father of Vestryman Randy Williams, will take place in the Parish Church. The Vigil Mass for that day has been cancelled. All Parishioners are invited to attend.
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Parish Potluck Party
On Saturday, 28 July following the 5pm Vigil Mass, which will be accompanied by LASchola, join us for a potluck garden party! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with the Clergy, Parishioners, the LASchola singers, and new faces! Please tell your friends and family. For more info, contact David Silvas at (626) 818-5218 or [email protected]
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On This Day in Church History
On this day in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children report seeing visions of a woman "brighter than the sun, shedding rays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal ball filled with the most sparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun." This apparition, later to become Our Lady of Fatima, reportedly appeared to these children on the 13th day of six consecutive months beginning on 13 May. The reported apparitions at Fatima were officially declared "worthy of belief" by the Roman Catholic Church.
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Please join us for many Parish activities. Here's a sampling of upcoming events - a full list is available online
14 July @ 7:30am
Homeless Feeding & Outreach
18 July @ 7:30pm
Vestry Meeting
21 July @ 10:30am
Newcomer Orientation Series
23 July @ 9:30am
County-USC AIDS Clinic Feeding Program
28 July @ 7:30am
Homeless Feeding & Outreach
28 July @ 5:00pm
LASchola sings the Mass
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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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