eNews
26 June 2015


 

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.

Sermons

The Third Sunday After Trinity
The Third Sunday After Trinity

 

To see more sermons and services go to our YouTube Page!

Supreme Court Decision 

Due to the Clergy's participation in the West Hollywood Rally celebrating today's Supreme Court decision, tonight's 7pm Mass has been cancelled. Compline will be said in its place. 



Canon Davies issued the following statement: 

"Rejoice, brothers and sisters, again I say, Rejoice!"

We whole-heartedly welcome today's news from the United States Supreme Court. This is truly a matter for which to give thanks to the countless individuals and communities who have struggled to see justice and equality in the area of marriage and the full-inclusion of all people of goodwill in the entirety of our culture, society and nation.

As people of faith in the Episcopal Church we believe that ALL LOVE has its foundation in grace and in the Heart of God. Please pray for us as we continue to make ALL PEOPLE welcome in the Church-we assure you of our eternal love, prayers, blessings and hope.

Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice!

Father Ian Elliott Davies, Canon Rector & Parish Priest

LASchola Accompanies TOMORROW'S Latin Vigil Mass!

 
Tomorrow, a quartet from the LASchola will be singing the Missa Spem In Alium (Mass) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) at St. Thomas. Palestrina was one of the most important composers of the Renaissance and the best known representative of the "Roman School" of musical composition. The LASchola will also be singing Adoramus te, Christe (Indroit) by Orlande de Lassus (1530-1594) and O Vos Omnes (Motet) by Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611). The LASchola singers at this very special liturgy will be Kara Morgan, Susie McDermid, Daniel Babcock and Jae Park. The Celebrant will be Canon Ian Elliott Davies, Rector.

After the LA Schola Vigil Mass on June 27th, all are invited to a reception in the St. Thomas Parish Hall. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet with the clergy, parishioners, as well as with the LASchola singers.

Chazzan Danny Maseng's 

Final Service at Temple Israel of Hollywood

 
Tomorrow at 10:30am, Chazzan Danny Maseng will perform his final service at Temple Israel of Hollywood. Following the Shabbat service, a light lunch will be presented. St. Thomas Parishioners are invited to attend.

Catechumen Class Forming

 
Interested in becoming a member of St. Thomas or in reinvigorating your knowledge of our faith and worship? It's time to start thinking about joining this year's Catechumen Class. This course, which meets every Saturday, beginning 29 August 2015 (save major holiday weekends) and running right up to the Great Easter Vigil, is required for anybody who wishes to be Baptized, Confirmed, or Received in the Church. It's also open to a limited number of current Parishioners who are interested in learning more and Reaffirming their commitment to Christ. Interested Parishioners should contact the Parish Office to schedule a meeting with Canon Davies in the coming weeks. Only 12 slots available!
"Let's Talk About" - July

   

On Sunday, 19 July, the "Let's Talk About Series" continues. This month's subject, "Ecumenism" will be led by the Rector's Warden, John Bollard, following the High Mass.

 

John Bollard, currently the Rector's Warden at St. Thomas, has been a member of our parish since 2010. John spent eight years as a Jesuit in the San Francisco Bay Area and has graduate degrees in Education and Theology. He works in administration at UCLA and he and his husband have been in Los Angeles since 1999.

Parish Health Ministry

 
On Sunday, 26 July at the High Mass, Canon Davies will bless the partnership of our Parish Health Ministry and Providence Center for Community Health Improvement. Following the High Mass, there will be an introduction to the Health Ministry, Parish Nurse, and Providence. The Parish Health Ministry is available for all Parishioners. They are hoping for full, active participation from Parishioners to help this program thrive. 

Altar Flowers

 
There are quite a few available Sundays  throughout the summer and rest of the year  for Altar Flower sponsorship. This is a great way to remember a loved one or celebrate an occasion. We request a donation of $125 per Sunday, which can be shared by a couple of Parishioners (both of whom would be allowed a dedication). 

Since the Altar Flowers are paid by a self-sustaining fund, if there isn't a sponsor for a particular Sunday, no flowers will appear on the Altar for that Sunday. 

If you'd like to sign up, please do so on the chart located in the Large Parish Hall or contact the office to request availability. 

   

The Search Committee for our new Coadjutor Bishop wants to hear from you: they are seeking to listen to the perspectives of every member of our congregations throughout the Diocese of Los Angeles. Please share your perspective with them at one of the following listening sessions. Each session is two hours in length. Please register in advance by clicking on the Parish name of your chosen session:

 

ST JOHN'S PRO-CATHEDRAL (514 W. Adams Blvd.) - Saturday, 27 June at 10am 

 

ST. MARK'S CHURCH, VAN NUYS (14646 Sherman Way) - Sunday, 12 July at 4pm

 

THE CATHEDRAL CENTER (840 Echo Park Ave.) - Saturday, 18 July at 5pm 

 

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, PASADENA (132 N. Euclid Ave.) - Sunday, 26 July at 2pm 

The Guibord Center

   

On Saturday, 27 June from 10am to noon, join us as The Guibord Center returns to breathtaking Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights. If you can't get to China you can still experience a magnificent traditional Chinese Buddhist mountain monastery. Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple, in our own back yard, is one of the largest in North America. Learn about the instruments used in the service: Wooden Fish; Big Gong; Drum and Bell; and Ten Offerings. Find the true meaning of the symbols: Lotus; Bodhi Tree; Buddha's Footprint; and Mudras (hand gestures). All this and more will be explored, with your questions welcomed. Our presentation will be from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Afterwards you can enjoy a wonderful vegetarian buffet meal at the monastery, wander the beautiful grounds, sample tea and visit the bookstore and the museum. Registration and information CLICK HERE.

 

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple

3456 Glenmark Dr.

Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 

 

 

In This Issue
The Fourth Sunday After Trinity

 

Lections

II Samuel 1:1, 17-end
Psalm 9:9-end
II Corinthians 8:7-end
St. Mark 5:21-end

Celebrant & Preacher

Canon Ian Elliott Davies

 

Deacon 

Dea. Walter S. Johnson

 

Organist

Mr. Jeffrey Parola
Sunday's Music

 

Prelude

Choral Cistercien
by Jehan Alain
(1911-1940)


Offertory

Pray that Jerusalem
by C.V. Stanford
(1852-1924)

Postlude

Fugue in C Major
by Johann Pachelbel
(1653-1706)
Bethlehem Handcrafts

   

On Sunday, 12 July Mr. Feras Qumseya of Bethlehem Handcrafts returns to St. Thomas bringing beautiful olive wood carvings from the Holy Land, which will be for sale in the courtyard following both Masses. CLICK HERE for their website.  

Bishop Bruce Visiting St. Thomas!!!

   

On Sunday, 16 August (The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), Bp. Diane Bruce will the Celebrant and Preach at both Masses!


At the High Mass, Her Excellency will Confirm and Receive this year's Catechumens. 


 

After the High Mass, stick around for her discussion "Stewardship of Earth vs Living a Wealthy Life Regardless," part of our "Let's Talk About" series.
 

On This Day in 
Christian History 

   

On this day in 1097 the armies of the First Crusade gained control of Nicea, now Iznik.

Coming Soon...

 

Please join us for many Parish activities.  Here's a sampling of upcoming events - a full list is available online 

  

27 June @ 7:30am

Homeless Feeding & Outreach


27 June @ 5:00pm

LASchola accompanies the Latin Vigil Mass

3 July
Parish Office Closed

5 July
Patronal Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle

11 July @ 7:30am

Homeless Feeding & Outreach


 

18 July @ 10:30am 

Newcomer Orientation Series  

27 July @ 10:00am 

County-USC AIDS Clinic Feeding Program

Parking at St. Thomas

   

Regardless of what the signs read, parking on Gardner Street is now allowed on Sundays unrestricted between 7am and 1pm. There is no two-hour time limit! 

 

If you receive a ticket, contest the ticket by filling out the form found CLICKING HERE! Contact the Office if you have any issues.

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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