In the old days – that is, last year – our church was a busy place in December. So many rehearsals! So much decorating! So much joy in being together! This year, we’ll walk through Advent and Christmas together using Zoom, Youtube, and Facebook. Will it be the same? No. Can it be wonderful and joyful anyway? Yes.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP, every Sunday at 11:00 am
Every Sunday there will be prayers, music, scripture, a sermon, and the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper. Link to the St. Thomas YouTube channel.
ZOOM WEDNESDAY NOON PRAYERS, December 2, 9, 16, and 23
On Wednesdays during Advent, join Pr. Adrianne for 15 minutes of prayer at noon on Zoom. After taking prayer requests, we’ll move through a simple, spoken liturgy of prayer for ourselves and our world. We’ll keep the Zoom room open afterwards if you’d like a little time to catch up. Here’s the Zoom link: https://bit.ly/stlc2020adventprayer
YOUTUBE WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP, December 2, 9, 16, and 23 at 7:00 pm
The first two chapters of Luke’s gospel can be compared to a Broadway musical, with characters breaking into song as seemingly random times – songs that are filled with hope and a longing for a renewed world. Our Advent midweek worship will center around the songs of Mary of Nazareth, Zechariah, Simeon, and the angel chorus’s Gloria. We’ll hear the songs both chanted as a hymns, featuring our staff musicians. Link to the St. Thomas YouTube channel.
ZOOM VIRTUAL NARTHEX, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 at 10:10 am
At the December Virtual Narthex on St. Nicholas Day, we’ll be joined by a representative from MCUM and share our favorite childhood Christmas gifts. Bring your own coffee and join us for casual conversation on Zoom. Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/virtualnarthexnov1
ZOOM ALL-AGES ST. NICHOLAS PARTY, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 at 4:00 pm
Instead of our traditional Advent Dinner, we’re celebrating St. Nicholas Day on Zoom!
Join us on Zoom at 4:00 pm to hear stories, craft, and enjoy fellowship with your St. Thomas friends. This is an intergenerational event, which means everyone is welcomed to attend. Kids and their families can pick up a craft kit per kid beginning Monday, November 30 outside the east door. Here’s the Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/stlcstnick And here’s a packet of crafts, stories, facts, and recipes for kids and grown-ups to celebrate this fun feast: https://bit.ly/stlcstnickresources
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S SERVICE, DECEMBER 24 AT 4:00 pm
We’ll have a brief outdoor service to sing Christmas Carols and bless a special Christmas tree. You’ll need to come prepared! Dress warmly, wear a mask, plan to stand at least six feet apart, and bring a special “ornament” for the tree – a new hat, scarf, or pair of gloves, Take a blessing card home with you to bless your at-home tree. If this in-person service seems too risky due to COVID, we will announce a Zoom link on December 23. Drop off hats, scarves, and mittens to the east door box through January 6. Here’s a link to the service bulletin for this service.
YOUTUBE CHRISTMAS EVE FESTIVAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS, DECEMBER 24 AT 8:00 pm
This service traces the story of the Incarnation from the Fall to promise of the Word Made Flesh. We’ll sing old carols and new carols, with prayers from the saints. Appearances by friends of the St. Thomas choir and other guest musicians will make this a service you don’t want to miss. Here’s a direct link to the video service. Here’s a link to the 8:00 pm Christmas Eve service bulletin.
FACEBOOK LIVE CRÊCHE BLESSING, DECEMBER 24 AT 10:00 pm
Pastor Adrianne Meier writes, “Live from the Meiers’ home, after the presents are wrapped and (hopefully) ‘the children…all nestled, all snug in their beds,’ we’ll share a few of our favorite quiet carols and bless our nativity set. You’re invited to join us.” Link to the St. Thomas Facebook page. Here’s a link to the service bulletin for this service.