Shared worship is the living heart of this congregation. Some of us come early to rest in the solace of sunlight through stained glass and the power of wordless music to order the heart. Some come with a burden of sorrow, regret, or apprehension. Some are radiant with gratitude. Some bring children full of energy and questions. Some bring a living, burning vision of the reign of God. Some come to be known, to be welcomed by name. We come for all kinds of reasons, not all of which can be put into words – but we are here together every Sunday morning at St. Thomas.

We are so very thankful to be together for in-person again. From March 2020 until April of 2021, we gave up in-person worship to keep everyone safe. We worshiped together on youtube, and all our past worship videos are available on our youtube channel. Beginning on Easter Day of 2021, we’re once more offering in-person worship with every precaution we can think of to keep everyone safe. Our service times change with the academic year and season, but you’ll always find current information on the HOME page. 

Saint Thomas is an inclusive church. As disciples of Christ who value the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people, and who seek justice and reconciliation, we welcome all God’s children to an inclusive community. This welcome is extended without exception and regardless of sex, race, national origin, educational background, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental ability, age, or economic condition. St. Thomas has been a Reconciling In Christ congregation since the 1980s.

8:30 Sunday Morning, indoors and masked

There is a FAQ, and here are the key points:

  • In keeping with Monroe County guidelines, masks are required. Masks are available at the welcome desk for those who desire them.
  • We will be singing!
  • We will gather around the altar for Communion. The elements will be bread broken by our Pastor, gluten-free wafers, and wine and grape juice in recyclable cups.

9:45 to 10:45 Sunday morning Faith Formation, indoors and masked

We have classes for everyone aged four through adults and there is a space for you! Classes are from 9:45am-10:45am on Sundaysbetween the services. For any questions about faith formation, please contact Pastor Lecia.

Women’s Bible Study: Not just for women; all are invited! Held on the second Sunday of each month in room 17. Contact info for Kari Esarey kariesarey@gmail.com

11:00 Sunday morning, indoors and masked

There is a FAQ, and here are the key points:

  • In keeping with Monroe County guidelines, masks are required. Masks are available at the welcome desk for those who need them.
  • We will be singing!
  • We will gather around the altar for Communion. The elements will be bread broken by our Pastor, gluten-free wafers, and wine and grape juice in recyclable cups.

What’s it like to worship at St. Thomas?

Sunday morning worship at St. Thomas follows the same pattern almost every week. We begin with prayer and singing, then hear three readings from the Bible and sing or read a Psalm together. There’s a sermon, more singing, and a time of shared prayer with prayers for the church, peace among nations, faithful care of creation, healing, and other matters of concern to the members.

At the end of the Prayers of the People, we greet one another with the Peace of Christ. Then comes the Offering. We offer bread and wine to share. Some people make an offering of money. Some people make an offering of their hopes and intentions, or even their questions and doubts. There’s often an offering of music as well.

After we give thanks together for all these offerings, we begin the service of Holy Eucharist.
The invitation to share in the bread and wine comes from Jesus, not from us, and everyone is welcome to come forward and share it. Through sharing in this bread and wine, we are connected to Christians all over the world and throughout time. After everyone who comes forward has received, there are a few more prayers and blessings, more singing, a dismissal, and some closing music.

Worship that follows this pattern is usually called liturgical worship and the service itself is called a liturgy . As liturgical churches go, St. Thomas is middle-range – our worship is dignified and orderly, but not starchy or formulaic. If liturgical worship is new to you, you may find it takes you a few weeks to become accustomed to it – but Christians have worshiped this way for many hundreds of years, so we hope you’ll take time to give it a chance. We come every Sunday to be part of the Church, the Body of Christ, to be fed in Eucharist by the Body of Christ, and to carry the Body of Christ into the world we live in every day.

Along with our staff, a small army of volunteers gathers every Sunday to realize this expression of worship. Readers, ushers, greeters, servers, and the faithful behind-the-scenes people who wash and polish altar dishes, arrange flowers, and look after the candles, vestments, and the altar linen. Also, the ‘circus crew’ who put up and tear down the tents for outdoor worship. We welcome volunteers to this enterprise – come join us!

Children are welcome in our worship. Read more about children in worship.

We invite you to add your special concern to today’s Prayers of the People by writing it on the prayer desk on the left as you enter the sanctuary. Read more about our prayer ministries.

Music is a vital, important part of our worship. Read more about our congregational singing, choirs, organ, and concert series.

Sermons are an important guide to this congregation’s values and our role in the Bloomington community. Along with the livestream videos, we also keep sermon texts online for members to read, think about and share.