All Posts By

St Thomas

First Sunday after Christmas 2018 Sermon

By Sermons

First Sunday after Christmas, December 30, 2018 Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147 Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18 St Thomas the Apostle The Rev’d Leo Loyola Recently I got a new car. You can’t miss it. It’s the very, very bright yellow Jeep Renegade in our parking lot. Since getting it, I’ve heard two basic comments. The first is something most new car owners expect to hear: “Wow, what a nice car!” The second, most don’t. I know I didn’t, when asked “Did you want yellow?” On the surface, the comment seems to stem from curiosity: Was this your only choice at the dealership? Did Melody want you to get yellow? But, of course, I know better. I know sarcasm when I hear it. What they’re really saying is, “What an ugly color. I would have gotten it in black or white or red.” The truth is I absolutely wanted my yellow…

Read More
December 30, 2018

Christmas Day 2018 Sermon

By Sermons

Christmas Day, Selection II, December 25, 2018 Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7)8-20 St Thomas the Apostle The Rev’d Leo Loyola When I think of the Christmas story, I think of my preschool Christmas variety show. My class recreated the Nativity scene, while singing “Silent Night”. We had kids playing Joseph and Mary, huddling around a plastic baby Jesus. Other kids played shepherds and wise men, sheep and donkeys and various barn animals. I played Cow #1, a life-sized image of a cow painted on cardboard which I sat behind and held up. My teacher had her back to us, stage left on the piano. She had on a baby blue mini-skirt and wore what could be best described as a hair helmet. Hair hardened into this basketball shape on her head, using a whole can of Aqua Net hair spray. It was the fashion of the time….

Read More
December 25, 2018

What’s Your Story? – Dec 16

By Christian Formation

What’s Your Story? – Seeing Your Life Through God’s Eyes. We all have a story. How can you live a great one? Envision your life as an adventure co-created by God. This study explores Joseph’s story. He accomplished great things in Egypt, but he didn’t really understand his story’s significance until he recognized what God was doing through him. Sarah Heath helps you explore your own life story in the same way. By doing so, you’ll discover how to co-create with God the kind of life that will be a page-turner. This is our final session small-group study. It will be presented by Mother Joy, and will include opportunities for discussion. We will meet on this Sunday, December 16, in the South Room from 11:30am-1:00pm. Please join us. Lunch will be provided. Check out a brief summary by the author of this series, The Reverend Sarah Heath: https://youtu.be/isqjcZNEY18

Read More
December 12, 2018

Advent Lessons and Carols – Dec 9

By Upcoming Events

Join us Sunday, December 9 at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of Central Christian Church, 4711 Westside Dr. We will celebrate the beautiful season of Christmas by hosting “Advent Lessons and Carols.” This is the third year of a collaboration between Central and St. Thomas the Apostle. Leaders from both churches and members of both choirs will perform readings, carols and anthems. Following the service, holiday refreshments will be served in fellowship hall. There is plenty of parking and plenty of seating.

Read More
November 29, 2018

AdventWord Starting December 2

By Christian Formation

Virginia Theological Seminary – who are now offering AdventWord – warmly invite you to participate in a global gathering of prayers via an online advent calendar. During Advent, a daily email featuring the #AdventWord of the day will go out at 5 a.m. each day, and respondents are encouraged to share their responses to the meditations and images on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. (Please note this is now a separate email offering from Brother, Give Us a Word.) You can also visit www.adventword.org, for a collection of each day’s contributed images and prayers. This year, meditations will also be available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese (Traditional), German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish available via email with and ASL videos via YouTube and on www.adventword.org. Join an international community in prayer to explore the mystery and wonder of Advent! www.adventword.org www.instagram.com/adventword www.twitter.com/AdventWord www.facebook.com/AdventWordOrg

Read More
November 29, 2018

Proper 29B Sermon

By Sermons

Proper 29B, November 25, 2018 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-13 (14-19) Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 St Thomas the Apostle The Rev’d Leo Loyola It was 1925, and the Great War, “the war to end all wars”, had ended. In its aftermath, the world was growing darker. From the east, there was the rise of the Soviet Union. In Germany, the Nazis grew in power. And in Italy, Benito Mussolini dropped any pretense of democracy and established his dictatorship. Of this ominous climate, Pope Pius XI had this to say: Conditions have become increasingly worse because the fears of the people are being constantly played upon by the ever-present menace of new wars, likely to be more frightful and destructive than any which have preceded them. Whence it is that the nations of today live in a state of armed peace which is scarcely better than war itself, a condition which…

Read More
November 25, 2018

Connecting at St Thomas – Dec 2

By News, Upcoming Events

A ministry designed to deepen our relationships with each other, especially people who are new to St. Thomas. Join us for lunch at Cafe Express (5600 Lovers Lane just east of Inwood) the FIRST SUNDAY of every month. Our next event will be on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 11:30pm (after the 11:00 am coffee hour in the Parish Hall). We recognize that sometimes coffee and conversation after church just isn’t enough to develop more meaningful friendships. So how ‘bout lunch! Deeper connections will help newcomers answer these questions: Where do I fit in? Can I make friends in this church? Is there room for me relationally? Does this church need me? Can I find a place to belong and serve? Am I safe here? And who knows – it may help short-and long-term members answer these questions too! If you have any suggestions or would like to be a part…

Read More
November 25, 2018

Episcopal Relief & Development holiday match

By News, Outreach

This year has taught us how much we can accomplish when we work together – whether it’s tackling malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia in children under five, empowering women to start small businesses or providing relief to areas impacted by natural disasters. You are an integral part of that work. And during our holiday match, your support will go even further. Please take advantage of this special opportunity today. Together, our light will shine twice as bright on individuals, families and communities all over the world. Donate Today > Yours faithfully, Robert W. Radtke President & CEO Episcopal Relief & Development P.S. Thank you in advance for supporting Episcopal Relief & Development during our holiday match – when every dollar you give will be doubled up to $700K! Through the power of community, faith and thoughtful giving, we can bring significant change to families worldwide.

Read More
November 21, 2018

The Quiet Promise of Jesus’ Kingdom

By Christian Formation

Standing in a dirt road in Kajo Keji, South Sudan, I am immersed in a surreal scene. There are no paved roads, no electricity, no cars, no internet, and no cell service. Surrounded by a leper, a cripple, a blind grandmother being led by her granddaughter, it is as if I am walking through a scene in the gospels. Our diocese has finished building our third primary school in the county, and we are there to officially hand the keys over to their bishop and the village elders. Their joy, our joy, is indescribable. There is a feeling of electricity in the air. That feeling, of course, is love and New Hope for their beloved. The opening of this school, this gift from Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) to the people of Dwani, South Sudan, is a gift of unheard extravagance. And the poorest people on the earth proceed to give us a…

Read More
November 21, 2018

Saint Thomas Angel Tree

By Outreach

The annual St. Thomas Angel Tree, benefiting children in CPS care over the holidays, is located in the vestibule on the north side of the Narthex. There are still cards available to pick up. Most of our children this year are infants or one year old so pick up a card or cards so that all of them receive something from St. Thomas the Apostle at Christmas. UNWRAPPED gifts should be brought back to the church by Tuesday, December 4th. The card with the child’s name that was picked up from the church should be attached to the gift when it is returned. If one child is receiving more than the requested gift, please place the child’s unwrapped gifts in a single bag and attach the card to the outside of the bag so that the child will receive all that was purchased for him or her. It’s perfectly acceptable…

Read More
November 21, 2018