Children Sunday School Visits Ronald McDonald House

The Children's Sunday School had a field trip to the Ronald McDonald's House and learned about their remarkable mission providing a"home-away-from-home" for families with children receiving medical treatment in Tampa Bay area hospitals.  They have an extensive volunteer network and rely on contributions from the community for 2/3 of their operating budget. 

Here are some photos from the outing...please visit the St. Thomas Facebook page for more photos.

Follow us on Twitter!

posted by m white

Road Closures--St. Anthony's Triathlon

IMPORTANT!!!

SUNDAY ROAD CLOSURES—DETOUR

The St. Anthony’s Triathlon is taking place Sunday, April 29, 2012 beginning at
6:30 a.m. Sunday morning and weaving through the neighborhoods in St. Petersburg
 including Snell Isle. The Snell Isle Bridge on 22nd Ave N will be closed to vehicle
traffic from 6:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. This will effect the 8 and 10 a.m. services.

Suggested route is: take 4th Street to 38th Ave N. through Shore Acres route to St. Thomas.

Easter Photos and Golf Classic Photos

Check out our photos from April Events at and around St. Thomas
Clike on the links below:
Easter 2012--Children's Easter Egg Hunt Easter 2012--Children's Easter Egg Hunt

Flowers and Church Flowers and Church

Parish, Clergy and Choir Parish, Clergy and Choir

2012 Golf Classic 2012 Golf Classic

Weekly Events at St. Thomas

Hello Everyone,


Here’s your weekly reminder of all the programs, services and events at St. Thomas during the next several days. Please take particular notice of all events in colored print.

ADULT EDUCATION CONTINUES

A study of the Book of Common Prayer

Continues on Sundays at 9 a.m.

In the Chapel.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASS

An introduction to the Sacrament of Communion

Continues thru May13th at 9 a.m. in the

Canterbury Library.

YOUR WEEKLY FOOD DONATIONS

Your loving weekly food basket donation goes to the St. Petersburg Free

Clinic Food Bank. The Food Bank distributes this food to over 50 partner

agencies throughout the community. Among them are Free Clinic’s We Help

Services, Women’s Residence and Beacon House.

St Thomas has donated 184 pounds of food so far in just March of this year!

Way to go! The on going need is great and your continued support is

blessed. Staples such as cereals, juice, peanut butter, and canned meats are

always needed. Never will “buy one and get one free” at the grocer go farther.

Thank you from,

Outreach

TWO MISSIONS TRIPS TO HAITI

 

“St. Thomas will be sponsoring two mission trips to Haiti in 2013. You must be an adult to participate. We will have a service project trip March 16—23 and a medical mission trip April 6—13. If you are interested in participating please place your name on the sign up sheets this Sunday or call the church office and sign-up.”

Tuesday, April 24th

Beginning Handbell Rehearsal is at 3:30 p.m. in the Guild Room.
Stewardship Meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Founders’ Room.


Wednesday, April 25th

Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
The Holy Eucharist is at 12 noon in the Chapel.
Supper, Song & Prayer is in the Parish Hall beginning at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Tom Alison will be our speaker. Please support Tom with your prayers and presence.
Godly Play is at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. Godly Play is for Pre-K thru 5th grade children. We will continue to explore the “Mystery of Easter.”
Youth Group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.
Handbell Rehearsal is at 7:30 p.m. in the Guild Room.


Thursday, April 26th

Chancel Choir Rehearsal is at 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.


Friday, April 27th

Stretching & Toning is at 8:30 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Holy Folders meet at 10 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.
AA Meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Guild Room.


Saturday, April 28th

Harmony Rehearsal is at 3 p.m. in the Choir Room.


The Fourth Sunday of Easter Sunday April 29th

Sunday Services are at 8 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary, 10 a.m. Harmony in the Parish Hall, 10 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary.

Youth Group will meet at 9—9:50 a.m. in the Youth Room. Come and be a part of this great group!
First Communion Class is at 9 a.m. in the Canterbury Library.
Sunday School is at 9:50 a.m. in the Canterbury Library.
Nursery available from 9:45 a.m. in the Nursery.
Children’s Chapel begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Nursery coordinating with each service. Children will return to the service a the Offertory time.

VBS registration opens to the community.

Youth Band is at 12 noon in the Parish Hall.



Monday, April 30th

AA is at 12 noon in the Guild Room.

See you at many—or all—of these events.

Blessings,
Pam Holley
Parish Secretary

Welcome Addition to the Curry Garden

On Saturday, Pattie & Dan Cook arranged for Ron York’s Tree Service to move and mount a very conspicuous, specimen staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) from their yard to the giant oak in the Curry Garden. The photos document the majestic fern, a great addition to our plantings in this garden. We are very appreciative of the Cook’s willingness to share this plant with Saint Thomas! Also included in the photos are the gardenia bush in full blossom and the spectacular altar, flower arrangement from this Sunday. Mother nature and the flower guild do great work!  

See St. Thomas Facebook for more photos


Submitted by Walt Jaap

Making Pie, Sermon Notes from the Harmony Service

Rev. Lisa began the Harmony service sharing a story of her father, nearing his death, reflecting on his life and his loved ones.  After acknowledging his parents had been gone a long time, he then announced that “Mom’s gonna bake a pie for me.”  As they discussed this, they decided that it would be custard, one of her specialties and one of his favorites.   

Rev. Lisa noted that there is so much we do not know about eternity.  We know we will be resurrected, but we don’t know what things will look like.  Rev. Lisa noted that from today’s gospel  (Luke 24.36b-48), it was apparent that Jesus’ body had changed…he didn’t need doors to be in a room…however, he reassured his followers that he was indeed resurrected and not a mere ghost.

Furthermore, Rev. Lisa observed that the Bible has several stories where Jesus is hungry.  At a wedding feast, at a table with prostitutes and tax collectors, at Passover.  He even prepares food for others.  Jesus had a human body and he knew bodily hunger.   And knowing what we know about him, it is logical to think of him experiencing hunger.  We know he hungers for our love and hungers for our help to do God’s work in the world. 

We know something about the kind of hunger food cannot fill…the kind of hunger money, accomplishment or even others can fill.  We need love and self-love…we need to learn to love ourselves.  Jesus talks a lot about being in God and us being in him and him being in us.  It’s way beyond the kind of relationship we can have with each other…this mystical you-in-me, me-in-you relationship that offers us. 

Rev. Lisa suggested that it isn’t that different when you make a pie for someone you love.  That person is in your heart as your prepare the pie and then the pie literally becomes part of another person.   This might remind us of the Eucharist…Jesus’ body is given for us and we as members of the body of Christ given for him. 

 

1^st John promises that the culmination of this sort of relationship is that “when Jesus is revealed, we will be like him. For we will see him as he is.”  And we will see ourselves as we are: full of the light sna love of Christ. 

Adult Education Continues

ADULT EDUCATION CONTINUES

on

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

Sunday, April 22nd

in the Chapel

Weekly Events At St. Thomas

Hello Everyone,


Here’s your weekly reminder of all the programs, services and events at St. Thomas during the next several days. Please take particular notice of all events in colored print.

ADULT EDUCATION CONTINUES

A study of the Book of Common Prayer

Resumes on Sunday, April 15th at 9 a.m.

In the Guild Room.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASS

An introduction to the Sacrament of Communion

Continues thru May13th at 9 a.m. in the

Canterbury Library.

9TH ANNUAL ST. THOMAS’ GOLF CLASSIC

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

at the

Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club

Registration 12 Noon

Shotgun Start 1 p.m.

Reception and Awards to follow poolside.

YOUR WEEKLY FOOD DONATIONS

Your loving weekly food basket donation goes to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic

Food Bank. The Food Bank distributes this food to over 50 partner agencies

throughout the community. Among them are Free Clinic’s We Help Services,

Women’s Residence and Beacon House.

St Thomas has donated 184 pounds of food so far in just March of this year! Way

to go! The on going need is great and your continued support is blessed. Staples

such as cereals, juice, peanut butter, and canned meats are always needed. Never

will “buy one and get one free” at the grocer go farther.

Outreach

Tuesday, April 17th

Beginning Handbell Rehearsal is at 3:30 p.m. in the Guild Room.
Centering Prayer meets tonight at 6—6:45 p.m. Come to the Sanctuary at 6 p.m. to experience the “peace that surpasses all understanding” through the silence of Centering Prayer.
Vestry Meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Founders’ Room.

Wednesday, April 18th

Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
The Holy Eucharist is at 12 noon in the Chapel.
Supper, Song & Prayer is in the Parish Hall beginning at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Godly Play is at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. Godly Play is for Pre-K thru 5th grade children. We will explore the “Mystery of Easter.”
Youth Group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.
Handbell Rehearsal is at 7:30 p.m. in the Guild Room.

Thursday, April 19th

Women of the Word is at 9 a.m. in the Guild Room.
St. Thomas Golf Classic is at 12 noon at the Vinoy Sunset Club.
Holy Folders meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Founders’ Room.
Chancel Choir Rehearsal is at 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.

Friday, April 20th

Stretching & Toning is at 8:30 a.m. in the Guild Room.
AA Meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Guild Room.

Saturday, April 21st

Youth Picnic is at 11:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m. at Northshore Park.
Harmony Rehearsal is at 3 p.m. in the Choir Room.

The Third Sunday of Easter Sunday April 22nd

Sunday Services are at 8 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary, 10 a.m. Harmony in the Parish Hall, 10 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary.

Youth Group will meet at 9—9:50 a.m. in the Youth Room. Come and be a part of this great group!
Sunday School is at 9:50 a.m. in the Canterbury Library.
Nursery available from 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Children’s Chapel begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Room, coordinating with each service. Children will return to the service a the Offertory time.

VBS registration opens to the community.
First Communion Class is at 9 a.m. in the Canterbury Library.
Youth Band is at 12 noon in the Parish Hall.

Monday, April 16th

AA is at 12 noon in the Guild Room.
Yoga is at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

See you at many—or all—of these events.

Blessings,
Pam Holley
Parish Secretary

Founders Day Photos

Remembering St. Thomas' founding  60 years ago. 

Photos by Walt Jaap...for more, see our Facebook page.

"Doubting" Thomas - Sermon notes from the Harmony Service

Father John's sermon covered John 20:19-31 when Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection.  Verses 19-23 tell us: 

"..the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”  Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

It is from this exchange that many now think of St. Thomas as “Doubting Thomas.”  Father John pointed out that it is patently unfair that he would be branded this way…like most labels, it is not a complete, or even an accurate reflection of the man.  He defends Thomas noting that he was really just asking for the same experience that the other 10 disciples had just had.   

Father John then showed us a painting “St. Thomas, also called Saint with a Pike” by Georges de La Tour and reminded us that Thomas was killed with a spear (or a “pike”) as a Christian martyr.  The painting shows Thomas holding well-worn scripture reminding us that he traveled as far as India to spread the good news of the Gospel.  In addition to dying for his faith, he lived his life spreading his faith over 1,000 miles from home.  To this day, many Christians in India attribute the existence of Christianity in their country to the work of St. Thomas.  His is a life that certainly should make us think twice before referring to him as “doubting Thomas.”

Rather, Father John noted that we can learn from Thomas that our lives are our best ways to witness to others.   He quoted Karen Armstrong who said that “we should not seek a single good deed for the day but a 24/7 commitment to others.”  We can only realize this level of witness the same way St. Thomas did…keeping our focus on and giving our lives to Christ.



posted by m white

Women of the Word, Exodus 35:30 – 38:8

April 12, 2012

Exodus 35:30 – 38:8

At the conclusion of the 35^th chapter, after Moses has told the Israelite community of the Lord’s command to build a Tabernacle and an Ark, he has them gather all their valuables as a contribution to the construction effort.  He then appoints two head contractors to oversee the building and the decorative work: Bezalel from the Tribe of Judah, skilled in metalworking and carving, and Aholiab from the Tribe of Dan, a fine weaver and engraver.  The next three chapters (36-38) are basically a repetition of the construction as described by the Priestly writer in chapters 25 to 31 without as much detail.  The difference is that here the J writer starts with the building of the Tabernacle first and works inward to the building of the Ark, while the Priestly writer reversed the order, having the Ark built first and then the Tabernacle to house it.  We need to remember that the J writer is the older of the two scribes and tends to take a different and terser perspective.  He also injects an air of practicality into his story, having the Israelites gather the needed materials and assign skilled workmen before starting the labor.

Of particular interest during the building of both the Tabernacle and the Ark is the use of acacia wood, a fragrant and pest-resistant hardwood still found today throughout the Sinai desert and the Jordan valley.  Valued metals, gold and bronze, were, naturally, applied in abundance, and the woven hangings were dyed crimson, blue, and purple.  Not only are these three colors, especially purple, often associated with royalty, but they are also fragile dyes and require skill in processing.

Bezalel is specifically credited with the carving of the Ark of the Covenant,* a smallish chest approximately four feet long, two feet wide, and two feet high with a gold cover called the “mercy seat.”  Standing at each end facing inward was a Cherubim with outstretched wings.  It had poles running on each side so that it could be carried. 

Bezalel also made the altar out of one piece of acacia wood, seven and a half feet square around by four feet in height, with all its vessels of bronze and a bronze network of grates under it for fire.  He showed his consummate skill as a carver since the altar ended up as a hollow shell perfectly readied for the animal sacrifices commanded by God.

Verse 8 (chapter 38) interjects an odd note when the text states that Bezalel made the basin and its stand “out of the bronze mirrors of the women who were on duty at the entrance to the Tent of the Presence [Meeting].”  No one is sure what service these women rendered; suggestions range from cleaning the tent to taking part in the liturgy with singing and dancing.  They remain an intriguing, albeit anonymous, side note in Israel’s early history.

As the Israelite craftsmen worked on the Tabernacle, it “became a single whole.” (36:13) They had a single focus as they labored:  they were inviting God into their midst; they wanted Him to be pleased and to stay.  Therefore, unlike the earlier Tent of the Meeting, which was placed outside the camp, the Tabernacle stood in the very center of it as its heart.

  

*For any who might be interested: “the contents of the Ark were: the two tables of stone, on which Jehovah wrote the Ten Commandments; . . . the autograph copy of the law, written by Moses, presumed to be the Pentateuch in full; . . . a golden pot of miraculously preserved manna and ‘Aaron’s rod that budded’ [cf. Num. 17]” (Unger’s Bible Dictionary, p. 1065)

Submitted by Karilyn Jaap

Golf Raffle Tickets

LAST CALL FOR RAFFLE TICKETS!!

This Sunday will be your last chance to purchase raffle tickets unless you are going to be at the tournament on

Thursday, April 19th.

SO...bring your $$ or checkbooks on Sunday.

Wonderful opportunities include a 2-night stay at the Vinoy Resort,

the 50-50 pot which means you get half of the $$ in the pot,
gift certificates at local restaurants,
theater tickets, oil changes and many,other great items.

So check us out in the Garden between 8 and 10 am. Service and after the 10 a.m. service as well. Remember the proceeds go to our St. Thomas Childrens Ministries and the First Tee of St. Petersburg. Thanks.

First Communion Class

Final reminder for First Communion Class

Begins Sunday, April 15th

At 9 a.m. in the Canterbury Library

Fruits of the Spirit

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

redemption GENTLE death

Almighty and everliving God, in Your tender love for the human race You sent Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon Him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of His great humility: mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of His suffering, and also share in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect Sunday April 1)

1.GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTION:
Do you remember S&H Green or Top Value (yellow) stamps? We took filled books
to a _____________________________ center to purchase merchandise.
• Jesus came to:
• He taught us to
• He left us with:

2. Our challenge from last week was to look carefully at each gospel's account of Jesus' prayer just before His arrest and final hours.
• Mt 26:36-37 ... "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the
two sons of Zebedee (James and John) along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled.
• Mark 14:37-38 Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," He said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
• LK 22:42 "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."
• Jn 17:24 "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world."

2.PASSAGE: John 19:25-30

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw His mother there and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son." 27and to the disciple, "here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
 
3. What impresses you about the five named people at the cross?


4. Jesus choose John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) to be His mother's caregiver. Why not one of his own brothers?

5. "It is finished" tells us?

6. Gave up His spirit tells us?


PERSPECTIVE

Ps 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave...
Hos13:14 ... I will redeem them from death..
by whose stripes you were healed (Is53:5)
Mt 20:28 "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Lk 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us...

7. Believing you have been bought at a price causes you to:
• feel?
• act?

8. Where can we turn for strength to act as Jesus did?

9. Define Gentle:

10.What does gentleness look like at St. Thomas?

CHALLENGE: What will you change to become more like Christ?

Visualize: Pirate ship, plank, crocodile, Jesus flies in, Jesus gets in your place, Jesus walks plank, one "day" goes by with no Jesus, two "days" go by no Jesus, third day Jesus resurfaces, He reminds you He promised to send help, then departs.....

Ps 51:12-17 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

NEXT WEEK SELF CONTROL John 21: 15-17

Weekly Events at St. Thomas

Hello Everyone,


Here’s your weekly reminder of all the programs, services and events at St. Thomas during the next several days. Please take particular notice of all events in colored print.

ADULT EDUCATION CONTINUES

A study of the Book of Common Prayer

Resumes on Sunday, April 15th at 9 a.m.

In the Guild Room.

ST. THOMAS’ FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION

Sunday, April 15th

Reception immediately following the 10 a.m. services

in the Curry Garden

FIRST COMMUNION CLASS

An introduction to the Sacrament of Communion

April 15th to May 13th at 9 a.m. in the

Canterbury Library.

SANDWICH SUNDAY TODAY

Meet in the Parish Hall

prior to and immediately following

the 10 a.m. Eucharist.

9TH ANNUAL ST. THOMAS’ GOLF CLASSIC

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

at the

Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club

Registration 12 Noon

Shotgun Start 1 p.m.

Reception and Awards to follow poolside

YOUR WEEKLY FOOD DONATIONS

Your loving weekly food basket donation goes to the St. Petersburg Free

Clinic Food Bank. The Food Bank distributes this food to over 50 partner

agencies throughout the community. Among them are Free Clinic’s We Help

Services, Women’s Residence and Beacon House.

St Thomas has donated 184 pounds of food so far in just March of this year!

Way to go! The on going need is great and your continued support is

blessed.  Staples such as cereals, juice, peanut butter, and canned meats

are always needed.  Never will “buy one and get one free” at the grocer go

farther.

Outreach

Tuesday, April 10th


Wednesday, April 11th

Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.

The Holy Eucharist is at 12 noon in the Chapel.

Supper, Song & Prayer is in the Parish Hall beginning at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

Godly Play is at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. Godly Play is for Pre-K thru 5th grade children. We will explore the “Mystery of Easter.”

Youth Group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.


Thursday, April 12th

Women of the Word is at 9 a.m. in the Guild Room.


Friday, April 13th

Stretching & Toning is at 8:30 a.m. in the Guild Room.

Holy Folders meet at 10 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.

AA Meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Guild Room.


Saturday, April 14th

Beverly Banspach Memorial Service is at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Harmony Rehearsal is at 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

The Second Sunday of Easter Sunday April 22nd

Sunday Services are at 8 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary, 10 a.m. Harmony in the Parish Hall, 10 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary.

Youth Group will meet at 9—9:50 a.m. in the Youth Room. Come and be a part of this great group!

Sunday School is at 9:50 a.m. in the Canterbury Library.

Nursery available from 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Room.

Children’s Chapel begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Room, coordinating with each service. Children will return to the service a the Offertory time.

VBS registration opens to the community.

First Communion Class is at 9 a.m. in the Canterbury Library.


Monday, April 16th

AA is at 12 noon in the Guild Room.

Yoga is at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

See you at many—or all—of these events.

Blessings,
Pam Holley
Parish Secretary



Women of the Word

Exodus 34 – 35:1-29

At the start of this chapter, the J writer returns us to an older version of the reworking of the Ten Commandments (or Ten Words) that makes no mention of the Golden Calf but does have Moses cutting two stone tablets to replace the ones he broke in pieces.  So with the two fresh tablets, Moses once again goes up on Mount Sinai, and God comes to him in a cloud.  Here God tells him that He is a God of compassion and steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and sin; however “one who punishes sons and grandsons to the third and fourth generation for the iniquity of their fathers!”  (vs. 7)  Since this was written during the Babylonian Exile, it very likely reflects a group mentality wondering what possible sins Israel could have committed to have landed them in their present situation. Whatever interpretation one could put on these contradictory statements “the passage clearly means that forgiveness through ‘steadfast love’ does not imply an absence of judgment.” (Education for Ministry, Book Two: From Egypt to Canaan, p. 95)

The next 16 verses (10-26) constitute an awkward and fairly disorderly reworking of the Decalogue, starting with a stern warning against consorting with the Canaanites or any “natives of the land against which you are going.”  Unlike the succinct injunctions of the second, third, and fourth commandments in Exodus 20:3-5, this exhortation against idolatry is a lengthy paragraph, again indicating that the Israelites of the Exile may have fallen into unseemly ways.  This haphazard series ends with the final command: “You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.”*

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, the skin of his face shone with the reflection of God’s glory frightening Aaron and the Israelites.  Realizing this, Moses put a veil over his face when he was outside with the people and only removed it when he went inside to speak with God.  These actions in verses 34-35 seem to indicate that the Tent of Meeting was in place and that Moses could repair to that place to meet with God, rather than on Mount Sinai.  Furthermore, “a curious mistranslation in these verses has been kept alive by many works of art, including Michelangelo’s statue of Moses.  The Hebrew word which means ‘shine’ or ‘glow’ is very similar to another word which means ‘horns.’  Michelangelo’s statue shows Moses coming down the mountain from his visit with Yahweh with horns coming out of his head!” (Education for Ministry, Book Two: From Egypt to Canaan, p. 96)

Chapter 35 opens with Moses repeating the commandment given in the previous chapter in verse 21 to keep the Sabbath day holy.  Even at planting and harvest time, work must stop on the seventh day.  Verses 4 through 29 (where our discussion stopped for the week) start a very practical materials list on the building of the Tabernacle.  Again, since this is an older version, the J writer does not include all the details that went into the later writings set out previously in chapters 25 to 31.  However, even with these limited memory fragments, the description of fine linens, precious stones, and metalworking is impressive.

*One of the origins of Kosher dietary laws, this curious injunction has many interpretations.  An interesting one comes from an archeological dig at Ras Shamra [1450-1200 BCE; located at the tip of what is today northern Syria]:  “Canaanite ritual, according to excavations at Ras Shamra (ancient Ugarit), called for sacrificial kids to be boiled in milk, but the damaged Ugaritic text does not clearly specify mother's milk. If it were so, then it is understandable that Israel was being prevented from copying pagan idolatrous ritualism.

Another option suggests that the dead kid was being boiled in the very substance which had sustained its life, hence the prohibition.

Until more archeological information comes to light, the specific religious or cultural reason remains as supposition.

Source(s):

NKJV Bible ... The MacArthur Study Bible”

Submitted by Karilyn Jaap

Photos from Easter Harmony Service

For other photos check out our Facebook page.

Memorial Service for Beverly Banspach

Dear Parishioners,


It is with sadness but also in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection that I inform you that Beverly Banspach, wife of Conrad Banspach, entered into eternal life Sunday, April 1st.

A service celebrating her life will be held at Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church Saturday, April 14th at 11 a.m.

With hope in Christ,
John Suhar

Weekly Events at St. Thomas

Hello Everyone,


Here’s your weekly reminder of all the programs, services and events at St. Thomas during the next several days. Please take particular notice of all events in colored print.

ADULT EDUCATION CONTINUES

A study of the Book of Common Prayer

will take a hiatus for Easter Sunday

It will resume on Sunday, April 15th at 9 a.m.

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT CONTINUES

Last meeting for the women’s fellowship

Monday, April 9th at 7 p.m.

In the Guild Room

THE BELLS OF ST. THOMAS TO PLAY

EASTER MORNING

Our Handbell Choir will play three anthems during the Prelude time Easter Sunday. We invite you to begin your Easter experience by coming at 7:45 or 9:45 a.m., to enjoy the bells Easter! It will be an amazing and exciting experience!

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD!

We want you to bring one bell or many bells to church on Easter Sunday. Ring them any time you hear, say or sing the word, “ALLELUIA.” Join in the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead in this wonderful display of praise and thanksgiving!

ALTAR GUILD REMINDERS

April 5th Maundy Thursday; Stripping of the Altar at the service.

YOUR WEEKLY FOOD DONATIONS

Your loving weekly food basket donation goes to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic

Food Bank. The Food Bank distributes this food to over 50 partner agencies

throughout the community. Among them are Free Clinic’s We Help Services,

Women’s Residence and Beacon House.

St Thomas has donated 184 pounds of food so far in just March of this year! Way

to go! The on going need is great and your continued support is blessed. Staples

such as cereals, juice, peanut butter, and canned meats are always needed. Never will

“buy one and get one free” at the grocer go farther.

Outreach

Tuesday, April 3rd

Centering Prayer is at 6—6:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Come to the Sanctuary at 6 p.m. to experience the “peace that surpasses all understanding” through the silence of Centering Prayer.
 Chancel Choir Rehearsal is at 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.
 Tuesday Holy Week Service is at 7 p.m. in the Chapel.


Wednesday, April 4th

Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Women of the Word is at 9 a.m. in the Library.
Seder Meal is at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Reservations required.


Thursday, April 5th

Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Women of the Word is at 9 a.m. in the Library.
Maundy Thursday Service is at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Chancel Choir Rehearsal is at 8 p.m. in the Choir Room.
The Watch begins at 8 p.m. in the Chapel.


Friday, April 6th

The Watch ends at 7 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study is at 7 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Stretching & Toning is at 8:30 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Women’s of the Word is at 9 a.m. in the Library.
Holy Folders meet at 10 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.
AA Meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Good Friday Service is at 12 Noon in the Sanctuary.
Handbell Rehearsal is at 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Good Friday Service is at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.


Saturday, April 7th

Flower Guild Decorating is at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Baptism Rehearsal is at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Harmony Band Rehearsal is at 3 p.m. in the Choir Room.
Harmony Baptism Rehearsal is at 4 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
The Easter Vigil is at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.



The Day of the Resurrection, Easter Day, Sunday, April 8th

Sunday Services are at 8 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary, 10 a.m. Harmony in the Parish Hall, 10 a.m. Traditional in the Sanctuary.

Youth Group will meet at 9—9:50 a.m. in the Youth Room. Come and be a part of this great group!

Easter Egg Hunt is at 9 a.m. in the Curry Garden.


Sunday School will resume on Sunday, April 15th.

Nursery available from 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Room.

Children’s Chapel begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Guild Room, coordinating with each service. Children will return to the service a the Offertory time.

VBS registration opens to the community.


Monday, April 9th

Church Office is closed.
AA is at 12 noon in the Guild Room.
Yoga is at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Fruits of the Spirit is at 7 p.m. in the Guild Room.

See you at many—or all—of these events.

Blessings,
Pam Holley
Parish Secretary