St. Thomas' Episcopal Church
Dover, NH
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"As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, 'See I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.'"
~ Mark
1:2
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Dec 24, 10:00 am
Sunday Christmas Eve Day
Children’s Pageant
(no 8:00 am service)
Dec 24, 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service
Congregational Hymn Sing
at 4:30 pm
Dec 25, 9:00 am
Christmas Day Service of Holy
Eucharist
Dec 31, 10:00 am
Lessons and Carols - (no 8:00 am service)
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Living Well Through Advent
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Join us on Sunday evenings, December 10 and 17, for our Advent Series sessions -
Practicing wonder with all your heart, soul, strength and mind
. The sessions start with a shared potluck meal followed by discussions, prayer, and time to wonder about the Christmas Season. Books are free and all are welcome. Time is 5 - 7 pm.
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On Sunday evening, December 17, at 7 pm, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 22 Fox Run Road, Newington, NH, will host the Dover Area Religious Leaders Association (DARLA) Blue Christmas. It is a special worship service that lifts up the hope of Emmanuel – God with us - while acknowledging that the season is not filled with joy for all. Clergy and choirs from various
congregations will be participating.
On Wednesday, December 20 at 7 pm, St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel Street, Portsmouth, NH, will host a Blue Christmas Service. All are welcome.
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Breakfast With
St. Nicholas
A Joy For
Young & Old
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St. Nicholas was a bishop who gave gifts to children and the poor using his whole inheritance for the needy. Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told about St. Nicholas' life and deeds. The stories reveal a man, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, who put Jesus at the center of his ministry and his life. St. Nicholas' Day is on December 6. To learn more about St. Nicholas click
here.
It was to the delight of the children that St. Nicholas appeared at the St. Thomas' waffle breakfast on December 2 with gifts of oranges and gold coins of chocolate.
Throughout the morning, the children were busy with cookie decorating, wreath making, and other crafts. The breakfast of crisp and freshly made waffles and all the trimmings was delicious - a special thanks to our kitchen crew.
This was the third year for the St. Nicholas breakfast, which is open to the public. Families and children from the Dover Housing Authority, the Teen Center, and the Dover Childrens Home were all invited at no expense. We were happy to share such a joyful event.
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Christmas Poinsettias
Donations for Christmas poinsettias are being accepted. Names of the honored and their donors are printed in the Christmas bulletins. You may leave your donation (contribution of $50 is suggested), and a note with the sentiment you wish to use in the offering plate or in the parish office. Cut off date for Poinsettias is Tuesday,
December 19.
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Epiphany Dinner Celebration
Saturday, January 6, 2018
6:00-8:00 pm
Celebrating Epiphany has been a long-standing tradition at St. Thomas’. It is a time to remember the arrival of the magi to the baby Jesus. They follow a star that symbolizes the Light of our world, Jesus. So, we share a traditional meal of Shepherd’s pie and a star cake lit with many candles to shine in our winter night. We may hear the story of the magi, the 3 kings (although there were many) or have an activity and weather permitting it is a time to burn the greens that decorate our church and homes for Christmas.
Please call the office or
email to let them know you are coming so that we can accurately prepare the meal. There is also a sign-up sheet in the hall to assist with preparations. We will ask for an “In-kind” donation that night to cover the cost of the meal. Please come one and all! If you need a ride, please let the office know ahead of time so that we can help with ride-sharing. Parish kids are welcome to bring friends because, after all, this is a belated Birthday and who doesn’t enjoy a good party???
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ST. THOMAS' TREE
AT THE DOVER
FESTIVAL OF TREES CELEBRATION
Our entry in the Dover Chamber's Festival of Trees celebration was decorated in symbols of diversity and peace. Special thanks to Kathy MacLeod, Evelyn Mammagonian, Chris Wyskiel, Judi Turner, and all the people who helped and supported our participation in this event. Gwen Klevitch, pictured, stopped by to take some photos for our facebook page.
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Give A Child The Gift Of Warmth & Comfort This Holiday Season
- PJ's!
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Our offering of pj's, socks, and underwear placed at
the altar before delivery last December.
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It is hard to believe that the holiday season is right around the corner. The last two years, we, as a parish, have participated in a wonderful activity – collecting new pajamas, underwear, and socks for needy children in our community.
Most of you have probably heard me speak at church about why this project is so dear to my heart, but for those who have not and for those who have, I will reiterate. Within families who live in poverty, things like new pajamas are a luxury. When a parent has to chose between basic essentials like food or heat and pajamas, the later choice doesn’t happen.
Our efforts here at St. Thomas' has also provided many, many children a pair of new pajamas that they can wear on PJ Day at their school, therefore helping every child be part of that school celebration.
Last year we, as the St. Thomas' community, donated over ninety pairs of new pajamas along with lots of underwear and socks.
The basket for your generous donations will be on the table outside the sanctuary. I will be collecting both boys and girls sizes 4 to 16. The basket will be available from Sunday, November 26 through December 17. Then I will take the donations to Woodman Park Elementary School here in Dover where the staff will distribute the gifts to the children.
I ask you to please help fill the basket again this year with new pajamas, underwear and socks for deserving children!
Thank you and God bless,
Nancy Kershaw
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Patty & Allen Laughlin Welcoming
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We are delighted to welcome Allen Laughlin back as he returns to civilian life after being activated in the Marine reserves for a special one-year assignment. Allen left early January 2017. As our senior warden at that time, it was required that he step down to complete his Marine assignment.
Here we see Allen and his wife Patty (in the red) during their farewell gathering. They are joined with friends in the St. Thomas' Sunday Breakfast Cafe. Welcome back Allen and Patty!
Welcome back celebration: Sunday, January 7, 2018
Time: 9:00-10:00am (between services, during Breakfast Café)
Refreshments: The church's Breakfast Café will be open with their full breakfast menu available (from homemade scones to Eggs Benedict)
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December 10 & 17, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Advent Series
Dec 24, 10:00 am
Sunday Christmas Eve Day
Children’s Pageant
(no 8:00 am service)
Cafe is open at regular time
Dec 24, 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service
Congregational Hymn Sing
at 4:30 pm
Dec 25, 9:00 am
Christmas Day Service of Holy Eucharist
Dec 31, 10:00 am
Lessons and Carols - (no 8:00 am service)
Cafe is closed
January 6
, 6:00-8:00 pm Epiphany Dinner
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Kids 3 Years Old T0 6th Grade Are Welcome -
Session starts at 9:30 am each Sunday!
NOTE: Kids Rock will
not be held on November 26, December 24 and 31, and January 21.
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Sunday Services are at
8 am and 10 am
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If you have news to share about the St. Thomas community, please contact Larissa in the church office at 603-742-3155 or reach her by
email.
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5 Hale Street
Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Phone: 603-742-3155
Web: stdover.org
Email: sttomas@stdover.org
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