The SECOND SUNDAY after EPIPHANY – January 16, 2022
Historic
Saint Thomas’ Parish
Founded 1835 A.D.
2 East High Street Hancock, Maryland 21750
Office Telephone: (301) 678-6569
E-Mail: stthomashancock@gmail.com Website: stthomashancock.org
Reverend Margaret S. Brack, Priest-in-Charge
Reverend Kirk DeVore, Deacon
J. Gwynne Cavey, Minister of Music
Pamela J. S. Mann, Church Secretary, Registrar
Tracy L. Salvagno, Children’s Church Coordinator
This Sunday, the lectionary leads us to contemplate Jesus’ ministry through the miracle at the wedding in Cana. In the biblical tradition, wine is a rich symbol of prosperity, abundance, and good times. When the wine runs low during a wedding party, the host is in jeopardy of appearing inhospitable. But Jesus, prompted by his mother, saves the party. Jesus instructs the servants to fill six stone jars with water, which he promptly turns to wine, overflowing wine. Enough wine for everyone at the party and then some. And fine wine, no less. Not the cheap stuff. The guests are blown away by the extravagance of this gesture.
The six jars the servants fill for this miracle are originally intended for the Jewish rite of purification. The presence of these stone jars could be John’s way of saying that the traditional religion is empty, whereas Jesus’ ministry is abundant, overflowing, more than enough for all.
Besides Jesus’ mother, the servants were the only ones who witnessed Jesus’ miracle. They had the best vantage point and the clearest, most illuminating perspective on his ministry. Positioning himself with the servants is not unique for Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus favors the company of the lowly. But it does make me consider, what am I missing because my seat at the table is more socially privileged? by Teri McDowell Ott
I want you to think of the presence of Jesus in your life as an Abundance.
An Abundance of good
An Abundance of peace
An Abundance of care
An Abundance of LOVE!
Please ask yourselves these questions -
What abundance of Jesus have you not noticed in your life?
Where do you place yourself on the social ladder and how does that effect how you see this story of the Wedding in Cana?
Also, what extravagant abundance from Jesus have you received or have not acknowledged?
These are hard questions when you really sit and think about them. Take your time with them. let what you find sink in. How do you move on in your from here aware of these Abundances?
Mother Margaret
Parish News for EPIPHANY – January 16, 2022
Omicron - We will continue the use of masks and social distancing for our church services due to the growing numbers of the Covid-19 variant Omicron. We are blessed here at St. Thomas' that we have active, and long-standing online Sunday services so that you can celebrate the Holy Eucharist both in Rite I and Rite II. I am praying for the health of all of our parish members and the people of our community. Please know that I will share with you any updates that come from the Diocese.
The Hancock Library has been distributing at-home Covid test kits. There are a few kits available (by reservation) for curb-side pickup as of today, but they go fast. Additional tests will be made available as they receive them. If you need a test kit (which contains 2 tests) you can call the library at 301-678-5300 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 to 7:00, Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00, Fridays from 11:30 to 6:00, and Saturdays from 11:15 to 3:00. They will only reserve tests as they become available. Phone-in reservations for the tests are required, no walk-in requests will be honored. Due to very limited supply, they can only distribute one test kit per person. If you have any questions, please call the library during business hours, or talk to Pam.
Wednesday Evening Prayer will continue at 6:00pm in the Chapel. We maintain social-distancing during the service. We will begin to also have Evening Prayer online January 19th. Further information will be posted. Pleas come and join us, in person or online!
Offering envelopes are in! They will be available at the back of the church. If you would like them delivered to you, please call or email. The Episcopal Calendars are also available on the baptistry.
ST. THOMAS’ PARISH CALENDAR: January 16th – 22, 2022
TODAY – Sunday, January 16th – 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
7:30 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite I) & Homily
9:45 AM Choir Warm-up (Undercroft)
10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite II)
Mon. January 17th 7:30 PM Alcoholics Anonymous (Lower Parish Hall)
Tue. January 18th 9:00 AM Women’s Bible Study (Off-site)
7:30 PM Alcoholics Anonymous (Lower Parish Hall)
Wed. January 19th 6:00 PM Evening Prayer (Chapel)
Thurs. January 20th 7:30 PM NO CHOIR REHEARSAL
NEXT Sunday, January 23, 2022 - 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
7:30 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite I) & Homily
9:45 AM Choir Warm-up (Undercroft)
10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite II) & Sermon
~ On your birthday and every day,
may God’s loving presence in your life be felt strongly ~
Happy Birthday Blessings!
Jan. 16th
Dusty Pittman
Jessica Bittinger
Anjel Scarborough
Stephen Shoemaker
Jan. 17th
Angel Sweet
Jan. 18th
Neil Covalt
Dolores Fox
Jan. 19th
Pam Mann
Jan. 20th
Lindsey McCormick
Hannah Covalt
Cheryl Barnard
Jan. 22nd
Kimberly Fox
Matthew Mills
Anniversaries
~May this day bring countless joy to your life.
May the coming years of your life be spent in loving and caring for each other~
Happy Anniversary Blessings!
Sending a prayer to all those in wedded relationships in this New Year!
Military Service
Vince Biggs, Philip Corbett, Allen Foshee, Susie Hoopengardner, Spencer Hose,
Cody Hovermale, Jasper Howard, Aaron Hull, Justin Johnson, Chris Krause, Matt Lacy, Cameron Meadows, Jake Michael,
Dakota Ritz, Taylor Shafer, Andrew Shaw, Josh Stotler, Lucas Trunkle, Nicholas Valentine, Taylor Valentine, Jesse Wolford.
Parish Sick/Ongoing Concern
Rev. Brian Shoda, Tori Anderson, Brian Beadle, Steven Boden, Bill Brack,
Lisa Bivens, Carol Close, Ramona Creek, Scott, Diehl, Stanley Divelbliss, Gail Fitzwater, Carol Goff, Debbie Henderson, Evelyn Herson, Sue Hinckle, Edna Hixon, Mike Kriner, Alda Lashley, Bob Mann, Pam Mann, Dakota Maravelis, Michael McCarty Jr., Steve McKinley, Linda Mellott, Tom Mossellem, Mark Nicopolis, Lisa Obrecht, Bonnie Pryor, Darren Rankin,
John Robinson, Jason Roderick, Daniel Sauter, Michael Schetrompf,
Doug Sensel, Alethea Shiplett, Pam Shirley, Robert Shirley, Stephanie Shives,
Rebecca Shoemaker, Betty Sipes, Tim Smith, Tim Stotler, Charlie Thomas,
Michael Thomas, Denise Troxell, David Walter, Jr., David Walter Sr.,
Rodney Weaver, Ronnie Zimmerman
Shut-ins
Catherine Durst, Sally Fost, Beverly Hershberger,
Ruth McCarty, Mary Ann Mortzfeldt, Barbara Smith, Mildred Sweitzer,
Janice Trail, Marion Tritapoe, Ernie Truax, Pam Trumpower,
Ralph Wachter, Edna Younker, Frances Younker.
Prayers for your safety during this upcoming storm!
In Christ,
Mother Margaret
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