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There is lunch provided today for any who are able to linger after the service. This is to celebrate the patronal festival of St Thomas after whom the church is named. In Thomas's best known appearance in the New Testament, John 20:24-29, he doubts the resurrection of Jesus and demands to feel Jesus' wounds before being convinced. This story is the origin of the term Doubting Thomas. After Jesus’ death Thomas took the Christian message to India where he died in AD72. He is an inspiration to all of us who go through periods when we are not sure of our faith.

Beverley and Jean have been worshipping with us over the last six months and today their son Ryan is being baptized. I have enjoyed getting to know them both and am delighted that we will be able to share today with them.

Processional Hymn        616        When a knight won his spurs

Collect of the Day
Almighty and eternal God, who, for the firmer foundation of our faith, allowed your holy apostle Thomas to doubt the resurrection of your Son till word and sight convinced him: grant to us, who have not seen, that we also may believe and so confess Christ as our Lord and our God; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading                 Habakkuk 2.1-4                               (p.1109)
1I will stand at my watch-post, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. 2Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. 3For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. 4Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.

Gradual Hymn            233     Jesus calls us: o’er the tumult

GOSPEL                         John 20.24-29                                  (p.1111)
24Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

INTERCESSIONS
Please pray for

Coffee in church after the service

Sunday School meets in St Stephen’s school
Sunday Youth meets in the Glebe Maisonette
Small Children are welcome to  play in St Thomas’s Chapel, near the porch
Baptised Communicants of other Churches are encouraged to receive communion
Children and other non-communicants are invited to come to the altar for a blessing
The Ministry of Healing is offered in the Chapel, after Communion is given

Collect (Thomas) ©  1972 Church of the Province of Southern Africa: Modern Collects. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  The Archbishops' Council 2000

NOTICES

THIS WEEK:

THIS MONTH

NEXT SUNDAY:       

10 am SUNG EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher –Reverend Tim Ditchfield
2 Kings 5.1-14 (p. 929), Luke 10.1-11,16-20        (p. 934)

DIARY DATES

Friday/Saturday 7/8 September – Parish Residential Event – Felbury Centre, Dorking.  Please see Barry or Liz Clarke, or visit the church web site, for further information.
ALMA Sunday, 15 July – www.almalink.org
Back to Church Sunday, 30 September www.backtochurch.co.uk

Kensington Area Conference
This year's Area Conference entitled "For Creed & Creation" will take place on Saturday 15th September 2007 at St Barnabas Church, Kensington from 10.30am to 4.00pm

Home Communion – Available to any unable to come on a Sunday.  Talk to Father Bob (8743 3166) if you or anyone else might be interested.

Any enquiries about pastoral concerns, baptisms, weddings or funerals please get in touch with Father Bob. The only time that Bob will be unavailable is between Friday pm and Sunday am.