VERSION: 9 April 2002
FESTIVAL OF ST THOMAS, APOSTLE
(21 December)
ST THOMAS
Thomas, called Didymus (Thomas is Aramaic for 'twin'; didymus is the Greek for 'twin'), is referred to four times in the New Testament. He is presented in John's gospel as the doubter, yet he makes the confession which is the climax to this gospel. According to tradition, Thomas made a missionary journey to India and was martyred at Madras. (Information from Contemporary Worship 6: The Church Year, Calendar and Lectionary, 1973)
LITURGY
SENTENCE
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles,
some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ. (Eph 4:11,12 NRSV)
OR, use the standard Advent Sentence in the document 'Advent season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
EITHER, for apostles (modified)
Almighty God,
you have built your church
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
Join us together in one spirit
by the witness of St Thomas,
and make us into a holy temple pleasing to you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
Almighty and eternal God,
you have strengthened our faith
by allowing the apostle St Thomas
to doubt the resurrection of your Son
until convinced by hearing and seeing.
Lead us who have not seen to believe,
and so to receive
all that Christ has done for us.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Judges 6:36-40 Gideon desires proof of his call
PSALM
Psalm 136:1-4,23-26
Antiphon:
For his steadfast love endures forever.
SECOND READING
Ephesians 4:11-16 Christ gives the church apostles
(In the first sentence, put 'Christ' instead of 'he')
ALLELUIA VERSE
Alleluia, alleluia. (John 14:7)
(Jesus said:) 'If you know me, you will know my Father;
and from now on you know him and have seen him.'
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 14:1-7 Thomas asks Jesus to show him the way
(If using NRSV or NIV, begin: 'Jesus said to his disciples:')
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
We often cannot see the way ahead because of the darkness of our minds. Let us ask the Father to remove our doubts and shine on us with the light of Christ.
The regular response, OR:
Father, open our eyes
so that we may see the way.
Suggested petitions
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for those who see no end to their suffering
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for those who doubt, that they may be strengthened in faith
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for scientists, and all whose philosophy is built on seeing rather than believing
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for the church, that it may see its way ahead in times of doubt and uncertainty.
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Concluding prayer
Heavenly Father, bring us to see and believe the signs that lead us in your way of truth and life: the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger and the nail-marks in the hands and feet of him who died for us, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You fulfilled your promise to comfort your people
by sending Jesus the Redeemer,
and to make all things new through him
when he comes to judge the world
and set it right.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
COMMUNION INVITATION
Blessed are those who have been invited
to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
For a post-communion prayer, see the document 'Advent season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the following prayer.
Heavenly Father,
we have seen a sign of your forgiveness
in the body and blood of Christ.
We ask that through these gifts
you would strengthen our faith
so that, like St Thomas,
we may joyfully confess
your Son, Jesus Christ,
as our Lord and God;
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
(May) Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shine on you and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory; . . .
HYMNS AND SONGS
PSALM 136:1-4, 23-26
The hymns 'Praise, O praise our God and king' (LH 565; also TIS 83, 'Let us with a gladsome mind') and 'Give to our God immortal praise' (LH 449, TIS 84) are based on Psalm 136.
O SONS AND DAUGHTERS
It may seem a little out of place to sing this song just before Christmas, but the traditional Easter carol 'O sons and daughters, let us sing' (LHS 765) tells the story of Thomas very well. A different version of this is in Together in Song, no. 363; use selected verses.
FROM TOGETHER IN SONG
Other suggested hymns/songs for St Thomas are listed on page 1093 of the harmony edition of TIS in the Church's Year index.
BY ALL YOUR SAINTS
Horatio Bolton Nelson wrote this hymn which has various middle verses for various minor festival occasions. It may be sung to the tune Nyland (LH 16), or to King's Lynn (LBW 177, 178; LW 193, 194; TIS 249). The first and last verses given below are as they appear in Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Book of Worship; the middle verse is a modernised version of Nelson's original. The first line of verse 1 could be changed to: 'By saints on earth who struggle'.
By all your saints in warfare,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy name, O Jesus,
for evermore be blest!
For you have won the battle
that they might wear the crown;
and now they shine in glory
reflected from your throne.
All praise to you for Thomas
whose short-lived doubtings prove
your perfect two-fold nature,
the fullness of your love.
On all who wait your coming
shed forth your peace, O Lord.
And grant us faith to know you
true God and man adored!
Then let us praise the Father,
and worship God the Son,
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three-in-one,
till all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
ascribing power and glory,
and praise to God alone.
VISUAL
SYMBOL
The shield of Thomas shows a carpenter's set-square (with the corner pointing upwards) and a vertical spear. Sometimes arrows and stones are added to the shield. This points to the tradition of his death, which says he was stoned and shot through with arrows, leaving him to die, until a pagan priest ran him through with a spear.
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