Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

St Timothy's Episcopal Church

The House of the Lord

Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study: A deeper look at the lessons from this past Sunday (Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15. Please bring your Bibles and we'll meet in ECW Hall.

Wednesday Night Schedule

5-5:45pm   Cantate (Youth Choir - grades 6-12)

5-5:20pm   Pre-K Godly Play in C-3 (Caregiver/Child)

5:15-6pm   Dinner in Drake Hall

5:45-6:30pm  Pre-K Formation & Nursery; Grades K-2 Formation; Grades 3-5 St. Francis Choir

6-7pm     EYC (Grades 6-12) & Adult Formation

6:30-7pm   Pre-K Formation & Nursery; Grades K-2 Cherub Choir; Grades 3-5 Formation

Wednesday, February 21

Ember Day/Commemoration of John Henry Newman

Intention: for St Stephen's House, Oxford

Thursday, February 22

Feria

Intention: for the diocese

Friday, February 23

Ember Day/Commemoration of Polycarp

Intention: for Bishop Rodman

Saturday, February 24

MATTHIAS

Intention: for those in leadership unexpectedly

Sunday, February 25

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Monday, February 26

Feria

Intention: for the children of the parish

Tuesday, February 27

Commemoration of George Herbert

Intention: for parish priests

Words defined:

Intention: In the Holy Eucharist we receive remission of our sins and "all other benefits of his passion." In the celebration of the Eucharist, we apply those benefits to a particular intention. You can see examples of masses for particular intentions on pages 199-210 in the Prayer Book. 17th century Anglican divine Jeremy Taylor wrote, " "It follows then that the celebration of this sacrifice be, in its proportion, an instrument of applying the proper sacrifice to all the purposes for which it was first designed. It is ministerially, and by application, an instrument propitiatory; it is eucharistical; it is an hommage and an act of adoration, and it is impetratory, and obtains for us and for the whole church, all the benefits of the sacrifice, which is now celebrated and applied; that is, as this rite is the remembrance and ministerial celebration of Christ's sacrifice, so it is destined to do honour to God... to beg pardon, blessings, and supply of all our needs" (Discourse XlX, 4).

Sunday's Voluntary, Ich ruf zu dir, herr Jesu Christ (I call on Thee, Lord Jesus Christ), is among one of Johann Sebastian Bach's most known chorale preludes and has been described as "a supplication in time of despair." Ich ruf zu dir is the tune for Sunday’s Gradual Hymn:

I call on thee, Lord Jesus Christ, 

I have none other help but thee.

My heart is never set at rest

till thy sweet word have comforted me.

And steadfast faith grant me therefore,

to hold by thy word evermore,

above all thing, never resisting

but to increase in faith more and more. 

The choral anthem is “O Lord, increase my faith” by Henry Loosemore. English composer and organist, Loosemore was the son of John Loosemore, an organ builder who constructed the organ at Exeter Cathedral in Devonshire. Henry Loosemore served as the organist at King’s College, Cambridge. In 1640, Loosemore was granted the degree of BMus by the University, on the supplication of King’s College avowing that “he had studied the art of musical composition for seven years, together with its practice, and has achieved approval of those skilled in the art.” 

O Lord, increase my faith.

Strengthen me and confirm me in thy true faith.

Endue me with wisdom, charity, and patience

in all my adversity. Sweet Jesu, say Amen. 

Hymns:

The God of Abraham Praise, No. 401

I call on thee, Lord Jesus Christ, No. 634

Day by day, No. 654

Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face, No. 318

How firm a foundation, No. 637 

Voluntary:

Fugue in C Minor (BWV 549)

Blessed Lent,

Christin

Last Sunday, we heard in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus, after he was baptized, was driven into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. I’ve been thinking about this episode in Jesus’ life. Mark glosses over it pretty quickly; if you blink, you’ll miss it. But Matthew and Luke both flesh the story out a little more for us.

They tell us that Satan tempted Jesus with three propositions. First, he says, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” To which Jesus replies, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil takes him to the top of the Temple and says, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” To which Jesus replies, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Finally, Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and says, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus dismisses the devil at last with the answer, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”

I find this whole story interesting. It shows that Jesus really did experience a truly human life; the difference is that he did not succumb to temptation. What’s more, the weapon which Jesus wields against temptation is one that’s available to us, too. Jesus does not simply give a naked display his power, even to destroy Satan or something (though he does bid him leave at the end). No, Jesus simply uses the power of Scripture, of God’s word written, to refute the devil’s deceptions.

What’s really at the heart of these temptations is an attempt by Satan to get Jesus to doubt his Father’s love and goodness – to not trust his Father. The first temptation is an attempt to get Jesus to doubt his Father’s provision for his needs. Jesus knows that his Father loves him and will take care of him; as he says in the Sermon on the Mount, if you strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, then “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). The second temptation is an attempt to get Jesus to prove his Father’s love instead taking his word for it. And the third temptation is an attempt to get Jesus to take the easy way to receiving all power and authority. Jesus knows what the Father has promised him; he knows that it is only obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on a cross, that is the true path to glory and exaltation (cf. Philippians 2).

Jesus, through all this, refuses to take the easy way out, and he refuses to yield his trust in the Father. He gives us an example, to show us how to respond to temptation. May we follow him, by clinging to God’s word, by trusting in his love for us, and by not cutting corners in our walk with him.

A new mid-morning Bible Study on Sunday Lenten readings will begin next Wednesday, February 21 at 10:30am until March 21. Please bring your bibles and we start in the Gribbin Conference Room.

Children's Formation is looking for a few more volunteers for Sunday mornings during the 9am mass and during the formation "hour". Please let Katie Bryant know if you are willing to help in a Godly Play or Catchesis of the Good Shepherd group (no training necessary--we will tell you all you need to know to assist.) ​katie@sttimothys.ws

#whatissavingyourlifetoday

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34 NRSV)

Our Abraham Project interns (affectionately, "TAP"), have been challenged this Lent by their fearless leader Becky to focus on the present day--not yesterday, not tomorrow or the future--but today. Based on a story told by famous preacher and theologian Barbara Brown Taylor, they have been asked to reflect each day with the question, "What is saving your life today?" The interns are reflecting through photographs on Instagram #whatissavingyourlifetoday--a good question for us all this Lent.  

Last night as I sat with a shelter guest, she shared with me her 14 year history of homelessness. I heard about her lowest moments, when she didn't think that she could go another day, and then with a glimmer of hope in her eye, she would continue her story telling me who or what helped her through each tough time. Homelessness causes one to be tragically and wonderfully stuck in the present. Anxiety over things those of us who are housed don't have to worry about consume their time--where will I eat? where will I find to use the restroom? will I be welcomed in this place or by these people? is it safe? where will I sleep tonight? Listening to her story, I heard of a painful past and a sliver of hope towards tomorrow--but not much energy to spend on addressing the trauma of the past or preparing for the future because survival matters TODAY.  

This guest expressed gratitude for our shelter as what was saving her life right now. After her last experience--she wasn't sure where to turn or what to do--and found us. Sitting with her--realizing the significance of our shelter in her life, and hearing her story as it is now intricately woven into the story of St.Timothy's--opened my eyes to what is saving my own life this Lenten season. The time spent at the shelter with our guests--taking me outside my own selfish nature of caring only for myself and my family--is the best way I know how to journey with Jesus towards the cross this season. The people (volunteers, monitors, bus drivers, meal groups) who rise up and give of their time, night after night, showing up and being the hands and feet of Christ for our guests. The shelter guests who vulnerably dare to let us into their world and their lives through conversations around the table or on the streets. The church and people of God--constantly praying for and supporting our shelter in all the ways that they can. Realizing I'm a part of something much bigger than I could have ever imagined--and that God shows up each and every night at our shelter--this is what is saving my life today.  

Lent is a vulnerable season. We begin by remembering our mortality with ashes on our foreheads. We fast and pray and repent and reflect on who we are in light of God's grace through Jesus Christ. Come to St.Timothy's this Lent--pray, worship, feast, sing, learn, grow, listen, and serve--it might save your life today and will certainly change it forever.  

Please help welcome our Winston Salem police officer to services on Sunday mornings. Follow the link below to sign up to provide a snack. The officers enjoy homemade baked goods or breakfast items such as bagels, muffins, or pastries. If items contain nuts please label them. Snacks should be delivered to the basket at the welcome counter in the narthex on Sunday mornings. If you have questions please contact Megan Farrell at mrfarrell@triad.rr.com or 336.408.7779. Thank you for extending a warm welcome to our officers!

Link to sign up.

Our own Graham Green is a Lt Col in the Army National Guard and is currently deployed in Iraq. We are proud of Graham, his wife, Shannon, and children Garrison and Julia. We will continue to surround them with prayer. He is able to receive letters at the address below. Please use the address exactly as it is printed.

LTC Graham Green

HHC 449th CAB

Camp Taji

APO, AE

09378

We have a limited number of St Timothy's stickers (perfect for car windows). If you would like one, they will be in the office and in the narthex on Sunday. We will reorder to meet the demand.

If you put the sticker on your car, send us a picture!