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This Sunday at St Timothy's | Sept. 25, 2016
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How to Prepare for Sunday
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My Sunday preparation varies from week to week. I would love to say that I have a sermon plan prepared weeks or even months in advance. At the very least I would love to say that I sit down on Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea and start prayerfully reading the lessons. I would love to say all of this, but I can't. Working well under pressure is a blessing and a curse. The curse is that I'm still cultivating a discipline that forces on earlier preparation. Now that I am teaching a Lectionary Study and helping the small groups, I start my initial preparation on Tuesday evenings or Wednesday morning. My preparation is not rocket science and will work for clergy and laity alike.
Finding the Collect and Readings Just above this article you will see a box that say's "Sunday's Lessons." Clicking on the box takes you to Sunday's collect and lessons. If you can, print them out so you can write on the page.
Read the Collect of the Day The Collect of the Day (the opening prayer) oftentimes is the primer that unlocks the theme of the readings. It's not always the case, but usually there is a powerful petition or statement that sums up what the readings want us to see. Underline the words or clauses that jump out at your, especially the ones that move or confound.
Read the Lessons The Season after Pentecost (from Trinity Sunday to the first Sunday in Advent) we have two options, or tracks, for Sunday's lessons. The history of these two tracks is not terribly important right now, but remember that we use Track 2. The Old Testament reading in Track 1 tends to stay with one book for continuous reading. This is good in that the Old Testament stories are read in context, but oftentimes the reading is not connected thematically with the Epistle or Gospel. It can be a rogue lesson hanging out there. We stick with Track 2 because the Old Testament reading does connect thematically with the Epistle and Gospel.
Again, underline the words or sentences that seem important to you, that strike you, or confuse you. Make notes when the readings connect with each other and/or connect with the Collect of the Day.
Read a little before and after each reading. This is where simply printing out the readings isn't enough. Having a Bible lets you read the chapter before and after the appointed text. For instance, in this Sunday's Gospel, we have the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. What is the context for this story? Where there other parables told before or after this one that might help us understand what Jesus was saying then and now (the answer is yes!).
Ask Questions I'm always asking questions, usually in the margins. What did this mean to the first hearers? How does this connect? What does this mean for me now? What does this mean for the Church?
Pray Ask the Holy Spirit the help you see both the big picture and the transformative details that are in each lesson and the lessons as a whole.
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What:
Small Groups are 6-12 people who meet regularly to build deeper relationships with other Christians based on sincere conversations and study. These groups are based on discussions of the weekly Sunday Lessons, prayer for one another, and care for one another.
Why:
Small Groups are an important step in our parish growing in our mission of Adoration, Formation, and Transformation.
By joining a Small Group parishioners will hopefully: • feel prepared for Sunday AM lessons (either be reading them before or after Mass) • feel more connected to St. Tim’s community • feel more comfortable with prayer/prayer requests • have a comfortable way to invite new visitors and friends to be part of St. Tim’s
When and Where:
Our groups meet on Sunday mornings during our Formation hour beginning at 10:15 am. The locations are as follows:
• ECW Hall: Connolly/Jones Group • Drake Hall: Blair Group • Drake Hall: Farrell/Morphis Group • Gribbin Commons: Thullbery Group • Gribbin Conference Room: Skarzynski Group
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Sunday's Music | Christin Barnhardt
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The Church from our dear Master received the word divine, and still that light is lifted o'er all the earth to shine. It is the chart and compass that o'er life's surging sea, mid mists and rocks and quicksands, still guides, O Christ, to thee.
Stanza two of
this Sunday's
Gradual Hymn (above) references 2 Timothy 3:15-17: and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is[a] useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work..
This Sunday
, the choir will sing
“In paradisum” from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem
, and the choral scholars will sing
Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus
.
Hymns:
Awake, my soul, No. 546
O Christ, the Word Incarnate, No. 632
Jesus, all my gladness, No. 701
Before thy throne, O God, we kneel, No. 575
Ye holy angels bright, No. 625
God’s peace,
Christin
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Children's Formation | Katie Bryant
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Our fall schedule for formation is in full swing! From the youngest child to the wisest soul, we have a class for you! Most Sunday morning classes take place after the 9am mass (before the 11am mass), beginning around 10:15am. If you are looking for a class or a way to get involved, please contact [email protected]
This Sunday and every Sunday, PreK children (ages 3 and potty-trained to age 5) gather downstairs during the 9am mass for a time of songs, stories, wonder, and play. Parents can drop children off as early as 8:45am in room C-3. Children join their families in mass at the passing of the Peace.
All children (PreK through 5th grade) can follow the wooden processional cross at the end of the 9am mass. We will lead the children downstairs and help them find their class. Here is the list of 10:15am formation classes for the fall:
PreK Formation--Room C-2 K-2nd grade Catechesis of the Good Shepherd--Room C-4 3rd-5th grade Advanced Godly Play--Room C-5 Middle School & High School Youth Formation--Drake Hall youth rooms Adult Small Groups--at various locations around the church campus
All classes end just before the 11am mass. Parents, please pick up your children from their classes in the downstairs hallway. See you Sunday!
New Class!!!! PreK Godly Play is now offered on Wednesday nights at 5pm! This class is for any child who hasn't started kindergarten yet and offers a time of holy story, wonder, and play. If you're child is not potty trained, we ask that a parent come with them to the class. So you all will have time to eat dinner, we'll keep it brief and be finished by 5:30pm. Children will be walked over to meet their parents in Drake Hall for dinner. Come and see how God is already at work in our youngest ones!
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Youth Formation | Katie Harper
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Youth Formation Sunday mornings is based on the lectionary readings.
There are two separate classes for Middle and High School Students in Drake Hall on
Sunday
mornings - and yes, the doughnut tradition carries on! Middle School will be in the youth room, High School in the classroom. Our continuing mission is to create a safe space for students to find what it means to be followers of Christ. See you Sunday!
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Our Lady of Walsingham Lamp
is given to the glory of God
by Beckie McLean
for the month of September
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St Timothy Shrine Lamp
is given to the glory of God
by Beckie McLean
for the month of September
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