September 23, 2018 | 18th Sunday after Pentecost
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Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Lord Jesus Christ,
who hast built thy Church
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets:
mercifully grant that building upon thee, the chief
cornerstone, with beauty and substance,
we may raise here at St Timothy's a
faithful people and a holy temple to thy glory.
May we and generations yet to come learn to praise thee
more and more in spirit and in truth.
Amen.
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Not Absurd| Fr Steve Rice
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The late French philosopher Albert Camus came to the conclusion that, ultimately, life is absurd. There is no point and purpose to this life. There is, he “believed,” no God. Since there is no creator, no higher power, life is an accident that has no cosmic significance. Sound depressing? Camus agreed. He argued that the only real philosophical question a person needed to ask was whether or not life was worth living. To put a finer point on it, should a human being, once realizing that life is absurd, end their life?
Camus may seem a bit extreme, but this reasoning is sound. If one rejects God as the creator of the universe and the foundation of all goodness, beauty, and truth, then there is no meaning, value, and purpose in life. We say that because meaning, value, and purpose depend on universal, objective truths rather than something we subjectively project.
As Christians, we emphatically affirm the value of life – it is worth living – because we reject the notion that life is absurd. This tension is clear in the first reading on Sunday from the Wisdom of Solomon (a book from the Apocrypha). It begins with an affirmation of Camus’ life is absurd philosophy:
“(The ungodly) reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, ‘Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end.” The atheist then tortures the faithful for sport. After all, there is no real right or wrong and there is certainly no ultimate judgment, so why not? The reading concludes, “Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them, and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of his holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls.”
There is meaning, value, and purpose to this life. There is right and wrong, regardless of context. The moral arc of the universe is long, and it does bend towards justice, all because God exists. Jesus Christ endured all the insult, torture, and shameful death mentioned in today’s reading. He emerged from this death as living proof of the triumph of God and that life is not only worth living, it was worth dying for.
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Don't Forget: Earlier Announcements
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Starting this Sunday, all masses will begin
right on time! Therefore, announcements will be made approximately 6-7 minutes before the liturgy begins. Come a bit early, find your pew, say a prayer of preparation, and listen to the important work of this parish.
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Adoration: Liturgy, Prayer, & Devotion
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Looking to Sunday September 23, 2018
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
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Preacher: Fr Steve Rice
Celebrant: Fr DJ Griffin
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From the Choir Loft |Robert Matthews
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Sunday's anthem is “Christ Has No Body Now But Yours” by David Ogden. The original text is by Saint Teresa of Ávila and reads:
Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
We are pleased to have instrumentalist Bob Faub joining us Sunday for the anthem and both voluntaries. Bob will be playing Handel’s Flute Sonata in G minor, Op. 1, No. 2.
The Choristers will also be singing an anthem for the 9am mass: “O sing unto the Lord” (Psalm 149) by Noel Rawsthorne. Here is the text:
O sing unto the Lord a new song. Let the congregation of saints praise him. Let them praise his Name in the dance. Let them sing praises unto him with tabret and harp. Let the saints be joyful in glory. O sing unto the Lord a new song.
Please make plans to join us for Vigil Mass for the Feast of St. Michael & All Angels on Friday, September 28 at 5:30pm. Trumpeter Ashley Hall will be joining us to play a festive prelude, “Hyfrydol Aspects” by Terry Everson. The choir will also be chanting the Missa de Angelis.
Our next evensong will be on Sunday, October 14 at 3:30pm. We will be singing Harrison Oxley’s Responses and T. Tertius Noble’s Canticles in A Minor. We appreciate your support at these Evensongs as our choir is preparing to spend a week as choir-in-residence at Wells Cathedral in 2020.
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Formation: Sunday Morning
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We have four small groups that meet here at St. Timothy’s between the 9 and 11 Masses. 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.
For more information, please feel free to get in touch with Father D. J. (frdj@sttimothys.ws) or one of our small group leaders:
Beth Morphis (bmorph@aol.com) - Drake Hall
James Connolly (jamestconnollyjr@gmail.com) - Drake Hall
Adrienne Beauchamp (adriennebeauchamp8@gmail.com) - Small Gribbin Conference Room
Kelly Hines (khines72@hotmail.com), Jeremy Rouse (rouseja@wfu.edu) - Large Gribbin Conference Room, G0
New Coffee Hour
In addition, as a new venture, each small group is taking turns hosting an open coffee hour in ECW Hall each Sunday at 10:15. If you are interested in joining a small group, but not sure how to jump in, please come to any of these open coffee hours and try it out, no strings attached. If it clicks for you, you can follow your small group to their regular meeting place the next week.
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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The last two weeks have set a perfect backdrop for the first two weeks of children’s formation in our new atrium. Children ages 3 to 3rd grade who have been away all summer have effortlessly slipped back into their space and spent time working on lessons of their choice. This past week, we spent time re-setting the room following our storm-preparedness and the children found it challenging to remember where everything goes after initially anticipating an easy, boring task. We remembered that challenging ourselves to look at situations from a different perspective can yield a new opinion - and in this case, helped each of them realize just how much work goes into readying their space for each session.
Environment preparation and maintenance is vital to the success of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach to children’s formation. Like the Altar Guild and Clergy work to ready our Nave for each service, our volunteers model this effort in the atrium. Our room is designed to be a respite from the outside world. A space void of achievement, points systems, and competition. A space filled with calm air, quiet voices, intentional movements, and focused minds. A consistent space for children to end one week and begin the next with a fresh start. We often say, “This room is filled with prayer. Even if we aren’t on our knees with our heads down and hands clasped, we are in prayer. Our work in this room is an offering to God and we need to respect each other where they are in their prayers.” Because our times are different from other formation offerings, we ask passers-by in the hallway to join us in the effort to maintain a quiet, thoughtful room and refrain from allowing older children to run past. Our aim is to create a space that models expected behavior in the Nave. When you see our shoes lined up in the hallway - you’ll know you are near the Atrium and ask that you walk quietly past.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is based on the belief that even the youngest children can - and do - experience God. This approach to the religious formation of children is rooted in the Holy Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Unlike most typical Sunday School programs, CGS does not have a book with pre-written lessons and craft supplies pre-packaged for our convenience. Instead, the approach challenges adults to make and source materials themselves, write their own lessons with the guidance of a trained formation leader, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide their words remembering that Jesus is the only teacher.
In this column each week, we plan to share with you our experiences from the space, share with you the lessons we are lifting up, and invite you to help us with preparation and execution. If you are interested in learning more about this work, contact Emily Ball at emilynball@gmail.com or 704-996-5762.
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Children and Youth Formation Schedule
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The Nursery
Who: Infants through Age 3
When: Open from 8:45am - 12:30pm
The Atrium - Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (formerly C-2)
Who: Ages 3 & potty trained through 5K/Readiness
When: Open from 8:45am - “The Peace” of the 9am mass when children will join parents in the Nave
The Discovery Room (formerly C-4)
Who: Ages 3& potty trained through 5K/Readiness
When: 10:15am - 11:00am
The Atrium - Level II Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (formerly C-2)
Who: Ages Kindergarten through 3rd grade
When: Open from 10:00am to 11:30am (Children may come and go as needed depending on which mass their family attends.)
Advanced Godly Play - Wonder Room (formerly C5)
Who: Ages 4th & 5th grade
When: 10:15am - 11:00am
Middle School EYC - Youth Room
Who: Ages 6th-8th grades
When: 10:15-11:00am
High School EYC - Gribbin Commons
Who: Ages 9th-12th grades
When: 10:15-11:00am
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Every single day we pray for those on our parish prayer list. You are welcome to add names each Sunday to the list in the narthex or you may do so online by clicking
here. Please note this list is not a request for pastoral care. To speak to a member of the clergy and/or request counseling, visits, and/or a sacrament, please call or email Fr Steve Rice or Fr DJ Griffin directly.
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The
altar arrangements
are given to the Glory of Almighty God and in memory of Thomas Pass
by Gerald & Mary Pass and in honor of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
and in memory of Charlie King by Becky King.
The
Our Lady of Walsingham Lamp
is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of my sisters, Sylvia Fisher and Dot Rigsbee by Linda Skarzynski.
The
Sanctuary Lamp
is given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Kathi Roberts by Megan & Brian Farrell.
The
St. Timothy Shrine Lamp
is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Antonia Revilla Davila
by Ted & Oralia Johnson.
The
St. Michael the Archangel Lamp
is given to the Glory of God and with prayers for the protection of LTC Graham Green and all those in our armed forces by the women of St. Timothy’s.
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Our altars in the Church and Chapel are adorned weekly with flowers beautifully arranged by St. Timothy’s Flower Guild. Frequently the flowers are given in honor and/or memory of loved ones. The suggested donation to sponsor the flowers is $60. Is there a date coming up when you would like to honor someone or remember someone with a flower dedication? If so, please contact Ellen Turner at ellen@sttimothys.ws.
Also, are you interested in assisting the Flower Guild in arranging the flowers? If so, please contact Lea Thullbery at lea@sttimothys.ws.
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Hospitality for Officers on Sunday Mornings
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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!
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Why do we report giving and attendance?
Following Jesus Christ is about faith and not figures. However, figures do shed some light on how we are living out our faith. There are many places in the Gospel where Jesus makes the connection between one's spiritual health and their relationship with monetary wealth. Generosity is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5.22). By reporting the giving, we shed light on the practicalities of supporting ministry and mission and these numbers remind us of our responsibility in generously giving to the spread of God's kingdom. The same is true with attendance. We have to be present to receive the Sacraments. Our priorities are best demonstrated by our bodies. If we want to see what matters the most to a person - we look at where their spend and where they stand.
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This new portal is easier to use and, once you create an account, you can keep up with your giving history. You can also give via check online.
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Give by Text -
336-697-6543
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This is amazing. I never have cash or a check, but I always have my phone. You can now give to the work of St Timothy's just by texting. Here's how it works:
1. Text an amount to
336-697-6543
2. You will be sent a link to set up your debit/credit card (take a few seconds)
3. Once complete, your transaction will go through and you number will always be associated with the card.
Plus, you can text "Funds" to see a specific fund. If you want to sponsor a lamp, you can text "25 st timothys" and it will go the St Timothy's Lamp, etc. If the fund isn't recognized, you'll get a list of all the funds and you text back the number of the fund you wish to give to
PS: This is not connected to your phone bill. It it connected to a card of your choice.
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