Adoration. Formation. Transformation.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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THIS SUNDAY AT ST TIMOTHY'S
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, NOV. 30, 2014

Liturgy & Homily
Fr. Steve Rice, frsteve@sttimothys.ws

I really don't know if I've adjusted to daylight savings time yet.  In fact, I know I haven't.  6:45pm feels like midnight.  I don't mind winter.  I don't mind the occasional snow and I like heavy coats and hot chocolate.  But I'm not sure I like the dark.  The dark has a way of affecting one's mood and outlook and has a remarkable way of making us tired. 

 

Granted, the majority of Christendom has been in the Northern Hemisphere as our liturgies were established, where the season of Advent coincides with the winter months - the dark months.  So it's fitting that the first collect for the season of Advent is one that prays for the grace to 'cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.'

 

Evil has long been associated with the dark, with the shadows, not only because the dark provides a cover for our actions (and intentions) but also because of how it makes us feel.  These are among the works of darkness, to put is in a certain state where the lens of our life is clouded by a shadow.  The works of darkness bring us to the place where the cloud isn't just over our passing mood - but our very life. 

 

Our hope is the armor of light that defends us from the shadows and shadowy motives, emotions, actions, and thoughts.  That armor of light is a life lived in and for Jesus Christ.  The Advent themes are not, surprising to many, rooted in the birth of the baby Jesus but in the Second Coming and Judgment of Christ the King and Judge.  Advent calls us to move from the darkness into the light, as from the corner of the stage to the center.  That move to the center is scary as we all suffer from a kind of spiritual stage fright.  As we move closer to the light, the heat intensifies thawing the coldness that the shadows generate.  And as we find ourselves standing fully in the light, our bodies are entirely illuminated and we can see everything about ourselves, there is nothing (and nowhere) to hide.  It is in, and only in, this light that we see ourselves for who we are.  Our truest self is under the bright light of the Lord Jesus.  

 

See you then,
Father Steve

Music
Christin Barnhardt, christin@sttimothys.ws

Happy New Year! 
This Sunday as we gather to worship at 9am and 11am on the first Sunday of Advent, we will sing some wonderful hymns that we usually only sing one or two Sundays a year.  This year, however, we have actually sung two of Sunday'shymns recently because the Track 2 readings for the Season After Pentecost foreshadowed our Advent readings.

Hymns:
Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding, No. 59
O Day of God, draw nigh, No. 601
Lo! he comes, with clouds descending, No. 57

The choir will sing Mark Schweizer's setting of "I Look From Afar," the traditional Matin Responsory text which we will also sing for Advent Lessons & Carols. It echos Sunday's Gospel reading from Mark "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory." The communion anthem "Zion Hears the Watchman Singing" - adapted from JS Bach's Cantata 140 by John Shannon, with Peter Ragonesi (9am) and Rebekah Carlson (11am) playing violin - also speaks so the Gospel lesson: "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake-- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

Also starting Sunday we will sing different service music to signify the new liturgical year! 

At 9am: The Kyrie will replace the Gloria until Christmas Eve. Robert Lau's "Orlando Service," which we sang last Advent. Here are some recordings: KyrieSanctus (starting at 2:35), and Agnus Dei (starting at 3:32).
 
At 11am: The Kyrie is plainsong, Tone 8, which we sang last Lent. The Sanctus (click here to hear) and Agnus Dei are from the "Missa Marialis," plainsong settings adapted by Charles W Douglas. ... As Charlie Lovett pointed out last week, according to "Sound of Music," we sing "one word for every note" ... but that is certainly not the case with this music. Music that is syllabic (one note per syllable) is much easier to sing than melismatic music (several notes per syllable), but while this music is not easy, it is incredibly beautiful and worth our learning as an offering to God.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, and hope to see you Sunday,
Christin
Formation
John Roberts, john.roberts@sttimothys.ws

 

It is nearly Thanksgiving! This holiday is often a time where many of us are with family, and enjoy a break from the normal routines of life. Because I do not have family in town to share thanksgiving with, it is a great chance for me to reflect on what a wonderful parish family we have at St. Timothy's. I am so thankful to be here and be part of this church. I think our community is something that makes St. Tim's special. It is normal for churches to change with different faces over time as people come and go, and it such a joy for me to see new people continually being welcomed into this parish family. I know many of us have much to be thankful for, but sometimes, there are seasons of life that it is hard to find joy at thanksgiving. If this is the case, it is my hope that you will find reason to give thanks for all God is doing through our parish family at St. Timothy's.

 

Instead of our usual formation offerings this Sunday morning, we are offering our Annual Intergenerational Advent Wreath Workshop in Drake Hall starting around 10:15 AM. Please bring along some cut greens you may want to use in your wreath; there will be some greens available at church as well. I hope to see you there. 

Children & Outreach
The Rev. Katie Bryant

Children's Formation
We talk a lot about "getting ready" in Godly Play.  The children are each asked, "Are you ready?" before they enter the Godly Play room.  Once we build the Godly Play circle (imagine 10+ kids sitting quietly and attentively in a circle), the storyteller reminds everyone to "show" that they are "ready" by the way they are sitting and watching.  And on the Circle of the Church Year, our wall-sized felt liturgical calendar with the colors for each Sunday--we talk about "getting ready" for the High Holy Days of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.  The children have been counting down the "great green growing Sundays" and have been waiting and waiting for the day the church calendar changes to purple.  They are ready for Advent!  Through Godly Play, the kids learn that the season of Advent gives us time to "get ready" for the coming of the Christ Child.  There is much excitement and anticipation associated with reaching the "purple Sundays"--and this Sunday we are here!  Come "get ready" with us in Godly Play this Advent Season!

PreK Godly Play happens downstairs every Sunday during the 9am mass.  "PreK" includes children ages 3 & potty-trained until they start kindergarten.  We invite parents to join in this growing time with their child until they feel their child is ready to participate on their own.  This is a wonder-filled time for young children to explore the stories of our faith in a hands-on way during the first part of the mass.  Children can gather in room C-2 as early as 8:45am, so adults have time to get upstairs for worship.  We sing songs and get ready for Godly Play.  Then we go next door (C-3) for story and work time.  We bring the children up to church to meet their families before Holy Communion.

This Sunday we will have an Advent Wreath Workshop following the 9am mass.  All ages are invited to come to Drake Hall and make an Advent Wreath to help your family "get ready" for the Christ's coming at home.

Outreach
Speaking of "getting ready"--the Overflow Shelter season is here!  We open this Monday night--December 1st at 7pm and covet your prayers and support.  We have been "getting ready" since August, preparing our building, gathering supplies, recruiting volunteers, and praying for our homeless guests.  It's easy to become consumed in the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  If this is something that you struggle with, take a moment, an evening even, and come down and serve.  You'll be glad you did.   There are many ways you can be involved--from cooking and serving hot meals, to donating supplies, to spending a night in Drake Hall so that up to 20 others can have a safe & warm night too. 

In the past St.Timothy's has participated in Alternative Christmas--where we give to people in need and the organizations that care for them in the names of our loved ones.  This year, the idea of Alternative Christmas is becoming up close and personal as we welcome our homeless neighbors into our church and our lives--sharing with them warmth and hospitality and time.  This is incarnational ministry at it's best--when we care for God's people all around us. 

This Advent season, consider giving of your time--maybe even giving up a good night's sleep, so that many others can rest. We currently need overnight volunteers for most Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sunday nights 7pm-7am.   For alternative giving, consider donating the cost of a blanket ($5 each) or one night in the shelter ($160 per shelter per night houses 20 guests at St.TIm's!.  This is less than the cost of one night in a nice hotel for only 4 people!).  You can also donate socks, underwear, undershirts, and toiletries--all the things our guests will need each day.  During Advent, we'll have cards available at the shelter for you to personalize as your "gift".  Come and serve and give--and carry on with your holy Advent. 

December 1st, our opening night, is this Monday!  Our Overflow Shelter has everything ready to open--but needs your help!  Sign up to bring a meal, come welcome guests, spend the night, and help make a warm, safe, space possible for our homeless brothers and sisters.  To sign up to help or get more info--contact Katie@sttimothys.ws.  To sign up to be a regular volunteer--contact Lea Thullbery and lea@sttimothys.ws .