Sermon Notes:

How Paul Ran the Race His Whole Life

Often I learn more information than I can possibly put in a sermon. As such I will occasionally share some of those extra nuggets here.

The cornerstone of Paul’s steadfast faith in God is both Grace and Paul’s ultimate confidence rests in the Lord’s faithfulness. We hear this in 2 Timothy.

“At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:16-18, NASB).

How might you grow your confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness? I suggest it begins with saying even in the face of fear or other dangers, “Lord, I choose to put my faith in you, I rest in you and you alone.”

I found in Paul’s writing to Timothy something that sounded like a Psalm with his lament of those disciples who did not support him and all who deserted him. But then he chooses to forgive them in the next breath: “May it not be counted against them.” Then a recall of who God has been to him and finally giving God glory. Maybe you might try writing a psalm or letter to God after this pattern. If you do, I would love to hear it if you feel inclined to share. 

November 2nd All Saints Sunday and Ingathering Potluck Luncheon

To celebrate All Saints Sunday’s Ingathering of our 2026 Pledge Drive, come and enjoy our Fall Potluck Luncheon.

We are looking for your favorite casseroles, soups, salads, and desserts to feed the crowd! Please bring a dish for the Potluck and celebrate the 2026 Tell Out My Soul Pledge Drive.

Tea, Water, and Lemonade will be served.

Contact Kim Lehnhoff with any questions. 

Thank You for your Generosity!

Thank you St. Timothy's for your generous support of our neighbors dealing with food insecurity. This week, we delivered 178 boxes of Thanksgiving stuffing mix, (the goal was 144 boxes,) and a lot of canned soups and other shelf-stable items, for a total of 228 pounds of food donations. Thank you!

Please in the future, do not include bottled items that have been opened and the seal is broken. These are not safe to give out, and will be thrown away.

Dia de los Muertos ~ Episcopalian Style

In 1988 at the Austin, TX landmark restaurant Matt’s El Rancho, I encountered Dia de los Muertos for the first time. Matt’s El Rancho began in 1952 as a small South 1^st Street restaurant but by 1988 had settled on South Lamar as a large Austin staple restaurant stop. Everyone went to Matt’s. My beloved, late Uncle Larry and I often ate there, checking in with each other, and catching up on our lives as teachers. I loved my lunches at Matt’s with Larry. At that time, the founder of Matt’s, Matt Martinez, Sr., was still greeting customers as he had always done, even though he had returned to work, after a health incident and was no longer able to speak. As Larry and I checked out that October day, my eyes lingered on the small black metal tree next to the cash register which had tiny white skeletons hanging from it. I’d never seen anything like it before and couldn’t help but reach out and touch the dangling skeletons. Sitting behind the checkout counter, Matt and I locked eyes as he leaned toward me smiling a big smile and nodding his head; I smiled back. It was…a moment.

This was the moment I first became interested in the culture of Dia de los Muertos. In this time of yearly remembrance, skeletons are culturally benign figures. In October they signify those who have gone before us—those who we have known and loved but not forgotten. During the month of October, as we travel to All Saints Day, All Souls Day, St. Timothy’s for the past 2 years has provided space in our chapel for the incorporation of this cultural observance. It is a way to joyfully and informally and intentionally honor and remember those who no longer walk with us as part of our daily, earthly landscape. Right now, we ask those interested in photos coming to the church for placement on our Dia de los Muertos table to bring them so we may pray together for our loved ones.

Our Diocese of Texas provides guidance for Dia de los Muertos or The Days of the Dead. From the diocesan website: "Día de los Muertos is a time to honor our beloveds who are dead and welcome them home. Often altars [ofrenda] are created with dried flowers, candles, photos of the dead, and sometimes their favorite food or drink. It’s a way to let the dead know they are still remembered, honored, and loved. It provides a connection to our ancestors as well as reminding us of our mortality…. Ghosts, symbolic of human souls roaming the earth, are an important part Day of the Dead traditions, as are depictions of skeletons. The Christian concept of the importance of the human soul and its existence beyond death is at the heart of centuries of cultural traditions behind Halloween and the Day of the Dead."

At St. Timothy’s we do not go to the full extent of providing food, but we place pictures of those we wish to remember and honor in tandem with providing the names to the office for All Saints Sunday, November 2^nd. I invite you to read the Diocese’s guidance at The Days of the Dead: A Time to Remember and Honor the Dead. It’s good read during this time of year as it "shares [this is] a season when the space between the living and dead was believed to be at its thinnest, and the souls of the dead were said to return to their homes."

I invite your questions or thoughts about our opportunities at St. Timothy’s during All Saints Days to the honor those who have passed, yet still an essential part of our lives

Kim Lehnhoff

St. Timothy’s Choral Scholars

Choral Scholars are College or High School choir students who will receive a small stipend for their participation in the Chancel Choir at St. Timothy’s. These students are young musicians who want to share their music as they develop their skills. We also view this as an opportunity to share God’s love with them, nurturing them in their faith as well as their music. 

Our Choral Scholars are paid through donations given for that purpose. As of October 20, we have raised almost enough funds to sponsor two singers for the rest of the school year. I would love to be able to add one or two more students if funds become available. 

If you would like to make a donation to the Choral Scholars program, please write “Choral Scholars” or “Music” in the memo line of your check, or place your donation in an envelope with the same label. You can also donate via PayPal to @StTimChoir or using the QR code attached. 

$25 pays one student for one service or rehearsal. Any amount will get us closer to our goal. Thank you for supporting music at St. Timothy’s! 

Children's Music Program

Hello parents! We are ready to reboot children's music at St. Timothy's, but with a new format!

This year we will be learning to play the Tone Chimes (think pre-handbells)! We welcome kids from Kindergarten to Middle School to join us. Parents, if you would like to make music with us, you are invited to join too! The more the merrier!

We will meet twice a month, usually the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. If there is a church event or school holiday around one of those Sundays, it will be scheduled on a different week. 

Please mark your calendar with the attached dates, and plan to join us in the choir room after the 10:30 service on November 9! 

See you soon!

Altar Guild Fundraiser

Fresh Pacific Northwest Greenery For Sale!

Order by Nov. 9

Altar Guild is DOWN TO THE WIRE  for our Wreath Fundraiser! Sherwood Forest Farms fresh Greenery orders MUST be placed in the next week. Orders must be placed no later than Sunday, Nov. 9^th.

Wreaths, garlands, swags, tabletop centerpieces, and more are available for the upcoming 2025 Festive Season. 22-inch fresh mixed greenery wreaths ($38) and beautiful fresh fir centerpieces ($25) order will be delivered locally to our St. Timothy’s for your pick-up.

Please look on the website for the sale of other items which are available to be delivered directly to you or delivered directly as gifts for friends and family. This direct delivery option delivers to friends’ and family’s addresses throughout the contiguous U.S.

This fundraiser supports your Altar Guild and provides exquisite fresh décor for your Holidays.

Brochures are in the Narthex and by the Welcome Center. Order easily with your phone by scanning the QR code! Contact Kim Lehnhoff with questions. Ask those who ordered last year; the greenery is gorgeous!

Please support Altar Guild by purchasing a wreath for the 2025 Holidays!!

Tabitha's Guild (Sewing)

Saturday, 2-4PM

The XL Mary costume is done for the Living Nativity.

Sondra will be travelling, so the sewing group will be taking a break, returning Saturday, November 22.

CASA Gift Wrapping Party

Wednesday, November 19, 9:00-done

This year, St. Timothy's will host the annual CASA gift-wrapping event. CASA serves roughly 150 kids in Brazoria and Matagorda counties. Each child will receive three toys plus a new outfit.

We would love to have your help. All gifts will be provided by other donors. Bring yourself, and optionally bring gift wrapping supplies. Gift wrapping typically finishes by noon. Direct your questions to Sondra Griner or the church office.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays: Hannah Poore, Douglas Chumley, Sondra Griner, Christy Koury, Jared Hoelscher, Matthew Mayberry, and Shannan Pfeifer

Birthday and Anniversary Prayer

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

You may donate altar flowers in memory, honor, or celebration of whomever you choose. Select the week of your choice by signing up on the flower chart in the Narthex. The cost is $75 for arrangements on the altar. You may give a check to Jackie (in the office) or put in the offering plate with “flowers” in the memo line.