Weekly Update

Dear Friends in Christ:

Some days, it's hard to believe we've already been at this for 18 weeks. Other days it seems like it's been 18 years. Some days it is hard to keep our spirits up, and other days we get some small glimpse of a new flower, or a child's smile, and it gives us the strength to remember that this too shall pass.

And though our unexpected journey together-apart will continue for some time it seems, we can take comfort that our God is holding our hand as we are also held in God's hand. For now, the best thing we can do for one another is to wear masks, wash our hands, and (when necessary) count to ten before speaking. I encourage you to always remember you are loved by the God who brings new life and new hope every day.

On to the weekly updates . . .

WORSHIP

We usually offer five services each week--four are streamed online, and one is in the building, for those who feel comfortable gathering in person. However, this week, we will also be adding an additional online service (details below).

Sunday :

8am we open the doors for Morning Prayer, Rite I. We have 22 "booths" for seating, and members of a household can sit together. We can accommodate somewhere between 22 and 44 persons at this service. By way of a reminder, everyone must wear a mask, so please bring your own if possible--we will have a limited supply available if you forget. Everyone must enter through the parking lot doors, and provide contact information (if we don't already have it).

10am, we will stream Morning Prayer, Rite II. (This service will only be available online, due to restrictions against singing together.) Service outline is HERE , and hymns HERE .

Tuesday and Thursday : We will continue to stream The Great Litany and sung Compline at 7pm, on Facebook and at our website.

Wednesday: at 12:30pm, we feature one of our lovely stained-glass windows with prayers, and musical accompaniment by Choirmaster Andrew Bolden. (Only on our Facebook page.)

ALSO, this Wednesday at 7pm, (7/22) we will be streaming an Evensong service in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, often called the Apostle to the Apostles. Our Seminarian, Mo Wood will be preaching. I hope you can tune in for this lovely service.

More information on all our services can be found at the Calendar page of our Website.

WEEKLY PUZZLE

This week's puzzle features our Good Shepherd Window, on the west wall of the parish hall. You will find the puzzle by clicking HERE . You can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces. Plus, you get a very affirming crowd reaction once you have completed it!

This window was given in memory of Walter and Eleanor Sorg, by their siblings and spouses (Walter and Ginger Sorg, Carolyn and Edwin Cox, and Frances Sorg Sauer). The design was created by a local artist near Belden Village. The window was installed in December 1994, and replaces a window of the same name, which was removed in 1955. (You can see the previous Good Shepherd Window in the annual choir photos, up until that year.)

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Lots and lots of birthdays this week! John Meyer (7/18), Rick Trimpi (7/19), Barb Muschkat (7/22), Cameron Higgins (7/22), Laurie Bomze (7/23) Anne Smith (7/23), Ted Boyd (7/24) and Christopher Higgins (7/24).

Also, Mike and Christine Streb will celebrate their anniversary on Tuesday, 7/21.

Be sure to send good thoughts and good wishes to all who celebrate this week!

PRAYERS REQUESTED

Please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers.

David Wigginton, Keith Rowland, Joyce Vitale, Brian Dorosch, Don Zimmerman, Rachel Sanchez, Anne Smith, Carrie Morrison, Bob Meyer, Chris Lane, Chelsey Levin, John Locy, Rita Haines, and Ruby Baum.

And do call the office if there's anyone you'd like to have added.

THE DAYS AHEAD

Thanks again to all who have been able to keep up with your pledges and contributions these days. (I remind you that you can make contributions securely online at our website, if that is more convenient for you.) Your continued support will help our parish emerge intact on the other side of all this, still proclaiming the gospel to our neighbors and to one another. It has been a long and trying time, and we all need to hear the good news more than ever.

For many, unemployment benefits will be stopping at the end of July, and the moratorium on utility shutoffs and evictions is due to expire in early August. As a result, I am expecting that our time in the calm eye of the storm will be coming to an end. While we certainly cannot afford to be paying people's back rent and utilities for the past four months, through our food pantry, we can offer them something that helps.

So, if you're out shopping and are able to add a few things to your cart for our food pantry, that would be awesome. We're usually looking for pasta and sauces, canned meats and fish, peanut butter, and other non-perishable items.

The generosity of St. Tim's people never ceases to astonish me, and I am grateful to be serving our community alongside you all.

Fr. George