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August 26, 2007 "Living
Responsibly in the Community of Faith" |
Next week is back to school week at St. Martin's and you are never to old to join us at the Prime Timers Adult Bible Fellowship!
We meet in the Payne Education Center, rooms 207-209, Sunday from 10:10 to 10:50am. That's upstairs on the second floor. The class is geared towards people aged fifty to sixty-four, next week we start a new reading plan from the Council of Churches and we have a new Rector at the Church!
The recessional at the eleven o'clock service. Bishop Payne is at the center of the photo, with Rev. Gipson several rows back.
Larry arrives in the Narthex for the eleven o'clock service.
This summer the Prime Timers are studying the Prophets: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Lamentations (traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah), Ezekiel, Zechariah and Malachi. These prophets proclaimed God's word over several hundred years, but their message was consistent: A faithful relationship with God entails specific requirements, one of which is to do right. Next week is back to school Sunday at St. Martin's, and the Prime Timers begin a new series as well. For the next couple months we explore the Book of Genesis with a series entitled "God Created a People."
Prime Timers Good News
At the beginning of our class we devote time to hear our members Good News. Presenting your news requires a $1 donation to our chicken, Henny Penny.
Call for Repentance
This Sunday is the day our Rector, the Rev. Larry Gipson retired and it was a very special day indeed. Your reporter played hookey from class today to photograph the events surrounding Larry's last sermon as Rector at St. Martin's and the wonderful surprises and moments created by many people to commemorate the day. I have lots of photos, and I hope you enjoy the selection here!
Prime Timers Contact names and numbers
Mentor
Rev. B. Massey Gentry
mgentry@stmartinsepiscopal.org
Leaders
Anne Berry
832/251-8868 H
anne.berry@comcast.net
Max Kech
713/802-0690 H
maxkech2003@yahoo.com
Marty Smith
713/464-6737 H
martys@houston.rr.com
Teachers
Richard Cruse
Chris Hershberger
Pete Seale
Ben Welmaker
bhwjr@flash.net
Outreach (inviting and welcoming new members)
Anne Berry
832/251-8868 H
anne.berry@comcast.net
Elizabeth Sleeper
jsleeperjr@houston.rr.com
Caring (prayers, follow-up w/class members who have been ill or have other needs)
Max Kech
713/802-0690 H
maxkech2003@yahoo.com
The following photos are "clickable" to see the in greater detail.
Former Texas Bishop and St. Martin's Rector Claude Payne and Current Bishop Don Wimberly.
Here two of the day's organizers, Jeff Parsons (l) and Tad Mayfield display a photo of the St. Martin's choir, signed by each member.
This is the moment when Rev. Gipson realized that Bishop Wimberly, Bishop Payne and Bishop Benitez would all attend and assist at Larry's last sermon as Rector.
Surrounded by Choir members, the Rev. Larry Gipson prepares for the procession at the nine o'clock service.
The Lesson for Sunday, August 26th is titled "Living Responsibly in the Community of Faith"
Key Verses: Malachi 3:1-2
Focus of the Lesson: Most people feel good when justice and good triumph in the events of daily life. What reason do we have to anticipate such a celebration on a cosmic level? Malachi affirms that God will come one day to judge the world to set all things right.
The reading is Malachi 2:17-3:5; 4:1. This text is from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Background Scripture: Malachi 2:17-3:5; 4:1-3
17You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ By saying, ‘All who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.’ Or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’
The Coming Messenger
3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
5Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 4:1-3
1See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.
NRSV
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