Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and welcome to the St. Martin's Prime Timers Web Page!

We meet each Sunday in the Payne Education Center from 10:10am to 10:50 in rooms 207-209. You are invited to join us during this wonderful time of year at St. Martins.

Many thanks to Maud Ella (c) and Rick Hartley for hosting the Prime Timers Christmas Party at their beautiful home. You can also see Jackie Rose at top, Sandy Wilkens (l) and Caroline Maryan, in back.

Scene from the party. See if you can name all the Prime Timers!

Announcements

A lot will be happening at St. Martin's this month and we hope you will be part of it. Our lesson plan has readings for each week during this season, although we will only be meeting formally on the 18th of the month. Never fear, the bible readings will be posted here each Monday afternoon, even if there won't be a class on Sunday.

Our mentor, the Rev. Rusty Goldsmith, is moving on and will be leaving St. Martin's at the end of the month. We extend our best wishes to Rusty in his journey.

The Fellowship of the Chicken!

Sandy Williams reported that her son, on his way to SMU, will be home for the holidays. Teacher Skip Maryan gave Sandy a by on the $1 contribution to our chicken for this news. Skip has teenaged children...

Hope for those who suffer

Our reading today comes from the books of Isaiah and Luke. Isaiah was born around 720 BC and is the prophet most quoted by Jesus.

Part of the gospel of Isaiah is that of a history, while another part is Isaiah the prophet. He chronicles an attack on the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians, as well as a failed attack on Jerusalem.

As a prophet he foretells the fall of Jerusalem and the Diaspora of the Jewish people.

In Isaiah 42 we hear the lament of the suffering servant, and the concern of many years of biblical study. Jewish people feel the servant is Israel, while Christians feel is Jesus.

The reading from Luke is called the Magnificat, from the opening words of Mary's song in Latin, "Magnificat anima mea, Dominum". The next time we will meet Mary is in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus.

Skip then concluded our year with the healing prayer and a benediction.

Prime Timers Contact names and numbers

Mentor

The Rev. Maurice L. "Rusty" Goldsmith. D.D.
713/985-3831
rgoldsmith@stmartinsepiscopal.org

Leader

Today's photos are from the Prime Timers Christmas Party, hosted by Maud Ella and Rick Hartley. Above is our Carol Master George Mims and his wife Leslie. All of the photos today are "clickable".  If you want to see a larger version of a photo, click on it! Click again to return to this page.

It wouldn't be a Prime Timers party without one of Dr. Bill Moore's wacky hats! At left is our leader, Jackie Rose.

Prime Timer carolers, l to r Carol Chaney, Louise Huck, George Laigle, Craig and Donna Loomis. 

Prime Timer carolers on the couch, l to r, Melissa Grant, Elizabeth and Lockert Sleeper, Elizabeth Laigle and Catey Carter.

Caroline Maryan, caroler!

 The Lesson for Sunday, January 1st is titled "Finding Strength to Serve"

Key Verse:  1 Timothy 1:12

Focus of the Lesson:  People need strength to execute their assigned tasks. How can we become empowered with the strength needed to do ministry? In his first letter to the young minister Timothy, Paul says this strength comes from Christ Jesus and he gives thanks for it.

The reading is 1 Timothy 1:12-20. This text is from the New International Version^®.

   12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

   15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

   18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

NIV®