The Prime Timers Adult Bible Fellowship Welcomes You to Our Web Page.

The Prime Timers, and all the St. Martin's A.B.F.'s are taking this week off so that we can all celebrate the July 4th weekend in the Bagby Parrish Hall. Class will resume July 10th. This page will provide the readings for this period in order to provide continuity.

The Prime Timers meet year-round, and look forward to seeing you all through the summer.  We are currently exploring the gospels - Mark in June; Matthew in July; Luke in August.  You are invited to join us for fellowship, coffee and donuts every Sunday in the Payne Education Center, Rooms 210-212, 10:00 to 10:45am.

Rita Junker Pickar gave two wonderful talks to the class in June. We hope she returns often.

The Prime Timers Good News for $1.00!

At the beginning of class, for $1, you can bring us news of your family, or whatever good news is on your mind.

This week Maarit Harp gave thanks for a good diagnosis for her husband, undergoing chemotherapy at M. D. Anderson. Jim Nelson's grandson came home from the hospital after open heart surgery and his condition is visibly improved.

The Resurrection Controversy: 

Rita Junker Pikar had more notes than time to talk this morning. Her subject was the resurrection and she continued with her combination of thorough research and excellent balance of the historical Bible and the development of the Christian faith.

The reading from Mark 16:1-15 is where the women come into the cave where Jesus was placed after he was crucified. He is not there, but a young man, dressed in white, presumably an angel, tells them that Jesus is risen. The women then leave the cave. After this follows several stories of sightings of Jesus. Many scholars believe that Mark may only have written up to the point where the women leave, and that the sightings were added in the second century.

This leaves it up to the reader to decide whether they believe in the resurrection. The controversy has been going on a long time, not just in modern times. At the time of Jesus the Pharisees believed in resurrection, where the Sadducees did not. Rita felt comforted that this is a subject that has been debated through the ages.

Prime Timers Contact names and numbers

Mentor

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

Co-Leaders

If you get tired of these photos of the St. Martin's stained glass windows, let me know. I really think they are extraordinary!

This is Palestine at the time of Jesus. It is amazing how small an area made such a big effect on the world.

Jim Nelson had good news about his grandson's illness.

 The Lesson for Sunday, July 3rd is titled "Experiencing True Happiness"

Key Verse:  Matthew 5:6

Focus of the Lesson:  Culture and the media reinforce one another in equating "the good life" with material wealth, unbeatable power, and sensual pleasures. Still, people feel there is never enough; there must be more! Jesus taught that true happiness is found not in what one possesses and controls, but in the spirit in which one gives and lives, and how one's life glorifies God.

The reading is Matthew 5:1-16. This text is from the New Revised Standard Version.

   1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
   3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
   5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
   6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
   7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
   8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
   9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
   10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
   13 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
   14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.'