Friday: Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr of Carthage, 258
- Commemoration of the Crucifixion: day of discipline and self-denial. A note on our Friday Devotion practice in the Episcopal Church may be found here.
Sunday, September 15th: Holy Cross Sunday This feast marks our resumption of a full Sunday schedule. It celebrates the Holy Cross as a sign of divine love, healing, and hope and is a Feast of Our Lord.
Our commemoration this year will include the blessing of crosses brought by parishioners and the blessing of the newly-expanded Godly Play room, with an open house following. Plan to share in this great occasion!
If you have any crosses to be blessed, bring them on this Sunday. They will be blessed as part of the Eucharist.
8:00 AM: Holy Eucharist (said); blessing of crosses 9:00 AM: Adult Study (see notices for more info) 9:50 AM: Godly Play 10:00 AM: Solemn Procession & Holy Eucharist (sung); blessing of crosses; blessing of the new Godly Play room immediately after the dismissal.
Nursery care is available from 10 AM through the end of the liturgy.
Stay for Coffee Hour and Godly Play Open House following the 10 AM liturgy. Support our children and their Christian formation!
Monday, September 16th: Ninian, Bishop, c. 430 - The parish office is closed on Mondays. Messages may be left via telephone or e-mail.
Tuesday: Hildegard of Bingen, 1170 - Holy Eucharist (Rite I), 10 AM in the Chapel
+ Coming Up
Sunday October 6th
Bishop Michael's Visitation, 8 AM and 10 AM liturgy
Confirmations and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows at the 10 AM Liturgy
A Word from the Rector:
Holy Cross Sunday
After a beautiful summer, we return to a full schedule of worship and Christian Formation offerings this Sunday, a day dedicated to the Holy Cross.
This feast commemorates the consecration of the great church of the Holy Sepulchre and its various components in Jerusalem on September 14, 335 AD. The church was raised on the sites of the crucifixion and resurrection as determined by the archeological work done by the Empress Helena—mother of Constantine the Great.
In the courtyard between the structure reserved for the Liturgy of the Word and the great, round building for the Liturgy of the Table, the exposed top of Calvary hill jutted forth. It was here that the solemn veneration of the Cross took place each Good Friday—a custom we continue to observe at the Good Friday Liturgy each year.
Holy Cross Day, as distinct from Good Friday, is focused on the joy and triumph of the Cross as a way of life. Jesus’s words from John 12 ring out on this day
Now is the judgment of this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all people to myself.
This day is a time to affirm the centrality of the Cross in our life as the sign of God’s love for us, complete identification with us, and the the one path given to us for true discipleship. The prayers, lessons from scripture, and hymns all make this clear.
On the Feast of the Holy Cross, parishioners bring crosses to church for blessing. This underscores the centrality of the cross as far more than a symbol or a "brand," but the reality of Christian love and service.
A special addition to this year’s Holy Cross celebration will follow the 10 AM Eucharist: in a distant echo of that long-ago consecration of the Great Church of Jerusalem, we will process from the altar to the newly-expanded Godly Play room in order that we might bless it and commission all those serving in this ministry.
An Open House will follow, when you may tour the room, ask questions, and get some understanding of the special way Godly Play helps a new generation of Christians “take up the cross” and follow Jesus.
May the Cross shine forth in and through you life this week and always!
Brandon+
Carl Daw Hymn Festival & Workshops
On the weekend of Oct. 5-6, the Rev. Dr. Carl P. Daw, noted professor of Hymnography and Episcopal Priest, will be at St. Paul's for a Saturday workshop and Sunday hymn festival. (Nine of Dr. Daw's hymns are in our current Hymnal!) There are three ways to participate: the workshop, the festival service and singing in the choir at the festival. Register online at the Diocese of Oregon website HERE.
A Facebook
Recommendation
For those of you who use Facebook and enjoy reading , there is a good group to join which will provide you with frequent posts and links to the best of the English catholic tradition as this Church has received them: English Spirituality.
Many of the brief quotes posted by this page serve as seeds of contemplation through the day. Perhaps especially valuable are the insights from Martin Thornton, author of such works as English Spirituality and Christian Proficiency. Through these resources, one learns a great deal about the depth, character, and practice of Classical Anglicanism.
This is a particularly good resource for those wanting to learn how spiritual practices relate to the practical life.
St. Timothy’s Hosts the Diocesan Academy September 20-21:
Overnight hosts for out-of-town students needed
Due to scheduling issues at its normal site in Wilsonville, St. Timothy’s is hosting the Diocesan Academy for Formation and Mission Friday, September 20—Saturday, September 21.
In addition to hosting the classes and worship, members of this parish are being invited to consider hosting a student overnight. If you are interested in doing so, please contact the Rev’d Deacon Maureen Hagen at academyforformationandmission@gmail.com.
Please do so as soon as possible so that she may develop a housing list in the next week. Thank you!
+ Notices
Inquirers’ Classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 pm. Whether you're a long-time Episcopalian, just getting acquainted with the Episcopal Church, or exploring Christianity for the first time, this evening series might be right for you. It can help explain who we are, what we're doing and why we do it. This is an excellent way for people new to St. Timothy’s—even if they have been Episcopalians for years—to learn about the riches of this tradition and the particular character of this parish.
Adult Sunday School resumes next Sunday, Sept. 15th at 9 AM. The first Sunday we will spend time reconnecting, telling life stories and learning to be a witness to each other's lives. The last two Sundays of September we will look ahead and contemplate how to make room for the true joy of Christmas. Unplug the Christmas Machine is an ideal study for families and everyone looking to bring some sanity back to the season or for ways to make the season a time of wonder and awe. The book Unplug the Christmas Machine is available for $5 in the narthex - it is not required for the study but you may find it a helpful guide.
A good place to donate toward hurricane relief is Episcopal Relief and Development (episcopalrelief.org).
Don't forget to pick up your new Parish Directory in the narthex!
+ About this Season
+We continue in the Season after Pentecost, a time for focusing on ministering the Gospel in our daily lives. The readings and prayers make this the major emphasis until Advent. The liturgical color for this period in the calendar (outside of Major Feasts) is green - expressive of growth in faith. Holy Cross Day uses a deep red color, recalling the blood of Christ shed in love for us.
+ The Eucharist begins with “Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.” This affirms both our belief in One God in Trinity of Persons and that our worship is a direct participation in the worship of Heaven through the power of God the Holy Spirit.
+During this season the Song of Praise after this greeting will be theancient Trisagion (“Thrice-Holy”) hymn, “Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us” as both a song of praise and a prayer of humility before our Triune God. On Major Feasts, the Gloria in excelsis will be sung, instead.
+ Fridays are marked by “acts of self-denial and discipline” in honor of the crucifixion.
A whole and transforming faith connects our liturgical and prayer practice with physical actions, and the Friday Observance is one of the main ways we re-affirm this connection on a week-by-week basis. Here are some posts on this practice from the Rector's blog.
Standing Notices about this Parish
Being prayed for at St. Timothy’s:
+ The Sunday bulletin carries those intercessions of a more urgent nature. Contact the parish office if you have a name to be added to this list. Names not receiving updates will be removed from the Sunday bulletin after two months.
+ An intercessory team of parishioners offers prayer daily through the week. E-mail marymraney@gmail.com or phone Mary Rainey or Marsha Witt to add a name to this list. All prayer requests to this group are treated with discretion.
New to St. Timothy’s? Recently change your contact information? Please make sure the parish office has your contact information so that you may receive the monthly parish newsletter, e-mails, and a phone call in case of sudden and important parish news.
Record of Baptism & Basic Data: If you are worshipping with us regularly and receiving the Holy Sacrament, you are asked to provide a record of baptism (baptism with water in the name of the Trinity is a prerequisite for receiving communion in the Episcopal Church); you may then be entered as a baptized member of the parish; full adult membership in the Church is through Confirmation (preparation for this is through participation in the Catechumenate).
If you are already an Episcopalian, you may ask your previous parish to transfer you to St. Timothy’s. Questions? Please contact the parish’s Registrar, Sue Bergquist or the Rector. We are very ready to help.
Birthday and Anniversary information. If you desire to have dates listed in the Sunday bulletin and the monthly Tidings, please make sure to get them to the parish office, where the database is kept.
Holy Baptism:
- Adult Baptism is by preparation through the Catechumenate and is administered at the Great Vigil of Easter by immersion.
- Infant Baptism, after preparation of the parents and sponsors, is celebrated at a major Holy Day agreed to by the priest. Please do not share a date with family members/friends/visitors until you have worked with the priest.
- Please make your desire to be baptized (or your desire to have a child baptized) known to Fr. Brandon or a catechist as soon as possible; this will aid in your preparation.
Receiving Holy Communion:
- All persons baptized with water in the name of the Trinity who accept Christ's presence in the sacred bread and wine and repent of their sins are welcome to receive at the Eucharist.
- In accordance with the Episcopal Church's teaching and the custom of the Christian Church from its beginning, baptism precedes receiving Holy Communion; those not baptized (or those not receiving communion for whatever reason) may ask a blessing instead. Indicate your desire for a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest when at the altar rail.
- If you receive communion regularly in this parish, you will be asked to provide a certificate or other proof of baptism.
- In times of serious spiritual crisis or after committing a grave sin, sacramental confession with a priest prior to receiving is appropriate. Contact the priest as soon as possible.
Sacramental Confession:
Confessions are heard before Major Feasts (announced to the parish in its various publications), but may be made at any time by contacting the priest directly.
Marriage:
- Please contact the parish office before any public date/location for a wedding is announced. Fr. Brandon will work with you on the necessary preparation process so that your marriage will begin with strong spiritual support.
- All details regarding weddings at St. Timothy's or performed by Fr. Brandon must be approved by him. A Guide to Weddings at St. Timothy's is available for your perusal.
- The parish priest is to be contacted at any time where the marriage vows are imperiled so he may provide counsel, guidance, and prayer.
Hospitalization:
- Please notify the Parish Office if there has been a hospitalization so a pastoral visit may be arranged.
- Due to privacy laws, hospitals do not automatically contact the parish with this information; the parish can only respond if we know you have a need!
Funerals:
- All funerals use The Book of Common Prayer and are to be in accord with its teaching; Fr. Brandon is to be consulted regarding all funeral service details.
- The All Souls' Guild oversees receptions following funerals; please make your desire for a reception known to the priest.
- Verbal remembrances, when desired, are made at the reception following the liturgy, not during it.
- A guide for planning a funeral is available via the parish office.
Fr. Brandon's days off are usually Friday and Saturday. You may contact him if you have an emergency at any time. On his days off he tends not to check e-mail frequently.
The Parish Office is normally open Tuesday-Friday, 9-Noon, 1-3 PM, except for major holidays.
+At the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints, may the cross of our Lord bless you and mark your life in love each day. Amen.
The Mission of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church: We gather to experience the Holy Trinity through Scripture, worship, study, and fellowship. Receiving and reflecting God’s love and grace, we are sent out to love and serve our neighbor, see the Christ in others, and share the Gospel by the example of our everyday lives.
