NEWS & EVENTS

WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST. TIMOTHY'S

+ Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday at 8 AM (said service) and 10 AM (sung service). The 10 AM service is also shared via Zoom for those who are physically unable to attend in person.

+ Wednesdays there is an in-person Holy Eucharist at 10AM, using the traditional-language rite. This service is followed by tea and conversation in the parish library.

+ Current masking policy: All persons may wear a face mask as a health tool. Some persons (especially those in higher-risk groups) should wear a mask. However, no one must wear a mask. The parish provides good quality face masks for those desiring them.

+ We have an upgraded HVAC air handling system to maximize the safety of our indoor environment.

+ We encourage vaccination for all eligible persons to prevent communicable disease at church or elsewhere.

+ Please contact the parish office for more information, and to be added to our Zoom invitation lists.

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+ O Come, Let us Adore Him

The Week Ahead...

Thursday, January 1: The Feast of The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Parish Office is closed this day

Friday, January 2:

No Fasting during Christmastide

Saturday, January 3:

Christmastide Social with Fireworks! 4 - 6 PM

+ Sunday, January 4:
The Second Sunday after Christmas

+ 8 AM: Holy Eucharist (said). In-person.

+ 9:50 AM: Godly Play and Nursery open

+ 10 AM: Holy Eucharist (sung) with Pageant. In person and online.

+ Coffee Hour following the liturgy - bring your leftover Christmas goodies to share!

We will be de-greening the Church following the 10 AM liturgy. Please stay to help if you are able.

This Sunday we will also bless chalk during the 10 AM liturgy. This can be taken home, with accompanying prayers, in order to do a House Blessing With Chalk. You can learn more about this centuries-old Epiphany custom here.

Monday, January 5: Sarah, Theodora, and Syncletica of Egypt, Desert Mothers, 4th–5th century

The parish office is closed on Mondays

Tuesday, January 6: Feast of the Epiphany

11 AM: Holy Eucharist (said) for the Feast of the Epiphany, in the Chapel

Wednesday, January 7:

10 AM: Rite I Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
7 PM: Catechumenate

Prayer Requests from this Parish: Liz McClure, Melinda Filbert, Juanita Rivera, Scott Kohl, Caroline Gilbert, the Teeters family, Jim Whitney, Rorey DeWitt, Stephen Harrison, Adair Heard, Skip Padrick, Br. Matthew Tenney, Rich Zorko, Julie Pannel, John Hanson, Kerrie Harwood, Fr. Gary Zerr, Family Promise, Salem for Refugees, Mending Wings Youth Ministries. For Peace on Earth. For justice, mercy, and the governance of our passions in the nation, politics, and civil discourse.

For the Departed: Jeanne Walcher, Barry Henderson

For Those who Mourn: Pat Eder

For Those with Birthdays Next Week: Michael Grover

In the Diocese of Oregon: St Alban's, Albany

In the Anglican Communion: The Church of the Province of Central Africa

About this Season

+ Christmas is a 12-day season, not a single day. It begins on Christmas Eve and runs to the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. Instead of packing away the Christmas decorations, take some time, over the full season, to savor the wonder of the Incarnation and to celebrate! A few ideas to keep the 12 Days:

Leave your decorations up until the Epiphany.
Move the Magi (3 Kings / Wise Men) from your nativity scenes around the house every day until they reach Jesus.
Write and send Christmas cards during these 12 days
Continue to listen to Christmas music (if you enjoyed the One Advent Carol a Day, here is the follow-up with Christmas songs for the 12 days!)

+ There is no fasting during the 12 Days of Christmas.

+ The first week of Christmas is often called the Octave of the Nativity of Christ, culminating in the Feast of the Holy Name, when Christ Jesus was circumcised and named on the 8th day. This Octave is the holiest part of the season, but does not end Christmastide, and our domestic observance should continue.

+ The liturgical color for the season is gold and/or white.

+ The Advent wreath continues to burn at services through Christmastide--but with a white "Christ candle" at its center, standing for the Incarnation and for the hoped-for return of Christ at the end of the ages. Parishioners are encouraged to continue to use their Advent wreaths through Christmastide.

+ A star takes the place of the Advent Wreath in church once we arrive at Epiphany, and this star continues to burn through Candlemas on February 2nd.

Here is a link to Fr. Brandon's blog post on the 12 Days of Christmas, for more information on the season and its observance.

Zoom Recording of Last Week's Sermons

Christmas Eve Mass
Passcode: ^042dye=

Sunday, December 28
Passcode: U50R*uKi

Links will be valid for two weeks.
The Lectionary Readings for this past Sunday can be found here.

Save the Date!

Christmastide Social
Saturday Jan 3, 4–6 PM
With Fireworks!

We’ll gather in the Parish Hall for some Christmas social time with refreshments, child-friendly activities and fireworks! Bring a simple potluck dish to share (sandwiches, chips n dip, desserts etc.) All ages are welcome!

Apologies for the confusion in last Sunday's bulletin... The Parish Administrator must have been too pre-occupied with Christmas! The timing of the event is 4 - 6 PM 😊

The Feast of the Epiphany
Tuesday, January 6, 11 AM

This Holy Day celebrates the arrival of the Magi to venerate the newborn Christ as recorded in St. Matthew’s Gospel account and emphasizes the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles and the Church’s mission of proclamation. It also marks the start of a new season in the Church Year, lasting until Lent. We will celebrate with a Holy Eucharist (said, Rite I) in the Chapel at 11 AM.

Patronal Feast and Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 25th

Mark your calendars! We will celebrate our Patronal Feast on Sunday, January 25th. The 10 AM liturgy will be followed by the Annual Meeting in the Parish Hall, with refreshments. All are encouraged to attend if able. If you are overseeing a ministry or leading a committee, reports are due on January 14th.

From Your Parish Librarian

Greetings, my children:

Yesterday, New Year’s Eve, you probably celebrated with revelry and fireworks or a ball drop; however, in German-speaking countries as well as Slavic and Balkan countries, the day is spent in Church at the midnight Watchnight Mass. The day is not called New Year’s Eve, [oh, no] rather it is known as “Sylvester.”

—I am St Sylvester Bishop of Rome. There were three Pope Sylvester’s, but I was the first.—

No one among the New Year’s Eve revelers remembers what I have done for the Church:

I was among the first saints who were not martyred. The Church went from underground worship to a public institution under my guidance. I endeavored to preserve the independence of the Church from the overpowering figure of the Emperor Constantine.

It is said that I was the one who converted Constantine and [like that wasn’t enough] I healed his leprosy—to that…I have no comment.

The story is told that Constantine was so moved after I baptized him that he walked before me, holding my horse’s bridle. Ha Ha Ha. That’s a good story. I would have loved to have Constantine as my groom, but still, it is a good story. Ha Ha Ha.

Think about this: you could be attending worship on Saturday in remembrance of our Jewish origins instead of on Sunday in remembrance of our Lord’s resurrection—that’s because of me…you’re welcome.

I oversaw the construction of my cathedral, the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome and St Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

People associate me with the First Council of Nicaea; but, in actuality, I was too old to attend. I would be dead in ten years. I was 40 at the time; but fastings, sitting vigils, arguing against heretics and visiting churches in my district and beyond as far away as Jerusalem, took a toll on my body. Roman roads were paved, but roads outside major trade routes were actually just dirt tracks that were too bumpy for my achy joints. I sent legates in my stead and they
addressed the Council as I directed them. Legates are ambassadors, but I was Pope so a fancier word is called for.

I became the patron of stonemasons and animals. I am the patron of Benedictine monks, especially those named Matthew, and also oblates, especially those named Merryn.

If you are vexed by snakes or dragons, you may evoke my name as others have.

I leave you with my prayer:
“Come, O Lord, to the help of Your people so that, running the course of this present life under Your guidance, we may happily attain life without end.”

—Bonnie Bonham—Parish Librarian—

Collect for the Feast of the Holy Name
(January 1)

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Mission Statement 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.

St. Timothy's Website

St. Timothy's Facebook

Father Brandon's Blog

St. Timothy's Parish Office Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM
Wednesday, 9:30 AM - 3 PM
Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM via telephone/email/text
The Parish Office is closed on Mondays

Parish Office Contact Info
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7416; Salem, OR 97303
Email: mail@sainttimothys.org
Phone: 503-363-0601

Rector's Days Off:
Fridays and on Saturday mornings
Please contact Fr. Brandon on his days off if you have an emergency.

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LENT AND HOLY WEEK AT ST. TIMOTHY'S

+ Stations of the Cross are held every Friday evening at 7 PM during Lent. Join us for the Litany of Penitence from Ash Wednesday and short readings from Blessed Julian of Norwich.

HOLY WEEK

+ Palm Sunday: March 24
8 AM: Blessing of Palms & Holy Eucharist (spoken)
10 AM: Palm Procession & Holy Eucharist (sung).

+ Monday, March 25 & Tuesday, March 26
7 PM: Evening Prayer

+ Wednesday, March 27
7 PM: Tenebrae Service

THE HOLY TRIDUUM

One Liturgy Spread over Three Days (Main services in bold text)

+ Maundy Thursday: March 28

7 PM: The Maundy Thursday Liturgy

Prayer Watch following until Noon on Good Friday

+ Good Friday: March 29

Noon: Stations of the Cross

7 PM: Good Friday Liturgy

+ Holy Saturday; Easter Eve: March 30

10 AM: Little Tomb Service of the Burial of Christ

9 PM: The Great Vigil of Easter, followed by the Agape Feast

Easter Day: March 31

11 AM: Holy Eucharist (said, with hymns)

HOLY WEEK AT ST. TIMOTHY'S

Palm Sunday
8 AM: Blessing of Palms & Holy Eucharist (spoken)
10 AM: Palm Procession & Holy Eucharist (sung)

The 10 AM service begins with the Liturgy of the Palms in the Parish Hall, with Palm Procession to the Nave, followed by the Dramatic Reading of the Passion Gospel of St. Matthew and Holy Eucharist. This is a “hybrid” liturgy: both in-person and online.

Monday & Tuesday in Holy Week
7 PM: Ante-communion, followed by confessions

We will not celebrate the Holy Eucharist during the period from Palm Sunday until Maundy Thursday. On these two days the evening service will be the first part of the Eucharist, including the readings for these days, but ending after the Lord’s Prayer.

Wednesday in Holy Week
7 PM: Tenebrae

Tenebrae, a service of shadows and darkness expressive of the gradual desertion of Christ by those around him, marks a decisive turn in Holy Week and serves as a contemplative portal into the mystery of our redemption which will be our focus in the coming days. This is a service unlike any other in the Church Year and forms the entrance into the heart of Holy Week.

THE HOLY TRIDUUM
One Liturgy Spread over Three Days

All Episcopalians are to join together for worship if physically able to do so. (Main services in underlined bold text)

Maundy Thursday

7 PM: The Maundy Thursday Liturgy
Prayer Watch following until Noon Good Friday

The first part of the service, which does not conclude until the end of the Great Vigil of Easter, this service commemorates Christ’s command to love each other as he has loved us, and his commandment to “do this in remembrance of me” by sharing in the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Sacrament is then removed to the Chapel and the altar is stripped in recollection of Christ’s arrest and being mocked. We then leave in silence as the lights are lowered.

The Prayer Watch at the Altar of Repose in the Chapel now begins, lasting until noon Friday, in remembrance of Jesus’s words in the garden of Gethsemane, when he asked his disciples to spend an hour in prayer with him. Parishioners sign up to take an hour in prayer in the chapel before Christ in the Holy Sacrament. A member of the parish will be at the church all night to let people in and walk them to their cars.

Good Friday

Noon: Stations of the Cross
7 PM: Good Friday Liturgy

The Good Friday Liturgy is the most solemn service in the Church Year. Its starkness points to the truth of both human brokenness and God’s complete identification with us in our need. The highlights are the Great Silence at the start, then the reading of the Passion Gospel according to St. John, the Solemn Collects (intercessions for all humanity), the bringing out and veneration of the Good Friday Cross, and the Communion from the Reserved Sacrament, brought from the Altar of Repose in the Chapel. Once more, we leave in silence.

Good Friday is marked by as complete a fast as health allows, from sunrise until at least 3 PM, the traditional hour of Christ’s death upon the cross.

Holy Saturday

10 AM: Little Tomb Service of the Burial of Christ

The morning service is a short, spare gathering at the now-denuded altar where we hear of Christ’s hasty burial and contemplate his lying in the tomb, even as God the Son has descended to Hades, there to liberate those long held by the Evil One. A glorious sermon from the very early Christian period is read and prayers for those who have died are offered.

Easter Eve

Saturday, 9 PM: The Great Vigil of Easter,
followed by the Agape Feast

The Easter Vigil is the heart of our life as a parish and as a people. It is our main Easter service. It must be experienced, not explained, but it consists of the lighting, blessing, and sharing of the New Fire, the great song before the Paschal Candle (The “Exsultet”), the readings of the Old Testament prophesies, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, the Proclamation of the Resurrection, the great Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom, and the First Eucharist of Easter. This is the high point of the entire Church Year. The Vigil is followed by a grand feast in the Parish Hall, to which all are invited. Come and see!

Easter Day

11 AM: Holy Eucharist (said, with hymns)
A “hybrid” liturgy: both in-person and online.

The Easter Day Eucharist at St. Timothy’s is quite a bit simpler than the Vigil. However, it is a joyous celebration and includes the beautiful, ever-new account of Mary Magdalene meeting the Risen Christ in the garden. With this Eucharist, our celebration of Easter Day concludes…but the Great 50 Days of Eastertide has just begun.