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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 this means all through the warm Houston 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.

Its the Fourth of July weekend. Doesn't this St. Martin's fountain look a little like fireworks?

Jackie Rose returns as our speaker on July 10.

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.

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

This is the baptismal fount in the main church.

This is the Seal of the Diocese of Texas, another detail from the wonderful St. Martins stained glass windows.

 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.'

 The Lesson for Sunday, July 10th is titled "Practicing Genuine Piety"

Key Verse:  Matthew 6:1

Focus of the Lesson:  Our society tends to recognize and reward people who make visible their religious activities and practices. How can people engage in the important and vital spiritual disciplines without falling into the temptation of doing so to be seen by others? Jesus emphasized the importance of engaging in spiritual disciplines that sustain and strengthen a close personal relationship with God rather than in public displays designed for recognition.

The reading is Matthew 6:1-14. This text is from the New Revised Standard Version.

   1 ‘Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
   2 ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   5  ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
   9 ‘Pray then in this way:
   Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
  10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
   11 Give us this day our daily bread.
   12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
   13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
   14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you