“God Chose You”

What kind of things are worth your time, your energy, and your efforts?  These are the things we often say are important.  Today we tune into one of the most important things for God, this thing called “life.”  From Genesis through Revelation life is something our Lord commits an abundance of His time, energy, and effort to.  Which means life IS special, every single life from embryo to elderly, whether healthy or hurting, whether from a surprised pregnancy or facing a terminal diagnoses.  So let’s talk LIFE because it is important!  

“Life Sunday:  God Chose You”

Choice is a divine gift to humankind. That means choice isn’t a right. And death isn’t a decision. It’s everyone’s inevitable destiny. You can’t “choice” your way out of death. We won’t keep our own deaths from happening by making anyone else’s death happen. Thanks be to God Jesus displaces freedom of choice and replaces it with freedom from choice. The choice we need is not a choice we make but choice we are. What saves, what gives life, is not choosing but being chosen. The choice we can’t make, the one that matters most, is the one we don’t have to. God chose you, and that changes everything.
 
No matter who has left you alone, the Almighty Maker chose you. No matter what makes you afraid, the Lord God chose you. No matter why you feel ashamed, the Heavenly Father chose you. God chose you into existence. Your body proves it. You are a privilege. God chose you into forgiveness. Jesus’ body proclaims it. He is a gift. God chose you into making a difference. Every neighbor portrays it. They ar your invitation. You’re not an accident or an afterthought, even in sufferings or difficulties. You’re special. No human life is a joke or a mistake, not even in surprise pregnancies or terminal diagnoses. Each one’s precious, from fertilization to forever. None of us are hand-me-down or half-hearted, not embryos, not impaired persons, not elderly ones. We’re all priceless, whatever our ages, abilities, and appearances. God chose you to embody and to enact the sanctity of human lives. Christians advocate this kind of choice.
 
Join Pastor Rod for worship this Sunday to hear God’s Word on abortion and assisted suicide. God Chose You . . . “You do not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go an bear fruit.” John 15:16

“Take Your Time and Take It Slow”

As many of you may have noticed, I sprained my ankle and have been not so patiently dealing with it. The frustration of going up stairs, walking down a hallway or simply getting ready for the day had forced me to slow down and take my time. I had to reinvent how I moved about in work and play.
 
This is true for any of us walking through a new season. In a way, we must reinvent ourselves as we maneuver lives that look different from before. We must resist the urge to rush towards panic and refuse to move through this season alone.
In the quiet of the morning or the still of the evening or the calm before the storm of the carpool line, we can take time to sit in the presence of Jesus. Consider a Scripture that reflects God’s promises:
This is what the Lord says — he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters . . .Isaiah 43:16-17 (NIV)
 
There’s no obstacle change brings that God does not bring a way through. There’s no change we encounter that God is not master over. There’s no season we experience that He doesn’t provide us with endurance. Take your time with Him and take it slow.

Live Streaming Funeral Service

Timothy’s staff and the Hochgrebe family wish to share with the congregation that the funeral service for our sister in Christ, Robin Hochgrebe, on Sat., Jan. 22, at the RD Mize Campus will be live-streamed on the Meyers Funeral Home web page: https://meyersfuneralchapel.com/robin-hochgrebe/
 
A time for visiting with the family will occur from 9-11am, followed by the 11am funeral service in the sanctuary.

Next Generation Update

A quorum of 58 members registered attendance at the Special Voters’ Assembly Meeting last Sunday. The 2022 Development Plan, including a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying printed handout, was shared with the assembly. Printed copies of both are available at the Information Centers at both campuses and on the church website. The congregation is urged to review the information and email Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) by Feb. 1 with comments and questions. The congregation was reminded that a stabilized budget throughout 2022 is imperative in moving forward with much of the expansion plan.
 
The congregation will convene again for a Special Voters’ Assembly Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 6, at 11:30am to vote on two motions from the Executive Board regarding expansion at the Wyatt Campus:

1. “The Executive Board moves to lease three modular trailers and install necessary infrastructure for Wyatt classroom space, youth activities, and meeting/office space for 2022-2023 (with first trailer installed in 2022, second trailer installed in 2023, third trailer as needed) at an approximate cost of $300,000 plus monthly operating expenses.”

SPECIAL NOTE:Following the meeting, a generous donor met with church leadership to commit to funding the trailer capital costs, infrastructure support costs, and annual rental of trailers for five years (2022-2027).

2. “The Executive Board moves to construct a yard storage building at Wyatt at an approximate cost of $300,000.” 

SPECIAL NOTE:This fundraising project, called “Raise-the-Roof,” will house outdoor equipment now moved back and forth between both campuses. More details soon.
 
The assembly approved the following resolution: “BE IT RESOLVED that the congregation of Timothy Lutheran Church empowers the Executive Board to accept a real estate offer of no less than $3.00 per square foot for the sale of 6.60 Wyatt acreage along MO Highway 7.
SPECIAL NOTE:  The March 2020 market summary valued the current value of this property between $3.00 and $3.50 per square foot. 
 

National Lutheran Schools Week

 National Lutheran Schools Week will be celebrated in Lutheran Schools nationwide from Jan. 23-30 around the theme, “In All Things.” Timothy Lutheran School looks forward to a special Spirit Week of fun, dress-up days, and special activities. Check out the list of “C” emphases below.
Monday, Jan. 24:  CHRIST—students & staff will wear Christian shirts or hats and make crowns as members of the Kingdom of God!
Tuesday, Jan. 25:  CREATION—students & staff will dress as any part of Creation (nature, people, animals, etc) and create a school mural of Creation.
Wednesday, Jan. 26:  CHILDREN—students & staff will wear their class colors and participate in a Bible Bee.
Thursday, Jan. 27:  CHURCH—students will wear Career Day clothing resembling a desired, future occupation and make cards for shut-ins, healthcare workers, military personnel, etc.
Friday, Jan. 28:  COMMUNITY—students & staff will “Dress Their Best” as they host Grandparents/Special Person Day and enjoy a Talent Show. School will dismiss at 12:30pm.
In addition to the above activities, TLS students will sing in the RD Mize worship service this Sunday, Jan. 23, and in the Wyatt service next Sunday, Jan. 30.  A book fair will be available during the entire week, including next Sunday, Jan. 30. 

JourneyMen Bible Study
Passionate Pursuit of God

God wants men to passionately pursue Him. This six-session course looks at the lives of biblical examples of men who did this faithfully:  Gideon, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Stephen, and Paul. Their examples will inspire us to lead those around us obediently and faithfully, while acknowledging and dealing with our own weaknesses. The six-week Bible study themes are:
 
Study 1:  LIVING UP TO GREATNESS—Gideon
Study 2:  MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART—David
Study 3:  FOLLOWING GOD IN OUR WEAKNESS—Elijah
Study 4:  REPOND TO GOD’S CALL—John the Baptist
Study 5:  FAITHFUL TO THE END—Stephen
Study 6:  LEADING FROM THE FRONT—Paul
 
Open to all men15 an older! Join us as we get on the journey of digging into God’s Word. Following each study, for those interested, we can meet at Applebee’s Restaurant in Blue Springs for fellowship.
Date: Starts Thursday, Feb. 24
Time: 6:30-7:30pm (Applebee’s to follow)
Location: RD Mize Room 302 (Fireplace Room)
Leader: Pastor Rod Lindemann

2022 Lay Leadership

The following lay leaders were installed at the Jan. 9 worship services. We thank them and praise God for their willingness to serve:
Executive Board:  Diane Mayfield (Congregational President), Charlie Johnson (Congregational Secretary), Joe Sauter (Congregational Treasurer), Louie Wilbers (1^st Vice-President), Dave Domsch (2^nd Vice-President), Doug Spilker (3^rd Vice-President), Doug Hick (4^th Vice-President), Gary Flandermeyer
Board of Elected Elders:  Gary Williams (Director), Rick Little (Assistant Director), Steve Schild (Secretary), Charlie Cronkhite, Mel Falk, Kyle Oelklaus, Buddy Young
Commission Leaders:  Bob Logan (GATHER-interim), Mary Reed (GROW), Emily Wilson (GO)
School Board:  Dave MacLean (President), Aimee Gorrow (Vice-President), Lois Domsch (Secretary), Charlie Bock, Kate Force, Tyler Hutton, Trent Yager
Appointed Elders:  Fritz Barlag, Dick Blasé, Erick Blatt, Mike Buetow, Terry Calvin, Bob Downs, Gary Flandermeyer, Jacob Gorrow, Chris Hruska, Eric Jackson, Dave Kerwood, Gene Kisling, Ryan Kuecker, Don McGhee, Randy Pollock, Ron Riedel, Gary Storck, Bruce Wands, Greg Weems, Karl Zinke

Ladies’ Book Club

Ladies, would you like to participate in a book club that doesn’t require a major time commitment? Then the new Women of Hope Book Club might be for you! This group will meet every other month, beginning March 10, 7pm, in the home of Barb Kalbfleisch. The first book for discussion will be The Housekeeper and the Professor. Books will be available that night, so participants do not need to get a copy or read the book prior to the meeting. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Barb at barbkalbfleisch9@gmail.com.

Inclement Weather Policy

Timothy’s Inclement Weather Policy has been revised, as approved by Board of Elected Elders and Executive Board.
 
 Even if road conditions are unsafe early in the morning, they may be navigable in time for the Wyatt service. Therefore, as a first response, services at RD Mize will be canceled, as well as FaithRoots at both campuses. Everyone will be invited to attend the Wyatt worship service. Every effort will be made to live-stream the Wyatt service on Timothy’s Facebook page as well as post on church website as soon as possible.

Revised Worship Times for RD Mize start Feb. 6^th:  8am and 9:15am. Wyatt service remains the same at 10am.
 
Lenten Services Ash Wednesday, March 2:  4pm and 6:30pm at RD Mize; no education classes; subsequent services on March 9, 16, 23, 30, & Apr. 6: one service at 5:30pm at RD Mize.
 
Lenten Meals Ash Wednesday:  LWML Ham Dinner; more details soon.  Ministry groups wishing to host a meal on subsequent Wednesdays should contact Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) to reserve your preferred date.
 
Friends Café Sat., Jan. 29, 9:30-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; Timothy’s Women of Hope welcomes Linda Meyer Nielsen to share how God protected & healed her after a serious accident. Come enjoy complimentary baked treats & coffee, meet new friends, and take time to relax.
 
LWML Society Meeting Sat., Feb. 5, 9am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; guest Gwen Hall will lead Chair Yoga opportunity, followed by brunch served by LWML and a short meeting (attendance at meeting part is optional). Wear comfortable clothing and bring your smiles! Monetary donations accepted for Lutherans for Life. Contact Susan Ready (816.229.7688 or sready2@comcast.net) with questions.
 
Valentine’s Dinner Date Night Sat., Feb. 5, 6pm, Family Life Center, RD Mize; Italian cuisine (lasagna, Caesar salad, bread sticks, dessert); gluten-free accommodations available; $15 per person; purchase tickets at either campus through Jan. 30; proceeds benefit National Youth Gathering trip in July; free childcare available upon request.
 
Online Giving Are you looking for an easy, convenient, secure way to contribute to Timothy’s ministries? Check out the possibilities on Timothy’s website. Click on Give.
 
Offering Envelopes are available on tables in lobby of each campus to use during the time designated for offerings in worship. A sheet of labels for the 2022 special envelopes is also available and can be attached to the regular envelopes.
 
2021 Contribution Statements will first be emailed this Friday, January 21, to check for accuracy. If you find errors or have questions, please call Sandy Gregory (816-228-5300 ext. 8035) by Tuesday January 26th. Printed copies will be mailed 1st class by January 31st.  
 
January Food Donations will be delivered to Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Non-perishable food of all types is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
DivorceCare resumes on Jan. 31, 6:30-8pm, RD Mize
 
GriefShare resumes on Mar. 3, 6:30-8pm, RD Mize
 
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “An Overview of the Old Testament”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell
 
Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Faith & Fire Elijah”; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize
 
Monday Evening Adult Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Mondays) Various topics; 6:30pm fellowship; 7pm study; Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood
 
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “Titus: Good Doctrine & Good Living”; 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by various men
 
Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study NEW TOPIC: “The Book of Revelation”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John
 
Wednesday Women’s Bible Study “Elijah”; 5-6:30pm, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Annette Logan
 
Wednesday Discovery Class 6:30-7:30pm, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Pastor Rod
 
Wednesday CrossWalk Pre-school through 5^th grade; 6;30-8pm, begins in Fellowship Hall, RD Mize
 
Wednesday Confirmation 6^th-8^th grades; 6:30-8pm, begins in Room 501, RD Mize
 
Wednesday Senior High Revolution Bible Study 6:30-8pm, Youth Room (506), RD Mize; led by Carrie Hochgrebe, Becky Blatt, & Ryan Kuecker
 
Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study “The Women of Easter”; 6:30-8pm, Room 102, RD Mize; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt
 
Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) 9-10am, Wyatt 4 G’s; led by Kaye Gray; resumes Feb. 19.