Sunday 8 & 9:15 am, RD Mize Campus
Sunday 10am, Wyatt Campus

Worship info on Timothy’s website
(www.timothylutheran.com/worship/ )
Live Stream worship on Facebook – Sundays 10am
(www.facebook.com/timothylutheran)
Recorded Worship Services
(www.YouTube.com/TimothyLutheranMinistries)

As We Gather for Worship This Weekend
“The Narrow Door”

We don’t like being excluded. We don’t like it when people we know are excluded. We want things to be fair. And so we chafe against Jesus’ exclusive message that the door to the kingdom of heaven is narrow. We want everyone to get in and we worry about how to guarantee that we will. But the guarantee comes from God and His grace in Christ. We trust Him as the Door and the Way that leads to eternal life.

VISION:  A Devotion

When I was five years old, I had my first visit to the optometrist. I don’t remember what the optometrist looked like, but I remember being scared and gripping the armrests as he leaned in and shined bright lights into my eyes. A few weeks later, a pair of plastic frames was slipped over my nose. Once I saw the world through my new glass lenses, the fuzzy world I had been living in became clearer.

Our vision isn’t just physical. We need to have a clear spiritual vision as well. Unfortunately, we’re all born with poor spiritual vision. As a result of sin, our past, or our individual struggles, we experience the same result:  a fuzzy, fearful, or frantic way of life that lacks God’s hope and peace

Clear spiritual vision is seeing our circumstances, purpose, and future through God’s eternal perspective. Gaining a clear spiritual vision will get us unstuck and lead us to freedom from sin. God’s clarifying tools include His love, grace, and peace. God’s invitation requires us to get up close and reveal where we need His corrective expertise and power. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4: 8.

Anytime is the right time to draw near to God! Drawing near to God isn’t just for the desperate times in our faith; it’s also for the times in life when we realize that we’re looking at the good things in our lives, but not looking at God. The rest of James 4: 8 is a warning to those who think they can live well by splitting their spiritual lives between their own desires and God’s plan. That’s like wearing a corrective lens on one eye and not the other and can result in a painful headache!

The beauty of drawing near to God is the promise that He will come near, bringing His peace, grace, and the clarity that we need to live confidently in Him and allow us to get through what we’re experiencing.

RD MIZE WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE

Over the past six months, we have had two worship services at RD Mize at 8:00 and 9:15. This was done as an experiment to see if the attendance at RD Mize warranted having two services. The Board of Elders has been monitoring the attendance patterns at RD Mize for the past several months.
At their last meeting, the Elders decided to discontinue the 8:00 worship service. This is being done to better focus our efforts at RD Mize and better utilize our volunteers and staff. Starting on Sunday, September 11, there will only be one worship service at RD Mize at 9:00 AM.
We are thankful for the elders, ushers, sound techs, and organists who put in a lot of hard work to make the 8:00 service possible.

Can I Really Pray Without Ceasing?

Have you seen the signs in the lobby or along the street? Timothy will embark on a new sermon series starting Sunday, September 11, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, teaching us the importance of prayer in all aspects of our lives. This six-week series will lead us to grow in prayer as we gather, grow, give, and go in our journey with Jesus. The people of the early church devoted themselves to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Together, we will look at God’s Word to see and experience how God desires us to be in fellowship with Him in prayer.

How do we pray without ceasing? The inquiring mind wants to know. The good news is that we are not alone in our prayer life. The disciples implored Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Without hesitation, Jesus teaches His disciples what we now call The Lord’s Prayer. Throughout our series, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, you will be provided tools for growing in your prayer life.

As fall approaches, Timothy’s pastors and commissions are working together to provide opportunities to deepen our prayer life. In October, we will host a church-wide prayer breakfast. In November, a prayer service is being planned for all ages to attend on a Wednesday evening. Coming soon, the pastors will host a prayer walk in different parts of our community as we pray outside our church walls. Prayer Cards will be provided over the next twelve months as we focus praying on one of the ministry organizations supported through our Timothy tithe. We plan to teach all interested parties about starting and maintaining a prayer journal. Much more is in the works. At the end of our series, each person will receive a carabiner as a reminder that prayer connects us to God and with each other.

The pastors are excited to share this gift of prayer, given by God, with you! Persistence in prayer can be a challenge, but God gives us strength to continue to call on Him, to pray continually, to unleash the power of prayer in our lives so that He may continue to work in us when we need it most. It’s time we start PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING (1 Thessalonians 5: 17).

Blessings as we grow in prayer together,
Timothy’s Pastors

Come and Worship

We are called to worship the Great and Glorious God who brings the sun up each day and provides an escape plan from sin and death to eternal life.

Music enhances our worship, and you are invited to join us in choir. Sanctuary Choir rehearsals are scheduled to begin Wednesday, September 7^th from 7-8pm in the sanctuary. Contemporary Choir rehearsals will begin Tuesday, September 6th 6:30-7:30 PM at Wyatt. Hope you can be a part of bringing praises to our worship!

Please contact Miriam Lindemann (miriaml@timothylutheran.com) or Sandy Sauter (sautersandy5@gmail.com) with questions.

It’s Timmy Burger Time!!

2022 marks the 40^th anniversary of Timothy’s Festival Committee reaching into the community with their famous steakburgers! This all-hands-on-deck fellowship and outreach ministry needs 300+ volunteers to ensure another successful effort at the annual Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest on Sept. 16-18 on Main Street in Downtown Blue Springs. Volunteers also needed on Sept. 15 for booth set-up. Proceeds are always designated for non-budgeted church facility needs after a 10% tithe is allocated for a worthy internal or external mission.

SO, it’s time to sign up for one or more of your favorite shifts! It’s a wonderful opportunity to combine our collective hearts to serve into action in our community. There are several ways to sign up: 1) drop by table in lobby at either campus on Sunday mornings; 2) scan the QR code provided here; 3) email steakburgers@timothylutheran.com; email Erick Blatt at erick.blatt74@gmail.com or call Erick at 816.291.5100; 4) email Kathy Wilbers at kwilbers@gmail.com or call Kathy at 816.365.6483; and 5) call church office (816.228.5300).  No excuses about signing up! Join the FUN and get your TIMMY BURGER!

Care Ministry Opportunity to Serve

Prayer Chain Coordinator: Timothy is seeking a new coordinator who will email prayer requests to members of the prayer chain. The prayers are received through Timothy’s website and from ministry staff. Individuals may also contact the coordinator directly by email. Coordinator can work from home, will maintain email list, receive email address changes and delete names from the prayer chain, as needed. Coordinator will also send a postcard to any members who have been prayed for, using a postcard and stamps provided by the church. Number of prayers sent are reported to Care Coordinator, Sandy Gregory. Estimated time for serving is one hour weekly.

Greetings from Missionary Barb Rebentisch

Timothy received the following letter from Barb this week:

Dear Saints at Timothy Blue Springs,

I am thankful for your faithfulness throughout these two years and into the future. Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support. I am humbled by God’s church and the way the Body of Christ works together.

Know that I praise God each time I think of you, and I pray that you’ll be blessed 100-fold for your blessings to me and the Chinese-speaking church.

Barb Rebentisch
Chinese Theological Resource Developer
Asia Regional Office Building
5F-1, #167 Gongyuan Street
East District, Chiayi City
Taiwan

VBS Reunion Recap

The VBS Reunion last Friday was one more MONUMENTAL day to wrap up this summer’s fun.
The evening was filled with indoor and outdoor activities, a special craft, singing, dancing, and a little VBS trivia for big, big prizes!
With all that exerted energy, we
were refueled by some tasty
Mexican food and ice cream served
by the Gather Commission. And, of
course, the evening ended with the
always popular Pastor Splash.
The pastors were overwhelmed but survived!

2022 First Fruits contributions total $ 92,800.59, as of August 14^th. Thank you!
Raise the Roof contributions total $ 24,400.00, as of August 14^th. Thank you!

Retirement Luncheon for Care Minister Nancy Nowiszewski THIS SUNDAY, Aug. 21, noon, Family Life Center, RD Mize. We pray God’s blessings for Nancy and her family as she enters this new chapter.

August Food Donations will be delivered to Jesu el Buen Pastor in KC for their food pantry. All groceries are appreciated, especially pasta, rice, and dried beans. Thank you, generous Timothy family, for continuing to donate for the needy during the rising cost of groceries. Please place food in the grocery carts in lobby at each campus. Thank you!

TLS Book Buddies Literacy Program Please contact Mary Beth Self (marybeths@timothylutheran.com) if interested in this new, special program. You can also contact the church office (816.228.5300) to get connected.

Senior High Servant Event TOMORROW, Sat., Aug. 20, 2:15-7:15 pm. Meet at RD Mize and head to Camp Twende in KC to serve. It’s a one-day Bible camp for refugee children. Contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Summer 2023 Senior High Mission Trip Meeting Sun., Aug. 28, Music Room after 10am Wyatt worship service (approx. 11:30am) We are beginning the planning for next summer’s national mission trip. If you are at curious or interested in going, please attend this meeting. If unable to attend the meeting but have questions, please contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com).

Junior/Senior High Servant Event Sun., Sept. 25 (meet at Wyatt at 5:15pm & return approx. 7:45pm) We will go to Hillcrest Transitional Housing with ice cream to serve the Hillcrest families and lead outdoor games with the kids. Please RSVP to Pastor Ryan by Sept. 10.

Cross Walk Enrollment All children & youth ministry classes, including Confirmation, begin Wed., Sept. 7, 6:30pm at RD Mize Campus. The Cross Walk (Pre-K – 5^th grade) program will kick off the year with a fun-filled night with food, obstacle course, story time, and more, all focused on a theme of “Walking with Jesus!” Please register students on Timothy’s website under Children’s Ministry. Here’s a link as well: (please insert same link as last week)  PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS:  We need adult help in each classroom. If you are wiling to serve as weekly or occasional helper, please contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity!

Wyatt Worship Team Sign-Ups Attention all vocalists, musicians, and sound techs who love worshiping Jesus through music! Come to an informational meeting on Sun., Aug. 28, after the 10am service at Wyatt. Apps available at www.timothylutheran.com/worshipteam or contact Pastor Rod at rodl@timothylutheran.com.

Discovery Class begins next session on Wed., Sept. 7, 6:30-7:30pm, Room 302 (Fireplace Room), RD Mize. Go to www.timothylutheran.com/Discovery-Class to register. Contact Pastor Rod (rodl@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Ladies, you are invited! Brunch & delightful speaker. NEXT SATURDAY, Aug. 27, 9am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize Campus. Come hungry & ready to listen to KC-area author, Karen Averitt. She will bring copies of her book, I Don’t Want to Have the Prayer: A Messy Pastor’s Kid Does Her Memory Work, available for purchase (cash or check, $16.27). Contact Susan Ready, LWML President, with questions (816.229.7688).

DivorceCare begins next session on Monday, Sept. 12, 6:30-8pm, in Room 102 at RD Mize. Contact church office to register or with questions (816.228.5300).

GriefShare begins next session on Thursday, Sept. 15, meets weekly. Contact church office to register or with questions (816.228.5300).

Heit’s Point Outdoor Festival NEXT SUNDAY, Aug. 28. Timothy is invited to the 35^th Heit’s Point Outdoor Festival. Guest speaker will be Rev. Marty Hasz, Asst. to the District President for Church Worker & Congregational Health. Activities start at 9am with coffee, cinnamon rolls & tours; worship starts at 11am, followed by BBQ lunch & youth/adult games, silent & live auctions. The day ends with cobbler & ice cream.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Lord’s Prayer”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell

Monday Evening Adult Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Mondays) 6:30pm fellowship; 7pm study; Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Faith & Fire Elijah”; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “The Book of John”; 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by various men

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “Confirmation Review”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) Book study; meets offsite during summer; 6;30-8pm; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky (ebblatt99@yahoo.com) for current book & location

Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) 9-10am, 4 G’s, W