Sunday 9:00 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 SIGN”

What would you do if God offered you a sign, a guarantee that what He had promised would absolutely come to pass? He did that once for a king named Ahaz, and Ahaz turned Him down! While we may be shocked, we would be tempted to do the same thing if God were to offer. But thankfully, God gives us the sign of His Son, Jesus, to call us back to faithfulness in Him.

Finding Joy When the World Is a Dumpster Fire: A Devotion

You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psalm 16:11

Did you know the phrase “dumpster fire” is in the dictionary? Lately, I’ve been trying to avoid the saying. While it remains true—sometimes devastatingly so—that this world offers us constant chaos and catastrophe, that isn’t the only truth I know and believe. And it isn’t the reality I want to focus on.

When we throw up our hands and declare a situation, a season, an entire calendar year to be a complete loss (i.e., a dumpster fire), we’re choosing to abandon hope and walk away from the joy God is placing before us. I’m determined to choose joy.

Finding joy when everything is falling apart feels impossible, but nothing is impossible for our God. We can ask Him to be with us and to bring us joy, and He will do it.

Celebrate Our Savior’s Birth at Timothy

Dec. 18—“A Song Is in the Air” Combined Adult Choirs 10am service at Wyatt Auditorium
Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Services 4pm at Wyatt Auditorium; 5:30pm, 7:30pm, & 9pm (with Holy Communion) at RD Mize (Holy Communion at 9pm service only)
Dec. 25—Christmas Day Service (With Holy Communion) 10am at RD Mize only. NOTE: No other Sunday services on Dec. 25 at either campus

Middle School Youth Celebrate Christmas

Christmas Chaos went down last Saturday, December 10^th, in the Family Life Center at RD Mize. Fifteen middle schoolers gathered to make gingerbread houses, have an indoor snowball fight, and chat about Jesus being the light into our darkness. It was a great night as we get closer to Christmas.

The Gift of the Magi

On Sunday, January 8^th, Timothy will once again observe First Fruits Sunday. In the Old Testament, the practice of offering the first portion of a harvest (the first fruits) to God was a way of not only thanking Him for the blessings of that harvest but also a way of expressing trust that God would continue to provide for His people. That is why we offer our first fruits to God. It is a special offering above and beyond what we normally give.

In 2023, Timothy’s leadership set a First Fruits goal of $110,000. For each of the next three years, the first $12,000 of First Fruits contributions will be designated for expenses related to Timothy’s youth attending the 2025 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The remaining contributions will contribute to funding Timothy’s other ministries as supported by operations.

Please prayerfully consider supporting Timothy’s First Fruits in 2023 to once again support Timothy’s mission of transforming lives through Christ. Contributions may be placed in pew envelopes or regular envelopes clearly marked “2023 First Fruits” or offered online on Timothy’s website under the Give tab. Thank you very much!

MOScholars: A Unique Opportunity

Taxpayers to the state of Missouri—both individuals and businesses—now have the unique opportunity to direct up to 50% of their state taxes to Lutheran Education. This summer, the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office launched a new tax program called MOScholars. The program allows organizations like the Missouri District to convert these tax dollars into scholarships for qualifying students attending LCMO schools throughout the state.

Different than a charitable donation, taxpayers participating in MOScholars are simply agreeing to prepay a portion of their state taxes so that funds may be used for Lutheran education. Reserving these tax credits is easy and can be completed online in a matter of minutes. The Missouri District website contains even more information on MOScholars, as well as the links to get the process started. Leah Sieveking at the District office can be reahed at 314.590.0211 or leah.sieveking@mo.lcms.org with questions. Timothy members may also contact TLS School Board President Christy Yager (voort04@hotmail.com or 816.820.4730) with questions. The deadline for helping these students this school year is December 31, making now the time for taxpayers to participate in MOScholars.

Calling All Ladies: A Night of Laughter

All women are invited to join in fellowship on Thursday, Jan. 12, beginning at 6pm in the Family Life Center at RD Mize, by the Women of Timothy Bible Study. A light meal will be available, followed by a DVD of comedienne Chonda Ruth Pierce, often billed as “the Queen of Clean.” The evening will conclude with some intentional discussion. Feel free to invite everyone for this fun night. Childcare available upon request. RSVP not required but helpful by signing up on church app (Events), church website (Events), or by calling church office (816.228.5300).

2022 First Fruits contributions total $103,145.59, as of Dec. 11^th. Thank you!
Raise the Roof contributions total $27,600.00, as of Dec. 11^th. Thank you!

Special Request for Winter Necessities Timothy has learned of a special need connected with Messiah Lutheran in Independence. A community of Congolese immigrants worships at Messiah, many of whom are not accustomed to Midwest winters. If you have coats, sweatshirts, sweatpants, long underwear, gloves, shoes, socks, any type of warm clothing to donate, please contact Esther at 816.254.9405, 9am-2:30pm M-Th.  You may also drop off items at Timothy’s RD Mize Campus, Room 402b. Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunity Are you as an individual or as a family looking for a volunteer opportunity at Timothy in the new year? The Sunday Morning Donut Ministry at RD Mize needs someone once a month. Responsibilities are picking up donuts at HyVee, setting up coffee no later than 8:15am, and cleaning afterwards. The normal time frame commitment is 7:45-11am. Attending worship at 9am is definitely do-able. Please contact Viv Bradshaw (vivbradshaw@aol.com) or Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) with additional questions. Thank you!

Announcements for Church Events Effective January 1^st, approved spoken worship announcements and slides will be submitted on Timothy’s website under the Events tab. Click on the Announcements for Church Events box to complete the announcement form and upload an accompanying slide, if any. Deadline to submit is 10 days prior to the requested Sunday’s date. Submitting information for the weekly Timothy Connects newsletter may continue to be emailed to Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com). Deadline for Timothy Connects is Thursday 6am each week. Thank you!

LWML Nuts & Candy Sale Thank you, Timothy, for your support of this annual fundraiser. This year’s proceeds total $1,118.18 and will be disbursed as 10% to missions ($118.18), 45% to Timothy’s Youth Mission Trip next summer ($531.82), and 45% to Immanuel Lutheran (KC) Food Pantry ($531.82). Thanks to Timothy’s LWML for offering and implementing this opportunity each year.

Annual Voters’ Assembly Meeting A recording of this meeting may be accessed on Timothy’s website under the Events tab. The various handouts for this meeting are also available online under Church tab (Manuals, Reports, & Positions).

Holiday Office Schedule Last day of school at TLS is Dec. 20. TLS office will be closed from Dec. 21-Jan.
3. Classes resume Jan. 4. RD Mize office will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 as well as Dec. 31-Jan. 2.

Installation of Elected Lay Leaders Sun., Jan. 8, either worship service

Save the Date Movie Night:  War Room, Fri., Jan. 27, 7pm, Wyatt Auditorium; free admission, popcorn & water provided; sponsored by GIVE Commission

Wednesday Evening Education Classes resume on Jan. 4, 2023.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “Jesus—The Fulfillment of the Law”; 10-11am, 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, led by Roxanne Kerwood; no class on Dec. 19

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Messy People (Imperfect Biblical Heroes)”; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “The Book of Acts”; 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; no class on Dec. 20 or 27; resumes Jan. 3

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) book study; 6:30-8pm; Room 109, RD Mize; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky for current book

Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) 9-10am, Wyatt 4 G’s; led by Kaye Gray