Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

God’s goodness isn’t something we are meant to simply acknowledge intellectually or believe theologically. Rather, God wants us to actively experience His goodness. “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” the psalmist encourages. It’s a call to engage our most human senses in order to recognize and enjoy our divine Creator.

As summer is upon us, look for opportunities to taste and see that which reflects God’s goodness. Savor a cold glass of homemade lemonade or bite into a juicy piece of watermelon. Enjoy watching red tomatoes grow in the garden or the summer sunset along the horizon with streaks of gold, pink, and dusty violet.

Let everything we taste and see become a reminder to turn in thanks to the Giver of all good things. Let His goodness compel us to seek refuge in Him.

Vacation Bible School | July 10-14, 2023
Time & Location | 8:45am – 12pm | RD Mize Campus

Volunteering and supporting Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a great way to give back to our community and make a difference in the lives of others. For us at Timothy, it’s Transforming Lives through Christ. It can also be a lot of fun and rewarding.
The hard truth is that we are currently at a critical time and far behind in volunteer sign ups. We truly need you to help us make a difference in the lives of those Jesus brings to Timothy! This year VBS is July 10-14.  We are grateful for all volunteers, both during the week of VBS as well as those who help with all of the preparation.

How can you help? Students will be going through stations with their group leaders: Pilot and Co-pilot.  We will have Bible Adventure time to learn the Bible stories and work on their verse for the day. The pilot and co-pilot are discussion facilitators rather than teachers leading the whole lesson.  A Cinema stop will also be on the rotation, along with games, crafts and snacks – additional opportunities to serve.  Decorations and the opening/closing music group (Cabin Fever) are also wonderful ways to serve, making the whole week an even bigger WOW for everyone.  We thank you for your willingness to help in the way(s) that you feel called.

Here are a few of the ways you can volunteer:
•    Group Leader: Pilot
•    Group Assistant: Co-Pilot
•    Bible Adventure (Storytelling)
•    Snacks
•    Games
•    Crafts
•    Substitute Group Leader, as needed
For more information and a list of opportunities CLICK HERE.

VBS Adopt-A-Student
Adopt-A-Student helps Timothy provide Vacation Bible School free to all students!

Each year we seek loving people to help financially support Children’s Ministry through our VBS Adopt-A-Student program. Did you know that many churches charge students to attend VBS? Your financial gift goes a long way to help Timothy provide a free Vacation Bible School experience to all kids in our community. In the RD Mize and Wyatt lobbies you will find Adopt-A-Student envelopes for your convenience, or you can go online through the Timothy website or app. Your gift is greatly appreciated.
Give on-line by CLICKING HERE. Choose “other” as an option and type VBS.

VBS DONATIONS BOARD & AMAZON WISHLIST
VBS is right around the corner. Help us collect all the items on the donation boards or click the link below from the Amazon Wishlist. Visit the donation board in the church lobbies or CLICK HERE to go on-line to the Amazon Wishlist.

Crossways is coming back! Pastor John will once again lead this two-year journey through the entire Bible on Tuesday nights, starting on Sept. 12^th, from 6:30-8pm at the RD Mize Campus. The class already boasts several enrollees, so please join this group by registering by August 15 on Timothy’s app or website to assist staff in planning. Invite your friends! More information can be found on the church website (https://timothylutheran.com). If you have questions, please contact Pastor John (816.228.5300 Ext. 8041).

It’s time to Join Jesus on His Mission over the upcoming holiday weekend! This year, the revitalized Blue Springs Ministerial Alliance is coordinating events for kids in conjunction with the Red, White, and Blue Springs event on Saturday, July 1st, at Blue Springs South High School. We will share His Mission by hosting a simple, fun fishing game in the “kid zone” that allows kids to win small prizes. Consider signing up for one of two shifts (5:30 – 7:15 pm or 7:15 – 9pm) AND THEN stay for the always-amazing, free fireworks show! To sign up, go to the Events page on Timothy’s website (www.timothylutheran.com) or contact Pastor Ryan (816.228.5300 Ext 8046).

After months of planning, some of Timothy’s youth and their adult counselors spent a productive and fulfilling week transforming lives in Tulsa last week. They returned home last Friday and look forward to personally thanking Timothy and sharing highlights in both worship services this Sunday, June 25th. The youth on this trip included Malinda & Morgan Anderson, Elizabeth & Emily Storck, Marisa Gregory, Molly Hyden, Emily Poynter, Kamryn Gray, Addison Cross, and Kash Cantrell. Adult counselors were Julie & Gary Storck, Kristen Anderson, and Pastor Ryan. Thanks again, Timothy, for your prayerful and financial support of this opportunity to Transform Lives through Christ, not only for the Praying Pelicans ministry in Tulsa but also for Timothy’s missionaries participating in this venture. Praise Be to God!

It’s time to mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2023 Hillcrest House Party Gala & Auction on Saturday, August 26^th, from 6-10pm at the Overland Park Convention Center . It promises to be bigger and better than ever! A great line-up of entertainment and speakers (KC Wolf Dan Meers among them). Next to the opening of its newest transitional housing facility in Eastern Jackson County (Independence Hall), Hillcrest promises this event will be worth celebrating. More details can be accessed at https://hillcrestkc.org/special-events/gala/

Reserve your spot at our Timothy table NOW for just $75 per ticket if purchased through Timothy. To reserve your spot or to ask questions, please contact Sandy Gregory, Care Coordinator, (816.228.5300 Ext. 8042).

Timothy’s commitment to Join Jesus on His Mission through tithing to local, regional, national, and international opportunities is always acknowledged and appreciated. Recently the following updates and thank-you letters were received:

• Barb Rebentisch in Taiwan reports that visits with Haley for over a year have led Haley to accept a Bible and a “lesson plan” in reading it:  Read Genesis and Exodus, then skip over to the New Testament to read the gospels. (Might be a plan for all of us??)  Barb and Haley plan to meet for lunch once or twice a week to discuss what she is reading.
• As a follow-up to Barb’s work, Mission Central also sent a separate letter, thanking Timothy for its support of Barb’s missionary work. Here is a small excerpt from that letter: “Thank you for your gift of May 25, 2023, in the amount of $321.19 for the direct support of your missionary teacher, Barbara Rebentisch in Taiwan. She is truly an amazing lady, and God is using her in a wonderful way because she can speak the Mandarin language. We couldn’t keep her at her calling without God-sending congregations like yours. Please remember to keep Barbara in your altar prayers.”
• St. Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, MO, thanks Timothy for its recent tithe of $321.19 to help fuel their mission:  planting seeds within students to know God’s love and mercy, which is an awesome responsibility to share Christ as they are immersed in campus life.
• In its recent thank-you letter to Timothy for our tithe of $535.31, Hillcrest shared a success story about one of its residents, Lacy, and her two teenage sons who lived at a hotel for almost a year. To survive, Lacy picked up dental assistant jobs all over KCMO until landing a full-time position at KC Smiles. Living in a hotel with no kitchen forced her family to eat fast-food meals. At Hillcrest, she learned about creating meal plans and preparing grocery lists to help stretch her dollars. She soon was able to pay off old utility debts and learn to live within her means. It paid off because she now rents a two-bedroom home in the KC metro area. As a reminder of its mission and gratitude to congregations like Timothy, Hillcrest concluded its letter with, “Hillcrest is honored to have walked with Lacy and her sons on her journey to self-sufficiency. Your support makes this possible. Thank you!”

Thank you, Timothy, for your prayers and financial support for Timothy’s operating budget, without which these tithes are not possible. To God Be All Glory and Praise!

The TLS Summer Care program is well underway! Forty students are registered for various days throughout the week. They are engaged in curricular activities designed to bridge the gap between end of school to the beginning of the new school year. Included in the program are special field trips for students in grades K-4, such as KC Zoo, Fun Run in BS, Extreme Cheer in Oak Grove, and Kauffman Stadum tour. Pre-school students enjoy special days on campus, such as Bike Day, Electronic Day, and Water Day. All students continue to learn about God and getting ready for the next school year. The Summer Care program runs through August 11^th.

The annual Senior Ministry Pairs & Spares Picnic welcomed 40 seniors to enjoy an indoor picnic this past Tuesday in the Family Life Center. Great food, fellowship, and fun!