As we wait for Jesus to return, we live expectantly, keeping His promised return centered in our minds. As we wait for Jesus to return, we live responsibly, using what God has entrusted to us to serve Him. But we can’t lose track of one last “how.” While we wait for Jesus, we live compassionately. We reflect His love for others into the lives of those we know, treating them as if they were Jesus Himself.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite days of the year because it brings together people I love, spectacular food, and a tradition rooted in gratitude. But, this year, the world feels a bit unsettling. Trials and tribulations don’t respect when it’s time to celebrate a holiday. When life brings big and hard things, all that demand our attention, we tend to take our eyes off God and focus on the circumstances around us. Then we sink just like Peter did when he took his eyes off Jesus.

So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him… Matthew 14:29b-31a When Peter’s focus shifted from Jesus to his circumstances, he sank. But Jesus was right there to rescue him. What a relief that He does the same thing for you and me!

Struggling to be thankful is normal for most of us at some point in our lives. But because of Jesus and what He’s done for us, we have the tools to overcome this challenge. By remembering God’s unchanging character, His past faithfulness, and our eternal inheritance in Christ, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude. In doing so, we not only honor God but can also find peace, joy, and strength to navigate life’s difficulties with heartfelt thankfulness. And not just the week of Thanksgiving.

Tonight is Timothy’s special Thanksgiving Eve service at 6pm in the Rd Mize sanctuary. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Tonight’s offering is designated for Timothy’s Emergency Assistance Fund. God’s blessings as you prepare for Thanksgiving celebrations with your family and as well as with your Timothy family and friends.

As part of your preparation for celebrating the birth of the Christ Child, make plans to join your Timothy family at this year’s Advent Services. The services on Wednesday, Nov. 29,  and Wednesday, Dec. 6 will be in the sanctuary at 6pm. The Dec. 13 Advent service will be in the Wyatt Auditorium at 6:30pm in conjunction with the TLS Kindergarten-8th grade Christmas program.

Tonight is your first opportunity to select gift tags from Timothy’s Giving Trees in the lobbies for the annual Journey to the Manger ministry, which will occur on Sunday, Dec. 10. This year, we will support families as identified by Community Services League, Hillcrest Transitional Housing, and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in KC. The tags may be selected until Dec. 9, with all gifts, with tag attached, returned on December 10^th during either worship service. Please check your gift tag to determine if the gift should be wrapped or unwrapped. Please note that there will be no inventory list identifying donor’s name with a certain gift tag.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”  1 Peter 1:3

Giving Tuesday 2023 falls on November 28^th. It is a wonderful opportunity to join others across our nation in giving hope through financial donations. You can provide real hope by making a special #Giving Tuesday donation to Timothy to support its mission of Transforming Lives through Christ. Timothy has been sharing the hope we have in Jesus throughout the community for over 60 years. We are thankful and praise God for all the prayers and support given through our congregation.

Would you prayerfully consider giving a special #Giving Tuesday donation to help us continue sharing the HOPE we have in Jesus while meeting our budgetary needs? The need is real, and we trust that God will provide through our brothers and sisters in Christ. Please watch for email on November 27^th and help Timothy continue to share HOPE. Thank you for your support!

All Timothy ladies and their friends are invited to the annual Women of Hope “A Prayer Evening” on Friday, December 1, from 6-8pm in the Fellowship Hall at RD Mize.

We welcome guest speaker Jennifer Huecker who will share insights and reflections associated with two books, Holy Moments and God Winks. A member of Zion Lutheran in Lone Elm, MO, Jennifer is an active member in LWML where she has served many faith-filled women as MO District LWML President, LWML Vice-President of Christian Life, and preparer of many Bible studies, conferences, and conventions. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2014 and recently completed chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation for breast cancer, she has been blessed with the outpouring of God’s love through so many sisters and brothers in Christ.

Ladies will enjoy broccoli cheese soup, vegetable soup, pinwheels, and Christmas sugar cookies. Please RSVP by Nov. 22 by calling church office (816.228.5300), or clicking this link (https://timothylutheran.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/27283b98-56e1-41e4-b624-09a4ba79d332) to help organizers in planning.

Apple of His Eye (Jews sharing the good news of Jesus)	1,078.00
Community Services League (Eastern Jackson County)	4,111.00
Heit’s Point (Lutheran camp at Lake of Ozarks)	2,258.00
Hillcrest Ministry (Timothy’s Transitional Housing apt.)	5,392.00
ongong Hong Kong Missionary (Carol Halter)	2,157.00
Kansas City Lutheran High School	6,471.00
LAMP Ministry (Lutheran Assoc.of Missionaries & Pilots in remote areas of Canada)	2,157.00
Lutheran Bible Translators	2,157.00
LUMA ministry (Lutheran Urban Missionary Agency)	3,235.00
Lutherans for Life	1,078.00
Taiwan Missionary (Barb Rebentisch)	3,235.00
LCMS MO District (supporting national & international missions)	32,962.00
Mother’s Refuge (shelter/education homeless, pregnant young women)	3,235.00
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (KC inner city)	5,392.00
POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach, an international society reaching out to Muslims & other ethnicities)	1,078.00
Resource Health (supporting pregnant teens & young women)	3,235.00
Shepherd of the Hills (Haiti—vocational training for women to share skills & faith in Jesus to villagers)	2,157.00
St. Paul Lutheran High School—Concordia, Mo	2,931.00

Timothy is blessed and humbled to be a recipient of a portion of a former member’s estate.
Barton Prather worshiped regularly at Timothy prior to 2018 when he moved to Camdenton,
MO, to be nearer to family as his health declined. After Bart’s passing this past April, his
nephew notified Timothy that Mr. Prather’s estate planning included a significant distribution to Timothy.

Some members recall that this extremely generous man was very pleasant and upbeat,
always sat in first pew in front of pulpit, and typically walked a mile a minute! His nephew
shared that Bart considered Timothy a very special place to hear God’s Word and form positive relationships. We give thanks to God for the transformational work through Christ which impacted Mr. Prather so much at Timothy.

To date, Timothy has received $200,000 from Mr. Prather’s estate, with additional funds
anticipated before the end of December. The Executive Board is discussing how best to use
this special gift that will both glorify the Lord and continue the transformational efforts evident
in Bart’s life. The total amount received will be shared with the congregation once the
estate is finalized.

Timothy’s GATHER Commission encourages you to consider the many ways in which God blesses you, your family, and your friends. At either campus during November, feel free to stop by the interactive Grateful backdrop in the lobby and grab a leaf to write something you are thankful for. Then hang it up on the backdrop! The backdrops will be displayed through Thanksgiving. Thanks!

Please plan to attend the second Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 3^rd, at 11:30am in the Wyatt Auditorium to hear the latest updates since the first Town Hall. Questions are still encouraged and can be directed to the same link on Timothy’s website by clicking on Church, then Next Generation, or by clicking here The meeting will be recorded and placed on church website on Monday, Dec 4th.

Leadership is seeking individuals with knowledge and expertise regarding flooring options for the Wyatt stage. Please contact Louie Wilbers (816.988.6059). Thanks!

Worshipers who mail correspondence or contributions to the RD Mize address should send to Wyatt address, effective January 1, 2024. That address is 301 E Wyatt Road, BSMO 64014. Please also contact any financial institutions asap who may regularly mail in your contributions. Thank you!

Closing with Harvest Baptist Church is scheduled to occur between Jan. 4-12.

Food Donations November As has been a tradition for quite some years, Timothy can help provide food for a holiday meal for recipients  at Jesu El Buen Pastor (The Lutheran Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd) in Kansas City.  Brown grocery sacks with attached food list are available in the grocery cart in the lobby at each site.  Filled sacks can be returned on any Sunday in November.  THANK YOU for sharing with those in need.

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

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

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

Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle; 9-11 am, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

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

Wednesday Night Sr High; Youth Room(506); 6:30-8 pm; Confirmation; 6:30 -8 pm; Room 501
Note: No classes on Nov.22.

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) Book study; 6:30-8pm; Youth room (506), led by Miriam Lindemann

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