There are so many preparations that go into Christmas.  But we seem to spend far more time preparing for the festivities than for the work of God. So on this Christmas Eve morning, we will spend some time preparing to celebrate the unexpected work of God at Christmas and beyond. Come and worship.

It’s Christmas! How is that strength holding out? With the challenges of balancing life, looking expectantly toward a time off, but having to prepare for that, too. Then the craziness of baking, wrapping, cleaning, planning… When I feel delirious from over commitment I think to myself, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 ), and His Spirit reminds me of what I needed — joy and strength, in that order.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” is written by a guy building a wall, doing backbreaking work to secure his people from the enemy. God’s truth revealed to the people their true selves and their sin, and that they couldn’t rely on themselves, but the grace of God was more than enough. That called for joy.

True joy can only come from the Lord. It’s of Him. In turn, we are strengthened. We can have joy because we have Jesus. Joy is a miracle. Only the Holy Spirit can create it. Let us not grow weary or lose heart. The joy of the Lord truly can give us the strength we need to continue no matter the situation, not only fueling us to continue but allowing us to receive the true joy, peace, and hope our souls so desperately long for. To God be the glory in the beauty and the suffering.

Hope to see you at worship;
Christmas Eve Day 10 am (RD Mize only) with Holy Communion
Christmas Eve  4pm (Wyatt), – Will be live-streamed
                            5:30 pm (RD Mize)
                            7:30 pm (RD Mize)
                            9 pm Candlelight with Holy Communion (RD Mize)

Christmas Day 10am (RD Mize) with Holy Communion

*** Volunteers to pack Bibles and hymnals from the sanctuary pew racks on Tuesday, January 2, would be appreciated. Please call church office if you can help. Thank you! **

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. USPS will forward RD Mize – addressed mail to Wyatt address beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

There is a need to store the Festival Committee freezer truck in covered storage until the new storage building is constructed. If you can help, please contact Louie Wilbers (816.988.6059).

Additional moving will occur during Christmas week (Dec. 26-29) for last-minute items. Leadership understands the timing of this is precarious with family celebrations and unknown weather conditions. If you can offer some hours anytime that week, please call the church office with your availability.

The congregation is urged to attend the Annual Voters’ Assembly Meeting on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 11:45 am in the Auditorium. A minimum of 40 congregants is required to conduct business.

The agenda includes the following: proposed slate of lay leaders (click here for slate); 2024 proposed operating budget; extending call to Ken Holland as LCMS-rostered principal of TLS; and 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.  A review and update about consolidation efforts will also be included.

Please plan to attend! Thank you!

The congregation is invited to again stop by the tables in either lobby this Sunday to visit with Elders about the transition to one campus. This is also another chance to learn more about volunteer opportunities to help with this transition. Have you ever thought about serving as an usher either as an individual or a family? Perhaps as a worship assistant on Sunday to serve alongside the pastor, or maybe a front-desk volunteer during the weekdays? You may go to Timothy’s app or website to click on Volunteer or click on this link.
The Elders have scheduled a training session for all current and new worship assistants and ushers wishing to serve in either service moving forward on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 6:30pm in the Auditorium. Attendance is strongly encouraged to learn procedures that will impact both services, such as distribution of Holy Communion, collecting offering & attendance cards, and welcoming people to worship.

Have you ever desired to assist victims of national disasters, such as the recent tornadoes in Tennessee? Are you willing to go to such areas but feel ill-equipped? On Saturday, Jan. 27, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit will host a Disaster Response Training workshop from LERT (Lutheran Emergency Responsive Teams) from 9am-3pm. LERT teams respond to local and national disasters. Once training is completed, you’ll be FEMA-badged and certified to serve in any community hit by a disaster in the United States. Please understand that serving doesn’t mean you are necessarily relegated to manual labor. A portion of the training will identify other ways to serve on the teams. LERT also provides numerous opportunities to serve your neighborhood in need during non-disaster times as well, such a building wheelchair ramps, updating homes for more accessible bathrooms, and much more. If interested in learning more, please visit https://www.lcms-lert.org/need/detail/?need id=869609. Please register by January 10, 2024, if possible. Questions can be directed to Tom Keel (816.213.5665 or twk500@gmail.com).

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Gospel of Luke”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell; No class Dec.24 or December 31; Resumes January 7, Library 9am

Monday Evening Adult Bible Study (1st & 3rd Mondays) 6:30pm fellowship; 7pm study; Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood; Next class Jan 15, Music Room

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “The Gospel of Mark”, 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room (302); led by various men; No class December 26; Resume January 2nd, 4G’s

Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle; 9-11 am, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies; No class December 26 or January 2; Resumes January 9 at Pointe of Hope

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “Book of Jonah”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John; No class December 26, January 2, or January 9; Resumes January 16 at Pointe of Hope

Wednesday Night Sr High; Youth Room(506); 6:30-8 pm; Confirmation; 6:30 -8 pm; Room 501; No class December 20, December 27; Classes resume January 10

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) Book study; 6:30-8pm; Youth room (506), led by Miriam Lindemann; No class Dec 21 or 28; Resumes January 4, Conference Room

Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1st & 3rd Saturdays) 9-10am, 4 G’s Wyatt; led by Kaye Gray; Next class January 6, 4 G’s