Who loves waiting for something to happen that is out of your control? Answer: Not me.

God designed the Fruit of the Spirit as a complete set of what the Holy Spirit grows in our lives. I’d like to cherry pick the fruits I want, like love, joy, or kindness, off the Fruit of the Spirit tree and leave patience hanging for someone else.

I don’t enjoy being impatient. I want to pray, “God, take as long as You’d like.” However, once I say “Amen,” I usually expect God to deliver an answer via Amazon Prime in two days or less, preferably overnight shipping.

“But those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings like eagles; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.” Isaiah 40:31
This journey of patience is often where we can have the most impact in our Christian lives. If God instantly gave us what we wanted, we might not stop to look around at what other people need.

God knows that our waiting is hard, but don’t jump ahead just because we’re tired of waiting. Perhaps our prayer today could be: “God, while I’m waiting, please use me to make a difference. Work through me, God, for Your glory and my good. Amen.”

Come join the choir, we need some new voices to join our choir family! It’s a great hour of fellowship, laughter, prayer and SINGING! We have a great time working toward a common goal to enhance worship for everyone.

You are invited to join us in choir. Sanctuary Choir will begin on Wednesday, September 6th from 7:00-8:00 in the sanctuary at R.D. Mize. The Contemporary Choir will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 pm at Wyatt Auditorium. Hope you can be a part of this exciting ministry.

Contact Miriam Lindemann (816.805.7232) or Sandy Sauter (816.550.5450) with questions.

A new sermon series following the five questions of Joining Jesus will start on Sept. 10th. To stay intentional and consistent with a mission lifestyle, we also need a little help from our friends during the week. While we support each other by doing “Take-10” during family meals, in existing church groups, or with Jesus-following friends in our neighborhoods, workplaces, or schools, we also invite you to get together and intentionally experience Take-10 together from Tuesday, Sept.12 through Tuesday, Oct. 17.

In our gatherings on these Tuesday evenings, we will together discuss the Five Questions for reflection and conversation about how life on mission with Jesus is going and where it can lead the conversations, encouragement, insight, accountability, and practice we need to further develop our skills for Joining Jesus in everyday life.

Mark your calendars and plan to gather TOGETHER for this six-week opportunity as we encourage one another. You can contact Pastor Rod with any questions at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com

Thanks to all who have volunteered for one or more shifts for this year’s Timmy Burger fundraiser! So far, 235 shifts toward a goal of 300 are filled, so only 65 more to fill! There are still openings for all tasks, including setting up the booth on Thursday evening, Sept. 14, and tearing down the booth late Sunday afternoon, Sept. 17. Encourage a friend to work alongside you! Volunteers earn a coupon for a free Timmy burger for each shift worked. Proceeds are designated for a tithe and non-budgeted facility needs.
Click Here to sign up for your preference of jobs & times.  Thank you!

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23′:1

As I watch the devastation of the fires in Maui, I see people searching to fill their daily needs. It fills my prayer life, and I praise God for the wealth He has given me.

As Christians, we have everything we need within our reach. Not wealth or social status, not perfect relationships or dream job.  But everything our soul needs is available right here, right now — in Jesus.

Read Psalm 23 and note the words that express our deepest needs today.

Rest; Strength;  Guidance; God’s presence; Protection; Comfort
Blessings; Goodness; Unfailing love; Living with Jesus forever

All of that and more is available to us when we choose to live life with Jesus, our Good Shepherd. God delights in giving His children all that they need. You are His child. Ask Him. He’s listening.

God is moving quickly! The meeting last Friday between Harvest Baptist Church and the party interested in purchasing its property was positive. That party consulted its governing body on Monday and confirmed on Tuesday of this week that the sale is favorable to both organizations. Harvest will contact a real estate attorney to write a contract offer to purchase the RD Mize Campus, the amount of necessary time for which is unknown as of now. The congregation will be updated as further developments occur. Please continue to keep this process in your prayers!

The congregation is invited to stop by the “Free” table in the Rd Mize lobby to “shop” for new items. Thank you!

Yesterday (Aug. 17), Property Board Chair Louie Wilbers and Gary Flandermeyer met with the City of Blue Springs planning and other related city departments to discuss Timothy’s ideas about the storage building at Wyatt. They report this was a good meeting with favorable feedback about the project. Timothy’s next steps include submitting a site admin plan and permit application for their review. Preliminary renderings are included here, with more details available soon. Please keep this part of the Next Generation process in your prayers as well. Your contributions to fund this project are appreciated, payable to Timothy and designated as “Raise the Roof,” whether by check or on Timothy’s website (click on Give, then Fund). Thank you very much!

All Timothy ladies and friends are invited to share Christ’s love by meeting new friends, reacquainting with “old” friends, and just having fun at several events planned during the next few months. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!

• A Women’s Book Club meets monthly (except June, July, August & December) on the third Thursday, 6:30pm, at various locations. The upcoming Sept. 21^st gathering will be at Novel Place, 1001 SW Highway 7 (just west of Price Chopper South), in a community room. Contact Barb Kalbfleisch (816.807.7575) for more info and to join the group.
• Gathering at Stonehaus Winery, 24607 NE Colbern Rd, LSMO, is always a favorite! Our next evening there will be Thursday, Sept. 28, starting at 5:30pm, relaxing in one of their outdoor areas. Snacks will be available. Contact Diane Mayfield (816.228.5300 Ext. 8040) with questions.
• Our annual prayer emphasis near the start of Advent will be “A Prayer Evening” as it was last year. On Friday, Dec. 1, at 6pm, we’ll gather in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy soups, sandwiches, and Christmas cookies. Guest speaker will be Jennifer Huecker, who will share thoughts based on the books When God Winks and Holy Moments: A Handbook for the Rest of Your Life.” More details soon.

The new school year is fast approaching! We praise God for all students, teachers, and thyeir families and pray all experience a blessed year.

Teacher Dedication Sunday will be THIS SUNDAY, August 20th, during the RD Mize service for all TLS teachers and all teachers everywhere. Thank you for supporting our students’ teachers!

ON Sunday, August 27th, during both services, students of all ages and grades are invited to participate in Timothy’s annual Backpack Blessing, so bring your backpacks and receive a small gift. In addition, after the Wyatt service, worshipers and their friends are invited outside to share a brief blessing and prayer over the second trailer and tours of both trailers, if desired. TLS students will be available as tour guides.

The Gather commission will provide a photo both in the lobby at each campus for families to take photos as the celebrate the start of a new school year. Bring your phones/cameras!

Volunteer Opportunity  Blue Springs School District is seeking adult volunteers for its Difference Makers program, one-on-one reading to elementary students needing extra support in reading and building relationships; once weekly for an hour from Oct. 1-May 12. If interested, contact Linda Cox (816.898.3608) with questions or to sign up.

Donations Requested: Clean plastic bags and reusable cloth or plastic bags, if available, are appreciated for the staff at Lutheran Urban Mission Agency Auxiliary(LUMAA) to package food for its clients. Please place donations in clear tub in RD Mize mailbox area. Thank you very much!

Food Donations during the month of August will be delivered to Jesu El Buen Pastor (The Lutheran Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd) in Kansas City.  Always needed are cereal, canned meat, pasta, sugar, vegetable oil, cake mix, brownie mix, and canned fruit.  Paper products and hygiene products are also appreciated.  All items may be placed in the grocery cart in the lobby at either campus.  Thank you for thinking of those who are less fortunate.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Book of Acts—The Birth of Christianity”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell. Will resume Sept 10th

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

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

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

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “1st and 2nd Samuel”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; resumes Sept 5; led by Jon Kraft.

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) Book study; 6:30-8pm; Meeting offsite in summer. Led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky for current book

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

Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study: (2nd and 4th Saturdays) “The book of 1 Peter| Life by God’s Word”; 8am-9am, RD Mize,  Fellowship Hall

When I went away to college, I truly began to be open to what God was doing in my life. Being raised in a church with my father as my pastor, I knew the right answers, but there came a point when those answers moved from my head to my heart, and I began listening to where God was leading my path. I just knew that God could and would do amazing things because I was listening to Him. But I’m going to be honest – that’s not what happened.

Over the years I learned to diminish my dreams because what if they didn’t come true? If you’re like me, you might have stopped saying, “What if….”  But God puts a path in front of us, and our goal is to not be distracted by everything that wants to divert our attention or change our course.

Proverbs 4:25-27 says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

Here’s what you need to know about learning to say “What if…”:

It’s okay to start our “What if…” small. “What if…” questions can feel overwhelming. So don’t start by asking a big “What If..”; Try a smaller one. And it’s okay to dream about something big. Start dreaming those dreams and making those small decisions. Buy the book. Take the class. Talk with your spouse, parent, sibling, or best friend.

We can look for ways to make our lives bigger. To trust God more. We don’t have to downsize who we are. Because God has bigger things in store for us.

Timothy’s Property Board has scheduled a work day to clear the clear the ditch near Highway 7 at the Wyatt Campus for Saturday, August 26, from 8-11am.  Many hands make less work! Please contact Louie Wilbers (816.988.6059) to offer your assistance. It is very much appreciated! Thank you!

Free concert…..Ice Cream Social to follow

Buell Stewart (left) is a regular at the fitness center at Vesper Hall.
He and 3 other musicians enjoy providing favorite traditional Southern Gospel music to groups in the area.  The quartet has a wonderful blend of voice and instruments with years of experience behind their presentation.

COME AND ENJOY!  INVITE A FRIEND!

 Serious discussions with Harvest Baptist Church are progressing for the sale of the RD Mize Campus. Within a few days, they will receive the appraisal of their current facility at 901 NW 19^th Street (across the street from Blue Springs High School), at which time they plan to continue discussions with a potential buyer for their property.  Leadership at both Timothy and Harvest Baptist are committed to an efficient purchase process with minimal, if any, assistance from a commercial realtor, beyond the use of an attorney to prepare and review the contract. At the same time, Timothy’s leadership and Real Estate Task Force interviewed four commercial realtors, knowing that process may be necessary if the sale to HBC outside the realm of a commercial realtor does not materialize. Task Force Chair Bill Ekey will present a report to the Executive Board at its meeting on Monday, August 7, seeking approval to work with one of the real estate companies outside the parameters of negotiating with HBC. All the real estate companies understand that negotiations with HBC are separate from their possible association with Timothy. The congregation will be updated as additional details transpire. Please keep this process in your prayers.

Timothy’s LWML thanks the congregation for its tremendous support of the impromptu sale of many nice decorations and LWML clothing last Sunday in the RD Mize lobby. Over $400 was collected as free-will donations for those items, which will support the LWML MO District and International mission grants. Thank you!

This Sunday, worshipers will find additional items from Timothy’s various storage areas on the “Free—Help Yourself” table in the RD Mize lobby.

Timothy’s Stewardship Team has scheduled the second educational session, as, part of the year-long series of relevant financial topics for Timothy members and their guests, for Sunday, August 13th, 11:15am, in the Music Room at Wyatt. A light lunch will be served, and childcare will be available if requested. Please register your attendance for lunch and childcare planning purposes by Monday, August 7th on the Timothy app, Timothy website (www.timothylutheran.com Click on Events) or calling the church office (816.228.5300). 

The topics for this session are “Charitable Remainder Trusts” (another option for making charitable donations) and “The Role of the Executor.” Guest speaker Bunk Farrington from the law firm Humphrey, Farrington, & McClain in Independence will share an informal, hour-long overview of these topics, allowing plenty of time for questions and discussion. As a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Councils (ACTEC), Bunk will gear his presentation to adults of all ages and at all stages of the trust and estate planning process, either for themselves or for loved ones.

Following the presentation by Bunk Farrington, Timothy Stewardship Team member Mel Falk will share a repeat session on Tax-Advantaged Giving, which he presented on May 21st, for anyone who missed the first session.

For questions or additional information, feel free to contact any of the Stewardship Team members (Dave Domsch, Joe Sauter, Mel Falk, Gary Flandermeyer, Doug Spilker, and Doug Hick).

Show us your faithful love, Lord, and give us your salvation. Psalm 85:7

Looking in the mirror is hard. It’s hard when my jeans are tight or my face is broken out, and it’s hard when my sinful nature is shining brightly through the wrinkles. It’s hard when I see the expectations I place on the people I love and when I realize how far short my love falls from the love our Father gives us so freely.

When we read Psalm 85 in full, the author begs God for forgiveness, for another chance. He’s remembering all the times God has forgiven His people completely, and he’s believing that God will do it once again.

God promises that He will, and our God is faithful. He will forgive us every time, and no matter what, He will love us with unfailing love. God never shakes His head at us and shouts in exasperation, “How many times have I told you?” and He never, ever says, “I’m done.” Thank You, God, for Your faithful love. Teach us to love faithfully, too.

This is the last weekend to donate to the CSL School Supplies Drive.
The following supplies will be collected through July 23 by dropping off in bins at both campuses:.

Calculator TI 30x IIS Solar
Glue Sticks
Large Backpack                Kleenex
Blue or Black Pens                                        Notebook Paper—Wide Lined
Classic Markers                                             Pencil Bag with Zipper
Colored Pencils                                              Pencils
Composition Notebooks                                 Post-it Notes
Crayola Crayons – Box of 24                          Red Pens
Dry Erase Markers                                         Sharpies
Earbuds                                                         Spiral Notebooks – Single Subject, Wide Line
Folders with Prongs                                       2 ½ -3 inch Zipper Notebook Binders

The 2023 service projects were certainly well-supported! The kids, their families, and all the volunteers were again amazing with generosity!

Camp Barnabas, a summer camp in SW Missouri for individuals with special needs, will receive a total of $2,183,36!! The kids really got pumped up with the “competition” of whether the boys or girls could donate the most money. Congrats to the females this year who came out on top!

The second service project benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities in the form of essentials such as pantry items, cleaning supplies, and paper products. A  total of 11 large, heavy boxes were filled by the end of the week. The picture above shows only a portion of the total products collected. Thanks to everyone for your support!

Do you like gospel music? Want to hear a quartet share their talents with us? Then take advantage of an hour of traditional Southern Gospel music on Sunday, August 20th, at 3:30pm in the RD Mize sanctuary! The quartet, recommended by Pastor Lieb, is comprised of mostly retired gentlemen, two of whom also play bass and lead guitar. They will gladly accept requests to fit in with their prepared musical selections. The event is free, but a love offering for them will be available. AND THEN . . . everyone is welcome to gather in the Family Life Center for an ice cream social!

This is a great opportunity to join Jesus on His mission with friends and neighbors. Take time to relax and appreciate some unhurried time surrounded by friends and music. Be open to how the Holy Spirit will open ways to transform lives through Christ.

TLS is excited to bring back a volunteer opportunity to you! The second year of the Book Buddies Literacy Program will begin soon. This is a program that connects volunteers as a literacy partner to TLS students for the upcoming school year. If you love to help children succeed and have an hour to share each week, this is the perfect opportunity for you! This program was well-received by students and teachers last year.

Literacy training sessions will be provided, so a background in education is not required. Volunteers will receive all materials and instructions about reading materials as well as literacy games to play with the students.

Please reach out to Mary Beth Self (marybeths@timothylutheran.com) or call the school office (816.228.5300 Ext. 8017) if you are interested in more information about this great opportunity or ready to sign up!

My granddaughter reached a rite of passage this week. She found some scissors, and soon a chunk of hair lay on the floor, much to her momma’s horror. But after a trip to the hair salon, the smile returned as she ran to me and exclaimed, “Grandma, I have BANGS!” She was not just good – she was clearly very good.

In the first few pages of the Bible, God crafts and creates man and woman – carefully and tenderly – and then He stands back, admires His handiwork, and deems them very good. Not just good. Very good. The only thing is most of us don’t agree with Him.

God made us not only good, but very good. The more we come to grasp the love Jesus has for us, the more we see ourselves the way He sees us. I love what it says in Exodus 34 – how when Moses spent time with God, his face became radiant. “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”

We also become radiant when we spend time with Jesus. God made us and then called us good. But not just good – very good. Come and agree with Him. Live radiantly!

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

It’s not too late to register your Pre-K through 5th graders for the 2023 Stellar VBS. Go to Timothy’s website (www.timothylutheran.com) and click on Children & Youth tab, the VBS “Stellar” 2023.

Be sure to stop by VBS next week to take in the Stellar transformation of the RD Mize Campus!

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. ? 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 “VBS Adopt -a-student” ..

Middle School Swim Talks!
VBS week is not just for the littles.  We also will host swim talks for our middle schoolers on Tuesday, July 11th (@ Pastor Rod and Miriam’s) and Thursday, July 13th (@ Brad & Diane Mayfield’s)  from 5:30pm-7pm.  6th-8th graders are welcome to come swim, eat some BBQ/Pizza, and have a chance to spend some time with Jesus. Bring a snack or dessert to share.  Drinks and main meal will be covered.  Contact Pastor Ryan or grab a flyer for addresses!

VBS Party for ALL
Come celebrate the end of a STELLAR week at VBS with us after worship at our Wyatt Campus on Sunday, July 16th.  Our VBS kids will sing at worship, and then we will have an epic FOAM party, music, yard games, Sweet & Savory Delights food truck, and some crazy fun from about 11:30am-1:30pm. ONE AND ALL ARE INVITED!!!!

The Blue Springs Community Services League is once again helping families in our community.
Collecting school supplies is a great way to serve students in need in our community, as many families depend on us to help them prepare their students return to school. Your support will help ensure students have a successful start this year. The following supplies will be collected through July 23 by dropping off in bins at both campuses:.

Calculator TI 30x IIS Solar                             Glue Sticks
Large Backpack                                             Kleenex
Blue or Black Pens                                        Notebook Paper—Wide Lined
Classic Markers                                             Pencil Bag with Zipper
Colored Pencils                                              Pencils
Composition Notebooks                                 Post-it Notes
Crayola Crayons – Box of 24                          Red Pens
Dry Erase Markers                                         Sharpies
Earbuds                                                         Spiral Notebooks – Single Subject, Wide Line
Folders with Prongs                                       2 ½ -3 inch Zipper Notebook Binders

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 Care Coordinator, Sandy Gregory, shares the following story with the congregation. Enjoy!

“I love the innocence of children and their ability to make us laugh even when we feel sad. After I had to have my old dog, Ruger, put to sleep, I called my youngest son, Cameron, to ask if I could bury Ruger on his property. He agreed, and as we started digging the hole, my five-year-old grandson, Axl, asked a lot of questions. “Do his ears still work?” “When I come to your house, will he be there?” His last question caused me to giggle: “Will he get married?” I was surprised by this question but simply replied, “No, I don’t think dogs get married.” As we continued digging into the hard ground, Cameron asked Axl to tell me what he knows about Jesus. Axl proudly said, “Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He was married and in 3 days, he rose again!”