JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

Sunday 9:00 am, RD Mize Campus
Sunday 10am, Wyatt Campus

Worship info on Timothy’s website
(w ww .timothylutheran.com/worship / )
Live Stream worship on YouTube – Sundays 10am
and
Recorded Worship Services at RD Mize
(www.YouTube.com/TimothyLutheranMinistries)

As We Gather for Worship This Weekend
“Joining Jesus: The Coming Christ Calls Us to Follow“

As God’s amazing work of restoration begins with the coming of Christ, we also know it does not come to completion until He comes again. And there is a lot of work to be done. So God calls and equips people to follow Him in this work. We see this throughout the Christmas season as the Lord uses various people, including John, to “prepare the way.” So how is God calling each of us to follow not just during the holidays but daily?

Devotion: “Seeds at Christmas”

I have enjoyed spending time with a woman who has three small children. I remember those days in the middle of raising a house full of little ones and just trying to survive. Life felt chaotic, but I knew deep in my soul that there was nothing more valuable than knowing God myself and helping my kids to know who He really is and to connect to the heart of God — His character and His power in their lives.

God is working directly in our lives and in the lives of our families. This Christmas season as we spend time with the extended family God has given us, think about sharing our faith when the opportunity arises, no matter how ill prepared we feel. Scripture is full of beautiful examples of God calling and equipping flawed people, from Moses to David to the twelve disciples. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

As we go throughout our holidays, remember: God calls us to plant and water the seeds of our family, but it is He and He alone who grows. So, take the pressure off yourself. God is doing a good work in your lives; just share it and He will use even our smallest seeds!

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve Day Sunday service will be at 10am in sanctuary at RD Mize with Holy Communion. There is no service at Wyatt on Sunday morning, Dec. 24.

Christmas Eve Evening Worship, Sunday, December 24:
Wyatt Rd Campus – 4 pm
RD Mize Road Campus – 5:30 & 7:30 pm
RD Mize Road Campus – 9 pm with Holy Communion

Christmas Day Worship, Monday, December 25:
RD Mize Road Campus – 10 am with Holy Communion

Expected – Pink Tie Sunday

She was expected, but the plan changed. Now she is a memory. Our perfect little Maddy was expected, and now is a memory that we never want to forget. That is why you might see some pink ties on Sunday, December 31st. Pink ties, pink dresses, maybe even pink socks.

We celebrate PINK TIE SUNDAY the last Sunday of the year. It is a way to remember those little ones called to our heavenly home too soon. They were not with us long, but we longed for them, and on Pink Tie Sunday, we remember those little expectations that were with us for only a short time. Join Pink Tie Sunday if you have felt the loss of a little one through miscarriage, still birth or those who were with us for such a short time by wearing pink. Remembering those expected.

Thanks for joining us! -Pastor Rod and Miriam Lindeman

Celebration Service – REMEMBER

The congregation and friends are invited to a special Celebration Service at the RD Mize Campus on Sunday, December 31, at 10am (please note different worship time). As we move into 2024, Timothy will not only look back at the many blessings God has showered on our congregation at this campus in the past but also prayerfully look ahead in anticipation of His many blessings still to come in our next chapter as a church family.

The service will include Holy Communion as well as special musical selections performed by choirs, organ/piano duets, and flute solos. Pastors Lieb and Steensma will assist with scripture readings and Holy Communion.

Following the service, the congregation is invited to gather in the Family Life Center for a light lunch and additional time for fellowship.

Timothy’s contemporary service will occur at normal time (10am) at Wyatt on Dec. 31st. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

LWML Ruth Circle Celebrates Birth of Jesus

Timothy’s Ruth Circle gathered yesterday for its annual Christmas celebration, catered meal, and silent auction. Over $100 was donated for Community Services League, and over $600 was raised from the silent auction to benefit Timothy’s ministries, as determined in the new year. Praise be to God for the opportunity to gather with Christian sisters in Christ!

Another Successful Journey to the Manger

Thanks, Timothy, for your generous support of the Giving Tree and Journey to the Manger ministry. Once again, as the photo shows, the wrapped gifts and various monetary donations are heart-warming and very much appreciated as we Join Jesus on His Mission to transform lives. Thank you!

Generosity Through Charitable Giving

As the year winds down, are you trying to think creatively as a generous charitable donor to move Timothy ministries forward? If you own an IRA, do you still need to meet your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year? Are you considering a year-end contribution to Timothy or other qualified charity? If you do it the smart way, you will save tax dollars and benefit your church.

The IRS allows you to make contributions directly from your IRA to a charity, and that contribution is NOT income to you, if your trustee writes the check directly to the charity. Your trustee knows how to do it correctly—just ask—and get a real tax break. You can make all contributions this way and save even more next year. Thank you for keeping Timothy in your prayers and plans as you consider these tax-saving opportunities!

MO Scholars Promotes Private Education

MO Scholars was established in 2021 by the Missouri General Assembly to provide educational opportunities and resources to Missouri students and families. The program provides options for eligible families to seek an array of alternative educational services ranging from private or Christian schools, like Timothy Lutheran School, to therapeutic services. The law provides state tax credits for contributions to approved, non-profit Educational Assistance Organizations, such as the LCMS MO District, to award scholarships to Missouri students with Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) and students living in low-income households. Parents are encouraged to contact TLS Administrator Ken Holland to learn more about this program.

How can every Timothy member participate in this program? If you pay Missouri income taxes, you are eligible to participate and help low-income parents send their children to TLS. Visit mo.lcms.org/mo-scholars and complete the prompts, selecting “The Missouri District” for the EAO. Mail your confirmation page and check to Missouri District, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63141. Questions? Contact Leah at 314.590.6211 or leah.sieveking@mo.lcms.org. You must send in your contribution within 30 days of applying for Tax Credits. It will be a tax credit on your Missouri state income tax return. Feel free to also direct questions to TLS Administrator Ken Holland (816.228.5300 Ext. 8015), Stewardship Committee Member Mel Falk (816.686.6616) or TLS School Board President Christy Yager (816.820.4730).

Consolidation Update

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.

Leadership is seeking help with flooring options for the Wyatt stage. There is also a need to store the Festival Committee freezer truck in covered storage until the new storage building is constructed. If you can help with either, 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.

Please note that the Annual Voters’ Assembly Meeting will be Sunday, January 14, rather than the 7^th. This will allow worshipers time to fellowship and take in some of the “newness” of two services under one roof again rather than gathering for a church business meeting.

WE ARE CHURCH – Volunteers Are Priceless!

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.

LERT Training

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).

Worship Attendance December 10: RD Mize 217, Wyatt 243
Worship Attendance December 6: RD Mize 64

Dec. 10
Weekly General Contributions: Actual $25,263.17 vs Budgeted $28,868
Weekly First Fruits Contributions: Actual $5,418.95 vs Budgeted $2,075

New address beginning January 2024: 301 East Wyatt Road, Blue Springs, MO 64014

Concordia Music Conservatory in Concordia, MO, is offering lessons in piano, organ, strings, winds, brass, guitar, and voice for all ages & levels of experience; group ensembles for children in guitar, handbells, and choir; and summer day camps for choir & orchestra. All led by highly qualified music instructors. For more info, visit cmc-music.org.

OASIS in 2024 Seeking volunteers to help serve catered meal from 6-6:30pm on January 10, April 9, and May 14. Minimal clean-up. Contact Pastor Ryan (816.228.5300 Ext. 8046) or Clancy Heisel (816.228.5300 Ext. 8047) with questions.

GriefShare Thursdays, 6:30-8 pm, at RD Mize, Fireplace Room.

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!

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

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; 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 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 or 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

Do You Have A Story To Share?

If you have an article or celebration you would like to share with the members of Timothy, please submit it to
Diane Mayfield (click on either) or
Doug Fleck
Please keep your submission between 200-250 words.