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

Worship info on Timothy’s website
(www.timothylutheran.com/worship/ )
Live Stream worship on Facebook – Sundays 10am
(www.facebook.com/timothylutheran)
Recorded Worship Services
(www.YouTube.com/TimothyLutheranMinistries)

As We Gather for Worship This Weekend
 “Christmas Angels”

One of the things that people associate with Christmas are angels, whether it’s the angels who spoke to Mary and Joseph or the angelic host who sang about Christ’s birth. But the reading from Hebrews points us beyond those messengers to the Message itself: Christ, the living Word, becoming one of us in the flesh.

The Birth of Our Savior:  A Meditation

On this last week of Advent, I invite you to take a journey with storyteller Sherri Gragg as she leads us in a meditation of what Christ’s birth might have been like. I pray that your heart will be led to celebrate and worship our humble, miraculous Savior!

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed h8im in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2: 6-7 (NIV)

Mary couldn’t sit still. With great effort, she rose from the low stool in the courtyard where she and the other women were preparing the evening meal. She placed one hand on her lower back and began to pace back and forth. She felt restless, uneasy.

A moment later, Mary gasped as the dull ache in her lower abdomen suddenly intensified. “It’s time,” she said. Joseph leapt to his feet, his face white with alarm. His uncle chuckled, patted him on the shoulder, and sent him off to get the town midwife.

Quickly, the animals were evicted from the stables beneath the main living area. By the time the midwife arrived, Mary was leaning against the cool stone wall of the stables as she waited for the next contraction to pass.

Hours later, in the dark early hours of the morning, Mary gasped for air and cried out in pain from the birthing stool. The next contraction tore through Mary’s body only seconds after the last one subsided. Then, with a cry of agony, she bore down with all of her remaining strength. The pain faded as her baby’s first cry pierced the night. “You have a son!” the midwife announced. Upstairs, Joseph’s ecstatic shout was joined by the joyful celebration of his uncles and cousins.

In the stables below, the midwife tenderly placed the crying baby on His young mother’s chest. Tears flowed down Mary’s face as she bent to kiss her son’s forehead for the first time.

Joseph peeked around the corner of the stables. “Come,” she said. “Come meet your son.” Joseph rushed to Mary’s side and knelt down to wrap an arm around her. Gently, he placed a calloused hand on the baby’s head as he blinked back tears of joy. “Yeshua,” Mary said, as she gazed tenderly into the eyes of her son, now quiet and alert. “Yeshua . . . “

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus (Yeshua), because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Celebrate Our Savior’s Birth at Timothy

Merry Christmas, Timothy! Blessings to all as we celebrate Jesus’ birth!

Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Services 4pm at Wyatt Auditorium; 5:30pm, 7:30pm, & 9pm at RD Mize (Holy Communion at 9pm only)
NOTE:  The 4pm service at Wyatt on Christmas Eve will be live-streamed.
Dec. 25—Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion 10am at RD Mize only. NOTE: No other Sunday services on Dec. 25 at either campus

Journey to the Manger Serves Many

Thank you, Timothy, for your generous outpouring of love shared with area families blessed by our Journey to the Manger ministry.

You provided 11 families with a variety of specific requested gifts and gift cards. An additional 50 gift bags and 27 gift cards of $25 each for groceries and gasoline were delivered to Community Services League and other community families. In addition, 45 families received a gift card for a hot meal. Twenty-five scarves, 5 pr of gloves and hats provided needed warmth to worshipers at Our Redeemer in KC.

Since November 1^st, $4,030.00 in donations have been received for Missions, Hillcrest Transitional Housing, and Timothy’s Emergency Fund. The Christmas Eve offerings will be designated for Timothy’s Ray of Hope fund, a special fund for Timothy members in need.

Timothy’s Kids Share Christmas Joy

On Sunday, December 11^th, at the Wyatt worship service, students from FaithRoots and CrossWalk took the stage to sing “Away in a Manger” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” before leading the congregation in singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. It also was a moment to acknowledge all th time and energy our FaithRoots and CrossWalk teachers offer to serve our kids. We love our Timothy family as we serve, sing, and celebrate this season together.

On Monday, December 12^th and Wednesday, December 14^th, the Wyatt Auditorium was packed with family, friends, church members, and neighbors to take in the sights and sounds of our TLS programs. On Monday, the school band performed an arrangement of songs, followed by pre-schoolers and kindergartners singing a variety of Christmas songs and sharing a special Christmas poem pointing us toward to the light of Christ. On Wednesday, first through eighth graders dressed as angels, wise men, shepherds, animals, and the Holy Family, leading us on a journey to knowing Jesus more through sharing Bible prophecies, songs, and the many names of Jesus found in the Scriptures. Both programs shared a simple but important message of light and hope found in the person of Christ! It was another great week of preparing our hearts to celebrate ALL that God has done.

Adult Choirs Combine Voices
There’s a Song in the Air

Last Sunday, worshipers enjoyed a special performance of Timothy’s choirs as the RD Mize Sanctuary Choir and the Wyatt Celebration Chorus combined voices to share the cantata, There’s a Song in the Air. What a fabulous performance by very talented men and women! If you missed it or if you’d like to enjoy it again, here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTWJDJ2BR-0

Timothy Blesses Its Hillcrest Resident

Timothy’s current Hillcrest resident, Dominia, appreciates Timothy’s ongoing support, with a special thanks for Christmas gifts provided by the Hillcrest Team, GIVE Commission, and other members (see photo). She reports that she can now visit with her children more which is a huge motivator to persevere in the Hillcrest program. She appreciates the prayers from Timothy which help her through this journey. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. Your kindness really transforms lives through Christ.

The Gift of the Magi

On Sunday, January 8^th, Timothy will once again observe First Fruits Sunday. In the Old Testament, the practice of offering the first portion of a harvest (the first fruits) to God was a way of not only thanking Him for the blessings of that harvest but also a way of expressing trust that God would continue to provide for His people. That is why we offer our first fruits to God. It is a special offering above and beyond what we normally give.

In 2023, Timothy’s leadership set a First Fruits goal of $110,000. For each of the next three years, the first $12,000 of First Fruits contributions will be designated for expenses related to Timothy’s youth attending the 2025 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The remaining contributions will fund
Timothy’s other ministries as supported by operations.

Please prayerfully consider supporting Timothy’s First Fruits in 2023 as we continue to focus on transforming lives through Christ. Contributions may be placed in pew envelopes or regular envelopes clearly marked “2023 First Fruits” or offered online on Timothy’s website under the Give tab. Thank you very much!

Timothy Always Generously Supports Food Donations

Food pantries need restocking after holiday meals fed so many. Blue Springs Community Services League served several hundred local families this past week. Hamburger Helper, spaghetti & sauce, canned meats, and boxed potatoes are especially needed now and can be placed in the grocery cart located in the lobby at each campus. Thank you for donated groceries this past year!

Movie Night at Timothy

Make plans to attend a free movie night to watch War Room in the Wyatt Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 27^th, at 7pm. The GIVE Commission is sponsoring this opportunity to continue the church-wide prayer emphasis. Free popcorn and bottled water will be available. No need to RSVP, just show up to watch a powerful movie. Bring friends! Call church office is you need childcare.

2022 First Fruits contributions total $103,165.59, as of Dec. 18^th. Thank you! Per 2022 budget, First Fruits contributions are transferred to Operations each month, and the projected total transfer was projected at $200,000.
Raise the Roof contributions total $27,600, as of Dec. 18^th. Thank you!

FaithRoots will not meet on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Resumes Jan. 8.
No Education Classes on Dec. 28. Resume Jan. 4^th.

Church Office will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.  TLS will be closed through Jan. 3; classes resume Jan. 4.

Special Request for Winter Necessities Timothy has learned of a special need connected to Messiah Lutheran in Independence. A community of Congolese immigrants worship at Messiah, many of whom are not accustomed to Midwest winters. If you have coats, sweatshirts, sweatpants, long underwear, gloves, shoes, socks, any type of warm clothing to donate, please contact Esther at 816.252.9405, 9am-2:30pm M-Th. You may also drop off items at Timothy’s RD Mize Campus, Room 402B. Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunity Are you as an individual or as a family looking for a volunteer opportunity at Timothy? The Sunday Morning Donut Ministry at RD Mize needs someone once a month. Responsibilities are picking up donuts at HyVee, setting up coffee no later than 8:15am, and cleaning afterwards. The normal time commitment is 7:45-11am. Attending worship at 9am is definitely do-able. Please contact Viv Bradshaw (vivbradshaw@aol.com) or Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) with additional questions. Thank you!

A Note from One of Timothy’s Tithe Organizations “Shalom, Merry Christmas! The Apple of His Eye Mission Society wants to thank you for your support and prayers. Our ministry will continue to share the Gospel from your generosity. Your continued support is a blessing. Have a blessed New Year. Sincerely, Debby and the Apple of His Eye team”

Children’s Epiphany Party Friday, Jan. 6, 6pm at Wyatt. All Timothy children and friends invited to enjoy pizza and games.

Installation of Elected Lay Leaders Sunday, Jan. 8, either service.

A Night of Laughter Thursday, Jan. 12, 6pm, RD Mize Family Life Center; free; all ladies & friends invited to enjoy the humor of Comedienne Chonda Ruth Pierce, “The Queen of Clean.” RSVP not required but helpful by signing up on church app (Events), church website (Events), or by calling church office (816.228.5300). Childcare available upon request.

Middle School/High School Youth “Snow Tube” Sat., Jan. 21, 1-5pm, Snow Creek at Weston, MO; cost $35; sign up on website; contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Announcements for Church Events Effective Jan. 1^st, approved spoken worship announcements and slides will be submitted on Timothy’s website under the Events tab. Click on the Announcements for Church Events box to complete the announcement form and upload an accompanying slide, if any. Deadline to submit is 10 days prior to the requested Sunday’s dat. Submitting information for the weekly Timothy Connects newsletter may continue to be emailed to Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com). Deadline for Timothy Connects is Thursday 6am each week. Thank you!

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “Jesus—The Fulfillment of the Law”; 10-11am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell; no class on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Resumes Jan. 8

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

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Messy People (Imperfect Biblical Heroes)”; 6:30-08pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

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

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “Confirmation Review”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John; no class on Dec. 27; resumes Jan. 3
Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) book study; 6:30-8pm; Room 109, RD Mize; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky for current book; no class Dec. 29; resumes Jan. 5

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