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
 “The Gift of the Magi”

One of the things we associate with the Christmas story is the arrival of the wise men with their gifts. It may seem odd to bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to a newborn, but each of those gifts point to who is receiving the gift and what He has come to do. And in the same way, we bring the gifts of our First Fruits to Christ because of who He is and what He has done for us.

How to Handle an Impossible Task:  A Devotion

Sometimes, tasks seem impossible because they are overwhelmingly huge. But when it comes to simple tasks, those, too, can feel impossible. Even something as simple as hanging a picture or rearranging furniture can seem daunting. But with a friend’s help and perspective, those day-to-day decisions can feel less intimidating.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 says it this way: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” I’m sure my friend who helped me didn’t overthink our collaboration; she was just present . . . a friend willing to help.

Maybe you know someone who is struggling. Perhaps they need someone to say, “Hey, how can I help you out this week? Two provide perspective. Two makes the task that felt a little impossible work. Take part in important community work. Doing things together is exactly how God wired us to live.

Children’s Ministry Epiphany Party

Calling all Timothy kids! TONIGHT (Friday, Jan. 6) is the Children’s Ministry Epiphany Party from 6-8pm at Wyatt Campus. Bring your friends and continue to build friendships with all your church friends. You’ll enjoy games, crafts, pizza, and more!

The Gift of the Magi

THIS SUNDAY, Jan. 8^th, is Timothy’s observance of 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.

For 2023, Timothy’s leadership set a First Fruits goal of $110,000.00. For each of the next three years, the first $12,000.00 of First Fruits contributions will be designated for expenses related to 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 (www.timothylutheran.com) under the Give tab. Thank you very much!

A Night of Laughter

All ladies and their friends welcome to enjoy the humor of Comedienne Chonda Ruth Pierce, The Queen of Clean, on Thursday, Jan. 12, starting at 6pm, in the RD Mize Family Life Center. It’s free! 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.

Movie Night at Timothy

Make plans to attend a free movie night to watch War Room (rated PG) in the Wyatt Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 27, 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! Invite friends! Childcare will be provided in the nursery at Wyatt.
War Room is a compelling faith drama filled with humor and heart that became a #1 movie in US theaters and received raving reviews from audiences of all ages. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan have it all—great jobs, beautiful daughter, and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Their world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. While Tony basks in his professional success, Elizabeth resigns herself to increasing bitterness. But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara, and is challenged to establish a “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family. As Elizabeth tries to fight for her family, Tony’s hidden struggles come to light. Tony must decide if he will make amends with his family and prove Miss Clara’s wisdom that victories don’t come by accident.

Lent 2023

During the Lenten season this year, we will look at prayers Jesus prayed during Holy Week, see what we can learn from them, and how they can help us grow in our faith. Make plans to join us in worship on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, two services (4pm and 6:30pm) will occur at RD Mize with Holy Communion at both services. The succeeding Lenten services are Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, with only one service each evening at 5:30pm, also at RD Mize.

We look forward to the annual LWML Ash Wednesday Ham Dinner in the Family Life Center, served between 5 and 7pm. Free-will donations are accepted, with proceeds designated for Missions (10%) and Timothy’s Church Worker Professional Development (90%).

Lenten Dinners are also available for the Wednesday services in March, if hosted by a Timothy ministry, also accepting free-will donations to support that ministry’s fundraiser. On March 1, the June 2023 Youth Mission Trip Ministry will provide a lasagna meal. On March 8, Timothy’s School Ministry will provide a pizza meal to support the TLS Scholarship Fund.

If a Timothy group would like to host a Lenten Dinner on March 15, 22, or 29, please contact Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com or 816.228.5300 Ext. 8040) to reserve your preferred date.
Thanks for supporting Timothy’s ministries!

Pink Tie Sunday

You may remember years past when Timothy recognized Pink Tie Sunday to support infant loss. While Timothy is not focusing a service on this ministry this year, you may choose to wear pink this Sunday, Jan. 8, to remember those families who have lost little ones. Below is an excerpt from a reflection written by Pastor Will Hanke, son of Pastor Rod and Miriam Lindemann. Will and Mindy Hanke created Pink Tie Sunday, as an extension of Sanctity of Life Sunday, to honor their daughter Maddy who went to heaven eight years ago.
“Pink Tie Sunday was created by Maddy’s Pa. Mindy sent Pa out to look for the perfect pink dress for Maddy’s funeral. I could only imagine the pain my parents felt searching through stores to buy a dress to bury their granddaughter. Like us, their pain turned into mission as Pa came back to church the next Sunday to preach and baptize one granddaughter while mourning another. That special day—Pink Tie Sunday—was born. It gave voice to a suffering group of people, and thus a new mission to never forget those we have lost who are home with Jesus.
At times, this Sunday can feel selfish since it is my story, yet everyone who faces loss continues to grieve even when the world moves on. This Sunday we stop and grieve together and wear pink to celebrate life and those children who will never get to tell their stories. We remember that Jesus died so that loss is not the end. We remember that Jesus died so that loss is not the end. We remember that we have Hope, which is the certainty that those who believe in Jesus will be with Him forever. Our family waits on the day we will be with Maddy, but until them we wear pink to give Hope to the hopeless!”

2022 First Fruits contributions total $103,280.59, as of Jan. 1^st. Thank you!
2023 First Fruits contributions total $100.00. Thank you!
2022 Raise the Roof contributions total $27,600. Thank you!
2023 Raise the Roof contributions total $50.00. Thank you!
Wyatt HVAC contributions total $33,000. 00 (plus $55,026.54 in Facilities Designated Fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation). Thank you!

Thank you, Timothy, for the many prayers, cards, and kind words shared with us at the death of Susan’s mom in December. It means a lot to us, and we are grateful for our Timothy family. Scott & Susan Ready

Food Donations during January will be delivered to Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Thanks for your ongoing support!

LUMAA (Lutheran Urban Mission Agency Auxiliary) will meet Wed., Jan. 18, at Ascension Lutheran, 4900 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO. Contact Lois Domsch (lois.domsch@gmail.com) with questions.

LUMAA Donations of non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the urban food pantries may be placed in the plastic bin in the lobby of each campus through January 15th. Contact Lois Domsch
(lois.domsch@gmail.com) with questions.

Offering Envelopes are available in the lobby at each campus through the end of January in bundles of 25. If interested in giving online, go to www.timothylutheran.com (Give) to sign up or visit Timothy’s mobile app (Giving, then Special, then Give Now). Thank you for supporting Timothy’s ministries!

Installation of Elected Lay Leaders THIS SUNDAY, Jan. 8^th, either service. A list of these leaders will be included in Sunday’s bulletin.

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

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); 6:30-8pm, 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 Hal, RD Mize; led by Pastor John

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

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