Love Your Neighbor

As we continue to talk about love, we expand our focus to how we love one another. Because God loves us, we love Him. And more than that, we love each other. God’s love for us prompts us to love one another. We remember that God’s love is to flow from us to others, with no boundaries or borders or exceptions.

A Love Beyond the Pink and Red Hearts: A Devotion

I am writing this on Valentine’s Day and looking forward to an evening with my husband. Valentine’s Day can stir up so many memories, both good and bad, hopeful and disappointing, meaningful and forgettable. In reality, no human can fill the love gap in our hearts. All of us are broken, with imperfections, flaws, and shortcomings. But the One who can truly fill us, the One who has always wanted us, is God.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

Friends, we belong to Love Himself. Delight and rejoice today in the truth that we are fully, unconditionally, and eternally loved by a man—by a God—who gave His life for us. What we have longed for all along, we already have in Him.

Timothy’s Hillcrest Apartment Resident Update

Residents April and her son Hunter are ready to move and so appreciate the opportunity to have lived in the Timothy-sponsored apartment at Hillcrest. Her successful transition to a home of her own will occur within a few days once the inspection of her new Section 8 home is complete.

Timothy members Fran & Kay Lieb recently provided a $250 Thrivent Action Team donation to help April stock her cabinets and drawers in her own home. Pictured are some of the items bought when the Liebs and April went shopping. Thank you, Fran and Kay, for showing the love of Jesus to April and Hunter!

We praise God for Timothy’s commitment to helping families “get back on their feet” by sponsoring a Hillcrest Transitional Housing apartment. If you are interested in joining Timothy’s Hillcrest Team, please contact Dan Sbisa at dan.sbisa@gmail.com.

Lenten and Holy Week Updates

Ash Wednesday Services (with Holy Communion), March 2:  4pm & 6:30pm, RD Mize
Wednesday Services (Mar. 9, 16, 23, 30, & Apr. 6): 5:30pm, RD Mize
Maundy Thursday, April 14 (with Holy Communion): 5:30pm, RD Mize
Good Friday, April 15 (with Holy Communion): 5:30pm, RD Mize
Easter Sunday Services: 7am (with Holy Communion) & 9:15am, RD Mize (no 8am service); 10am at Wyatt

LWML Ash Wednesday Ham Dinner, 5-7pm, Family Life Center, RD Mize; proceeds to mites (10%), National Youth Gathering fundraising (45%), and 2022 Live Well Community Fair (45%)
Lenten Non-Dinner Free-Will Offering opportunities:

• March 9: Timmy Boys for CrossWalk program in Children’s Ministry
• March 16:  Give Commission for 2022 Live Well Community Fair
• March 23:  Pairs & Spares for National Youth Gathering fundraising
• March 30:  School Ministry for TLS Scholarship Fund
• April 6:  OPEN (contact Diane Mayfield at dianem@timothylutheran.com to reserve)

Lent Journey Daily Devotions for the Family

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. During this season of sorrowful reflection, it is particularly appropriate that we ponder God’s Word as we consider all that our Lord Jesus does for us in his life, suffering, death, and burial.

Our current life of social distancing, masks, and isolation has been challenging in numerous ways. It is an ever-present reminder that we live in a fallen state with God. Distance from others reminds us of the importance of relationship and community. We are sustained by the faithful presence of God for us even as we journey through challenging paths.

So that we might grow together, we invite you to join us this Lent to read and reflect as we take the LENT JOURNEY. A daily reading devotional reflection will be posted. As you reflect, we pray that you draw nearer to God by connecting with Him, sustaining and strengthening in faith while walking with Jesus. You may also share comments and thoughts as we take the Lent Journey in fellowship with one another.

If you would like to receive a daily email containing the devotion, you can subscribe to Timothy’s email list dedicated solely to these Lenten devotions at www.timothylutheran.com/godconnect-devotions

Blessings as we prepare for the season of Lent.
Pastor Rod Lindemann

National Youth Gathering Pi Day

Thank you, Timothy, for your generous support of Timothy’s youth on their way to Houston in July for the 2022 National Youth Gathering.  Last week’s BBQ ribs fundraiser sold 120 slabs of yummy ribs for a profit of approximately $1,500. Thank you!

As announced in worship services last Sunday, another opportunity, Adopt-a-NYG, has started. It’s simple:  make a donation to Timothy earmarked as “Adopt-a-NYG” before Pi day (that’s March 14). For every $1,000 in donations, one of the youth attending the NYG will get hit in the face with a whipped cream pie. If initial goal ($15,000) reaches $20,000, special “pie targets” will join the pie-in-the-face line-up. The pie-throwing event will be videotaped and shared on Timothy’s Facebook page and elsewhere. Thank you for your generosity in supporting all NYG fundraisers!

Next Generation Update

The Phase 1 program approved at the Jan. 16 Special Voters’ Assembly Meeting is moving forward with plans to Transform Lives through Christ through expansion of ministries and facilities. Leadership is monitoring the budget stabilizing process and will provide specific data at the end of the first quarter. In the meantime, we praise God that general contributions for January 2022 were $20,000 greater than general contributions for January 2021. Thank you!

The February sermon series reminds us that God wants our all for His glory. We serve God by serving each other with our time, talents, and treasures as well as our whole hearts, minds, soul, and bodies. With all that we are and have, we live out our faith and live out our love for Him. Thank you to all who volunteer their time and talents in Timothy’s ministries and those who have already made contributions to the 2022 First Fruits goal of $200,000.  We look forward to First Fruits Sunday on Feb. 27^th. Thank you!

Since the Feb. 6 Special Voters’ Assembly meeting, leaders have solicited and received bids for the approved mobile units and civil engineering services. Upon review of the bids, contracts for both will be awarded within a few days. The Wyatt Campus acreage is generating interest as senior adult housing.

At its monthly meeting this week, the Executive Board launched the Raise the (Storage) Roof opportunity in accordance with the Phase 1 Program steps and dependency factors in moving forward, as approved at the Jan. 16 Special Voters’ Assembly Meeting. Timothy praises God for a very generous donor’s commitment to fund the trailer project, and the board is currently researching options for constructing the storage outbuilding by June for much-needed storage not currently available at Wyatt and necessary before Voters are asked to approve the sale of the RD Mize Campus. The board appreciates the congregation’s prayerful and financial support. Donors can contribute to Raise the Roof on the church website or placing in offering plate with envelopes clearly marked “Raise the Roof.” Leadership looks forward to providing frequent updates regarding all of the Next Generation details.

These are busy, exciting times at Timothy as we discern God’s will for moving forward in ways to transform more lives through Christ. Thank you for your support!

Girls on the Run

It’s not too soon to get excited about participating in Timothy’s Girls on the Run spring program! Girls on the Run is a (501©3) physical activity-based, positive youth development program to develop and enhance girls’ social, psychological and physical competencies to successfully navigate life experiences. Its innovative, interactive curriculum incorporates lessons on teamwork, communication, health, self-awareness, goal-setting, body image, and standing up for yourself with running games to reach a goal of adequate training for a 5K walk/run event at the end of the eight weeks. The program is designed to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.

Two programs are available:

• Girls in grades 3-5 (can also include energetic 2^nd graders)
• Girls in grades 6-8

The program begins in late March and ends with a celebratory 5K on May 21 at Swope Park. Practices are Sundays (3:30-5pm) and Tuesdays (4:30-6pm) at and around the RD Mize Campus. Sandy Gregory will be lead coordinator for Timothy’s site. To offer this program to Timothy’s girls and their friends, assistant coaches are necessary. Please contact Sandy by March 1 if interested in assisting as a coach. If enough coaches sign up, creative supervision scheduling is probable. Coaches do not need to be “runners”; walking coaches are also welcome! This program participates in programs for senior high students accumulating community service hours. Contact Sandy Gregory in church office (816.228.5300 Ext. 8035), by email at sandyg@timothylutheran.com, or via text at 816.213.8237 to volunteer as assistant coach or ask questions.

Thrivent Choice Dollars

Do you have a financial account or insurance with Thrivent? Consider directing your eligible Choice Dollars to support Timothy Church or Timothy Lutheran School. These charitable dollars from Thrivent need to be designated by March 31, 2022. Do not miss out on this charitable giving to Timothy’s ministries! Go to your account at Thrivent.com or contact your Thrivent representative if you have questions. A direct link to the giving instructions is https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/files/26087.pdf  Thank you for your support!

2022 First Fruits totals $12,345.59, as of Feb. 13^th. Thank you very much!

Worship Attendance via Timothy’s App  Worshippers can now “check in” their worship attendance using Timothy’s app! It’s quick and easy! You can view instructions on a brief video on the church website. Call the church office if you need help to install the app on your phone. Communication cards continue to be available in the pew racks as well. Thank you for registering your attendance each week!

LWML Study Grants available for 2022-2023 school year for men & women enrolled in a University or Seminary of LC-MS preparing for full-time church work or as a colloquy student. Go to www.missourilwml.org (under “Grants and Mites”) or contact Donna Hecht at lwmlmoststudugrant@yahoo.com. Completed apps must be received by April 15, 2022.

“Thank you, Timothy family, for offering prayers for healing, sent cards, provided meals, and encouraged Tom Nowiszewski during his recent hospitalization and recovery. Please continue to pray for successful transition to home dialysis in the weeks ahead.” Tom & Nancy Nowiszewski

Job Opportunity Children & Middle School Ministry Coordinator, part-time (20 hrs/wk); job description on church website under Church, then Church Manuals, Reports & Positions; deadline to apply March 11, 2022; Contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com with questions.

Donut & Bagel Ministry in Family Life Center at Rd Mize is open from 8:45-10:30am to accommodate worshippers at both 8am & 9:15am services. Thanks for stopping by!

Altar/Stage Flowers Would you like to place flowers on the altar at RD Mize or on the stage at Wyatt in celebration or commemoration of a special occasion or in memory of loved ones or friends? Please call the church office to order. Cost is $35 (please note corrected cost).

February Food Donations will be delivered to Jesu el Buen in KC. Thank you for your ongoing support!

First Communion Class for 5^th-8^th graders and their parent/guardian/mentor; Sundays in March (6, 13, 20, & 27) after 10am worship service at Wyatt; led by Pastor Ryan. Contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Ladies Book Club begins March 10 at the home of Barb Kalbfleisch, 7pm; will meet bi-monthly on second Thursday. First book is The Housekeeper and the Professor. Books available the first night; no need to read prior to first night. Contact Barb at barbkalfleisch@gmail.com with questions.

LWML Bites for Mites Thank you, Timothy, for tremendous support of Bites for Mites last Sunday! The total proceeds of $782.00 will be sent in support of missions. Thanks to all of the LWML members who donated baked goods, and a special thank-you to Janet Masters, Mary Jane Fudge, Linda Gorski, and Gloria Schulz for organizing and pricing all of the treats.

DivorceCare meets on Mondays, 6:30-8pm, Rd Mize. Childcare available.

GriefShare meets on Thursdays, starting March 3; 6:30-8pm, RD Mize. Childcare available.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “An Overview of the Old Testament”; 10:30-11:30am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Faith & Fire Elijah”; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

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

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room, RD Mize; led by various men

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Book of Revelation”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John

Wednesday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Elijah”; 5-6:30pm, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Annette Logan

Wednesday Discovery Class 6:30-7:30pm, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Pastor Rod

Wednesday CrossWalk Pre-school through 5^th grade; 6:30-8pm, begins in Fellowship Hall, RD Mize

Wednesday Confirmation 6^th-8^th grades; 6:30-8pm, begins in Room 501, RD Mize

Wednesday Senior High Revolution Bible Study 6:30-8pm, Youth Room (506), RD Mize; led by Carrie Hochgrebe, Becky Blatt, & Ryan Kuecker

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study “The Women of Easter”; 6:30-8pm, Room 102, RD Mize; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt

JourneyMen Bible Study “Passionate Pursuit of God”; 6:30-7:30pm, RD Mize, followed by fellowship at Applebee’s’ six weeks study; led by Pastor Rod; begins Feb. 24

Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) 9-10am, Wyatt 4 G’s; led by Kaye Gray; resumes this Saturday, Feb. 19