“Fruit of the Spirit: Love“

When we hear that the first fruit of the Spirit is love, we figure that we have that one figured out pretty well. We see ourselves as loving people. But far too often, we see love as merely an emotional state, something that we can fall into and out of without much control on our part. At least, that’s the way the world presents love. But when we look at what love really is, we realize that it’s more than just an emotional reaction. Love is an action, a commitment, something that we see first and foremost in God and His love for us.

Keep Walking: A Devotion

My deepest desire is to do God’s will, but many times I am confused about what that will is for me. I ask God for clarity and direction and then expect an answer to be displayed in lightning bolts across the sky. I wanted the fleece-and-dew kind of answer that Gideon had asked for in Judges 6: 36-40 because I was willing to do whatever it was that God wanted me to do as long as it was clear that it was His plan. My prayers would be repetitions of the same thing again and again: God, show me what You want me to do!

Sometimes discernment comes from paying attention to the movements of God in and around us. He is God with us, who is present in our lives. As Jesus said to His disciples in John 16: 13-15, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

We don’t need lightning-bolt messages written out in the sky. We don’t have to have fleece-and-dew moments for us to follow the paths God leads us down. In Christ, we have the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, who shows us the way, confirming His word to us when we need it. It may take some time of walking slowly forward before we are sure of the path, but we are able to go with confidence, knowing that whatever we do, wherever we go, God is going ahead of us and is with us.

Let Your Light SHINE
Fellowship, Serving and Shopping

From Timothy’s SHINE CREW:  Timothy was blessed to be among 8,000 Lutherans in Missouri to serve others this past week. Our time at Hillcrest, hanging with our faith family, was great! It filled our love tank. Not only did we feel useful, but we also appreciated a meaningful experience to meet Timothy members in a different setting, working for a common goal—Letting Our Light Shine for Christ! As a side benefit, there was SHOPPING as well!

We heard form a 19-year-old girl who’s been on her own since age 16. She was rescued from the street through Hillcrest Ministries where she now is self-supportive with life expenses and soon graduating from college. She is just one example of how Hillcrest has helped struggling families pay off over $100,000 in debt, just last year.

Volunteering at Hillcrest for Timothy’s 2022 SHINE outreach event opened our eyes to the amazing ministry that it is. Keep watching! We will offer the opportunity again, and perhaps we can meet up at the Hillcrest Thrift Store in Lee’s Summit to share a time of fellowship, serving, and SHOPPING! See you there!

Senior High Bonfire Call-Up

Senior high youth welcomed incoming 8^th graders at the Call-Up Bonfire last Saturday evening. After braving the elements for an hour or so, they decided to head inside to warm up. Ryan Kuecker led a devotion on our call to love one another.

2022 Live Well Community Fair

Mark your calendar (and invite friends & neighbors) to attend Timothy’s 4^th annual Live Well Community Fair on Sat., June 4, from 10am-2pm at the Wyatt Campus! It is FREE and fun for all ages!

There will be fun activities and helpful information for healthy living. Meet Jessy and Thomas, the Comfort Dogs, and learn about activities for kids and adults at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, plus many resources for seniors. Kids will love to explore a fire engine and ambulance as well as challenge their parents on a 52-foot-long obstacle course. Check out Timothy’s website for details, and don’t forget to grab lunch prepared by a chef selling delicious and healthy food.

Annual Diaper Drive

Timothy’s LWML Elizabeth Circle is organizing the annual Lutherans for Life diaper drive from Mother’s Day through Father’s Day. Donations may be placed in the bins at each campus and will be delivered to Impact Ministries in Blue Springs. Special needs include size 5 & 6 diapers, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products. Contact Kaye Gray (kgray1024@yahoo.com) with questions. Thanks for your support!

17^th Annual Adam’s Army Blood Drive

Make plans now to roll up your sleeves in memory of someone special, Adam Reed! The 17^th Annual Adam’s Army Blood Drive will be Sunday, June 5, 9am-3m, in the Family Life Center at RD Mize.

Timothy thanks the Reed family for keeping their Adam’s legacy alive by hosting this annual blood drive. The eldest son of Jeff and Mary Reed, Adam was diagnosed with leukemia just before his 13^th birthday, endured 2 ½ years in treatment with two bone marrow transplants and many rounds of chemo & radiation, and entered his eternal heavenly home in May 2005, at the age of 15.

The Timothy family was a huge support to Adam and the Reed family throughout his fight. “Adam’s Army” started as a group of church friends & family who faithfully lifted him in prayer, sent cards, visited, provided meals, organized fundraisers, and performed countless other acts of kindness & support.

After Adam went to heaven, his sister Jenna suggested that the family host a blood drive in his memory since blood and platelet transfusions were so vital during Adam’s treatment. It is a way to remember Adam while helping others in need. The first blood drive was held in May 2006. May God be glorified as we strive to save lives through donating blood!

Book your appointment today at savealifenow.org/group, enter group code: CB3C. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome as well. If you are unavailable to donate on June 5, doing so at any Community Blood Center close to that date and specifying Adam’s Army Blood Drive will be credited toward this annual effort. For additional details, contact Nancy Nowiszewski at 816.228.5300 Ext. 8040 or nancyn@timothylutheran.com. Questions concerning medical eligibility should be directed to 1.800.688.0900.  Thank you!

Retirement Reception

The congregation is invited to a retirement reception for TLS kindergarten teacher Laura Vogt on Sun., June 5^th, following the 10am service at Wyatt in the 4 G’s area. Laura has served as the only kindergarten teacher at TLS for the past 21 years! We pray God’s blessings for Laura as she continues to serve her Lord and family!

2022 First Fruits contributions total $79,805.59, as of May 1^st. Thank you!
Adopt-a-NYG Student contributions total $7,458.47, as of May 1^st.  Total youth fundraising totals $17,121.97.
Raise the Roof contributions total $23,100.00, as of May 1^st. Thank you!

Food Donations during May will be delivered to Jesu el Buen in KC. Thanks for your ongoing support!

Legacy Planning Seminars Sat., May 14 or Sat., May 21; 9am-10:15am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; free breakfast at 8:30am. Go to Timothy’s website under Events, call church office (816.228.5300) or email Sandy Gregory (sandyg@timothylutheran.com) to register. Please register your attendance to help in planning for the breakfast. Childcare available upon request.

2022 High School & College Graduate Recognition May 29 in worship services; go to Timothy’s website to submit information & photos. Deadline: Mon., May 16. Direct questions to IT Services Doug Fleck (dougf@timothylutheran.com)

Job Opportunity Care Minister at Timothy, 20 hrs/wk; position description on church website (www.timothylutheran.com. Click on Church, then Church Manuals, Reports & Positions. Contact Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Retirement Reception Save the date! Nancy Nowiszewski’s retirement reception will be Sun., Aug. 21, at noon in the Family Life Center at RDMize. More details soon!

DivorceCare Current session has ended. Next session starts on September 12^th.

GriefShare meets on Thursdays, 6:30-8pm, RD Mize. Childcare available upon request.

Pairs & Spares meets May 17, 11:30am, Family Life Center, RD Mize. Bring a dish to share & enjoy the fellowship. Guest speaker will be Fritz Barlag as he shares “Vietnam: Going Back!”

Ladies Book Club meets on Thurs., May 19^th at 7pm at the home of Koko Falk, 669 NE Rushbrook Dr
LSMO 64064. Contact Barb Kalbfleisch (barbkalbfleisch9@gmail.com) with questions.

Card Club meets Fri., May 13^th, 6:30pm, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize, to play 10-Point Pitch.
All adults welcome! Please bring a snack to share and enjoy the fellowship. Contact Pam Church
(pam.church60@gmail.com or 816.289. 8587) with questions.

Prayer Chain Volunteer Care Ministry needs someone to receive and email prayers to those on
Timothy’s Prayer Chain. Basic typing skills & ability to use email are required. If interested, contact
Nancy Nowiszewski, Care Minister, at nancyn@timothylutheran.com.

Resource Health Stride for Life 5K/1 mile Run/Walk Sat., May 14, 8am, Waterfall Park (behind Bass Pro
in Independence); complimentary breakfast following. Register at https://bit.lystrideforlife2022 or on R
ResourceHealthPartners website. Contact Sandy Galvin (sgalvinC@kc.rr.com) with questions.

LUMAA meets on Wed., May 18, St. Matthew Lutheran, LSMO, to celebrate its 90^th anniversary. RSVP
lunch reservations to Lois Domsch by Sunday, May 8^th.. Non-perishable food items for urban Lutheran
food pantries may be placed in the plastic bins at either campus through May 15^th. With schools
dismissing for the summer in just a few weeks, families need food to feed hungry mouths and
appreciate your generous donations. Thanks for your support!

Our Redeemer Lutheran 100-Year Celebration May 15, 711 Benton Ave., KCMO; 9:30am;
contact Donna Schmidt (donnajoschmidt@gmail.com) or Lois Domsch (lois.domsch@gmail.com)
with questions.

2022 VBS Save the dates! July 18-22, RD Mize. Theme:  “Monumental Celebrating God’s Greatness”

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “An Overview of the Old Testament”; 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) various topics; 6:30pm fellowship; 7pm study;
Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood

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

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “Matthew 17-28: The Sacrifice of the King”; 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace
Room (302), 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 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 (Women of Thursday) Book study, 6:30-8pm, Room 102, RD
Mize; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky Blatt (ebblatt99@yahoo.com) for current
Book

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