“The Gift, the Call”

CREATIVE TENSION (December 24): Christmas is a time when people give gifts to each other. Sometimes those gifts are trivial, but sometimes, they can change a person’s life for the better. That is what God does for us. He sends us His love in the person of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem. And this love changes us and changes the world. It’s a gift that comes with a call, a call to us to love each other the way God first loves us.

“The Contradiction”

CREATIVE TENSION (December 25): In the Christmas epistle from Hebrews, we see this powerful picture of who Jesus is: greater than the angels, the one who speaks to us in these last days. It’s a contradiction, though, to hear these words on Christmas, when we remember how Jesus became one of us, taking on frail human flesh and becoming a baby. He does this to lift us up, fallen creatures that we are, and to make us God’s children. Christmas is a miracle of contradictions.

“Pink Tie Sunday – The Loss of a Child”

CREATIVE TENSION (December 26): “Lord, if you had been here…” asked Mary at the loss of her brother. Perhaps we ask the same question at the loss of a child. God’s Word tells us that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The mystery of faith in a child is beyond our comprehension. Jesus says, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” We put our trust in a merciful loving God. It is by Jesus’ wounds our spiritual illness is healed, and we are given new life, even to the unborn. It is a Resurrection promise in Jesus to new life with no more pain, suffering or death.

What’s the One Thing That Matters Most to You Now? A Devotion

 I watch the saltwater taffy machine, stretching, squishing, and twisting as the color reaches the end of the candy. Suddenly, I feel like I’m being stretched and compressed as I think through my list of these last few days before Christmas. My anxiety immediately skyrockets, and I dive into getting things done.

The Apostle Paul said, “I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3: 13-14) It can seem to us like Paul did a lot of things in his lifetime, but he really just did one thing in many different ways.

How would you fill in the blank in Paul’s declaration, “I focus on this one thing . . .”?  You might answer with words about loving well, serving faithfully, living with excellence, or practicing resilience.

The holidays can be stressful. Pause and take a deep breath, then whisper a prayer and answer this question, “What is the one thing I most want to pursue in this season?”

Christmas Worship Updates

Please invite your family and friends to join us for Christmas worship opportunities!  

• Friday, Dec. 24:  Christmas Eve Services at RD Mize will be at 5:30, 7:30, and 10pm (Candlelight Service with Holy Communion)

• Friday, Dec. 24:  Christmas Eve Service at Wyatt will be at 5:30pm
• Saturday, Dec. 25:  Christmas Day Service at RD Mize—10am (with Holy Communion)

Pink Tie Sunday: December 26

Join us in PINK THIS SUNDAY, as we remember the little ones who passed from miscarriages, stillborn births, and abortion. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” Jeremiah 1:5

“Lord, if you had been there . . .” asked Mary at the loss of her brother. Perhaps we ask the same question at the loss of a child. God’s Word tells us that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The mystery of faith in a child is beyond our comprehension. Jesus says, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die4.” We put our trust in a merciful, loving God.

It was by Jesus’ wounds that our spiritual illness was healed, and we are all given new life, even to the unborn. It is a Resurrection promise in Jesus to new life with no more pain, suffering, or death.

Join us as remember and praise God for the gift of life.  Pull out your pink clothing—ties, scarves, shirts, sweaters, jewelry, etc—to wear to church this Sunday, Dec. 26^th!

New Women’s Bible Study

All Timothy women and their friends are invited to participate in an additional Elijah Bible Study starting soon.

In addition to the current Elijah Bible Study on Monday evenings, Timothy’s Women of Hope ministry is offering one for ladies to start on Wednesday, January 12, led by Annette Logan. It will meet in the Fireplace Room at RD Mize from 5-6:30pm. Unless inclement weather disrupts the schedule, this Bible Study will conclude before Ash Wednesday, March 2.

Please RSVP to Annette at alogan330@gmail.com with questions and to register so adequate materials are ready for all participants. Don’t forget to bring a friend!

2021 First Fruits contributions total $169,182.92, as of Dec. 19. Thank you!

Impact Sunday contributions total $93,436.00, as of Dec. 19.  Thank you!

Red Poinsettias at RD Mize are available to take home after Christmas Day or Dec. 26^th worship services. Please pick up an envelope from the RD Mize front desk for a suggested $10 donation. Thanks!

Donor Match Program If you haven’t yet acted upon this opportunity, time is running out to sign up for recurring online giving resulting in a matching gift from Timothy’s church management system in the first quarter of 2022. Every gift started by Dec. 31 will be matched up to a maximum total of $1,000. More than one installment must be set up. You may set up your recurring gifts through Shelby Giving on the church website or through Timothy’s new ministry app. Thank you for considering this easy, generous, and secure opportunity.

Offering Envelopes are available on tables in the lobby of each campus to use during the time designated for offerings in worship. A sheet of labels for the special services during 2022 is also available and can be attached to the regular envelopes.

October Financial Reports are available to pick up at each Information Center and view on the church website under Church/Reports. Thank you!

Church Office will be closed Dec. 24 & 25 and Dec. 31 & Jan. 1. TLS will observe the Christmas break from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2 (teachers return Jan. 3; students return Jan. 4).
December Food Donations will be delivered to BS Community Services League. Instant dry milk, brownie mixes, cake mixes, canned chicken or tuna, and canned or dry fruit are always appreciated as well as all other food items. Thank you, Timothy, for consistently remembering those in need.

GriefShare fall session has concluded; new session starts Mar. 3, 2022.

DivorceCare fall session has concluded; new session begins Jan. 31, 2022.

Inclement Weather Cancellation Policy Please consult Fox 4 News or Timothy’s Facebook page if services, classes, or events are canceled due to inclement weather.

Ministry One App Have you downloaded Timothy’s new app yet? Please contact Sandy Gregory (816.228.5300 Ext. 8035) with questions. All modules, except Check-In (allowing for recording worship attendance) and Discover (Timothy mission & information) are now available.

Job Opportunities:

• TLS Part-time Pre-School Teacher:  M-F, 7am-noon; max. 20.5 hrs/wk; deadline to apply, Dec. 30; start date, Jan. 3; contact Ken Holland (kenh@timothylutheran.com Ext. 8015) with questions.
• Children & Youth Ministry Assistant:  Part-time, 20 hrs./wk, starting in Jan.; contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) or Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) with questions.
• Wyatt Campus Sound Techs:  includes weekly practices with worship team & Sunday morning worship, including live streaming of service; contact Sandy Sauter (sautersandy5@gmail.com) or Pastor Rod (rodl@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “Biblical Prophecy”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302); led by Dale Russell (not meeting Dec. 26)

Sunday Evening Middle School Youth Bible Study & Fellowship (1^st & 3^rd Sundays) 4:30-6:30pm, Youth Room (506), RD Mize (resumes in Jan.)

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

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 (resumes in Jan.)

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “Titus: Good Doctrine & Good Living”; 6:30-7:30am; led by various men (resumes in Jan.)

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John (resumes Jan. 11)

Wednesday CrossWalk, Confirmation, & Senior High Revolution All resume on Jan. 5

Wednesday Women’s Bible Study 5-6:30pm, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Annette Logan (begins Jan. 12)

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study “The Women of Easter’; 6:30-8pm, Room 102; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt (resumes Jan. 6)

Saturday Morning Bible Study & Fellowship (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) For all moms, 9-10am, Wyatt 4b G’s area; led by Kaye Gray (resumes in Jan.)