Seen Fully Right, in the Midst of It:  A Devotion

I can picture the paragraph in my seventh-grade yearbook. The message from my friend made a rounded square. After the expected, “I hope you have a great summer,” she wrote, “I knew you were cool the day you told so-and-so to shut up.”

I read it, feeling smug over being described as cool and regretful as I remembered the cost of my quick words. It would be easy to shrug this little incident off to the dark hole of junior high school years, but the thing is, I still remember it. Snippets of that memory after all this time: my friend’s face after the words came out of my mouth. Even at that age, I felt it deep down. It was the way I tried to move myself into a place of power and remove myself from being the friend I always had been.

The prophet Isaiah’s description of Jesus in Isaiah 53 both sobers me and gives me hope. Isaiah described Jesus as a tender shoot surrounded by hard ground and so unattractive that people would look away from him. He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2

What I’ve needed most is a place where the One that was worshipped could look like Isaiah’s description and be the One we all bowed down to. What I’ve always needed to know is that there’s a place for someone who comes in last, for the ones who are passed over, for the one who is still struggling, for the girl who was mean in an attempt to prove herself strong. I see my imperfections—but find Jesus standing there, arms wide, reminding me that weakness is the place where we are all made strong.

I find Jesus in the mess of our family relationships, I find Him at the well of my need when I try to go it alone again, I find Him in the person I least expect:  my junior high school friend who later told me she had already forgiven me. I find Him, when I reach down deep, trying to get under the surface of my meanness, telling me that I am seen fully right in the midst of it and met with love.

VBS Excitement Continues to Build

Excitement is definitely building as VBS Week approaches!  Look for a transformed lobby at RD Mize when you arrive for worship this Sunday. It’s not too late to register kids in classes or to volunteer as a helper, so go to the church website NOW! Adopt-a-Student envelopes for the VBS ministry are available at the table in the lobbies. Thank you for your contributions of time, talents, and treasures for this vital ministry!

The VBS Family Kickoff is this Sunday, July 18, from 4-6pm in the Family Life Center and outdoors in parking lot and grassy areas. This overlaps with the Youth Shoe Collection Drive intentionally so you can tell your friends to stay after dropping off their donated shoes!

Indoor fun includes VBS registration, t-shirt pick-up, face painting, and balloon animals.  Outdoor fun includes purchasing food/snacks from food trucks (Ate 1 Six Bar-B-Que, Deez Nachos, and Rolling in the Dough KC), followed by a fire truck arriving at 5:30 to spray the kids before the “pastor splash” (so dress appropriately!). Kids are encouraged to bring their own water squirters. They will also enjoy GIANT slip & slides to add to the biggest “pastor splash” yet!

The Rocky Railway: Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through VBS Week starts Monday morning at 8:45am, so plan on attending each day next week until noon.  Exciting music from Cabin Fever and other music leaders will reverberate throughout the sanctuary. Bible storytelling, crafts, and snacks/games will add to the celebration of growing in Jesus! Don’t miss out! Sign up now on the church website!

Middle and Senior High Youth will enjoy Swim Talks (swimming, snacks, & devotion) once again on Monday through Thursday evenings next week from 5:30-7pm at various members’ pools.  Contact Ryan Kuecker (kueckerryan@gmail.com) or Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) where to show up each night.  New this year:  either pizza or barbecue provided (with youth still bringing a snack to share, please)! Don’t miss it!  Bring your friends!

Urgent Need for Volunteers

Can you offer assistance on a team of volunteers to ensure that the Coffee & Donut ministry continues at RD Mize?  With several people/families volunteering, no one person/family would be responsible for every weekend.  Please contact the church office for details. Thank you!

If you have a servant heart to help with indoor light housekeeping/cleaning or outdoor weeding of flower beds at RD Mize, please contact the church office. Thanks!

On Sunday mornings, if you and/or your family can serve as greeters before and after services at both campuses, please contact Bob Logan for RD Mize (blogan1516@gmail.com) or Mary Taggart for Wyatt (octobermom810@gmail.com). Thanks!

Community Drop-Off for Shoes

Timothy is urged to invite their friends and neighbors to drop off new or gently worn shoes of all styles and sizes to the Youth Ministry Shoe Collection Drive on July 18, 25, and Aug. 1 from 5-6:30pm on the north side of the Family Life Center at RD Mize.

The shoes will be donated to people in need in third-world countries. In turn, Timothy’s youth group earns money for anticipated trips in 2021-2022.  The goal is to gather 2,500 pairs of shoes, so clean your closets and spread the word!

The youth welcome help from their parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, or anyone in sorting, collecting, and bagging the shoes. You can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044faea62aa2f58-tlcyouth.  Stop by the table in the lobbies this Sunday or next Sunday to pick up a flyer to distribute to family and friends. Shoe donations are also accepted at the tables before/after services at both campuses.

Hand Bell Choir

After two years of leading the Hand Bell Choir at Timothy, Ruth Sunderman is stepping down as director in order to take advantage of an opportunity to pursue a Master’s Degree out of state. We thank Ruth for her years of dedication and service to Timothy in many areas and wish her God’s blessings in her new endeavors.

If you are interested in leading the Hand Bell Choir (mostly youth but also several adults/parents), please contact the church office. Ruth has a full 2-3 octave choir in place, plus sheet music, gloves, etc. In short, all the new director needs is to show up! Thank you for considering to serve in this ministry!  Contact Miriam Lindemann (miriaml@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

Facility Reservations

As various areas of both campuses continue to open up, please remember that gatherings/functions of any and all Timothy ministries/activities/events or reservations for personal events need to be included and kept current on the church calendar, EVEN IF MEETING OFFSITE.  The church office and other employees often receive calls as to locations and times of various activities. If that info is not on the church calendar, and if the employees do not happen to personally know the information, it is challenging to answer callers’ questions. This information is also necessary to avoid scheduling conflicts for the various areas at each campus. Thank you very much!

Special Voters’ Assembly Meeting Sun., July 18, 11:30am, Wyatt Auditorium; for sole purpose of extending divine call for TLS teacher. Quorum of 40 communicant members required. Please attend! Thank you!

Next Generation Update Three architectural firms submitted bids for Master Plan Services for Wyatt expansion by last Friday at 5pm. Church leaders are in the process of reviewing and evaluating these bids. Please continue to keep the Next Generation process in your prayers. Thanks!

21^st Annual Transitional Housing Annual Gala Thurs., Aug. 19, 6-9pm, Arrowhead Stadium. Contact Nancy Nowiszewski (nancyn@timothylutheran.com) about tickets or live/silent auction gift baskets.

Food Donations for July will be delivered to BS Community Services League. Thank you!

Children’s Ministry School Supplies gratefully accepted through Aug.8. Special needs include glue sticks, washable markers, crayons, mini-staplers, staples, rubber bands, sanitizers, & 8-oz water bottles. Thank you!

FaithRoots Classes for Pre-K through 5^th grade students resume in-person on Aug. 1 during the worship services at both campuses. Additional volunteers are always welcome & appreciated. Contact the church office (816.228.5300) to get connected! Thanks!

Timothy’s Women of Hope Ministry is making plans for upcoming coffees and special events, but we need more women of all ages to help. If you would like to explore this opportunity (no commitments, really!), contact Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) or Nancy Nowiszewski (nancyn@timothylutheran.com). It’s time we got back together!

Youth Ministry Shoe Drive through Sept. 12; new or gently worn shoes (no holes, rips, tears, excessive wear) may be dropped off in bins at both campuses; proceeds to benefit Timothy’s Youth Group trips in 2021-2022. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Girls on the Run will resume fall session in Sept; coaches for girls in 3^rd-5^th grades are needed; contact Sarah Hinkle (shinkle80@hotmail.com) about details.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room, RD Mize; Topic for July 18: “The Pilgrims Come to America”; led by Dale Russell.

Sunday Evening Senior High Youth Bible Study “The Chosen”; 5-6:30pm, Room 505, RD Mize;

Sunday Evening Middle School Youth Bible Study 5:-6:30pm, Youth Room (506), RD Mize.

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study I Want to Know You by Ann Arthur; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize.

Monday Evening Adult Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Mondays) “The Prayers of Jesus” 6:30-8pm, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood; resumes Aug. 2.

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “Living by Faith”; 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room, RD Mize; led by Bob Downs.

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

Wednesday Evening Senior High Revolution Bible Study 6:30-8pm, Youth Room (506), RD Mize; led by Ryan Kuecker.

Wednesday Evening Discovery Class Learn or review foundation of the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective; 6:30-8pm, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Pastor Rod.

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study “The Women of Easter”; 6:30-8;m, offsite thru Aug; call church office for location; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; no class on July 15.

Saturday Morning Women’s Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) for all moms (expecting thru any age children); 9-10am, Wyatt 4 G’s; led by Kaye Gray; NOTE: Resumes Aug. 21.