How Do You Measure Up?  A Devotion 

Sometimes, regardless of my age, when preparing for VBS I still feel as insecure as a teen on the first day of school. Stepping into the role of leader makes me uncomfortable with myself.

Like most of us, we are success-oriented and pride ourselves on exceeding expectations. But we constantly compare ourselves to others, we look at opportunities to succeed also as opportunities to fail, and unfortunately—although we may understand the unconditional nature of God’s love—we believe our value is tied to what we achieve. Here’s what the Bible says about that in Titus 3: 5-6: “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

My heart knows my identity is in Christ. However, sometimes I live like my identity is rooted in what I do or can produce. Thankfully, God’s definition of success and mine are very different. He reminds us that our value comes from WHOSE we are and God’s love is given, not earned. God’s love is bigger than our successes, our failures, our gifts, or our limitations. We may rank ourselves by our achievements or how we measure up compared to the rest of the world, but God loves us unconditionally based on the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. So we can say yes to the challenges set before us, knowing we are fully loved no matter what.

VBS IS ROCKIN’ & ROLLIN’

Day one (yesterday) of the 2021 Rocky Railway: Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through VBS was exciting and energizing, with 142 students and anticipating more today! Feel free to stop by RD Mize at 9am any morning this week to join the fun! You won’t want to miss King Rodnae and Cabin Fever as they pump up the kids for a morning of praise to Jesus! And make plans to attend the VBS Celebration Sunday at Wyatt this coming Sunday at 10-am!

Donations of items for Hillcrest Transitional Housing and cash for Resource Health (formerly Rachel House) are off to a great start. It seems the competition between girls and boys for donating the most cash to Resource Health has resulted in the girls ($95.18) out-distancing the boys ($13.57) so far, so we will monitor the race to the total goal of $1,000 as the week progresses. Collecting a total of $108.75 for Day One is super! Thank you!

Middle School and High School Swim Talks are back! High school youth meet Monday & Wednesday, 5:30-7pm. Middle school youth meet Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30-7pm. Check with Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) or Ryan Kuecker (kueckerryan@gmail.com) for locations. Bring a snack to combine with either the pizza or BBQ provided, and don’t forget to bring friends!

Worship Service Volunteers Needed

There is an increasing need for more volunteers to serve in current worship services as well as if additional services can resume.  If you can help in any of the following areas, please call the church office. The more available volunteers, the more “teams” can be developed to spread out the time commitment. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

• Musicians
• Sound techs
• Ushers
• Donuts & Coffee
• Greeters

A Message from Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan
President, MO District

“For this upcoming academic year, 48 men and women from our state will receive educational scholarships from the Missouri District to help defray tuition costs at our colleges and seminaries. These beneficiaries were selected because they have declared their intention to prepare for church work vocations. Praise God for raising up this next generation of leaders!

The scholarships were all made possible because of strategic decisions and generosity that happened many years ago when donors established an endowment to aid students from Missouri. These donors were forward thinking—making plans and preparations for the spiritual care of generations they would never meet this side of Heaven. That type of planning is a true testament to their faith in our Lord . . . and worth some reflection.

The LCMS is currently experiencing a shortage of church workers—pastors, deaconesses, DCEs, and teachers. The good news is that together we can help support those who are preparing to serve our congregations and schools in the future. Encouraging men and women to enter church work vocations and alleviating the financial burden that comes with higher education are two strategic decisions that can be made now so that an impact will be felt later. It’s the very same thought process those generous donors had when establishing the student aid endowment years ago.

For this reason, the Missouri District is launching Tomorrow’s Teachers &Preachers—a campaign dedicated to building awareness of church work vocations and an effort to strengthen our scholarship endowment so that even more financial assistance can be provided to those students on the path to ministry. Today, I would like to invite your congregation to be involved in the effort.

Sunday, August 29, is the day we’re encouraging congregations to celebrate Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers by collecting an offering that will be added to the Missouri District Church Worker Student Aid Endowment. We invite everyone to remember current and future church workers in your prayers and thank God for the many ways He is and will be using these leaders to care for His flock. May God use these gifts for His glory.

This year we celebrate the 48 students who will one day be workers in the harvest field. By God’s grace, and with His guidance, we will take steps today so that the number of students entering church work will continue to rise. Thank you for your forward-thinking ways and caring for generations to come.

Peace in Christ,
Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan
President, Missouri District”

PLEASE NOTE:  Timothy will collect a free-will offering on Sunday, August 29, at both campuses in support of this initiative. You may also contribute prior to Aug. 29 by using an offering envelope & designating Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers on the “Other” line or donating online on the church , also choosing the “Other” category and specifying Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers. We praise God that Timothy support future church workers just as we did for our own recent church worker graduate, Jake Bellinghausen. Thank you!

“Thank you, Timothy, for holding a diaper and wipes drive! The amount you collected was outstanding! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We are so blessed to have you as a community partner who continues to support IMPACT ministry through the years so that others may see the love of Jesus.  Kim Danley, Director of IMPACT Ministry”

Food Donations for month of July will be delivered to BS Community Services League. Thanks for your ongoing support!

Children’s Ministry School Supplies What a tremendous response! The Children’s Ministry staff & volunteers report that an AWESOME outpouring of support for this request has filled their need. Any additional donated supplies will be shared with the BS Community Services League with the food items collected for this month. Thank you, Timothy, for your generosity.

Children’s Ministry Skate Party Wed., July 28, 5-7pm, Rink Ratz; $5 donation; bring friends! Contact Sarah Hinkle (sarah80@yahoo.com) with questions.

FaithRoots Classes for Pre-K through 5^th grade students resume in-person on Aug. 1 during worship services at both campuses. Additional volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. Contact church office (816.228.5300) to get connected. Thanks!
Timothy’s Women of Hope Ministry is making plans for upcoming coffees & special events, but additional women of all ages are needed 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 Collection through Sept. 12; new or gently worn shoes (no shoes, tears, excessive wear) may be dropped off in bins at both campuses; proceeds to benefit Timothy’s Youth Group trips in 2021-2022, including the National Youth Gathering next summer. Your support is 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@yahoo.com) about details.

Next Generation Update The Construction Task Force and leadership met yesterday to review bids from three architectural firms for Master Plan Service for the Wyatt expansion. Conversations with the firms will continue over the next couple days, with the goal to still select one by this Friday, July 23. Thank you for continuing to keep this process in your prayers.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Pilgrims Come to America, Part II”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Dale Russell & Fritz Barlag.

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 (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 (302), 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 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”; 6:30-8pm, offsite thru August; call church office for location; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt.

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. Resumes Aug. 21.