As We Gather For Worship This Weekend

A Most Unusual Christmas

Now that December is here, our thoughts turn toward the Christmas season. Decorations are up in homes and around town, and while we haven’t seen snow stick to the ground yet, the chill in the air reminds us that Christmas and its celebrations are quickly approaching.

Part of getting ready for Christmas is participating in Advent worship services. The next in-person Advent worship service will be on Dec. 9 at 5:30pm. The theme this year is “The Songs of Advent.” Then on Wednesday, Dec. 16, the Advent service will occur at Wyatt at 5:30pm in conjunction with the TLS Christmas Program. If you are able to attend, we would love to see you at these services. If you are unable to attend, the Advent services will be live-streamed.

But what does the current pandemic mean for our Christmas celebrations? We do not entirely know. We know that some families will gather as in the past which often includes attending worship on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. For others, we know they will make the difficult decision to pare down their celebrations and participate in worship via livestream. We are not advocating one or the other. Each family best knows its personal context, and we trust that you will use your God-given common sense to make the best decision for your circumstances.

This does leave us with a significant amount of uncertainty because we do not know how many people will want to attend in-person worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If you choose to worship with us in-person, we will continue to follow Jackson County Health Department guidelines regarding masking, physical distancing, and room capacities. We ask that each family group maintains good physical distancing between other families during worship. Hopefully, we can accommodate everyone who wishes to worship in-person, but we ask for patience and understanding as we navigate these most unusual circumstances.

As a reminder, in-person worship will occur at the following times:

Christmas Eve: 
At RD Mize—

• 2:00pm
• 4:00pm
• 7:00pm
• 10:00pm (Candlelight Service with Holy Communion)

At Wyatt Road—

• 4:00pm (live-streamed)

Christmas Day:
                10:00am at RD Mize (with Holy Communion)

The schedule for Drive-Thru Communion for December is slightly altered. It will be offered on Dec. 6 from 11:30am-12:15pm. However, since the Children’s Christmas Program is during the Dec. 20 service at Wyatt, Drive-Thru Communion for that week will occur on Wed., Dec. 23, 6:30-7:00pm, at RD Mize. Those wishing to participate are asked to come to the north doors (sanctuary doors), park at the curb, and then enter church to receive the Sacrament. Staff will determine best ways to provide Drive-Thru Communion in January and update the congregation in a timely manner.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. It has been tricky finding the best balance between everyone’s expectations and concerns. We may not get everything right, but with your help, we can still have a wonderful and blessed Advent and Christmas season.

Under the mercy,
Pastor John

Cleaning During a “New Normal”

During these days of operating through COVID implications and adaptations, a “new normal” of eMisting occurs often on a daily basis at both of Timothy’s campuses, especially at Wyatt before, during and after the school day. Just ask Facilities Assistant Manager Gary Williams, who is Timothy’s newest expert on cleanliness even if he walks around in an “eMist fog” most of the time.

Do you know much about the chemical called Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL)? It is known as “nature’s perfect germ killer.” Discovered in 1834 by a French chemist, HOCL is created when salt water is electrolyzed. It is a naturally occurring chemical produced by our own white blood cells to fight bacteria and inflammation after an infection or trauma. Lethal to almost all known dangerous bacteria and viruses that threaten our health, HOCL is 100% safe for humans, chemical-free, non-toxic and all-natural. Unlike liquid bleach (sodium hypochlorite), HOCL is safe. Even if accidentally ingested, HOCL is completely harmless. Yet it is 80-100 times more efficient at killing microbial pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, MRSA, and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa than chlorine bleach.

Drive-Thru Communion for the month of December will be this Sunday, Dec. 6, 11:30-12:15pm, at Wyatt. Another drive-thru opportunity will be Wednesday, Dec. 23, 6:30-7pm, at RD Mize (sanctuary entrance). (Please note that Tuesday’s eNotes listed Drive-Thru Communion on Dec. 13. That is incorrect!)

Giving Trees tags are still available at both campuses. Please sign your name on the registry next to the item(s) you choose. Next Sunday, Dec. 13, is Journey to the Manger at both campuses. Please bring your chosen gift(s) with tag(s) attached for the gift collection. Separate donations of adult-sized winter scarves, gloves and caps may be dropped off on Dec. 13 in the provided tubs as well. Thank you!

December Food Donations will be collected at both campuses through Dec. 19 for delivery that afternoon to Jesu el Buen in KCK. Grocery carts are available at both campuses. A special “Drive-By-And-Drop-Off” collection will occur in parking lots of both campuses on Sat., Dec. 19, 10am-noon. All food items are appreciated, but Pastor Eberhart especially requests donations of canned soups, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned green beans, antibacterial soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. Thanks for your generous support!

 Timothy’s Youth Hand Bell Choir will perform this Sun., Dec. 6, during 9am service at RD Mize.  Thank you, ringers!

Lutheran High School Christmas Concert will be held this Sun., Dec. 6, at 7pm in Wyatt Auditorium. Congregation is welcome to attend!

Advent Services “The Songs of Advent” Dec. 9, 5:30pm, RD Mize; Dec. 16, 5:30pm, Wyatt as part of the TLS Christmas Program

Children’s Christmas Program Sun., Dec. 20, 10am Wyatt service

Christmas Services Dec. 24: 2, 4, 7, & 10pm –RD Mize (10pm Candlelight w/Holy Communion); 4pm, Wyatt (live-streamed); Dec. 25:  10am with Holy Communion, RD Mize

Annual Voters’ Meeting is this Sun., Dec. 6, immediately following 10am service at Wyatt. Please plan to attend; a quorum of 40 voting members is required to conduct business. The meeting will be recorded and referenced in next Tuesday’s eNotes for a direct link to view the meeting. Agenda items include Annual Ministry Reports, Next Generation Update, 2021 Operating Budget, Called Staff Housing Allowance, Election of Lay Leaders, and Bylaws Revisions. Please plan to attend.

LWML Nut & Candy Sale This Sunday, Dec. 6 is final day to pick up orders at each campus. Contact Susan Ready (816.229.7688) or Lois Kuecker (816.868.5500) for alternate pickup arrangements. Thanks!

Staff Christmas Gift Donations continue through this Sun., Dec. 6. Drop off in offering plate or at church office, mail to RD Mize Campus, or contribute online at church website. Thank you!

Youth Christmas Activities

• Assembling Christmas Cards, White Elephant Exchange, Movie:  Dec. 12, 6-9pm, Family Life Center, RD Mize; contact Ryan Kuecker (kueckerryan@gmail.com) about gift exchange & movie; contact Deanna Cross (scrubnurse6@gmail.com) about Christmas cards assembling & sending to other youth
• Christmas Program Workday: Sun., Dec. 13, 3-6pm, Family Life Center, RD Mize; contact Mary Taggart (octobermom810@gmail.com)