[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" background_type="single" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center" linear_angle="180" background_color="" background_image="" background_image_id="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" filter_type="regular" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" last="no"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""] January 1, 2020 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we celebrate the birth of Christ and enter the New Year, we look back and praise God for the many ways He has blessed Timothy’s ministries and His continued faithfulness! We’ve been blessed by the many prayers of God’s people, we’ve been blessed by volunteers who step up to do whatever is needed, and we’ve been blessed to partially meet financial shortfalls as they occur. God be praised for His faithfulness to us! Will you prayerfully consider actively participating in a First Fruits offering, over and above your normal offerings, during the weekend of January 18-19, 2020? In keeping with Levitical tradition (Leviticus 23:9-17), a First Fruits offering is a voluntary offering to God, trusting in His faithfulness to bless the upcoming year. It expresses our dependence on God for the continued preservation of life, ministry, and the ability to continue into the Next Generation to grow God’s Kingdom. The 2020 First Fruits offerings will contribute toward Timothy’s financial stability. This year, a three-week sermon series leading up to the weekend of January 18-19 will guide us as we pray about our personal equal sacrifice offerings for 2020 First Fruits. Reaching our faith goal of $209,000 will allow Timothy’s faith-based operating budget to fund ministries with little or no deficit. At the Annual Voters’ Assembly Meeting on December 8, 2019, voters learned that generous First Fruits and regular offerings are necessary to continue 10% tithes to missions and to fund normal operating expenses. How can you and/or your family offer God a gift of thanks as He leads us into the New Year? Are you able to increase your annual giving? Is there another plan that works better for you? Timothy’s pastors and leaders know full well the value of your volunteerism through time and talents. That is certainly not diminished as we, the body of Christ, strive to carry out Timothy’s mission at home and abroad. Meshing time, talents and treasures will continue Timothy’s ministry of touching lives for Christ. . . because it matters! May God continue to richly bless the body of Christ at Timothy as we work together to make a difference in our church, community and around the world. If you have questions concerning your level of involvement in 2020 First Fruits, feel free to contact Timothy’s Executive Board members listed below. Blessings to all in the New Year, Timothy Lutheran Ministries Executive Board Diane Mayfield, Gary Flandermeyer, Charlie Johnson, Joe Sauter, Carol Cronkhite, Sandy Bahrenburg, Louie Wilbers P.S. A special First Fruits offering envelope will be available starting the weekend of January 4-5 for your convenience, or you may contribute online at Timothy’s website. If using a pew envelope, please write the amount on the “Other” line and specify “2020 First Fruits” on the blank line. Thank you! [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]