Sunday 9:00 am, RD Mize Campus
Sunday 10am, Wyatt Campus

Worship info on Timothy’s website
(www.timothylutheran.com/worship/ )
Live Stream worship on Facebook – Sundays 10am
(www.facebook.com/timothylutheran)
Recorded Worship Services
(www.YouTube.com/TimothyLutheranMinistries)

As We Gather for Worship This Weekend
 “Who Are You”

One of the most fundamental questions that a person has to answer for himself or herself is whom he or she is. How do you identify yourself, and how do you define that identity? Jesus became one of us so that we would have a solid identity that is grounded in Him.

In Our Lack, He Draws Closer:  A Devotion

We got roller skates, for Christmas, for three of our grandchildren. Yes, they tested them out on their hardwood floors. And, yes, there were falls and tears. I watch, as my daughter goes to her children, scoops them into her arms. She draws near to them, as close as she can possibly get. She can never get too close. Her love for them is never too much.

God does the same with us. Like a mother hearing the cry of her child, God came ever close. God—who formed the stars with His hands and sprinkled galaxies we’ll never even know about—allowed His body to grow within the body of a teenage girl, the closest fathomable human condition, bodies tangled and intertwined together.

God drew near, as close as anyone could possibly get. He came to all who lacked. Jesus often seemed to surround Himself with poor and unspectacular people. A teenage girl. A step-dad who wanted to choose divorce. A group of shepherds whose names we never even learn. Their lack was never something to keep Jesus at bay. He can never get too close. His love is never too much.

There is no such thing as too much love, only a lack of it. But here’s the thing: Jesus lacks nothing. And with Him dwelling within us, we don’t lack anything either. When we come to Him with nothing but empty hands and a worn-out heart, He takes our lack and gives us something in return: far more love than we could ever fathom. He pours out His love, lavishing it. In our lack, He comes closer and closer still.

Christmas Greetings from a Missionary

Timothy received the following letter from Barb Rebentisch, one of the missionaries supported by Timothy’s tithe.

Dear partners in the Coming of His Kingdom among the Chinese,

I praise God for you!  I pray you are filled with joy as you celebrate the advent of Salvation in the birth of Jesus.  I pray you are filled with hope in the anticipation of His return in glory to take us Home with Him.

The above photo is from a Christmas tree at Concordia Middle School several years back.  I love the message, because while we were lost, Emmanuel came to us.

Amazing grace!

Christmas joy,

Barb Rebentisch
Asia Regional Office Building
Chiayi, Taiwan

The Gift of the Magi

Next Sunday, Jan. 8^th, will be Timothy’s observance of First Fruits Sunday. In the Old Testament, the practice of offering the first portion of a harvest (the first fruits) to God was a way of not only thanking Him for the blessings of that harvest but also a way of expressing trust that God would continue to provide for His people. That is why6 we offer our first fruits to God. It is a special offering above and beyond what we normally give.

For 2023, Timothy’s leadership set a First Fruits goal of $110,000.00. For each of the next three years, the first $12,000.00 of First Fruits contributions will be designated for expenses related to Timothy’s youth attending the 2025 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The remaining contributions will fund Timothy’s other ministries as supported by operations.

Please prayerfully consider supporting Timothy’s First Fruits in 2023 as we continue to focus on transforming lives through Christ. Contributions may be placed in pew envelopes or regular envelopes clearly marked “2023 First Fruits” or offered online on Timothy’s website (www.timothylutheran.com) under the Give tab. Thank you very much!

LUMAA Update

The Lutheran Urban Mission Agency Auxiliary (LUMAA) will meet on Wed., Jan. 18, at Ascension Lutheran, 4900 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO. Registration begins at 9am with the opening service at 9:30am. The speaker will be the Executive Director for Cornerstones of Care. The ladies will also fill duffle bags for children entering foster care.

The Mission of the Month collection is non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the food pantries. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by Jan. 13 to Doris Foley, 816.591.9566 (call or text). All ladies of the congregation are invited, and all donations for the Mission of the Month collection are appreciated. Thank you!

2022 First Fruits contributions total $103,201.59, as of Dec. 25^th. Thank you! Per 2022 budget, First Fruits contributions are transferred to Operations each month, and the projected total transfer was $200,000.
Raise the Roof contributions total $ 27,600, as of Dec. 25^th. Thank you!

Staff Christmas Gift Timothy’s church and school staff thank the congregation for its generous donations toward the annual Staff Christmas Gift opportunity. It is an honor to serve our Savior and Timothy church as we all strive to transform lives through Christ. God’s blessings to all of you! Thank you!

FaithRoots will not meet on Jan.1^st. Resumes Jan. 8^th.
All Wednesday Evening Education Classes resume Jan. 4^th.

Church Office will be closed Jan. 2. TLS will be closed through Jan. 3^rd. Classes resume Jan. 4^th.

Food Donations during the month of January will be delivered to Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Volunteer Opportunity Are you as an individual or as a family looking for a volunteer opportunity at Timothy? The Sunday Morning Donut Ministry at RD Mize needs someone once a month. Responsibilities are picking up donuts at HyVee, setting up coffee no later than 8:15am, and cleaning afterwards. The normal time commitment is 7:45-11am. Attending worship at 9am is definitely do-able. Please contact Viv Bradshaw (vivbradshaw@aol.com) or Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) with additional questions. Thank you!

Children’s Epiphany Party Fri., Jan. 6, 6pm at Wyatt. All Timothy children and friends invited to enjoy pizza and games.

Installation of Elected Lay Leaders NEXT SUNDAY, Jan. 8^th, either service

A Night of Laughter Thurs., Jan. 12, 6pm, RD Mize Family Life Center; free; all ladies & friends invited to enjoy the humor of Comedienne Chonda Ruth Pierce, “The Queen of Clean.” RSVP not required but helpful by signing up on church app (Events), church website (Events), or by calling church office (816.228.5300). Childcare available upon request.

Announcements for Church Events All approved spoken worship announcements and slides will be submitted on Timothy’s website under the Events tab. Click on the Announcements for Church Events box to complete the announcement form and upload an accompanying slide, if any. Deadline to submit is 10 days prior to the requested Sunday’s date. Submitting info for the weekly Timothy Connects newsletter may continue to be emailed to Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com). Deadline for Timothy Connects is 6am Thursday each week. Thank you!

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “Jesus—the Fulfillment of the Law”; 10-11am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell; no class on Jan. 1; resumes Jan. 8.

Monday Evening Adult Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Mondays) 6:30pm fellowship; 7pm study; Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Messy People (Imperfect Biblical Heroes)”; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “The Book of Acts”; 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by various men

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “Confirmation Review”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) book study; 6:30-8pm, Room 109, RD Mize; led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky for current book

Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1^st & 3^rd Saturdays) 9-10am, Wyatt 4 G’s; led by Kaye Gray