After the Joining Jesus event, I have been acutely aware of the people around me and my interaction with them. It’s funny, but I find myself listening more.

Galatians 6: 2 teaches us to, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

The most practical way to live this out is through listening. We cannot save people or change their circumstances, but we can listen. I think one of the reasons people were drawn to Jesus was because He was a good listener. When blind Bartimaeus cried out, everyone tried to silence him. “Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet” Mark 10:48. The Bible tells us when Jesus hears this blind beggar’s cry, He stops. He listens.

People wanted to be close to Jesus not just because He was a good teacher, but because He made space to listen to them. It amazes me that the God of the universe came to this world as a man to walk with us, talk with us, and listen to us.

We, in our love for others, should be quick to listen like Jesus and make space for others to bring their wounds and words so that their burden feels just a little lighter. It is true that we are the hands and feet of Jesus to go and do His work, but we are also the ears of Jesus to stop, wait, and listen.

There’s some excitement and hope brewing after the amazing Joining Jesus event last Saturday, April 29^th, at Pointe of Hope Lutheran Church. 65 Timothy members packed into the room with members from Pointe of Hope, Jesus el Buen, Messiah Lutheran, and St. Paul Lutheran.  Pastor Finke had us not only laughing but also thinking about the amazing invitation and calling Jesus gives us to love and create ripples of grace all around us. Best of all, it doesn’t mean changing our whole lives around, memorizing the entire Bible, or stepping way out of our comfort zone.

While you may not see it, there is a whole new group of Timothy members stepping into the mission field God has called us to! Those who are interested will catch up later this month to brainstorm what this looks like as we move forward and support one another as God’s people specifically here at Timothy. If you missed the event but want to connect, reach out to Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) so you can join this brainstorming group.

The GROW Commission has rescheduled Timothy’s Immersive Prayer Journey for TOMORROW May 13, from 10am-4pm at the RD Mize Campus.

Through a path of nine self-guided stations of the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, you will engage in prayer and reflection, Scripture readings, and simple activities, all intended to deepen your connection with our Savior, so make plans to come experience the prayer Jesus Himself taught us to pray.

The prayer journey will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete, but the pace is up to you. Couples and families with small children are welcome to take the journey together, if desired. Sign-ups are necessary for people to move smoothly through the journey. We are excited about the impact this will have on our lives.

Please go to this “PRAYER LINK”  or church app (Events) to sign up for one slot per family. If there are more than three in the group, please sign up for an additional slot.  Thank you! And please keep this experience in your prayers!

Timothy’s LWML Elizabeth Circle is once again organizing and supporting the Lutherans for Life Diaper Drive between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. This year’s donations are designated for the Happy Bottoms organization. They accept diapers, pullups/training pants, and wipes for children only. The most used sizes are 4, 5, & 6, but all child sizes are appreciated. Diaper packages can be new or partial packages that are open in a bag or box. The wipes should be new and unopened.  Online donations are also welcome at www.happybottoms.org  Please drop off donations in the bins at either campus. Thanks for your support!

Starting this Sunday, the congregation is invited to stop by the “free table” in the lobby at RD Mize to pick up usable items from storage areas that will not be stored elsewhere, moved, or discarded. As additional storage areas are cleaned, sorted, and organized over the upcoming weeks, there will be more opportunities for free items.  Contact the church office with questions.
The congregation is also invited to visit the Adult Library (Room 303) and Children’s Library (Room 304) to select books or other materials they would like to own.

We want to introduce you to the Timothy Ministries Stewardship Team. The team has one goal: To advance the fiscal steward effectiveness of Timothy Lutheran. The efforts of the group are aimed at increasing the giving of Timothy members through education and designed-giving programs.

The team will work on initiatives around planned giving and will sponsor educational sessions on various aspects of fiscal stewardship.

Later in 2023 we will introduce the Consecrated Stewarts Program from Lutheran Church Extension Fund, which is a program of planned Biblical giving. In additional to the Consecrated Stewards program, we will plan quarterly educational programs to assist our members to become better stewards of gifts God has provided.. The specific topics are being explored now, but we will start with a session on Tax-Advantaged Giving.

Tax-Advantaged Giving: Our first session will be led by members of Timothy’s Stewardship team and will be a short no-pressure, low-key education discussion on how to increase your giving by taking advantage of tax laws around your Required Minimum Distribution and Qualified Charitable Distributions. This is intended for individuals approaching 70 years of age or for those individuals caring for family members who are at that stage of their life.

Time and Place:

May 21st following services at both locations:
RD Mize: Fireplace Room (302)
Wyatt: Music Room (1206)

The team is putting together additional topics for our quarterly Fiscal Stewardship Sessions: Topics being considered include:

                         – The Role of Power of Attorney and Living Wills.

                         – Social Security Options and Strategies

                         – Bequests and End-of-Life Tax Planning

                         – Tax advantaged giving 2 – (Appreciated Asset Opportunities)

                         – Probate Options – (Asset Titling Strategies)

                         – Important Duties of an Estate Executor

The Stewardship Team is open to any other topics. Please contact one of the team members with your ideas or questions.

Members of the team: David Domsch, Gary Flandermeyer, Mel Falk, Doug Spilker, Joe Sauter, Doug Hick

It’s time to put the Annual Adam’s Army Blood on your calendars! This blood drive, in its 18^th year, will be Sunday, June 4^th,, 9 am – 2 pm, in the Family Life Center at RD Mize.  Sign up at savealifenow.org/group and enter code CB3C. Questions concerning eligibility should be directed to 800.668.0900. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome as well. If you are unable to donate on June 4, doing so at any Community Blood Center close to that date and specifying Adam’s Army Blood Drive will be credited toward this annual effort. For additional details, contact Sandy Gregory at 816.228.5300 Ext. 8042 or sandyg@timothylutheran.com.

Have you heard the news??  Timothy’s VBS is one week earlier than usual in July, so mark your calendar for July 10 – 14 from 9am-noon at RD Mize. Everyone is pumped for a “Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light” great time! More details and registration/volunteer opportunities can be accessed at the Children & Youth tab at http:// www.timothylutheran.com.  Invite your friends and neighbors! Please check out the display at either campus and choose a “star” of requested supplies to help ensure Timothy’s VBS is a free ministry.  Your help is much appreciated!