It happened again. I can’t say that I am completely shocked . . . but still, it did kind of surprise me. It was a situation I am all too familiar with: I wasn’t invited.

We have all experienced the pain of feeling left out. I think about the life of Jesus. He lived rejected in almost every way by many He knew and cared about. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”

Jesus chose to come to earth knowing that not everyone would receive and accept Him, but He counted being reconciled to us as joy. He showed unconditional love, lavish grace, and unending forgiveness to everyone He encountered.

Maybe that is why Joining Jesus excites me. It is a mission to value people, to include them, and to allow me to do the inviting. This life of Christ is the life that we are called to today. Take a minute, look around, and share a moment of love with the people around you.

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! If donating online, please enter Timothy Lutheran Church so Happy Bottoms can track our church as a contributor.

Timothy’s leadership continues to communicate with interested organizations. The Real Estate Task Force (Bill Ekey, Corey Koenig, Gary Flandermeyer., and Gary Storck) will meet Sunday morning, May 21, to discuss next steps. If others would like to join this task force, please call the church office.

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:

THIS SUNDAY, May 21, 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 .

All Youth are invited to have fun at Bump City on Friday, June 2, from 6 – 8 pm. Pizza and snacks . Requested donation of $5.00. For more information contact Clancy clancyh@timothylutheran.com  or Pastor Ryan ryanh@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!