As we wrap up the end of another Church year, our gaze naturally turns toward the end of the world. We know that Jesus has promised to return in glory, but we don’t know the when. So how should we live? While we wait, what do Christians do? In Matthew 25, Jesus tells three parables that show what Christian waiting looks like. We start by reminding ourselves that while we wait, we live expectantly.

Last night, a couple of grandchildren stopped by for dinner. I had prepared acorn squash, but my grandkids were not so sure about it. It’s not always easy to receive the hospitality of food around other people’s tables, is it? The theology of table fellowship – in which the people of God are to break bread together for the sake of oneness – is clear throughout the New Testament, and yet it is a command that is easier said than done. Put simply: we don’t always like each other’s foods.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts2:42

The gift of table fellowship was a powerful lesson that one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, had to learn the hard way. In Acts 10, Peter is called to go to the house of a Gentile, a Roman centurion named Cornelius, to share the gospel. While there, he is also invited to eat with the family, which requires eating a new kind of meat. In the past, Peter would have never dreamed of touching a meat that he considered “unclean.” But God speaks to him in a vision and commands him to dine with this Roman family as a way to show God’s grace and love.

Sharing a meal, food and fellowship allows people to see Christ through our efforts. This is the kind of humble love-in-action. The more we embrace people’s foods, the more we show them that we embrace the fullness of their humanity the way God does. Trying things that are new and getting out of our comfort zones are hard, but for the sake of the gospel is always worth it.

It’s that time of year to stock up on nuts & candy for your holiday celebrations and gifts! Stop by the LWML table in either lobby this weekend for an order form or order online on Timothy’s website (www.timothylutheran.com  Click on Events).  Filled orders can be picked up the week following placement of the order. This year, proceeds will be designated for mission mites (10%) and security & safety upgrades at Wyatt (90%). This year’s sale runs until Sunday, Nov. 26, so do not delay! Thank you!

Would you like to support TLS while Christmas shopping? Purchase a card at face value through Scrip, and a portion of the proceeds is given back to the school for its Scholarship Fund. Pretty cool!

• If your budget is $450 for Amazon, order an Amazon gift card for $450 from the school to use for placing your order.
• Do you know where you shop on Black Friday? Buy a gift card to use at those stores.
• Plan to use gift cards as Christmas presents and stocking stuffers? Order from the school.

The list of retailers includes places like Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Ulta, Panera, Casey’s, and so many more. Check out the complete list of participating retailers at https://www.raiseright.com/brands .

To place your order, contact Kristen Anderson at 816-228-5300 ext. 8017 or at kristena@timothylutheran.com. Orders will be placed weekly, depending on the number of orders that come in! Delivery time is about a week. Thank you for supporting our school!

Make plans to attend the annual TLS Trivia Night next Friday, Nov. 17, beginning at 6pm at Elks Lodge, 100 SE Brizendine Rd. for a fun evening of trivia that benefits the TLS Scholarship Fund! You don’t want to miss it! You are guaranteed plenty of laughs and a chance for a prizes, such as Winning Trivia Team, Best Themed Costumes & Table Decorations, and Last Place Team! Cost is $20 per person or $150 for table of 8. You do not need to form a team—organizers will match you with other players! It’s a great way to get to know other Timothy families. A food truck will be on site as well as desserts available for purchase (proceeds support 7^th & 8^th grade class trip). A cash bar will be open inside the lodge. Be sure to bring cash to purchase extra Mulligans (9 for $20) and Block-Your-Neighbor tokens (2 for $10—limit one per team). Childcare will be available at TLS for freewill donation (proceeds also support 7^th & 8^th grade class trip)—drop off at 5:30pm, pick up 30 min after trivia ends. Seats are limited, so be sure to grab your tickets at https://timothylutheranschool.com/trivia-night/ before they are history! Call the school office with additional questions (816.228.5300 Ext. 8017).

Make plans to attend the Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wed, Nov. 22, at 6pm at RD Mize. As is traditional at Timothy, the offering that evening is designated for Timothy’s Emergency Assistance Fund. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.
Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Pastor John will return from his three-month sabbatical on Monday, November 13th! Keep him, all of Timothy’s staff, and Timothy Church in your prayers as he assimilates back into ministry at Timothy.

All Timothy women and friends are invited to Timothy Women’s Book Club next Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6pm at Novel Place (1001 South 7 Highway—just west of South Price Chopper). Did you know this opportunity is monthly on the third Thursday, September through May? Let Barb Kalbfleisch know you’re coming (816.807-7575). The group welcomes your ideas for book selections in 2024. Hope to see you there!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”  1 Peter 1:3

Giving Tuesday 2023 falls on November 28^th. It is a wonderful opportunity to join others across our nation in giving hope through financial donations. You can provide real hope by making a special #Giving Tuesday donation to Timothy to support its mission of Transforming Lives through Christ. Timothy has been sharing the hope we have in Jesus throughout the community for over 60 years. We are thankful and praise God for all the prayers and support given through our congregation.

Would you prayerfully consider giving a special #Giving Tuesday donation to help us continue sharing the HOPE we have in Jesus while meeting our budgetary needs? The need is real, and we trust that God will provide through our brothers and sisters in Christ. Please watch for our email on November 28^th and help Timothy continue to share HOPE. Thank you for your support!

All Timothy ladies and their friends are invited to the annual Women of Hope “A Prayer Evening” on Friday, December 1, from 6-8pm in the Fellowship Hall at RD Mize.

We welcome guest speaker Jennifer Huecker who will share insights and reflections associated with two books, Holy Moments and God’s Winks. A member of Zion Lutheran in Lone Elm, MO, Jennifer is an active member in LWML where she has served many faith-filled women as MO District LWML President, LWML Vice-President of Christian Life, and preparer of many Bible studies, conferences, and conventions. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2014 and recently completed chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation for breast cancer, she has been blessed with the outpouring of God’s love through so many sisters and brothers in Christ.

Ladies will enjoy broccoli cheese soup, vegetable soup, pinwheels, and Christmas sugar cookies. Please RSVP by Nov. 22 by calling church office (816.228.5300), or clicking this link (https://timothylutheran.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/27283b98-56e1-41e4-b624-09a4ba79d332) to help organizers in planning.

The Blue Springs Community Services League at 200 SW 10^th Street in Downtown Blue Springs is accepting 3-4 volunteers to assist shoppers at its Christmas Store on Dec. 21^st from 12:40-4pm. In addition to helping the community members “shop,” the volunteers may help with light clean-up at conclusion of the shift. Perhaps a family or other small group would enjoy this as a holiday project for community service in seeing how our donated items are appreciated by the community shoppers. There is also a need for someone with a truck to return shopping carts to Price Chopper & HyVee. Please contact Diane Mayfield (816.228.5300 Ext. 8040) by Nov. 21^st  if you can help with this project on Dec. 21^st. Thank you!

Timothy’s GATHER Commission encourages you to consider the many ways in which God blesses you, your family, and your friends. At either campus during November, feel free to stop by the interactive Grateful backdrop in the lobby and grab a leaf to write something you are thankful for. Then hang it up on the backdrop! The backdrops will be displayed through Thanksgiving. Thanks!

A huge thank you to the 30 members who pitched in last Saturday at the All-Church Workday to move many things to storage in the two outdoor containers at Wyatt, which were delivered on Oct. 27, or inside the barn on Jon & Vicki Kraft’s property! Thanks also to the many volunteers who helped in recent weeks to get plastic tubs filled for the workday. Many trips in members’ trucks, trailers, SUV’s, and cars followed an organized process to ensure not only finishing by noon, but even ahead of schedule! Stay tuned for the next opportunity to move last-minute items later in December. Thank you!

Leadership asks if anyone at Timothy has knowledge, expertise, and access to materials to improve the flooring on Wyatt stage to contact Louie Wilbers (816.988.6059) if you can help.  Thanks!

Annual Voters’ Assembly Meeting Jan. 7, 2024, following second service, Wyatt Auditorium.

DivorceCare meets Mondays, 6:30-8 pm at RD Mize, Room 102.

GriefShare Thursdays, 6:30-8 pm, at RD Mize, Fireplace Room.

Donations Requested: Clean plastic bags and reusable cloth or plastic bags, if available, are appreciated for the staff at Lutheran Urban Mission Agency Auxiliary(LUMAA) to package food for its clients. Please place donations in clear tub in RD Mize mailbox area. Thank you very much!

Food Donations November As has been a tradition for quite some years, Timothy can help provide food for a holiday meal for recipients  at Jesu El Buen Pastor (The Lutheran Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd) in Kansas City.  Brown grocery sacks with attached food list are available in the grocery cart in the lobby at each site.  Filled sacks can be returned on any Sunday in November.  THANK YOU for sharing with those in need.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Gospel of Luke”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell

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

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

Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle; 9-11 am, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “1st and 2nd Samuel”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John

Wednesday Night Sr High; Youth Room(506); 6:30-8 pm; Confirmation; 6:30 -8 pm; Room 501

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) Book study; 6:30-8pm; Youth room (506), led by Miriam Lindemann

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