December 17, 2020

                                                            Luke 1:26-38

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Dec. 20

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Luke 1:46b-55

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

REFLECTION

This week's musing comes from The Rev. Lori Kochanski, Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Formation

I once had a roommate who had the intention to go running at 6:00AM every morning.

She would set her alarm every night for an early morning wake up.

At 6:00AM, every morning, the alarm would make its obnoxious alarm sound. She would push the snooze button. At 6:09AM the alarm would sound. Snooze. At 6:18AM, the alarm. Then, SNOOZE. 6:27AM, ALARM. Then, SNOOZE. The pattern would repeat every 9 minutes, every morning, until it was time for us both to get up and go to work.

After several weeks of this routine (and many conversations with assurances that she was "really going to get up this time") I made the decision that if she did not get up to run, then I was going to get up and run out of the house and regain my sanity.

When the alarm sounded at 6:00 am the next morning I jumped out of bed, put my sneakers on and ran out of the house.

That was still one of the best decisions I ever made. 

I took control of the only thing I ever can control: my own response to any given situation.

Of all the verses of the above text from the gospel of Luke I am struck most by Mary's response to the angel: "Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her."

When it became clear that THIS (the "this" being giving birth to the Messiah) was really happening, Mary had a lot of words to choose from in her response. Humility was her choice. Participating with grace in the unfolding of God's birth as a child in the weary world was her choice. Her 'yes' was just what the angel needed to hear before departing.

Then Mary, having heard the alarm sound just for her, tied up the laces of her shoes and started jogging.

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God." 38Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Names will remain of the Prayer List for a month - at which

time it will be taken off unless, or course, there is still a continued need

for our prayers and we’re asked to keep the name on.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The adult bible study at 10:40 Sundays will be on the Christmas story for the next 2 weeks.   All are invited. Bring a Bible.

Pastor is doing well and is heading home Saturday. You can contact Pastor Heather Allport-Cohoon if there is a need for pastoral care. She can be reached at 716-708-6466.

Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Prelude at 4:00 pm

Service at 4:30 pm 

Inside and Drive-in Service

     Drive in people bring a flashlight or use your cell phone light to light up

the parking lot during Silent Night.

***Committee heads – all reports are due into St. Timothy office no later than Friday, December 31st. for inclusion in the Annual Report.  Reports can be hand written and left on the office desk or emailed to the office at sttimothy2015@gmail.com.

***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  90

         Packing for next month will be January 19th.

***ONLINE GIVING now available at St. Timothy for Debit/Credit cards.   3 ways to give:

   - Go directly to our website at www.sttimothybemus.com

   - Use our QR code with the QR reader on your smartphone

   - Download the app ‘GivePlus Church’. Create an account.   

For further information, see Kathy Carlson on Sundays or call her at 485-1316.

***Committee heads – all reports are due into St. Timothy office no later than Friday, December 28th for inclusion in the Annual Report.  Reports can be hand written and left on the office desk or emailed to the office at sttimothy2015@gmail.com.

Time:  10:00 a.m.

Place:  3748 Rt. 430

Length:  30 minutes

WEAR YOUR MASKS

Coming inside? COME EARLY!