December 24, 2020

                                                                                Luke 1:26-38                                             

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Dec. 27

Multiple Readings as part

of Lessons and Carols

Service

REFLECTION

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

My husband has a wonderful sense of humor. He also has an ability to say something with such a straight face that it is hard to know if he is telling the truth.

When my step daughter was little, she would often ask me, in response to something silly Scott said, "Lori, is that true?"

These days I find myself wondering about truth and what is true with the fervor of my stepdaughter when she was six years old. 

My prayer this Christmas season is for truth to be revealed in new ways through this ancient story.

My hope is that our pursuit of the truth propels from this season to the next as we pursue God with us.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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

Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion

Thursday, December 24, 2020 at 4:30 pm

Prelude at 4:00 pm

Inside and Drive-in Service.

***Katie Castro will be guest preacher Sunday, January 3rd.

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

We continuously collect food items for the 5 & 2 Ministry.  Bring your donations and place in the black bin in church narthex.  Lists detailing items needed are also available in the narthex.  Monetary donations welcome! Contact Gale-Svenson-Campbell for details gales1949@gmail.com.

Committee heads: It’s time to get your year-end reports into St. Timothy office for inclusion in the annual report.  Reports can be hand written and left on the office desk or typed and emailed to sttimothy2015@gmail.com. Please submit by Jan 13th.

            ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

     •     Jan. 17 – Copies of the Annual Congregational Meeting Packet will be available for anyone wishing one at the service.  It will also be emailed to any member not attending the church service.

         ◦     Please read the packet over carefully BEFORE the meeting, as there will not be discussion during the actual meeting.  Questions should be emailed to Kristie Bloomquist at kkbarn2@gmail.com or texted or phoned at 485-3931.   She will direct your question to the appropriate person to respond to you personally.

         ◦   Committee Heads will be asked to write their sections as usual.  The Financial Report will be as extensive as possible to try to answer presumed questions, as the actual meeting will NOT include customary detailed explanations.

     •     Jan. 24 – Following worship, a very short meeting and votes will be held.  All are welcome to stay.  Drive In people will continue to receive their information over the radio with no need to enter the church.

          ◦     Because all the Annual Packets were distributed the week before, and questions answered prior to the meeting, no discussion will be needed.

          ◦     Three votes will be taken: 

                    ▪     Acceptance of Committee Reports

                    ▪     Nominations for 2 positions on Council

                    ▪     Adoption of the 2021 Budget. 

          ◦     Again, if you have questions, please contact Kristie BEFORE this meeting so that we can address your question(s) fully and adequately directly and not over the radio airwaves.   :-)

This is the year of COVID-19 and as we know, flexibility is the word.  We’ll keep our constitutional obligations and prepare for next year as is our tradition - as a congregational family.  Thank you for all your support throughout this year!!!!!

***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.