March 19, 2020

                                                              Ephesians 5:8-16

                                                   The Message

Scripture readings

for Sunday, March 22

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-41

REFLECTION

Pr. Ivy

How apropos the last sentence in this reading from Ephesians, “These are desperate times!” With all that is happening in our world today, I don’t think anyone could disagree with that.

Personally, I was planning on surgery Tuesday and that got canceled. I found myself very depressed as a result. I was looking forward to relief from the pain I am currently experiencing. Interestingly enough, I was with other pastors yesterday at a forum with county medical representatives. One of the speakers said that this is not the time to go to the hospital. My thought was, “Ok. God. I hear you.”

Before baptism we were in darkness. Now the light of Christ “makes [our] way plain.” Sundaysandseasons.com says, “Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment...in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives.”

How can we bear witness when we find ourselves at home more than we would like? There’s still the good old-fashioned telephone. We can call friends and neighbors to check on them and to be mutually encouraged. Those who are online, we can email or we can Facetime or Skype. We need to be more deliberate in this time when we cannot physically gather together. We can gather virtually.

Remember, as much as we hear about “social distancing,” it is more accurate to think about physical distancing being the important issue. We dare not be socially distant. How that would add to the loneliness of those who were already shut up in their homes.

Let us wake up and “Make the most of every chance [we] get.”

Just a reminder that I can always be reached by email or my cell phone: 716-904-0855. May God’s peace enfold you in these uncertain times.

8-10 You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,

Climb out of your coffins;

Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

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

All services and activities cancelled until the end of the month.

St. Timothy Updates due to Coronavirus Pandemic

Heres the link:

http://www.sttimothybemus.com/coronavirus-updates.html

***5 & 2 Backpack Ministry - The 5 & 2 Committee will be passing out bags of food for our participants every Friday while school is closed.  We have enought food currently for 5 weeks.  

***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, contact Kathy Carlson at 485-1316.

Dear Friends,

In light of COVID-19 and its increasing spread in our area, our Conference Leadership Team has decided to cancel the Conference Women’s Spring Gathering, scheduled for Saturday, April 25th. We plan to have it at a later date.

Please continue caring for one another through prayer and support (however that is manifested). We are all in this together.

God bless and thank you for your understanding,

Lois Rumfelt, Secretary

Southwestern Conference

Upstate New York Synod, Women of the ELCA

Each day at camp is ended with Cabin Devotions. During this quiet and reflective time, each member of the cabin community is asked to share a "High", a "Low", and where they met Jesus that day. It's a grounding time in which to pause and listen for God in the midst of a very energetic camp week. For God's voice tends to be quiet, and easily drowned out by the noise of life. And so, we stop and listen. 

During these uncertain, noisy times caused by COVID-19, we encourage you and your family to try this LCLC routine in your homes. You'll most likely all have high points and low points to share with one another. In sharing those experiences, you'll also meet Christ. God be with you.

Dear Church & Love INC Supporters,

Our world has gone a little crazy, but we know who is in control. The last month of preparations for the Ministers March Mania ended abruptly with an email suspending the use of the Frewsburg gym, only to followed by school closures until further notice. Out of concern for our community, I am grateful for God’s clarity in the decision-making to suspend the Ministers March Mania Basketball event until further notice. The board and I will be meeting soon to decide how to move forward. I appreciate your prayers and support as decisions and plans are made for the next right step for Love INC.

Thank you for support for this event and Love INC.

In Christ,

Susan L. Justham | Executive Director

Love In the Name of Christ of SCC

Helping Churches to Help People 

Phone: 716.338.9828

loveincscc.org

Upcoming Commemorations

Jonathan Edwards, teacher, missionary to American Indians, died 1758

Sunday, March 22, 2020

A Puritan minister in Connecticut, Edwards is remembered as being a great preacher. Though his most famous sermon talks at length about hell, he was more concerned with God's love. He served both as missionary to the Housatonic people in Massachusetts, and as president of the future Princeton University.

Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Romero was deeply concerned with injustices evident toward the poor and powerless in El Salvador, and worked forthrightly against political repression. He was assassinated while presiding at the eucharist in a chapel near the cathedral in San Salvador.

Annunciation of Our Lord

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Nine months before Christmas we celebrate the annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. The ancient church believed that this was also the date of the world's creation and of Jesus' death on the cross.