May 7, 2020

                                                             John 14:1-14

Scripture readings

for Sunday, May 3

Acts 7:55-60

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

1 Peter 2:2-10

John 14:1-14

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy

These are words we often hear at funerals because they are comforting. They are words of comfort for mourners and those wondering about the future. What will life be like post-COVID 19? Will we ever be past it? Will things ever be “normal” again. There are a lot of questions and uncertainty swirling through our heads and it’s easy to fear.

Jesus spoke these words on the night he was to be arrested before his crucifixion. These were his last words to his disciples. The disciples were clueless as we can see in Thomas’ and Philip’s comments. And yet, you have to give them credit. Would we have the courage to speak up if we didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about?

Jesus is reassuring as ever. He, the one who knew he was going to a painful death, the worst kind of death the Roman Empire had to offer. Rather than being wrapped up in himself, his concern is to comfort the disciples. They’ll know where to go because Jesus not only shows them the way, he is the way!

Can we let God lead us through the knots and mess of the Coronavirus and how that affects us individually, as a family, as a community, as a church? Jesus is the way. We need to follow him, and he will show us the way. “As the one through whom God is known, he promises to go before them and act on their behalf” (sundaysandseasons.com).

The final verses are hard to wrap our minds around; “’I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.’” If we are in relationship with Jesus, if we are in tune with God’s plans, we can ask anything because we are one with God and can pray according to God’s will for the situation. It’s all so that the Father may be glorified.

Dear Lord, we sometimes feel like we are wandering through life. Especially now, tensions and fears run high. Give us your peace to rest in your love today and in the coming days. Amen.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

  8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

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

Govenor Cuomo extends NY PAUSE to May 15.  No in person services until after May 15.  Interactive bulletins will still be available until we return to regular worship services.  Your input is greatly appreciated.

Follow the link below each Sunday at 9:30 to Worship in Spirit .

St. Timothy Updates due to Coronavirus Pandemic.  Heres the link:

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

Spring Work Day at St. Timothy Lutheran Church

Saturday, June 6th         Rain Date  June 13th

9:00 a.m.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Weeds don't take a break during the pandemic.  Bring your tools and masks as we practice social distancing and spruce up the church for our official in person opening SOON.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Art and Spirituality:

A Time to Create, Connect and Pause

Thursdays,10-11:15 via ZOOM

May 7, 14, 21, 28 June 4

SIGN UP TODAY! Course limited to 15

Art and spirituality have always provided an important link for connection between God and humanity. Art becomes a spiritual practice when it intentionally names that connection between God and the work of our heart and hands.

Every Thursday morning we will offer a space for people to be with others while creating. This creative pause will make room to explore how God meets us through artistic immersion and practice.

The leader will change weekly as we offer a variety of artistic mediums for the purpose of creating and connecting. The supplies needed will be things you can probably already find in your home.

Experienced artists and those looking to learn a new thing and all those in between are encouraged to sign-up.

SIGN UP for this 5 week course by sending an email to Pastor Lori Kochanski, the Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Formation of the Upstate New York Synod, at lkochanski@upstatenysynod.org  Please include name, phone number and email address in the email. Once registered you will be sent the Zoom link for the sessions. There is no cost to participate. Questions? contact Pastor Lori Kochanski (lkochanski@upstatenysynod.org)

More about the course:

First Session (Thursday, May 7 at 10am) will be led by Pastor Tara Eastman (pastor, King of Kings Lutheran Church, Liverpool, NY)

“Artful Prayer” Part art and part prayer with the help of some simple art supplies, scripture and a time dedicated to using these mediums to take part in Bible Study in a new way.

Supplies needed: drawing paper – but mixed media/watercolor paper is best. Pencil, pen and watercolors. (crayons and paper will work, too, if you do not have watercolors)

Second Session (Thursday, May 14 at 10am) will be led by Pastor Lori Kochanski (Assistant to the Bishop Upstate New York Synod ELCA, artist and spiritual director, Albany, NY)

“The Art of Baking and Making” We will make a super simple bread dough AND some play dough as we think about creation.

Supplies needed: 8 cups of flour, water, 1/2 cup salt, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of yeast, three tablespoons of oil, wooden spoon, large container with a lid, mixing bowl, ziplock bag

Third Session (Thursday, May 21 at 10am) will be led by Pastor Pamela Hoh (pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, Troy, NY)

“The Art of Journaling” Together we will explore a myriad of ways in which we can employ writing as a tool to both deepen and enliven our relationships with one another and with God. 

Supplies needed: a journal, or notebook, 5” x 8” or larger; lined or unlined is fine. You will also need to have both a favorite pen and pencil, and an eraser. 

Fourth session (Thursday, May 28 at 10am) will be led by Deacon Karen Matthias-Long (Director for Faith Formation, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, PA)

“Accordion books”  We will incorporate poetry and painting in the creation of an accordion book. Supplies needed: paints (or colored pencils, scraps of paper, crayons) and watercolor paper or card stock

Fifth Session (Thursday, June 4 at 10am) will be led by Pastor Dana Smith (pastor, Atonement Lutheran Church, Syracuse, NY)

“Worshiping with Watercolors” 

We will explore using watercolors as devotional meditation.  In this class we’ll be using a modified form of Lectio Divina while playing with watercolors.  All skill levels will be able to participate. 

Supplies needed:  Watercolor set – can be a child’s set or any watercolors you have (markers could be used as a substitute), Watercolor or Mixed Media paper (heavy cardstock could be used as substitute), paint brush, painter’s tape (masking tape could be used as a substitute), Pen, Pencil, Scissors.

***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.

***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!

***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date: 84

Dear Church,

The Covid "Pause" continues to disrupt our lives and we each are getting restless in various ways. I noticed this weekend more traffic on our once quiet streets. Parking lots of essential businesses are full as purchases of non-essential items are on the rise for those who are not greatly impacted by the "Pause." Yet many in our community are still trying to sign up for unemployment or waiting for the promised stimulus check to come that will to get over the hump before our economy is reopened. And there are those who are starting to feel the pinch with no extra money for diapers. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a verse we are all familiar with. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." Trust is harder for those without faith or faith of long ago. Trusting in the Lord with all of your divided, fearful, worrisome, "how are we ever going to get back on our feet" heart is next to impossible for they can not see past the struggle swirling around them. We have all been caught in the blindness a struggle often brings. Please continue to pray for peace with each crashing wave as well as the faith to see Jesus in the midst of the storm.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

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

Love INC Prayer Requests 05/04/2020

Family of 5 who are struggling financially. The husband’s work hours were cut because of the Covid-19 “Pause’ and the wife is a stay-at home mom.  They needed some diapers that were provided them through Baby Gap Ministry at Jamestown Free Methodist.  Pray for all the families who are going through a similar struggle.

Update and Continued Prayer

Love INC needs a Board Member with Social Media Expertise to assist with better Social Media Communication 

Love INC needs a volunteer accountant/bookkeeper. Our current bookkeeper will be retiring in May and we are looking for a replacement.

The Board and staff at Love INC to see where God is calling us to help during this crisis

Love INC is collecting toiletries, cleaning products, diapers & wipes to assist this in need in the days to come.

Praise – Donations have started to come in.

A young mom escaping domestic violence is moving into her own apartment needs essential household items and furnishings.  Pray for discernment to make good choices for her and her daughter.  Through our Gap ministry at Bethel Baptist - Toiletries and cleaning products have been provided

A single woman fleeing domestic violence is moving into her own apartment at the beginning of April. Needing to reestablish her household needs everything.   Some small kitchen items, cleaning supplies and toiletries have been provided

A single older woman, desiring to get off assistance and unable to attend traditional classes because of medical issues is seeking a laptop computer to be able to take on-line classes.  Pray for her mental and physical health, the needed computer and “God-sightings” in her life.

Our furniture ministry needs twin-size beds.  We currently have 23 children waiting to sleep in their own beds. *** Furniture Ministry is Suspended until further notice

Please pray for clarity and direction regarding Love INCs role to our community, the cancellation of the Ministers March Mania basketball fundraiser and the financial need now and in the future.

An older gentleman, moving from the mission into his own apartment, needs furnishings. Pray for his health and family relationships. 

A young man whose past lead to homeless is moving into his own apartment. He is currently employed and needs furnishings.  Pray for peace with his past and his faith continues to grow

Our household ministry needs some items that are regularly requested by the families assisted

Toasters, Pots & Pans, Towels, washcloths, bowls and coffee makers   Praise – 2 coffee makers and 2 sets of pots and pans have been donated.   Bedding is currently being collected by our partner Church of the Nazarene

*****A single older woman who is need of a ramp for her home.  She has MS and has a lot of difficulties getting in and out of the house. Update- Busti Children are hosting a Mother’s Day Math Detective Scavenger Hunt to benefit Love INC see Busti Church of God Facebook for more information