St. Timothy Lutheran Church

                              

                                                                     Octdober 29, 2020

                                             

                                                        Revelation 7:9-17

                                                    

                         

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Nov. 1

Revelation 7:9-17

Psalm 34:1-10. 22

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy Gauvin


This passage is in answer to the question asked in 6:17, “Who is able to stand?” The writer gives the faithful the assurance of God’s protection and a vision of victory.

 

This is a very inclusive group of people who are worshiping. They are not only Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, but “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” And it was not exclusive as to the number of people. It was not a case of “us four and no more.” It was a multitude. God’s love embraces all, desiring all to come to the knowledge of God.

 

They are standing before the Lamb, not a lion. The main symbol of power, the One who conquered is the Lamb. Not exactly an image of great strength, is it? But this Lamb is our Lord Jesus Christ, who conquered death and the grave, rising victorious.

 

It’s interesting that one of the elders asks John about who these people are, who are robed in white. I love the response, “Sir, you are the one who knows” (v. 14). Then the elder that asked the question answers it. It sounds like these are those who have been martyred for their faith. Although not mentioned in this passage, other places speak of witnesses to the Lord (John 1:7; Acts 1:8, 2:32, 3:15). The word in Greek for witness is martyria, from which we get the word “martyr.” For many at that time, to be a witness for Christ did lead to death.

 

We don’t know exactly what the “great ordeal” in v. 14 was. But even as God rescued his own, bringing them through that ordeal, God rescues us today in our circumstances, no matter what they may be. Hunger, thirst, sunstroke, sadness? God, our all in all, takes care of it all, “for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their [your] eyes” (v. 17).

 

Will we give ourselves over to Jesus as those in Revelation did? Are we willing to follow the Lamb wherever He leads? (Revelation 14:4). May it be so.


9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

 “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing,

 “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

 and thanksgiving and honor

 and power and might

 be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15For this reason they are before the throne of God,

  and worship him day and night within his temple,

  and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;

  the sun will not strike them,

  nor any scorching heat;

17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

  and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

 and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

 

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




*** Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday at 2:00 am; before retiring to bed this Saturday night, change your clocks back one hour.



                                 ***November 3 is ALL SAINTS SUNDAY.  Names of

                                 those who died during the past year will be remembered

                                 on that day. 




***On Sunday, Nov. 3, right after church, we will

be burning the mortgage (actually a copy of it!).

Plan on sticking around to help celebrate!!




***The Auction for the Honduras Promise Children Mission Project

Normally, this would be the time for our major fundraiser - the Honduras Live Auction with David Brown.  However, with the pandemic, we are unable to have such as event.  We have so many dedicated followers of this auction, and for this, we are so grateful.


Our Honduran families are having a very difficult time now and we are giving all families double the amount of food each month.  We could use your help.  If you are so inclined, we would TRULY APPRECIATE it if you would consider donating what you would normally at the auction to help keep our families safe and healthy.  Just mail your donation to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, PO Box 9190, Bemus Point, NY   14712 and write Honduras Auction in the memo line.  

 

 

***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  86










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.

 


***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.

 


















     

  •     For our community of faith as we seek to do God’s work in the world.

          For those in our congregation and community who suffer silently with illness, financial burdens, and family obligation.

          For people affected by coronavirus, essential workers, doctors, nurses, aides, those working in nursing homes, etc.

          For victims of wildfires, flooding and earthquakes.

          For Sandy Carlson, , Ron Simpson, Karen Johnson, Roy Pihl, George and Janet Balcom, Maj-Britt Traynor, Beverly Klang, Trudy Fetzner, Thom Shagla, Matt Isaacson, Mabel Tranum, Kay Mattern, Sandy Whitford, Gloria Fitzpatrick, Sarah Van Staalduinen, John Gingrass, and Dick Starks,  those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Ben Wickerham, Jeffrey Clauson, David Bentley and Kris Peterson,  those caught up in violence and war who have no safe home in which to live.

          For all children, that the love of Christ may reach them through all of us who have resources to love, protect, pray and provide for them.

          For The ELCZ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe and ELCZa Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia.