St. Timothy Lutheran Church

                              

                                                         January 9, 2025

                                   

                                    Luke 3:15-17, 21-22


                                        






                                            

                                     

                                          

                                                            






Scripture readings

for Sunday,  Jan. 12

Isaiah 43:1-7

Psalm 29

Acts 8:14-17

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22


15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

 

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”


          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, their families, essential workers, doctors, nurses, aides, those working in nursing homes, etc.


          For Judy Kelly, Ann Saar, Kay Marker Magneson, Roy Pihl, George Balcom, Thom Shagla, Heather Miller, Bryan Dahlberg, Roland Lepier, Lois Rumfelt, Nick Johnson, Eileen Beichner, Tom Dellapenta, Pastor Karen Larson, Pastor Gerry Zimmerman, James Dieter, Joe Gauvin, Emerson Allaby, John Gingrass, those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Sean Pecuch, and Ben Wickerham, those caught up in violence and war who have no safe home in which to live. 

 

 

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

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

                 


CALENDAR

Jan. 13 & 15      Healthy Bones 9 am

Jan. 16          Tai Chi 9:30 am & 12 pm

               Choir                    

Jan. 17          Tai Chi 11:00 am

    



                      

5 Loaves & 2 Fish Backpack Ministry

  24/25 School Year




Our 5 & 2 Ministry for the first time is currently experiencing a shortfall of funds to finish the school year and we are asking for community help.


“Our mission is simple but critical: ensure that no child goes hungry,” said Jen Heiser, president of the ministry. “These are children who live in our communities, attend our schools, and rely on us to provide the nourishment they need. Without additional donations, we face a shortfall this year and may not be able to begin the next school year with the resources required.”



With rising costs and increasing demand, 5 Loaves & 2 Fish Ministry needs the community’s help more than ever. A recurring donation—no matter the amount—can create a lasting impact.


How You Can Help

Local residents and businesses are encouraged to make a difference:

1. Donate:  visit www.5and2ministry.com/volunteer to make a one time or

recurring donation.

2. Volunteer: Call or email Gale Svenson below to volunteer once a month.

(See Packing Schedule)

3.  Spread the Word: Share this story with others who may want to get involved or support the ministry financially.          


If you're looking for a wonderful way to give back to your community, please consider volunteering 1 time a month packing bags of food for area students. Our next packing date is January 28


Please contact Gale Svenson at 716-753-6319  or email at: gales1949@gmail.com








 












                               



***St. Timothy’s annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, January 26th following worship in the Fellowship Hall, with lunch. Mark your calendars.



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 10th. Thank you for all you do!



CARING AND SHARING……

Caring and Sharing will be meeting on Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, at 3:30, at church to plan for the new year and begin our Valentine's project/baskets!  Contact Kristie or Trish if you have any questions.  We're always looking for new people to join together with us!  All our welcome!  















Anyone that has any pictures or stories that they would like to share?  Send them to sttimothy2015@gmail.com



Thank you

Marge Fiore

Administrative Assistant

REFLECTIONS

Pr. Ivy Gauvin

I’d like to share some thoughts of our former bishop, The Rev. John Macholz:

 


Our rescue dog, Jessi is a mixture of breeds, one of which is Pointer. Reading about John the Baptist’s role makes me think of her. Like Jessi, John points to whom the Messiah is. “It’s him!”

 

Imagine if we so faithfully fulfilled our callings as Christians to point to Christ. Prayer is an integral part of that relationship with God. All heaven broke loose as Jesus was praying. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and there is the affirmation of the Father to the Son.

 

All of these things prepared Jesus for his public ministry. We, too, have been given these same tools. We have been given the Holy Spirit in baptism. God continually encourages us that we, too, are beloved and that he is pleased with us.

 

We have the means to do what God calls us to do. If we are struggling with something, we may ask ourselves if it was God’s idea or our own.

 

Gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)


Pastor Ivy Gauvin