July 21, 2024
Genesis 50:14-21
The Message
Scripture readings
for Sunday, July 21
Genesis 50:14-21
Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the funeral, Joseph’s brothers talked among themselves: “What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?”
16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, “Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, ‘Forgive your brothers’ sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.’ Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God?”
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
18 Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, “We’ll be your slaves.”
19-21 Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
• 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 Ann Saar, Kay Marker Magneson, Roy Pihl, George Balcom, Thom Shagla, Norm Wolff, Deb Pierce, Father/Pastor Richard Elberfeld, 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
July 21 Worship w/Communion
July 22 Dog Lessons 4:30 pm
JOURNALING IN JULY
Have you ever done journaling? I have in the past and it really helped me to focus my ideas and I could better hear God’s voice. If you’re interested, here is a resource from WELCA.
https://www.womenoftheelca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Journaling.pdf
Peace,
Pastor Ivy Gauvin
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
NEW July - August Dog Lessons with Chq. Dogs
Mondays at 4:30 pm
Contact Carly Davis at (716) 268-1421
Looking for old towels for our Cleaner, Ashley. If you have any you would like to donate, please leave them in the office or the front entryway. Thanks Marge
*** Plastic cap and lid collection. We have offered to help Love School collect plastic lids, container tops and pill bottles for a Buddy Bench designed by the students. Please review the insert for what is acceptable and join in the effort to help out the students. A container will be available in the Narthex and also in the entryway marked BUDDY BENCH PROJECT. Thank you!
5 Loaves & 2 Fish Backpack Ministry
23/24 School Year
We contiuously 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
If you can volunteer, please contace
Gale Svenson-Campbell at the link below. Thank you!!
Beautiful Sunset on Chautauqua Lake July 4, 2024
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
How could Joseph be so forgiving? These are the brothers who threw him into a pit, selling him to the Egyptians because they were jealous of him.
Families are complicated. Jacob, Joseph’s father, doted on Joseph. Jacob had a coat of many colors made for Joseph. He was clearly his father’s favorite son. His brothers had reason to be jealous! And Joseph wasn’t perfect, either. He also told them about the dreams he had, showing him in a superior position over them. It is not a smart thing to do.
But if it wasn’t for Joseph’s forgiving ways, his family would have perished in the famine that affected Israel, while Egypt had plenty. In the position Joseph was promoted to in Egypt, he had the power to save them, and he did.
When my mother was ill and then eventually died, I was a bit at odds with my brother. There was part of me that didn’t even want him to be my brother anymore, unless something changed. God worked in our hearts, and we became closer, though it was painful. When he died, his wife treated us like outsiders, and we were cut off not only from her, but from my nieces.
Years later, I was reunited with two of my brother’s children. God is good. Reconciliation is a huge part of our lives in Christ. Jesus, from the cross, even forgave those who crucified him, “…for they do not know what they are doing.”
Triune God, whose will it is that humans live in community, bless family life everywhere and fill all homes with respect, joy, laughter, and prayer. Strengthen the commitment of husbands and wives to one another, that they may mirror your covenant faithfulness; pour out your Spirit on parents, that through them their children may taste your unconditional love; and empower all family members to live in your grace and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
Pastor Ivy Gauvin
