November 21, 2024
John 18:33-37
Scripture readings
for Sunday, Nov. 24
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
33 Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
• 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, 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
Nov. 23 Worship
Bible Study following Worship
Nov. 25 & 27 Healthy Bones 9 am
Nov. 25 Dog Lessons 4:15 pm
Pastor Ivy will be away 11/25 - 12/2 on vacation.
Pr. Mark Swanson will be covering for her 11/25-27. His phone number is 215-264-4180.
Pr. Timothyh Hoyer will be covering for her from 11/28 - 12/2. His number is 716-490-5731.
Movie Night – Friday, Nov. 22 at 6:30. The movie is Arthur the King… A true story about an adventure racer who adopts a stray dog, named Arthur, to join him in an epic endurance race.
A post-election message from our presiding bishop.
We are up and running for our 5 & 2 Packing Nights during the 24/25 school year! If you are currently a volunteer, we would love to have your support again this year. 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.
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
If you can volunteer, please contact
Gale Svenson-Campbell at the link above. Thank you!!
Caring and Sharing Group will meet December 4 at 3pm.
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
Truth is an elusive term, in practice, meaning different things to different people. Truth is emphasized repeatedly throughout John’s gospel. The verse following this passage contains Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” (v. 38).
Of course, Jesus and Pilate had very different ideas of truth. I am reminded of elsewhere in John where Jesus says he is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus not only proclaims and lives truth, he is truth. Truth is embodied in Jesus Christ–whom one could see and hear and touch. He was a real person.
Pilate’s concern was that there could be a revolution starting. The Romans had enough trouble with that. If Jesus was just one more revolutionary, they had to get rid of him. Pilate is feeling Jesus out; trying to determine if he was a threat or not. In the end, Pilate had no problem with him, leaving Jesus’ fate up to the crowds.
Jesus states at the end of this passage that his purpose was to “testify to the truth” (v. 37)--to who he is as the true King, not just of one race, but of all. If we are people of the Truth, we will listen to Jesus’ voice–in prayer, in worship, in scripture and through our brothers and sisters in the faith. Through concrete means, we can hear the truth, as mysterious as it may seem. By listening and hearing, we will grow in our faith.
Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
Pastor Ivy Gauvin
