November 22, 2023

Christ the King Sunday

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Nov. 26

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Psalm 95:1-7a

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 256:31-46

The Coming Kingdom

Jesus' vision of glory is really a humble one. His kingly activity is not concerned with parading around royally, or associating with the powerful or wealthy, or affiliating himself with military might and authority. The pronouncements made from his throne are not ones issued for the sake of protecting his own power. Instead, he is concerned with one question in particular: How do the vulnerable fare?

As we celebrate Christ the King at the end of another church year, we are challenged to see an expression of political power that is far different from that which makes our governments tick. Jesus welcomes his followers into an alternative way of life, one that puts love of neighbor at the center of our daily actions.

To get a sense of how the vulnerable have fared on our watch, we could look at our national and local budgets, government policies, advocacy efforts, social interactions, even our charitable contributions. At the heart of Jesus' teaching is an invitation to see one's neighbor with renewed vision. There is an expectation when honoring Jesus' sovereignty that our attention turn outward, away from ourselves. Similarly, the celebration of the Lord's supper redirects our attention toward Christ and our neighbor.

When we receive the meal, we are not coming forward for a private snack. Instead, we come as people who are shaped by this gift of God. In this gift Christ himself reminds us of the common need we have, and as we partake in the meal, we are invited to see it as a central expression of Christ's reign. In so doing, our idea of neighbor expands and we rehearse an economy that God desires, one in which vulnerable people matter. We share this meal with God's family throughout history and around the world. And this is how the kingdom comes.

From sundaysandseasons.com

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

• 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, Nancy Purcell, Evelyn Sundholm, Pastor Gerry Zimmerman (Bethel, Portville and Shepherd of the Valley, Wellsville, James Dieter, Bob Lindberg, Lianne Edborg, Karen Brown, Marty Wittstrom, Sarah VanStaalduin, Joe Gauvin, Emerson Allaby, John Gingrass, those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Christine Kaffka, Sean Pecuch, and Ben Wickerham, 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.

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:

Sunday, Nov. 26 Worship 10:00 am

Nov. 27 & 29 Healthy Bones 9:00 am

Nov. 27 Dog Training Evaluations 5:45 pm

Nov. 30 Tai Chi 9:30 am and 12:00 pm

Choir 5:00 pm

Poinsettia Orders are now being taken. Orders with money are due December3rd.

They are $10.00.

Dear friends,

I will be on vacation from Mon., Nov. 20-Mon., Nov. 27. We will be spending time in Rochester where the entire family will be getting together after more than 2 years.

If any emergencies arise, please contact Pastor Mark Swanson at 215-264-4180. I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Pastor Ivy Gauvin

Advent Fest Sunday, Dec. 3 Join us for an expanded Coffee Hour and decorating the church for Christmas.

Advent begins Sunday, Dec. 3. We will be having an Advent Bible study beginning at that time. Each session of the study explores one way we encounter God, from revelation to proclamation. The four sessions are:

Week 1- Revelation

Week 2-Invitation

Week 3-Vocation

Week 4-Proclamation.

It's an excellent study and we look forward to gathering together. Please join us. We will be meeting after fellowship.

Volunteers Needed:

Dog Training Evaluations – Help with final evals. Monday, Nov. 27

Fellowship Hall 5:45 pm

Call Carly Davis at (716) 268-1421

Evangelism Committee – card ministry

Finance Committee – quarterly meetings plus budget

5 & 2 Backpack Ministry – pack bags every 3rd Tuesday of the month.

7:00 pm Fellowship Hall

The Ashville Hewes Center has a new project brewing - a Food/Clothing/Hygiene Closet! Whether it be a basic need for these items, an upcoming job interview, and upcoming school or personal event, a dress code concern, or a need for appropriate work attire for our vocational programs - we will have these resources on hand for all our students on the Hewes Campus to have their basic needs met. The students will create and vote on a name for the closet and make it their own! It will also be run by the students as they learn basic work skills. Alissa Rinaldo is our contact person here at St. Timothy, as well as the representative for the Hewes Center for 5 & 2 Ministry and Packing.

Below is a list of items they are requesting. For clothing, please keep in mind that these are middle/high school students ages 14-18 and what they would wear. Any donations can be brought to church and placed in our bin or hung on the Fellowship Hall coat rack. Alissa will pick them up when she comes to pack for the month. THANK YOU.

Men’s & Women’s Clothing- casual, business & workwear

- t-shirts

- sweatshirts

- sweatpants

- leggings

- winter necessities- coats (casual & business), hats, gloves

- jeans - work jeans

- shoes & boots - casual & work footwear

- scrubs

- work outerwear - flannels, work coats, work gloves

- business apparel for job interviews or formal school & personal events

- women’s and men’s undergarments

- deodorant

- toothbrushes & toothpaste

- shampoo & conditioner

- body wash and soap

- hair brushes & combs & hair products

- lotion

- laundry detergent - preferably pods or smaller bottles to be sent home

- laundry stain remover

- feminine hygiene products

- reusable shopping bags

- backpacks

- travel bags (bags are for students to bring items home, discreetly)

- cosmetic bags

- clothing hangers

5 Loaves & 2 Fish Backpack Ministry

We are well into our routine each month packing 880 bags of food to be distributed to our elementary students. We can always use more hands, so if you're able to give an hour once a month, we can use you.

3rd Tuesday of the month

7-8 pm

Fellowhip Hall

Click this link to volunteer: gales1949@gmail.com

Fighting childhood hunger in our community one child

at a time!

ONLINE GIVING at St. Timothy for Debit/Credit cards

Three 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