December 23, 2025

God Still Speaks

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Dec. 28

Isaiah 63:7-9

Psalm 148

Hebrews 2:10-18

Matthew 2:13-23

Today’s gospel reading contains a terrible story. There is no way around that fact; there is no way to wrap this account in fancy paper and tie it with a bow, disguising the fact that this is a terrible story. There have always been terrible stories; maybe there always will be. And yet, tucked in and around and between Bible stories of death, despair, and hopelessness are often stories of new life, courage, and hope. This gospel text is no exception.

Where is God when evil happens? This is a question people have pondered since time began. What the Bible tells us over and over is that God never abandons people, no matter how bad things get. As God was with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as they rushed to leave the area and find shelter in Egypt, God was with all families in Bethlehem too, weeping alongside them.

In today’s story, God speaks to Joseph through his dreams. Remarkably, Joseph responds by fleeing to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, and then returning to Judea after Herod dies. While we’re more likely to set dreams aside as we look at all the facts and weigh all our options, Joseph simply pays attention and acts. If he had waited for some sort of proof that Egypt was the only way out for him and his family, this would be a very different story.

God still speaks to us today, especially in holy baptism, holy communion, and the Bible. In the gospel reading, what might God be saying to you and to your faith community? How might you spend more time listening for God this week?

From sundaysandseasons.com.

• 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 Marty Hunt, Ann Saar, Judy Kelly, Kay Marker Magneson, Roy Pihl, George Balcom, Thom Shagla, Macey Lundmark, Brenda Wagner, Ellé Terreberry, Dawn Arnet, Mark Kiendl, Tyler LaChapelle, Heather Miller, Bryan Dahlberg, Lois Rumfelt, Nick Johnson, James Dieter, and those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Sean Pecuch, Ben Wickerham, Paul Hebert, and Nicholas Hebert.

• 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

Dec. 28

Dec. 29

We welcome back

Pastor Tom Broad this Sunday.

Good News

Sometimes it is hard to figure out what is the right thing to do. We can think up different options. The hard part is choosing which one to do. When we choose, we ask, "Am I doing the right thing?"

As we take steps to make things better, we ask, "Am I doing the right thing?"

When we are done, we ask, "Did I do the right thing?"

We wanted to make things better. How will things turn out?

Joseph thought he was making his life better. He was engaged to Mary. They would soon get married. But now she was pregnant and he knew he was not the father. What should he do? What would be the right thing to do?

He had several options: marry her anyway; publicly break off the engagement and have Mary suffer the humiliation; or quietly break off the engagement. What would be the right thing to do?

Doing the right thing may be more about what would make us healthier, or what would cost us less, or what would be more helpful?

For Joseph, God came and said that the option that would save people from their sins would be to marry Mary and to name the child Jesus. That child did save us from our wrong beliefs by dying and then rising from the dead. Now we live in Jesus, and when we decide what we need to do, we can also ask, "What is the forgiving thing to do? How can I give mercy? In what way can I act with Jesus' grace?"

And whatever we do, we do it in Jesus. And in all things, Jesus forgives us. That is how Christmas happens.

Peace,

Pastor Hoyer

Our Transition Pastor is Pastor Timothy Hoyer. His Cell Phone is ( 716) 490-5731 in case of an emergency.

PASTOR HOYER WILL HAVE OFFICE HOURS AT ST TIMOTHY ON THURSDAYS, 1 TO 3 PM.

5 Loaves & 2 Fish Backpack Ministry

25/26 School Year

Next Pack Date: Tuesday, Jan 20 at 7:00 pm

We are well into the 2025/2026 school year. We're very excited to again be able to provide weekly bags of food for our area school children... food to carry them over for the weekend. We pack between 700-800 bags a month for students. This wouldn't be possible without the help of our wonderful and greatly appreciated VOLUNTEERS!

If you are currently a volunteer,thank you for your continued support 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 entryway. Lists detailing items needed are also available in the narthex. Monetary donations are always welcome!

If you can volunteer please contact Gale-Svenson-Campbell for details

gales1949@gmail.com

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

Worship with Pastor Tom Broad

Healthy Bones 9:00 am

Transition Pastor

Pastor Timothy Hoyer