April 24, 2025
John 20:19-31
Scripture readings
for Sunday, April 27
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118: 14-29
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
• 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 the Family and Friends of Mabel Tranum, for Judy Kelly, Ann Saar, Kay Marker Magneson, Roy Pihl, George Balcom, Thom Shagla, Samantha Kibbe, Heather Miller, Bryan Dahlberg, Lois Rumfelt, Nick Johnson, 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, Ben Wickerham, Paul Hebert, and Nicholas Hebert, and 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
April 27
April 28 & 30
April 28
May 1
May 2
***Adopt-a-Highway – Friday, May 2 at 9:30 am. We would appreciate more help this year picking up trash as our numbers are dwindling. Thank you! Meet at the church.
***Spring Work Day – Saturday, May 10 at 9:00 am to noon. Looking for a great turnout this year! Everything outside looks so beautiful when we’re done. We have the tools….you just need a pair of work gloves. Rain Date is Saturday, May 17 9:00 am.
5 Loaves & 2 Fish Backpack Ministry
24/25 School Year
Next packing night is Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm
Our number one focus is the Children and families that we help every week, and want to be able to continue to serve them for years to come. We are so blessed to have you all as our “packing crew” and are very grateful for your monthly support and assistance. We would like to make this fundraiser a huge success with your help.
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
Dear St Timothy Family and friends,
As we start our 30th year of ministry in La Villa De San Francisco, Honduras, we have been amazed by the difference our small and humble support has made in the lives of hundreds of people.
While on our recent mission trip (January 2025), we took on 4 new children. We are now looking to triple-sponsor each child, so we can meet our monthly promise for food, school uniforms and supplies, tutoring and teaching in English, Computers, and Christian education.
Therefore, we are currently seeking 12 more sponsors for our Promise Children mission work.
We ask for a monthly donation of $30, totaling $360/ year per child. We are also grateful for 1/2 sponsorships, if that’s is better for you.
If you are willing and interested, please see Sarah Goebel or Gale Svenson-Campbell or call Sarah at
1 (716) 450-2986.
Thank you!
Anyone that has any pictures or stories that they would like to share? Send them to sttimothy2015@gmail.com
REFLECTIONS
Pr. Ivy Gauvin
This gospel is such a familiar passage of scripture. I don’t think there is anyone of us who is unfamiliar with it. With such familiarity, however, come preconceived ideas. We’re sure we know it, so it’s easy to tune out.
One of the most helpful things I learned in seminary is that God is always the one doing the action in scripture. God is always the main character, even if behind the scenes. So, a helpful question for us to entertain as we read scripture is, “What is God doing in this passage?”
If Thomas isn’t the main character, then how did we come up with the title Doubting Thomas? That’s something to ponder.
In both of Jesus’ appearances, he bids the disciples, “Peace be with you.” This peace is not the same as a lack of conflict, the feeling of serenity. Jesus is telling them, that peace is theirs (Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, patheos.com). He imparts this to the disciples.
Jesus came to his disciples with peace, purpose and power. When people are locked in grief—like Mary; locked in fear—like the disciples; and locked in darkness—like the world (Robert Kysar, Preaching John). That’s when Jesus appears and stays with us. We have all been through times like that. Maybe that’s what we are feeling right now. If so, Jesus comes to bring you peace. The risen Christ gives us peace, a purpose and the power to do all that God is calling us to do.
Pastor Ivy Gauvin
Worship with Order for Healing
Church Council following worship
Healthy Bones 9 am
Dog Lessons
Tai Chi 9:30am & 12pm
Choir 5:00 pm
Tai Chi 11 am
