December 30, 2025

A Glimpse of God-Made-Flesh

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Jan. 4

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Psalm 147:12-20

EJohn 1: 10-18

This gospel text is wordy to the point of feeling almost otherworldly. There’s no real story here; there’s no narrative to follow. To illustrate this text for children, for example, seems nearly impossible.

“The Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14). How is this gospel text—this gospel truth—made manifest, here and now? Where do you see God, in the flesh, walking the earth? How do you experience God-made-flesh speaking to you, caring for you, guiding you?

Surely God is present, in the flesh, even in the unlikeliest of places—as unlikely as a baby lying in a manger. Surely God is still here today in some form or fashion. The Word is no longer flesh and living among us, at least not in the same way as when Jesus himself was walking the earth. But we are flesh, and we are here. Surely you are God made manifest for someone; surely your presence here on earth is a glorious display of the presence of God for a neighbor or friend or colleague or family member—maybe even for someone you’d never expect to name you in this way.

In baptism, God commissions us to “proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace” (ELW, p. 228). This is the work of the Word made flesh; this is the work of providing a glimpse of God to a world in need of grace, hope, and new life.

How blessed we are to live in the promise of God-made-flesh. How blessed we are to live in response to that promise!

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 people affected by coronavirus, their families, essential workers, doctors, nurses, aides, those working in nursing homes, etc.

• For the Family and Friends of Roy Phil and Bryan Dahlberg, Marty Hunt, Ann Saar, Judy Kelly, Kay Marker Magneson, George Balcom, Thom Shagla,Margie Fuchs, Macey Lundmark, Brenda Wagner, Ellé Terreberry, Dawn Arnet, Mark Kiendl, Tyler LaChapelle, Heather Miller, 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 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.

• 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

This week…

Jan. 4 Worship at 10:00 am with Pr. Adam Rohler

Jan. 5 & 7 Healthy Bones 9 am

Jan. 8 Choir 5:00 pm

WE WELCOME BACK OUR SUPPLY PASTOR,

PASTOR ADAM ROHLER.

Our Transition Pastor is Pastor Timothy Hoyer. His Cell Phone is (716) 490-5731 in case of an emergency. His office hours are 1 to 3 pm on Thursdays.

Good News

The wise men wanted something better, something they could "hang their hats on." They saw a new star and knew it meant a king had been born. If the heavens told of this new king, that new king must be important. They went to find out.

But they could not find the king. They went to the wrong place. They went to the city where the present king lived. They went to the city of power and wealth. They went to the city of glory and honor and blessing and riches. Do not such things belong to a king?

Not this king. This king shepherded his people. This king was not about wealth or power or self-aggrandizement. This king came to serve people, to give them food, to heal the sick, and to give them eternal life. He did so by dying on a cross. Then God raised him to a new life and promised to give us the same new life.

For that, the wise men knelt before the baby Jesus, and they paid him homage. They "hung their hats" on him. They trusted him as their God.

Think we need mercy and forgiveness and new life?

Let's go with the wise men. They did find the new born king.

Peace,

Pastor Hoyer

Caring and Sharing will meet on Wednesday, January 14th, at 3:00 pm at church. Snow Date January 21st.

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, Feb. 1st. Committee Head Reports due into the office by January 22, 2026.

5 & 2 Ministry

24/25 SCHOOL YEAR

5 & 2 PACKING Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00 pm

We can't thank our volunteers enough for all you do to make this ministry happen! 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're done by 8:00 pm!

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!!

Transition team is meeting on Sunday, Jan 11th, after church! Thank you for all the help and valuable input you have shared.

Anyone that has any pictures or stories that they would like to share? Send them to sttimothy2015@gmail.com

Transition Pastor

Pastor Timothy Hoyer

We welcome into membership Anne Pemberton. Anne has transferred from Shepherd of the Hills in Clermont, Florida and is now living in Bemus Point.

Welcome to the St. Timothy Family, Anne.