St. Timothy Lutheran Church

                              

                                                                        August 13, 2020

                                                  

                                                              

                                              Matthew 15:21-29

Scripture readings

for Sunday, August 16

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Psalm 67

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Matthew 15:21-28

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy


There are some very puzzling aspects to this gospel story. First of all, Canaanite is an anachronistic term. In Jesus' time, there were no Canaanites. In Mark’s gospel, the woman is referred to as Syro-Phoenician. The second thing, which for many of us may be the main thing, is that Jesus seems downright nasty! Did he get out on the wrong side of the bed or something? First, he ignores the woman and then insults her!

 

After an altercation with the Jewish leaders, Jesus was getting out of Dodge and we find him and the disciples in Gentile, not Jewish territory. Earlier he had told the disciples “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10: 5-6). With only a few exceptions, Jesus’ earthly ministry was directed at the Jewish people, which he reiterates in his conversation with the nameless woman.

 

The disciples wanted to send the woman away, but with her need met. The Greek does not indicate that they were just trying to get rid of her, but more that they were encouraging their master to answer her plea. Didn’t he hear her?

 

The woman approached Jesus in a stance of faith. In her words we hear echoes of psalms and liturgy: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David,” she knelt before Jesus, and three times she referred to Jesus as “Lord.” Where did someone from the wrong side of the tracks, from a pagan background learn all of this about Jesus? We don’t know, but she was certainly persistent!

 

That tenacious lady was so desperate to have her daughter healed. Any of you that are mothers, wouldn’t you do just about anything for the benefit of your child? At last, Jesus saw her and her need and engaged in conversation with her, but it was an insult-laden one. The woman doesn't back down, takes the insult, and uses it to make her point. Jesus changes his mind and heals the woman's daughter. 

 

Something I just read today ties together the woman’s response to Jesus calling her (and all Gentiles) dogs and Martin Luther’s final words:

 

“We are beggars; this is true,” are reported to be Martin Luther’s last written words. Christians are “beggars” for God’s grace, undeserving but graced nonetheless. A beggar’s faith focuses not on what is given or accomplished or believed, but on what is received: the healing and sustenance desperately longed for and needed.

 

In today’s gospel, the Canaanite woman is such a “beggar” for Jesus’ healing for her daughter. She is denied a place at the table at first, but she will accept even “crumbs” in the faith that Jesus’ healing power and love are intended even for her. (sundaysandseasons.com)

 

That healing power and love are for us as well.


21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

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























 

***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  85

 

 

***ONLINE GIVING now available at St. Timothy for Debit/Credit cards.   3 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 call her at 485-1316.










No in person services in the building until further notice.  Interactive bulletins will still be available until we return to regular worship services.  Your input is greatly appreciated.

Follow the link below each Sunday at 10:00 to Worship in Spirit .

http://www.sttimothybemus.com/coronavirus-updates.html



Dear Church,

As many are moving their college students back to their dorm, the limitations of space become real. You move in the bedding, clothing, and the infamous dorm fridge. It will hold all of the simple treats of college life, milk, yogurt and occasionally ice cream although not well. Imagine if that dorm-size fridge was all you had to hold the food to feed a family of two. You were expected to get all your eggs, milk, meat, cheese and other essentials including frozen foods in that little box. You were being resourceful in caring for your family when your refrigerator died and the landlord who not only lives out of state but out of the country, failed to replace it.  This is the struggle of a single mom with a small child. Each side of this situation telling different stories, but the situation is the same a single mom with a small child only has access to a dorm-size refrigerator. The lack of appliances is a common problem as tenants even “good tenants” as this landlord said, struggle with the need. Please pray for God’s provision and softened hearts. The Landlord claims he had no knowledge of the need and appeared to agree to rectify the situation, yet the tenant claims to have already been down that road still with no refrigerator replacement. Being out of the country may seem untouchable, but it is not for the hand of God. Psalm 89:13-15 says “Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Righteous and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence Lord.”

We look forward to sharing with this mom what God has done on her behave and testify to God’s love for her and her family.

Thank you for your prayers and support for our neighbors in need.

In Christ,

Susan L. JusthamExecutive Director

Love In the Name of Christ of SCC

Helping Churches to Help People 

Phone: 716.338.9828

loveincscc.org

                     

                      Love INC Prayer Requests 08/10/2020


A young mother has suffered abuse and is moving to an apartment and needs a full or queen size bed.    Pray that she is able to feel God’s Love through the Church.

 

A young mother living with her 5-year-old daughter needs a refrigerator and has been doing online training to better herself.  Pray that she will feel love and encouragement in her endeavors.

 

A gentleman has all new furniture as a result of a fire that totally destroyed the residence.  Pray that Love INC will be the hands and feet of Jesus at this critical time in his life.

 

Another gentleman is in need of a toaster oven to cook his meals.  Pray that God will show His face to him as he is struggling with life.

 

A middle-aged lady has moved around and now needs furniture.  She is going to have hand surgery.  Pray that God gives the doctors wisdom on her behalf.

 

Love your Neighbor Campaign-   a new fundraising campaign that will replace the Annual Purse Auction fundraiser. Our goal is to bring recognition to the ministry of Love INC, raise funds and love our neighbors. We are seeking volunteers to assist with sign placement, data entry, social media and fundraising team members. Please contact Susan if interested 338-9828 or susan.loveinc@gmail.com ASAP


 

A young couple with 5 children needs beds and beddings.  The father was laid off to COVID.  Pray that God will show was called back to work. They are still in need the beds (twin- size.)  Another praise that was able to refer this family to Community Helping Hands for the children’s clothing needs.

 

An older lady owns her own home and must move; needs transportation to medical appointments.  Pray that God provides a buyer for her home as she is struggling financially. 

 

A middle-aged lady needs to move but COVID has presented many difficulties to be able to do this. 

 

Family of 5 who is struggling financially. The husband’s work hours were cut because of the Covid-19 “Pause’ and the wife is a stay-at-home mom.  They needed some diapers that were provided through Gap Baby Ministry at Jamestown Free Methodist.  Pray for all the families who are going through a similar struggle.

 

A young man needs furniture and transportation to work.  

 

Love INC needs a Board Member with Social Media Expertise to assist with better Social Media Communication 

 

Love INC needs a volunteer accountant/bookkeeper

 

 

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Upcoming Commemorations

Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, died 1153

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Bernard, a Cistercian monk, was a man of great spirituality who wrote mystical works and criticized those whom he thought took an overly intellectual approach to the faith. He became an abbot, and wrote several hymns that are still beloved today.

 

 









 


 




·         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, essential workers, doctors, nurses, aides, those working in nursing homes, etc.

·         For victims of wildfires, flooding and earthquakes.

     •  For Traudi Heil, Gale Svenson-Campbell, Karen Johnson, Roy Pihl, George and Janet Balcom, Maj-Britt Traynor, Beverly Klang, Trudy Fetzner, Thom Shagla, Matt Isaacson, Mabel Tranum, Gloria Fitzpatrick, Sarah Van Staalduinen, John Gingrass, Dick Stark, friends/family of Glen Evens  For people serving in the military, including Ben Wickerham and Jeffrey Clauson, and their families, those caught up in persecution, violence and war.

·         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.