St. Timothy Lutheran Church

                              

                                                                      August 20, 2020


                                                          Matthew 16:13-20

Scripture readings

for Sunday, August 23

Isaiah 51:1-6

Psalm 138

Romans 12:1-8

Matthew 16:13-20

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy


Jesus and his disciples were on a field trip, outside of their home turf. They were in the district of Caesarea Philippi north of Galilee, at the foot of Mt. Hermon. The name reflected Caesar and his son Philip. Earlier, it was named after the Greek god, Pan. It is called Banias in Arabic, since there is no “p” sound in the language. It’s a beautiful area with a spring that is one of the sources of the Jordan River.

 

It is in the midst of this place with its temple to numerous gods that Jesus poses the question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (v. 13). Didn’t Jesus know? Of course, he knew the answer, but he wanted to get the disciples thinking.

 

The disciples’ answers reflected common Jewish thought of the time. John the Baptist reflects Herod’s thoughts after having had John killed. It was thought that Elijah would return since he was taken up into heaven without dying. Jeremiah represents the prophets of old from the Hebrew scriptures.

 

Jesus then gets personal. “Who do you say that I am?” He was asking this of all the disciples. The “you” is plural. Jesus is no longer referring to himself in the third person as the “Son of Man,” but as “I.” “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers on behalf of all the disciples, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” This was a divine revelation, according to Jesus.

 

With the revelation came new responsibilities for Peter. Jesus makes a play on words on the name “Peter,” which means “rock.” We could call him Simon Rock. Jesus says the church will be built upon this declaration of Peter’s, on who Jesus is.

 

So, the question we must ask ourselves today is “Who do we say Jesus is to us?”—not Jesus in the abstract, but to us personally today. Is this Jesus only someone who lived long ago? Is he just a doctrine about whom we recite a Creed? Or is he someone who makes a difference in our lives each and every day? Is he not only our Lord and Savior, but our friend and closest companion?

 

Let us pray.

Gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Excerpt From: “Evangelical Lutheran Worship.” Apple Books.

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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



 























 


St. Timothy Updates due to Coronavirus Pandemic.  Heres the link:

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



***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!

*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.



VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR


Hello, friends. 

I have offered to take over the Zoom Virtual Coffee Hour (VCH) until we are able to begin fellowship in person again at St. Timothy.

I have a Zoom Pro account, so it will not shut down automatically at 45 minutes. This will allow us to have a little more time, and accommodate more people to join us. 

I will be sending out an email VCH invitation to everyone we have an email for.

However, all you have to do is join my meeting at 11:00 am on Sunday by going to the ZOOM app, and putting in the following ID and Password numbers:

ID: 571-743-2555

Password: 050787

If you are not yet using ZOOM, feel free to call me and I can walk you through downloading the free app. It's pretty easy, even for me!

 

Keep on keeping on.  We will go forward together!

In Christ,

Sarah

goebel.sarah3@gmail.com

716-450-2986


Dear Church,

September 1 st we kick off our Love Your Neighbor Campaign. We need your help in getting the word out. I have created bulletin inserts, a one-page information/request form, and even a video for you to share with others. We are really excited about the Love Your Neighbor Campaign and the opportunity to share the love with others and to be a bright light for Christ in our COVID world, but we need your help to get the word out. Please share, post and email the information to others.  

 

You can request a sign at LOVEINCSCC.org or complete the form and send the request with payment.

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyYiE1h8LYhFqYox5 

 

May you share the love with us!

 

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

 


Show love and make a difference with Love INC.

Demonstrate your love for others and support your neighbors in need. For a fee of $15 a “You Are Loved!” sign will be placed in your loved one’s yard for one week. A volunteer from Love INC’s Love Squad will deliver the sign along with a card personalized for you. Your loved one can enjoy the sign of your love for one week and then the Love INC volunteer will move the sign to the another loved one's location. Your loved one can return the love and have the sign moved immediately to a yard of their choice for a fee of $20 or schedule the sign placement of their own.

 


To request a sign:

-Complete information and mail to Love INC with payment

-Drop off your request with payment to Love INC at 553 W. 3rd Street Jamestown, NY 14701

-Go on-line to LOVE INCSCC.org and complete the request form and pay with paypal

 

 


Name of Requester________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address___________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone _________________________ Email______________________________________________________

Name of Receiver__________________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone__________________________ Email______________________________________________________

Delivery Week:

Week 1- Sept. 1-7 _______Week 2 -Sept. 8-14 _______ Week 3 -Sept. 15-21_______ Week 4 -Sept.22-28_______

Payment: Yes_____ Cash _____ Check_____ Add’tl Donation ______

For more information contact Susan at 338-9828

Follow us on Facebook LOVEINCSCC

 


Love Your Neighbor



 

 

 




























Holy Communion Survey

 

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”

John 6:35

 

 ‘“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

1 Corinthians 11:24-26

 

There is debate as to how often we should receive Holy Communion. Some fear if they receive weekly, it won’t be special any more. If we look at Communion as it was originally celebrated, it was part of a meal. Do we eat infrequently because otherwise our meals won’t be special anymore? Of course not. It sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? Jesus and the Apostle Paul make it plain that we should celebrate Communion as often as possible. In the Book of Acts, we’re told concerning early believers that “Day by day, … they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46).

 

And what was the practice in Luther’s time? During the time of the Reformation, Lutherans continued the universal practice of the church since biblical times of celebrating the Eucharist at least every Sunday and holy day (http://redeemerscottsdale.angelfire.com/pdf/WebberCommunionFrequency.pdf).

 

The current practice of St. Timothy Lutheran Church is to have Communion on the first and third Sundays of the month as well as holy or festival days. In my contact with other Lutheran pastors in the area, I have found that around ¾ of the churches celebrate weekly communion. This has been a trend in the Lutheran church for about the last 30 years. I would like your opinion on weekly communion. You can return this to me at pastorivyg@gmail.com, give it to me in person or to anyone on the Worship and Music Committee. Thanks so much for your participation.

 

Worship and Music Committee

Pastor Ivy Gauvin

Kathy Carlson

Sandy Carlson

Gale Svenson-Campbell

Ann Bentley

Kristie Bloomquist

 

I would like to have Holy Communion every week   Yes ______

                                                                                          No   ______

                                                                                         

 

Comments

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

·         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 Starks. 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.

Sunday, Sept. 13 we begin our indoor worship in addition to the Drive In Service.

At that time the interactive bulletins will no longer be available.


Please pray for an easy, safe transition for us all - whether you'll come indoors or stay in your cars.