February 13, 2020

                                                             Matthew 5:21-37

Scripture readings

for Sunday, February 16

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 119:1-8

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy

Doesn’t this sound harsh? The commandments of the Old Testament are one thing, but it seems like Jesus is demanding even higher standards of obedience to God. What do you make of this?

Jesus goes to the heart of the matter concerning each of the commandments mentioned. The actions, the sins committed, are nothing but symptoms. Murder grows out of anger. Adultery begins in the heart, the lingering, lust-filled look. No one out of the clear blue sky decides one day to be unfaithful to their spouse.

And Jesus turned everything upside down in his day when it came to divorce. Women were like property and could be discarded for any number of reasons, some of which were very trivial—like the husband didn’t like his wife’s cooking. If the woman didn’t have family to go back to, after the divorce, she was out on the street. There was no protection for her. And a woman couldn’t divorce a man no matter how horrible he may be. Jesus changed that. Men were not to divorce their wives over trivialities. Additionally, this refers to men disposing of one wife in order to marry another. The first wife is left out in the cold—literally. The standard of loving relationships in the kingdom of God is greater than that.

Jesus goes deeper in all the regulations of the law by showing how they all have to do with relationships—with God and each other. This is the way the community of faith, those living in the reign of Christ are to live their lives—and it’s not easy. That is where we trust in God and the power of his Holy Spirit at work in our lives, in our relationships, in order to live the lives that would please the Lord. We will mess up and when we do there is forgiveness aplenty for us and we start all over again.

Loving Lord, you long for your people to be a demonstrable example of your presence. Just as there is the loving relationship at work in the holy trinity, may we live incarnational lives that demonstrate your love to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 21“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

  27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

  31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

  33“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”

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

CANCELLATION ---- Ellery Senior Citizens will be cancelled Friday February 14th because of the impending cold weather. 

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Funeral Service for Paul Samuelson will be this Saturday, February 15th at St Timothy Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 am – 11:45 am.  The service will be at 12:00 pm.  There will be a luncheon in the fellowship hall after the service.  All are welcome to attend.

*** Healthy Bones Exercise Class meets Monday and Wednesday at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall of St. Timothy.  This is a bone-strengthening, low impact class for men and women.   During winter, the class does not meet when schools get closed due to the weather. A New 10 week sessions beginning Monday, March 2

***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  75

***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.

*** The Bemus Point United Methodist Church will be holding a Food Pantry Food Drive on March 1, 2020.  The following items are needed, as well as monetary donations.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.  Bring your items to church the next 3 weeks.

      Cereal               Spaghetti Noodles          Spaghetti Sauce

      Peanut Butter    Soups                            Canned Fruits

      Applesauce       Toilet Paper                    Dish Soap

     Shampoo            Toothpaste

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In the case of Inclement Weather, be sure to check WGRZ & WIVB cancellations and closings for the service at St. Timothy Lutheran Church.

Help in the fight against human sex trafficking!   But how? Join women from the Southwestern Conference for ~

THE S.O.A.P. PROJECT

WORKDAY

Saturday, February 22, 2020

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Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center

715 Falconer Street

Jamestown, New York 14701

What is S.O.A.P. ? “ Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution” is a hands-on national outreach to fight sex trafficking, founded by Theresa Flores, herself a survivor. S.O.A.P. National travels across the US, holding outreaches during large events, like the Super Bowl.

How does the S.O.A.P Project work? Together with local organizations, the S.O.A.P. Project distributes millions of bars of soap (free) and other resources to high-risk motels in these large-event areas as identified by trained volunteers. Each bar, wrapped with a red band, gives the National Human Trafficking Hotline on it.

So, what can we do to help? Simple. Join us at our S.O.A.P. Project workday and help place the red bands on the bars of soap (both provided). We’ll send them back to S.O.A.P. headquarters and they take it from there. That’s it. But in that small step we may have saved someone’s life.

Please join the S.O.A.P. Project and help us as we fight against human sex trafficking.

Love INC Prayer Requests 02/10/2020

An older female cancer survivor lost her bed due to bed bugs. With no extra income to replace it, she is sleeping on an uncomfortable couch. Pray for her health and that a bed would become available for her.

Single woman; partially paralyzed from a massive stroke; is currently living with her mother needs her own apartment.  She needs furniture and would love to be involved with a church.  Pray for her health and a church family.

A single mom with has 2 children who is unable to work.  They need beds and are currently sleeping on the floor.

Continued Prayers and updates

Older lady was hospitalized for Pneumonia.  Pray for her and her son who was just laid off from his job.  Update – she is home recovering and looking for a new apartment

Single mom of 4 in recovery who lost her belongings when she relocated to Jamestown.  She battles alcoholism and has been sober for 1 year.  She needs beds and dressers for her children.

A single mom of 2 teenagers, with no family support, lost her job and became homeless.  They are being assisted with rent, while she looks for a job. One child suffers from a mental illness requiring daycare.  She needs furniture for her home.  Please pray this family, job opportunities for the mom and daycare for her son Praise – They have moved into a new apartment with rent assistance

Love INC needs a Bilingual (Spanish) volunteer to help translate for neighbors in need.

An elderly gentleman, who our volunteers have been driving to doctor appointments, he was taken to the emergency room with heart problems.  Continued prayers - He is back home but must have some more tests done, doctor said his heart is failing

A young mom and her 2-year-old son were able to find shelter at the Anew Center. Pray for her physical and mental healing and she can find the strength to talk about the abuse with her family.  Seeking assistance with furniture, beds and kitchen items for their new home.  Prayers for her son, he needs surgery to correct a birth defect.   They are moving into their new apartment this weekend.

Love INC needs a volunteer accountant/bookkeeper. Our current bookkeeper will be retiring in May and we are looking for a replacement.

A single older woman who is need of a ramp for her home.  She has MS and has a lot of difficulties getting in and out of the house.  Pray for her health and the funds would be available to build the ramp.

Single lady with some medical issues residing in the Allen Park area needs help with some yard work and snow removal.  Please pray for her health and a volunteer to meet her need.**

An older couple who are both handicapped need help shoveling their walk as she needs medical transport for dialysis 3 times a week.  Prayers for the gentlemen, she passed away this past week.