St. Timothy Lutheran Church

                              

                                                                         February 20, 2020


                                                       

                                                              Matthew 17:1-9

Scripture readings

for Sunday, February 26

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 2

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy


Whenever God wants us to do something, he prepares us. Just as last Sunday’s gospel was about preparing the disciples and us, so is the case with this gospel reading.

 

There’s a lot going on in this text: an appearance of Moses and Elijah, Jesus glowing, stunned and speechless disciples, and God the Father speaking and affirming who this Jesus is. “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Where have we heard this before? These are the same words of the Father at Jesus’ baptism, but with one small addition, “listen to him!”

 

God reached out to us and made us his own in holy baptism. Isn’t listening to Jesus the gist of nurturing this relationship God has begun? Isn’t it by listening to Jesus that we can best serve God? How can we do the work of God if1 we do not listen to God through his word, through prayer, through our family in Christ?

 

We are approaching Lent, a season of introspection and prayer. Perhaps this is a good time for us to begin again with listening to God.

1Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

  9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

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


***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.



***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  76               


***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 2 weeks.

 

      Cereal               Spaghetti Noodles         Spaghetti Sauce

      Peanut Butter    Soups                            Canned Fruits

      Applesauce       Toilet Paper                    Dish Soap

      Shampoo          Toothpaste




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

 




Love INC Prayer Requests 02/17/2020

 

A divorced gentleman in need of a mattress and a toaster oven.  Prayers are needed for an upcoming surgery on his neck and issues with a detached retina and possible loss of sight.

A single mom; expecting a third child with 2 children in foster care; needs a couch and a lamp. After being sober for over a year she is hoping her children will be returned after she completes parenting classes and obtains her CAN license to provide for her family.

 

Updates and Continued Prayers

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. Praise-Livingroom furniture was delivered, and a church has been called

A single mom; with 2 children; is unable to work, needs beds and are currently sleeping on the floor.

An 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

A 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, the 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.




Upcoming Commemorations

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156

Sunday, February 23, 2020

 

Because he is said to have been known by John, the author of Revelation, as well as the important early church fathers Irenaeus and Ignatius, Polycarp serves as a vital link in church history. He was burned at the stake at age 86 for refusing to renounce his faith.

 

Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess, died 1921

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

 

Born in Norway and trained there as a deaconess, Fedde was asked to come and minister to the poor and to seamen in New York City. She established the Deaconess House in Brooklyn as well as Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis.

 

 

 

 




·         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 victims of violence and their families in all places.

·         For victims of wildfires, flooding and earthquakes.

·         For: Ron Simpson, Dan Kelly, Inara Ledder, Dick Starks, Tim O’Brien, Gretta Kettle,  George and Janet Balcom, Maj-Britt Traynor, Pat & Maureen Kibbe, Beverly Klang, Trudy Fetzner, Thom Shagla, Matt Isaacson, Sarah Van Staalduinen, Mabel Tranum, Bryan Brown, Jim Doherty, Karen Brown, and Bonnie Christoferson.

·         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.