July 1, 2020
Matthew 11:28-30
Scripture readings
for Sunday, July 7
Isaiah 66:10-14
Psalm 66:1-9
Galatians 6:7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
REFLECTION
Jesus offers a yoke to tired listeners and tells them that a yoke will give them rest. The yoke as a means to rest was a strange idea for the disciples. A yoke as a means to rest ought to sound strange to us, as well. The early hearers of this biblical passage would have known a yoke to be a means of engaging the energy of oxen as heavy lifters in the enterprise of farming. Yokes are still employed in our world and they are still a burden and a way of harnessing animal’s hard work, especially in places where people don’t have access to the internal combustion engine. The first ancient readers or hearers of Matthew also viewed a yoke as a symbol of obedience to God’s law and wisdom. Generally, our instinct is to resist yokes and laws, or at least not immediately connect them with the idea of freedom. Through the image of the yoke, however, Jesus invites us to think of God’s law and wisdom as a means to surrender, give way, and accept something graceful and positive—rest, ease, lightness. Jesus reframes the idea of a yoke by telling us that a yoke will help us grow as disciples. The gospel links humility to freedom.
Sunday and Seasons
Pr. Ivy is on vacation this week. Our reflection is from Sunday and Seasons.
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
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
Everyone is welcome to Adult Education. We meet via
Zoom (you can phone in) on Tuesday mornings at 10.
We are studying and discussing 30-Day Journey with
Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Join us even if you don't have the
book. Here is the Zoom link:
Ivy Gauvin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Ivy Gauvin's Personal Meeting Room
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7892424641?pwd=R1RaRGhRVGhkY29GRXh0QzJKTTd4QT09
Meeting ID: 789 242 4641
Password: direction
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,7892424641#,,,,0#,,964089# US (New York)
+13126266799,,7892424641#,,,,0#,,964089# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 789 242 4641
Password: 964089
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/khqscE9Dt
Pastor Ivy will be on vacation Monday, 6/29-Monday, 7/6. She'll be back to work on Tues., 7/7. Synodically Authorized Minister (formerly called deacons) Ned Lindstrom will be covering for her both in case of emergency and on Sunday, 7/5. If you need to contact Ned in case of an emergency, his number is 716-490-3820.
***Small groups to help us through this time of COVID 19. Clink the link below.
***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date: 85
Keep bringing in items - donations will be collected during the summer!
***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.
· 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: Hans Steen, Roy Pihl, George and Janet Balcom, Maj-Britt Traynor, Beverly Klang, Trudy Fetzner, Thom Shagla, Matt Isaacson, Mabel Tranum, Mark Patterson, Gloria Fitzpatrick, Sarah Van Staalduinen, Alberta Prall. 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.