November 5, 2020

                                                       Matthew 25:1-13

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Nov. 8

Amos 5:18-24

Psalm 70

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

REFLECTION

Pastor Ivy Gauvin

Every time I read this parable, I am brought back to a moment in the 1980s when my then young children, their father, and I lived in Palestine. There is much in village Palestinian culture that mirrors the culture of Jesus’ day.

Iman, a Muslim young lady, whose father was a sheikh (religious leader), was a student at Bethlehem University, where our colleague, Willow, taught English. Through this initial relationship, great inroads were made in the Muslim community. Many relationships with other university students formed and out of that was born the Friendship Center, where we hosted countless young people.

It was time for Iman, whose name means “faith” to get married. Of course, she invited her teacher Willow and us as well. The festivities began at Iman’s house, where all the women waited and waited and waited some more. We would hear something and the talk would begin, “Is it him? Is it? No, it’s not him.” And so, we would wait some more and more and more. We got impatient. We were there for hours before the groom’s arrival.

Finally, the time had come and so had the groom and his men. We all then went to the mosque for the wedding. After that, it was on to the groom’s house for the party. It’s easy for me to see the same pattern of that day in this parable.

So, is the issue really the foolish bridesmaids’ lack of oil? Their short-sightedness tells us that they had their own agenda and timeframe. They only had enough oil with them for so much time. What an insult this was to the groom. They couldn’t be bothered to be prepared for an extended time of waiting. This was the real issue. They were not prepared. They couldn’t be bothered with the extra preparations that would be needed.

Are we trying to skate by on fumes of oil? The oil can represent the Holy Spirit and its work, which enables us to do the good works that reflect God’s love in our lives. Will we take the time in prayer and reading God’s word to live bright, oil-filled lives of God’s power? Jesus said, “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15-17).

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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

Pastor Ivy will be on vacation 11/10-11/16. In the event of a pastoral emergency, you can contact Ned Lindstrom at 490-3820. 

Pastor Ivy is having back surgery on 11/17 and a second procedure on 12/1. While she is out, you can contact Pastor Heather Allport-Cohoon if there is a need for pastoral care. She can be reached at 716-708-6466.

Synodically Authorized Minister Ned Lindstrom will be leading worship and preaching on Sundays. He can be reached at 716-490-3820.

We have returned to worshiping in the sanctuary as well as worshiping in our cars.

Time:  10:00 a.m.

Place:  3748 Rt. 430

Length:  30 minutes

WEAR YOUR MASKS

Coming inside? COME EARLY!

Drive-In Message

With the onset of colder weather, we will be changing how we get communion cups to you.  Instead of asking the usher to stand out in the cold, rainy or snowy weather for 20 minutes, we will bring the cups out to you when everyone has arrived, gotten their bulletins and parked.  

Also for colder weather, we have a portable charger available in the church JUST IN CASE….J   

Stay warm, and stay healthy!!!

Next Monday, November 11.

***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  86

***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.