St. Timothy Lutheran Church

                              

                                                                     October 8, 2020

                                             

                                                         Philippians 4:1-9

                                                           The Message

                                      

                                                      

                         

Scripture readings

for Sunday, Oct. 13

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c

Psalm 111

2 Tiothy 2:8-15

Luke 17:11-19

Reflection

Pastor Ivy Gauvin

 

“Though writing from prison and facing an uncertain future, Paul calls on the Philippians to rejoice and give thanks to God no matter what the circumstance. God’s peace is with us and binds together our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ, especially when things around us do not seem peaceful” (sundaysandseasons.com). How apropos are these words for us today! Do you feel like there’s an underlying layer of stress or maybe even depression as we experience our current circumstances?

 

“…especially when things around us do not seem peaceful”—whether it is the political situation, the president’s diagnosis of COVID 19, super-spreader events, or even football stadiums without fans. Many things around us remind us constantly that we are living in a time that is different from what we have previously experienced in life.

 

Paul was addressing believers for whom he cared a great deal. There was some division among them. He was imprisoned and just wanted God’s people to act like God’s people.

 

How can we do that? There is only one way that can be summed up in one word: relationship: relationship with God, relationship with one another, and relationship with our community.

My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.

I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges.

And, oh, yes, [my loyal companion], since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life.

4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. 


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
















As of Sept. 13, we 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!


***Parking – Now that it’s October, we’re removing the orange cones in the lower driveway so that the indoor people can enter in the lower driveway and the drive-in people can enter in the upper driveway to receive their bulletin and communion. 


***5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date:  85

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.



***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.








***Sunday, November 1 is All Saints' Day, when we remember our loved ones who have joined the church triumphant since last year's All Saints' Day. Please contact Pastor Ivy or Kathy Korcyl in the church office with the names of those you want remembered. 


Do you have any stories of how this time has changed you for the good? If so, let me know by phone or text at 716-904-0855 or by email at pastorivyg@gmail.com or you can fill out the short form in the e-ministry and Church Mouse. What has God been doing in your life?  I’m sure I’m not the only one with a story.

 

Everyone has stories of how they have been changed in recent months. Tell us your story.

 

What’s Your Story?

Name (optional)

Your Story:

 

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Send to Pastor Ivy via email pastorivyg@gmail.com, phone or text 716-904-0855.




 Anyone have any pictures or stories that they would like to share?  Send them to sttimothy2015@gmail.com


     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 Ron Simpson, 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, and Dick Starks,  Carol Anderson, those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Ben Wickerham, Jeffrey Clauson, David Bentley and Kris Peterson,  those caught up in violence and war who have no safe home in which to live.

·         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.