November 7, 2024
Mark 12:38-44
Scripture readings
for Sunday, Nov. 10
1 Kings 17:8-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 11:38-44
38 As [Jesus] taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
• 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, their families, essential workers, doctors, nurses, aides, those working in nursing homes, etc.
• For Judy Kelly, Ann Saar, Kay Marker Magneson, Roy Pihl, George Balcom, Thom Shagla, Bryan Dahlberg, Roland Lepier, Lois Rumfelt, Nick Johnson, Eileen Beichner, Tom Dellapenta, Pastor Karen Larson, Pastor Gerry Zimmerman, James Dieter, Joe Gauvin, Emerson Allaby, John Gingrass, those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Sean Pecuch, and Ben Wickerham, those caught up in violence and war who have no safe home in which to live.
• For the ELCZ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe and ELCZa Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia.
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
CALENDAR
Nov. 10 Worship
Nov. 11 & 13 Healthy Bones
Nov. 11 Dog Lessons
Nov. 14 Tai Chi 9:30 am & 12:00 pm
Choir
Nov. 15 Tai Chi 11:00 a.m.
Do you want to know what's going on in our conference, synod and the Lutheran church in general. Join us for our conference Fall Assembly on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. It is at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ellicottville. Come for fellowship and to do the business of God's church.
DOG TRAINING CLASSES BEGAN ON
NOVEMBER 4TH THROUGH DECEMBER 9TH .
If interested, contact Carly at 716-268-1421.
Sunday, November 10 at 6:00pm
benefits Honduras Promise Children Mission
Live Auction with Andrew Campbell
Silent and Chinese Auction
Gift baskets and Gift Certificates
Refreshments provided
Viewing at 5, Live Auction at 6pm
EVERYONE WELCOME!!!
Movie Night – Friday, Nov. 22 at 6:30. The movie is Arthur the King… A true story about an adventure racer who adopts a stray dog, named Arthur, to join him in an epic endurance race.
5 Loaves & 2 Fish Backpack Ministry
24/25 School Year
The 24/25 school year is well underway and packing backpacks for our Bemus Point and area students has begun. If you are currently a volunteer, we would love to have your support again this year. If you're looking for a wonderful way to give back to your community, please consider volunteering 1 time a month packing bags of food for area students. Our next packing date in November 19.
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
If you can volunteer, please contact
Gale Svenson-Campbell at the link above. Thank you!!
Anyone that has any pictures or stories that they would like to share? Send them to sttimothy2015@gmail.com
Thank you
Marge Fiore
Administrative Assistant
REFLECTIONS
Pr. Ivy Gauvin
In this scripture passage, Jesus compares and contrasts two different types of people. The first are the well-respected, well-to-do scribes. They were educated—more so than many people. The scribes enjoyed the respect they received.
I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t a message for the church here. Church people and pastors enjoyed a certain respect from others even twenty years ago. Now we must prove ourselves; that we are not like those who abuse children or who are self-righteous. This passage is a cautionary tale.
In the crowd were many rich people. Of course, they can give a lot because they have a lot. Giving out of abundance is easy. It’s much harder to give when you have so little that it may mean the choice of giving to God or eating. Could this woman trust God enough to care for her? Apparently so.
Jesus said that she put in everything, all she had. Besides the money, I imagine she put her whole heart and soul into her giving. Do we?
We live in abundance. Few of us must choose between an offering and a meal. In giving our all, do we reach out to our neighbors and friends in need—widows and orphans?
The ironic thing is that the scribes were responsible for the welfare of the widows. Instead of helping them, “40 They devour[ed] widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.” The hands that were meant to help widows, destroyed them.
The widow used her hands differently. She gave nothing compared to the rich, but she gave everything in God’s eyes.
How shall we use our hands? Shall we live lives of generosity or stinginess; reaching out to help others however we can, or just being concerned about “me and mine?”
God of creation, we give you thanks for our wonderfully diverse human family. We pray for the well-being of all people, including our neighbors of other religions and worldviews. Grant that, together with them, we will find ways to cooperate for the common good of all, as you desire. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen. (All Creation Sings)
Pastor Ivy Gauvin
