Jesus said , "Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also." What are the things that we treasure at St. Timothy? Where is our heart? Jesus taught his disciples to examine what they treasured and discover what was most loved by them. The same is true of our congregation. What do we treasure? What is loved by us?

First and foremost, we love our Lord. This is revealed every time we gather in worship and study. This is why we assign such great significance to sharing in worship. It reveals our love for God, and draws us closer to God. We also love our fellowship. The caring and sharing that goes on after worship; on Wonderful Wednesdays; in our weekly meal ; etc. reveal our desire to live as children of God together, loving and serving each other.

Jesus also called us to care for the less fortunate. We treasure them and our hearts serve them through programs such as our food assistance program and our homeless sheltering program. Our love and concern for those who are hungry and homeless grows from our love of our Lord who turns us to them. These programs define who St. Timothy is and where our heart is.

We love our children and this shows in our programs. Our Sunday School is lovingly cared for by many adults who sacrifice much to bring God's message of love to His young children. Our weekly Pioneer program is growing as children learn of the love of God for them. Our children's choirs bring our children enthusiastically to worship. Our children are truly, "at the heart of St. Timothy."

Hope is also at the center of St. Timothy's heart. In a world filled with despair and dismal projections, we want to be the proclaimers of hope. The message of the Gospel is one of true joy and happiness. The happiness endures all grief and all pain and is triumphant over the evil of this world. Because we have hope given to us by Christ, we become servants of others, proclaiming salvation in God's kingdom. St. Timothy's hope is not for riches or fame but for a depth of love for others that draws us closer to Christ.

In the old hymn we sing, "Rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee." This hymn recognizes that there are times when we feel defeated and we choose to run away and hide. When that day comes, we can always hide ourselves in God. Elijah hid in a cave from his adversaries. But eventually God calls us out of hiding and gives us courage and faith to withstand the difficulties of our times. This courage brings us to sacrifice. When our hearts are filled with strength, we sing another hymn, "Built on a rock, the church doth stand, even when the steeples are falling." Whatever challenges lie ahead for us, we will be strengthened to meet them. We are not timid.

Where is your heart in all of this? You are also the heart of St. Timothy. Are you training your heart in love? Are you dedicating your heart to the service of the Lord? Are you teaching your heart to sing words of forgiveness? Jesus came that our hearts may be changed. May you grow in faith and love and hope, and through your faith may you witness here at St. Timothy.

The future abounds with potential. There are hungry people to feed; homeless people to shelter; Children to teach; generous gifts to be given in support of the ministry of your church; and sacrifices to be made for others. We are all a part of the body of Christ, and each a member of it. The love, faith and hope of this congregation is made alive by you. If you allow your heart to go to sleep, so will the Lord's ministry. You are St. Timothy and the body of Christ. May your hearts grow in love and faith and may they create and continue to sustain a loving and caring Christian family at St. Timothy.

Music: The Midi Hymnal Project
"Built On A Rock The Church Doth Stand"
Sequenced by Rev. Richard Jordon