Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
Today the Church commemorates the first great Ecumenical Council that took place in Nicaea almost 1700 years ago. This is from the *Treasury of Daily Prayer:*
“*The first Council of Nicaea was convened in the early summer of AD 325 by Roman Emperor Constantine at what is today Iznik, Turkey. The emperor presided at the opening of the council. The council ruled against the Arians, who taught that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God but was created by the Father and was called Son of God because of His righteousness. The chief opponents of the Arians were Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, and his deacon, Athanasius. The council confessed the eternal divinity of Jesus and adopted the earliest version of the Nicene Creed, which in its entirety was adopted at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381.*”
If you’re not already aware of the Treasury of Daily Prayer, <www.cph.org/p-11350-treasury-of-daily-prayer-regular-edition.aspx> I cannot commend it highly enough! You’ll benefit as a family gathered around the book with daily readings, prayers, and being tied into the Church Year. As an individual, you might also like the APP called Pray Now <www.cph.org/p-18058-pray-now-app.aspx>.
*SUNDAY – TRINITY 1*
This Sunday is the Rich Man and Lazarus. It’s a picture of the Christian life–a picture that looks far different from that envisioned by Joel Osteen and others who would have us enjoy our “best life now”. No, we Christians are Lazarus, sitting at the gate of rich men who care nothing for anyone but themselves. This life is a life under the cross, marked by suffering and rejection. And for such a life, is there any better Psalm than the cry “How long, O Lord?” Psalm 13 is our Introit and it’s a beautiful prayer of faith from the depths of suffering and shame. While Lazarus suffers much in this life, he is never rejected by his Lord. Neither are you. You have clung to Moses and the Prophets and the promises that come from them. And your heart shall rejoice in the Lord’s salvation. *Join us over at Grace at 8am or Trinity at 11am* to rejoice with Lazarus and all the saints who find their rest in Christ. Bible study will be led by Pr. Metzger at Grace at 9:30am.
*For those not yet joining us in person*, here is the bulletin for Sunday <drive.google.com/file/d/1fziwxnW4ZhlgLlZcACcKybH87-iHfXRh/view?usp=sharing> to follow along with at home. Please remember to give your offering to the Lord for the service of the Church, either by mailing a check or donating through our PayPal account (Grace <www.paypal.com/donate/?token=wCot5F31B3BCMGc_rqa9rKq8o4vspj-2tWvShIKflafDuTF3_Gjx2kAzNprB-l0qv9Cl_0&country.x=US&locale.x=US> , Trinity <www.paypal.com/donate/?token=-eO1mBefdYdlIer9JaA1yKx2ArXPRES5imEdrbOsmYixnzIYVbQ8trBJ22NR0QldHiAuOG&country.x=US&locale.x=US>). I know this is a difficult financial time for many, so if you need assistance, please let us know! We are so thankful for the continued generosity shown to both congregations during this time. Also, attached are the news/notes <drive.google.com/file/d/1wDE0ywJ7_ruvk9QHIiItnJ91qMy37AGS/view?usp=sharing> and the congregation at prayer <drive.google.com/file/d/1oqYan8Kh-2smNryz5sJkQ4opW56oVgwr/view?usp=sharing>for Sunday. If you’ve missed any of the services and don’t have FB, please see my YouTube channel <www.youtube.com/channel/UCps_zCiT4d-quSzrzhAEX0A/>.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Monday – Friday:*
o No Matins this week
· *Tuesday*:
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o *6:30pm* Grace Council Mtg.
· *Wednesday:*
o No Bible Study or Divine Service
o *7pm *Evening Prayer, Trinity
· *Friday:*
o No Private Absolution
*Other things…*
· ALTAR GUILD TRAINING SESSION! Join us *June 27th at 10am at Grace* for all the *what, why, and how* of caring for the altar. Whether you’re an old pro, newly enlisted, or simply curious to know more, please join us! This is open to all and will address both the practical side as well as the theology behind it. Invite a friend, bring a child, and learn the reverent joy that goes with our Lord’s gifts at the altar.
· I had mentioned that I would include the texts we discussed in Bible Study last week in our Weekly Update. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to scan them. I’ll be sure to include them next week. What we discussed was a letter (perhaps the last one) sent by Franz Jaegerstatter to his wife and family before he was killed for refusing to swear the oath to Hitler. His story is incredibly powerful and can be seen in the movie *A Hidden Life.* If you get a chance, watch that movie.
Miss you all!
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life,
-Pastor