*Friday of Laetare*
Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
This Sunday is
*Jubilate **– the 5th Sunday in Lent*
*T** The Sunday of the Passion** T*
Genesis 22:1–14; Hebrews 9:11–15; John 8:42-59 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+22%3A1%E2%80%9314%3B+Hebrews+9%3A11%E2%80%9315%3B+John+8%3A42-59&version=ESV>
*Jesus Is Our Redemption*
*In the temple Jesus said, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51). For Jesus came to taste death for us—to drink the cup of suffering to the dregs in order that we might be released from its power. Clinging to His life-giving words, we are delivered from death’s sting and its eternal judgment. Christ is our High Priest, who entered the Most Holy Place and with His own blood obtained everlasting redemption for His people (Heb. 9:11–15). He is the One who was before Abraham was, and yet is his descendant. He is the promised Son who carries the wood up the mountain for the sacrifice, who is bound and laid upon the altar of the cross. He is the ram who is offered in our place, who is willingly caught in the thicket of our sin, and who wears the crown of thorns upon His head (Gen. 22:1–14). Though Jesus is dishonored by the sons of the devil, He is vindicated by the Father through the cross.*
*What Changes This Week?* This Sunday begins *Passiontide*, the last two weeks of the Lenten Season. Two notable changes will be seen and heard. First, the crosses are veiled, commemorating the last line from the appointed Gospel reading: “*but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple*” (John 8:59). Second, the *Gloria Patri *is dropped. During the Divine Service you’ll notice this at the Introit, as well as—and more abruptly—during the *Nunc Dimittis*. For those attending Matins next week, it will become very apparent!
*Bible Study this Week* is at *Grace*. We’ll discuss the eighth Godly habit of piety: Remembering Death and the Day of Judgment. These habits come from the book *Thank, Praise, Serve, and Obey by Rev. William Weedon <www.cph.org/p-31340-thank-praise-serve-and-obey-recover-the-joys-of-piety.aspx>*. Join us at 9:30am at Grace.
*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Trinity** Grace*
*Counters: The Lewallens Counters: Tom & Sandy*
*Greeters: The Smiths Greeters: The Kennys*
*Ushers: Derrel Pressnell & Ushers: Jim & Sandy*
* Dave Ketteman Altar Guild: The Kennys*
*Altar Guild: Sheryl Anderson *
*Elder: Kendall Patterson*
*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/3bfaa243-afb3-a195-86f6-65af353c566a/2022_04_03_The_Fifth_Sunday_in_Lent_Judica.pdf>. Meditate on the readings, pray the prayers, and consider what gifts our Lord has for us this week. Also, here are the news/notes <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/f814f317-9b85-80fc-559d-37c3febd9fb2/4_3_22_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/fb725243-cb86-5be9-bb8e-36a25e7711d7/2022_4_3_Fifth_Sunday_in_Lent.pdf> .
*Prayer Requests…*
· For Roger Zwemke, who is hospitalized with pneumonia.
· For LaVelle Haefner, whose hemoglobin is dangerously low.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Today: *
o *No Matins*
o *4-5pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
· *Saturday: *
o *9am – 12pm *Trinity Spring Cleanup, Trinity **please bring buckets and rags for cleaning*
· *Sunday (4/3): **Judica *Passiontide begins*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace *
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
· *Monday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Tuesday: *
o *No Matins – Pastor’s Winkel*
o *5:15pm *Lord’s Diner
o *7pm *Trinity Council Mtg., Trinity
· *Wednesday*: *Commemoration of Lucas Cranach & Albrecht Duerer <concordiaandkoinonia.wordpress.com/2020/04/06/the-commemoration-of-lucas-cranach-and-albrecht-durer-artists-6-april/>*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *5pm *Bell Choir, Trinity
o *5:30pm *Lenten Meal, Trinity
o *6-6:45pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
o *7pm *Lenten Vespers (Holy Communion), Trinity
· *Thursday*:
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *6:30pm *Joint-Parish Pre-Call Mtg., Grace***
· *Friday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4-5pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
· *Sunday (4/10): **Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
o *3:30pm *Grace Town Hall Mtg., Grace
*Looking Ahead…*
· *April 7*: Pre-Call Meeting – President Panzer would like to meet with both congregations together to discuss the process for calling the next pastor. The elders have tentatively chosen Thursday, April 7 at 6:30pm at Grace. Please put it on the calendar. If the date or time changes, I’ll make that known.
· *April 10*: Grace Town Hall Meeting – On Sunday, April 10th at 3:30pm Grace members will gather for a discussion on the needs of the church and what to do in the days ahead.
· *April 30*: Lutheran Lecture Series XXVI – We’re thrilled to have the Rev. Dr. Andrew Das joining us for our 26th annual Lutheran Lecture Series here at Grace. More details to follow, but please save the date and mark your calendar.
*Other Things…*
· *April Newsletters Are Ready!* This month we take a look at the Eucharistic Prayer. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is that I force myself to just one page…so much more can be said on this. Please read, reflect, and ask questions! Here’s the Grace Notes <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/7e117572-fc7a-6026-749d-55f4a99a0609/April_Grace_Notes_2022.pdf> and Trinity’s Torch <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/8525245e-a3a1-a69b-9f6b-45b74aba4c55/April_Torch_2022.pdf>. Also, here’s the Calendar <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/874a2c9c-a2fe-e20c-666d-5a87436d2c3c/April_2022_Calendar.pdf>.
· *Finnish Bishop Juhana Pohjola* of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) and Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen, who were charged for hate crimes due to their biblical stance on human sexuality are now acquitted! See more here <ilc-online.org/2022/03/30/christianity-on-trial-finnish-bishop-and-politician-acquitted-on-all-charges/> .
· *KS District Looking for Communications Specialist*: A position description can be viewed here <kslcms.org/about-us/communications/> .
· *Concordia Academy-Wichita Open Enrollment: *please spread the word about our open enrollment and LARGE tuition grants at Concordia Academy. You can find the enrollment application here <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/uploads/1/3/1/6/131611242/application_form.pdf> .
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
-Pastor