*January 15, 2023*
*Readings:*
Exodus 33:12–23
Romans 12:6–16
John 2:1–11
*Jesus’ First Miracle Reveals God’s Glory*
The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that “the mountains shall drip sweet wine” (Amos 9:11–15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1–11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The “back” of God (Ex. 33:12–23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation’s curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22–32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to “love one another with brotherly affection . . .” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:6–16).
*Sunday Resources:*
Trinity Bulletin <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-01-15-Epiphany-2.pdf>
Congregation At Prayer <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-1-15-Cong.-at-Prayer-Epiphany-2.pdf>
News & Notes <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/01-15-23-News-Notes.pdf>
*Sunday Catechesis:*
+ Topic: The Church
*Wednesday Catechesis:*
+ 2 Peter
*Prayer Requests:*
+ Safe travels for all who will be attending the Ft. Wayne Symposia this next week.
*Sunday Highlights:*
*Counters: David Ketterman*
*Greeters: The Lewallens *
*Ushers: Sheryl Anderson and Keith Burr *
*Altar Guild: The Lessmans *
*Elder: *
*Sunday Notes:*
+ *New Sunday Schedule (Started January 1, 2023)*
· *9:00 am Divine Service*
· *10:30 am Catechesis*
*Weekly Schedule (January 15-21, 2023):*
*Sunday *
+ 9:00 am Divine Service
+ 10:30 am Catechesis
+ 3:00 pm Divine Service (Spanish)
+ 3:30 pm Elder’s Book Study
*Monday *
+ *Pastor Filipek is at Symposia*
*Tuesday *
+ *Pastor Filipek is at Symposia*
*Wednesday *
+ *Pastor Filipek is at Symposia*
+ *5:15 pm Catechesis* *(Pr. Metzger)*
+ *7:00 pm Evening Prayer* *(Pr. Metzger)*
*Thursday *
+ *Pastor Filipek is at Symposia*
+ 7:00 pm Elder’s Meeting
*Friday *
+ *Pastor Filipek is at Symposia*
*Saturday*
+ *Pastor Filipek is at Symposia*
*Feasts, Festivals, and Commemorations (January 2023)*
Lectionary Summaries – Feasts and Festivals <files.lcms.org/file/preview/G1MmzeM6FGzy4VOoKsjP5C9w4ify7t85?>
Commemoration Biographies <files.lcms.org/file/preview/Eqm0sBtilV1kI57LHE7XkLDDgl0mV2ng?>
+ 18 [F] The Confession of St. Peter
+ 20 [C] Sarah
+ 24 [F] St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor
+ 25 [F] The Conversion of St. Paul
+ 26 [F] St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor
+ 27 [C] John Chrysostom, *Preacher*
*Upcoming Events:*
+ *Concordia Theological Seminary Ft. Wayne 2023 Symposia*
*January 17-20* Pastor Filipek will be attending and will be gone from the 16th – 21st
Symposia Link <www.ctsfw.edu/ctsfw-events/event-symposia-2023/>
+ *Kansas District Life Conference **(January 23-24)*
Please register for the event at this link by *January 18, 2023* – kslcms.org/caring-ministry/life-ministry/2023-life-conference/
When registering, please pay for the lunch. Scroll to the bottom of the website page and click on the red “Lunch Payment” button.
+ *OMT Theological Reading Group*
*Tuesday, December 31* (Trinity)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am Reading Discussion
11:15 am Prayer
11:30 am Lunch
*January’s Book and Reading Assignment*
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. *The Cost of Discipleship*. New York, New York, Touchstone, Simon & Schuster Inc. 1959. (320 pages)
*Announcements:*
+ *PASTOR FILIPEK WILL BE OUT OF TOWN NEXT WEEK*
*(JANUARY 16-21)* He will be attending Symposia in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
+ *SPECIAL VOTER’S MEETING* *FEBRUARY 12, 2023*
There will be a very short voter’s meeting following the Divine Service (2/12/23). The purpose of this meeting is to nominate for positions at the Synod level, including Synodical President. Please plan on staying.
+ *SAFETY MEETING AND LUNCHEON* *FEBRUARY 26, 2023*
Following catechesis (2/26/23) there will be a luncheon and a guest speaker presenting on church safety. It is open to all and everyone is encouraged to attend. We will learn about making Trinity a safer place for all its saints. This is brought to you by the security committee.
+ *THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!*
Merry Christmas! The Filipek family thanks you for your generosity and love this festival of Christmas. We appreciate all the cards, gifts, and treats. Pastor Filipek especially thanks the saints of Trinity for the staff gift. We are glad to serve you and be with you all.
+ *The Lutheran Missal *
Trinity Lutheran Church will be participating in the Lutheran Missal Field Testing. You may learn more about what this means by clicking of this link. Field Testing: Beginning in Advent 2022 – The Lutheran Missal (home.blog) <lutheranmissal.home.blog/2022/10/14/field-testing-beginning-in-advent-2022/>
To learn more about the Lutheran Missal, consider the following links.
· The Lutheran Missal – A blog chronicling the research and development of the first missal for English-speaking Lutherans (home.blog) <lutheranmissal.home.blog/>
· 2933. A Lutheran Missal – Pr. Evan Scamman, 10/20/22 (issuesetc.org) <issuesetc.org/2022/10/20/2933-a-lutheran-missal-pr-evan-scamman-10-20-22/>
· The Lutheran Missal Fr. Stefan Gramenz & Fr. Evan Scamman – YouTube
+ *Trinity Office Hours **(New Office Hours)*
The secretary will now be in the office Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Thursday, if needed) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone messages will be checked daily 316-685-1571.
+ *Would You Serve? *Please contact Curt Engelbrecht curtengelbrecht@gmail.com
· *Trinity Board of Trustees*
From our bylaws: Board of Trustees:
Administer and supervise maintenance of all property belonging to the congregation; to make contracts; accept and receive grants and bequests; appear in court; in short, to transact all the business of the congregation assigned to them by the Voters Assembly. This does not include signing legal documents for the congregation.
· *Trinity Board of Evangelism *
From our bylaws: Board of Evangelism:
Greeting visitors at worship services; Accomplish canvasses as needed; Call on visitors who attend church and on new people in town; Assist in maintaining an active prospect file; Be active in responding to the emergency needs of those in the church
community; Study the best Evangelism literature available and use every means to promote a strong evangelism program consciousness in the congregation; Inform the congregation of the evangelism program of the Synod.
· *Hospitality Committee*
We are looking for people to join the hospitality committee. One of the focuses of the hospitality committee is coordinating meals throughout the year. An example is helping with the meal for Voter’s Meeting in a couple of weeks.
*Resources:*
+ *Issues, Etc.*
*For the week of January 15*
PREMIER CONFERENCE FOR LUTHERAN LAITY… You’re invited to attend the 2023 Issues, Etc. “Making the Case” Conference Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17 at Concordia University Chicago. Speakers include: LCMS President Matt Harrison, Mollie Hemingway of Fox News, Mark Hemingway of RealClear Investigations, Kyle Mann of The Babylon Bee, Pastor Peter Bender of the Concordia Catechetical Academy, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and Pastor Will Weedon of The Word of the Lord Endures Forever. Early bird registration is $140 and includes three meals. Reduced room rates, including on-campus dorms, are available. For more information, visit issuesetc.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cbvmyDa7MdnrgOQoD_OONgrfnpzLQ_Rk4mhk-ST7zbguAnlkwVluxBOw9qhtga4rIUSoVlcYEtcTp3tVsFytCNIVkcm8BuOtzLMBAdzdKZ8qhcvlGoRcVxDkx9M-XXp5KMwa1FsRD712YdhJRINAOA==&c=BL9W5K84yTmCoMvgsz…> or call (618) 223-8385. Listen Here <issuesetc.org/>
*Miscellaneous:*
+ *Higher Things Reflection Booklet *
Epiphany – Transfiguration
January 6, 2023 – February 25, 2023
Download a free copy of HT Reflections devotional booklet
Reflections – Higher Things <higherthings.org/content/content-reflections/>
+ *Greece & The Greek Isles*
11 Days: October 17–27, 2023
Hosted by Rev. Cliff and Lois Winter
Space is limited!
For more information, see the attached flyer or contact them at (316) 461-2593 or loiswinter@yahoo.com
+ *Attention Youth!*
Higher Things has two summer conferences for 2023. The conference theme is *Beyond Reasonable Doubt*. Registration is now open. Please let Pastor Filipek know if you would be interested in attending. Here is a link for further information. Beyond Reasonable Doubt 2023 – Higher Things <leader.higherthings.org/events/conferences/>
+ *Dillons Community Rewards and Amazon Smile*
Please consider donating your Dillons and/or Amazon Smile Rewards to Trinity Lutheran Church. Every donation is a help and appreciated.
+ *2023 Kansas District Life Conference & March for Life*
Here is an email from District President Panzer:
Dear Friends,
Rejoice! Your King comes to you!
In light of the 2023 Kansas District Life Conference and March for Life, I want to draw your attention to three things:
1. Please register for the event at this link by *January 18, 2023* – kslcms.org/caring-ministry/life-ministry/2023-life-conference/
2. When registering, please pay for the lunch. Scroll to the bottom of the website page and click on the red “Lunch Payment” button.
3. Please also register for the “March for Life” with this link by *December 31, 2022* – www.lcms-life.org/need/detail/?need_id=737571 This will ensure that you receive a stocking hat and hymn sing sign.
Thank you! We look forward to your participation, and we will continue to pray for the mighty of the Holy Spirit in the State of Kansas for the respect of life from womb to the tomb.
In the service of Christ,
Rev. Justin Panzer
*Helpful Links:*
Trinity Lutheran Church tlcwichita.org <www.tlcwichita.org/>
Concordia Academy Wichita Concordia Academy Wichita – Home <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/>
Kansas District LCMS LCMS Kansas District | (kslcms.org) <kslcms.org/>
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod LCMS.org – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod <www.lcms.org/>
Eighth Day Books Eighth Day Books <www.eighthdaybooks.com/>
Eighth Day Institute Welcome to Eighth Day Institute <www.eighthdayinstitute.org/>
Concordia Publishing House Home – Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) <www.cph.org/>
Issues, Etc. issuesetc.org