*+ SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (EXAUDI) +*
*May 21, 2023*
*Why?*
*Why do we dress well for church?*
Sometimes it is said that people dress up for church only to show off. This is both improper to think (for we are required by the Eighth Commandment to think well and not evil of our neighbors) and likely to be wrong. The Christian’s desire to dress appropriately for worship comes from a knowledge of the fact that we come to stand in the presence of God when in church. That is, Christ is present in the Gospel and in the Sacrament. The preaching of the Gospel and the Holy Liturgy contain Christ Himself, and this can be even more profoundly seen in the Holy Sacrament, which is the Body and Blood of Christ. One way to express our faith in this truth is to dress ourselves well, as people who know and live according to this truth. We dress up our building, we dress up our pastor, we dress up our altar and other church furniture. Is it not fitting, then, that we also dress up ourselves, according to our ability?
There is a custom in many churches to dress up a bit more for Sunday than when one attends on another day of the week. This custom has the effect of dressing up the Sunday itself a little more in recognition of our Lord’s resurrection on a Sunday.
It is fitting to talk in general terms about the appropriateness of certain clothing at the altar, since we regard it as a sacred space.
But is this a law? Certainly not! It is, rather, by a recognition of the Gospel that we learn to dress ourselves well for church. Christians are freed from the demands of the law in Christ. We live by faith in Him, and our faith has opportunity to express itself according to the freedom of the Gospel.
The law of love does have bearing on this matter, however, in two ways.
First, in that we ought not to become our neighbors’ judges, ready to condemn someone for dressing a certain way; we Christians ought to bear with one another’s weaknesses, and so fulfill the law of Christ, as the Apostle says. Further, what a poor man might call dressing well ought never be looked upon with scorn by someone who has more than he. For to dishonor the poor is to dishonor Christ.
Second, we ought seek not to give offense by the clothing we wear to the altar, for love of the family of faith ought to be evident especially as we commune together. The liberty of a Christian must always be weighed against the Christian’s mindfulness of his neighbor.
*Taken from Eckardt, Burnell. Why? A Layman’s Guide to the Liturgy. Malone, TX: Repristination Press, 1998 – 2005.*
*Readings:*
Ezekiel 36:22–28
1 Peter 4:7–11 (12–14)
John 15:26—16:4
*The Spirit of Truth Bears Witness to Jesus*
The Spirit of Truth bears witness to Jesus, who is the truth. But the world does not receive the truth. It loves its own and hates those who are of the truth. Just as Jesus was scorned, so is His Church. “The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2). Yet it is by Jesus’ suffering and death that we are saved. Therefore we rejoice to share in His sufferings, that we may also share in His resurrection glory (1 Pet. 4:7–14). Through the ministry of the Spirit of Truth, we are cleansed from the deceit of our idols and given a new heart and a new spirit, the heart and Spirit of Christ (Ezek. 36:22–28). He now works in us fervent, self-giving love for one another, love which covers a multitude of sins, “that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11).
*Sunday Resources:*
Trinity Bulletin <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-21-Seventh-Sunday-of-Easter-Exaudi.pdf>
Congregation At Prayer <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-21-The-Seventh-Sunday-of-Easter.pdf>
News & Notes <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/05-21-23-News-Notes.pdf>
*Sunday Catechesis:*
+ The Gospel of John
*Wednesday Catechesis:*
+ The Book of Genesis
*Weekly Schedule (May 21 – 28, 2023):*
*Saturday (May 20)*
+ 5:30 pm Taco Bout Talent Higher Things Fundraiser (Immanuel Lutheran)
*Sunday *
+ 9:00 am Divine Service
+ 10:30 am Catechesis (The Gospel of John)
+ 3:00 pm (Spanish) Divine Service
+ 3:30 pm Elder’s Book Study (Ceremony and Celebration by Paul H.D. Lang <emmanuelpress.us/books/ceremony-and-celebration/>)
*Monday*
+ 8:30 am Matins
+ 4:30 pm Private Confession
*Tuesday *
+ 8:30 am Matins
*Wednesday*
+ 8:30 am Matins
+ 9:30 am Catechesis (The Book of Genesis)
+ 11:00 am Divine Service
+ *4 – 7 pm Mary Zwemke Visitation (Lakeview Funeral Home <www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/kansas/wichita/lakeview-funeral-home/9708>)*
+ 5:15 pm Catechesis
+ 7:00 pm Evening Prayer
*Thursday*
+ 8:30 am Matins
+ *10:00 am Mary Zwemke Funeral (Lakeview Funeral Home <www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/kansas/wichita/lakeview-funeral-home/9708>)*
+ 7:00 pm Elder’s Meeting
+ 7:30 pm Hall of Men (The Ladder)
*Friday Pastor Filipek’s Day Off *
+ 8:30 am Matins
*Saturday*
+ 2:00 pm Trinity Men’s Gathering
*Feasts, Festivals, and Commemorations (May 2023)*
Lectionary Summaries – Feasts and Festivals <files.lcms.org/file/preview/G1MmzeM6FGzy4VOoKsjP5C9w4ify7t85?>
Commemoration Biographies <files.lcms.org/file/preview/Eqm0sBtilV1kI57LHE7XkLDDgl0mV2ng?>
+ 21 [C] Emperor Constantine, *Christian Ruler, *and Helena, *Mother of Constantine*
+ 24 [C] Esther
+ 25 [C] Bede the Venerable, *Theologian*
*Upcoming Events:*
+ *OMT Theological Reading Group*
*Tuesday, **June 13** (Date Change)* (Trinity)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am Reading Discussion
11:15 am Prayer
11:30 am Lunch
*Reading Assignment:*
*Due:* Just, Arthur A. Jr. *Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service*. St. Louis, Missouri, Concordia Publishing House, 2008. (307 pages)
*Trinity/Immanuel Higher Things Youth Fundraiser*
*May 20*
Taco Bout Talent Fundraiser is May 20 at Immanuel Lutheran Congregation. The meal starts at 5:30 pm followed by the Talent Show at 7:00 pm. The money raised will help fund the transportation for the youth who are attending Higher Things in San Antonio this summer. Please sign-up in the narthex. If you can’t attend but would like to donate items, please sign-up in the narthex as well.
+ *Elder’s Monthly Book Study*
*May 21*
All are invited to participate in the Elder’s Monthly Book Study. There is no preparation for attendance. We get together to read and discuss the book at the meeting. We will be starting a new book in May. The book we will be discussing is Ceremony and Celebration by Paul H.D. Lang. Ceremony and Celebration | Emmanuel Press <emmanuelpress.us/books/ceremony-and-celebration/> If you want to know more about Lutheran Liturgical Worship, please join us.
+ *Trinity Men’s Event*
Men’s Firearm and Whiskey Sampling – Join the men of Trinity on *Saturday, May 27th at 2:00 pm* for a group range day at the Eldorado Lake public range. Afterwards, join us at Trinity’s parsonage (Pastor Filipek’s) for a whiskey tasting. For both halves, bring your favorites and something to share and enjoy. Sons are welcome, age appropriate beverages will be available. *Please RSVP by May 25. *Contact Allen Herbert with questions.
+ *Lutheran Confession Series and Brat Dinner: Jesus said, “When You Fast”*
*June 3-4*
Pastor Ian Kinney will be our guest speaker this year. He will be presenting on fasting in the Scriptures and in the Lutheran/Western Church. On Sunday, he will preach at the Divine Service and present on the Apocrypha during catechesis. Plan on attending and please invite others. Attached is the flyer with all the information. *Please donate snacks for the breaks and/or side dishes and/or desserts *for the meal following Vespers.
*Announcements:*
+ *MARY ZWEMKE VISITATION AND FUNERAL*
Our sister, Mary, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, May 15. Here are the details concerning visitation and funeral: Lakeside Funeral Home <www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/kansas/wichita/lakeview-funeral-home/9708> (12100 E 13th Street N, Wichita, KS 67206)
Visitation (*Lakeview*): Wednesday, May 24 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Funeral (*Lakeview*): Thursday, May 25 at 10:00 am
Obituary: Mary Zwemke Obituary – Wichita, KS (dignitymemorial.com) <www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wichita-ks/mary-zwemke-11289480>
+ *GINGER MANCHESIAN OBITUARY (From Last Week)*
Our sister, Ginger, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, May 1. Ginger’s funeral was last week (Thursday, May 11). Here is a link to her obituary. Virginia Manchesian Obituary – Wichita, KS (dignitymemorial.com) <www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wichita-ks/virginia-manchesian-11281892>
+ *HOMEMADE FOOD TO SHARE*
There is a refrigerator where the old Dr. Pepper soda machine was. Inside the fridge contains individual bags and containers of homemade food. *Any member who would like a home cooked item or wants to share with someone who could also use one, they are free to take.*
Feel free to take when needed or contact the office for more information.
+ *ARE YOU A DILLONS SHOPPER?* Designate Trinity as your Dillons rewards charity online, using the code QG377. You will need to *designate Trinity every year* for this rewards program.
+ *WEDNESDAY NIGHT CATECHESIS*
Last Day of Catechesis for Wednesday night’s will be *May 24*. We will resume in the fall.
*Resources:*
+ *Issues, Etc.*
*For the week of May 21*
ACTS BIBLE STUDY… The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is a daily 15-minute verse-by-verse Bible study produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Will Weedon. Pastor Weedon begins a study this week on The Book of Acts. You can listen at your convenience at thewordendures.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LO80b0ArE6cg-0fNTTmvNuRuG_BIyC8stfztPui-ydbr9ad0NLr4KfhJlSTtDOYDsLGROADmyqkyrghpQo03W8P979VtJivNqiNEy4VbRNVWQbt_LiA654bGnf-Yc1JQJ5Ow6qxGSQYHPqTZRVEjA-aPnQjmHzHq&c=JwtaMHabk2…>, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider. Listen Here <issuesetc.org/>
*Miscellaneous:*
*+ **CAW (Concordia Academy Wichita) May Newsletter*
CAW May 2023 Newsletter (mailchi.mp) <mailchi.mp/concordiaacademywichita/may2023newsletter>
+ *CAW Community Art Program*
Our Concordia Cordis Urbis art program will be starting up this coming Saturday beginning at 9am. Mr. Ian Snyder will begin teaching the “Art of Hand Lettering. The class is free and open to the community. It will be held in the art studio here on campus and lasts until noon. This is an ongoing weekly program. Please feel free to share the attached information with friends and family!
Concordia Academy Wichita – Home <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/>
+ *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
Lutheran-Confessions-XXVII.docx