+ First Sunday in Advent +
December 1, 2024
The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us
The new Church Year begins by focusing on the humble coming of our Lord. “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5). Even as He was born in a lowly manger, so Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden. For He bears the sin of the world. He is the Son of David riding to His enthronement on the cross, where He shows Himself to be “The LORD is our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:5–6). Our Lord still comes in great humility to deliver His righteousness to us in the Word and Sacraments. Before receiving Christ’s body and blood, we also sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9) And as we receive the Sacrament, we set our hearts on His return in glory, for “our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11).
Advent Rubrics
Unique to Advent and Lent, the Liturgy drops the Greater Gloria (“Gloria in Excelsis”). The Church sets that magnificent hymn of praise aside until we hear the angels sing it at the birth of Christ! Also, you’ll notice that as the weeks of Advent go forth there will be two collects: the collect of the day (particular to the readings appointed) as well as the collect for the first Sunday in Advent. Finally, you can’t help but notice the Advent Wreath with four candles around the outside. This wreath is a calendar—slowing us down, week by week, drawing us in anticipation towards Christmas. Each of the four candles represents a different aspect of our waiting: Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. Three candles are blue; one is pink. The pink calls us to rejoice and find the refreshment needed in a period of fasting (there’s something similar in Lent, too). Advent wreaths at home with daily family prayer and devotion is highly encouraged as well.
Sunday Resources:
Bulletin for The First Sunday in Advent ~ December 1, 2024
Congregation at Prayer for The First Sunday in Advent ~ 12/1/24
Children’s Bulletin for this Sunday
Sunday Readings:
Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:5-8
Epistle: Romans 13:8-14
Gospel: Matthew 21:1-9
Sunday Catechesis:
- The Book of Judges
Wednesday Catechesis:
- The Book of Matthew
Week of the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Trinity (December 1 – December 7, 2024):
Sunday
- 8:30 a.m. Choir Practice in Fellowship Hall
- 9:00 a.m. Divine Service
- 10:30 a.m. Bible Study
Monday
- 8:30 a.m. Matins
Tuesday
- 8:30 a.m. Matins
Wednesday ~ Commemoration of John of Damascus, Theologian and Hymnwriter
- 8:30 a.m. Matins
- 5:30 p.m. Private confession and absolution
- 7:00 p.m. Vespers
Thursday
- 8:30 a.m. Matins
- 4:30 p.m. Private confession and absolution
Friday ~ Commemoration of Nicolas of Myra, Pastor
- 8:30 a.m. Matins
Saturday ~ Commemoration of Ambrose of Milan, Pastor and Hymnwriter
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Advent Tea Ladies! Mark your calendars for December 14 at 2:00 p.m. as an afternoon of scripture, singing, and fellowship. More details and sign-up sheets to follow in the weeks to come.
- OMT Theological Reading Group
Tuesday, December 17 (Trinity)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am Reading Discussion
11:15 am Prayer
11:30 am Lunch
Reading Assignment: Due: Wilkin, Robert L. Remembering the Christian Past. Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995. (180 pages)
- Catechesis begins with a meal at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. There are classes for all ages. Pastor Filipek is teaching confirmation and adults, Kendall Patterson is teaching elementary age, and Amy Filipek is with preschool and younger children. Everyone is welcome! The last day of Catechesis for 2024 was November 20. Wednesday classes will resume January 8, 2025.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Ladies of Trinity Would you be interested in gathering to talk about how we can bring the traditions of The Church Year into our homes and to encourage each other in Christ? You are invited to come Sunday, December 15 at 3:30 p.m. to Trudy Unruh’s house at 33 N Stratford Rd. for an informal gathering to discuss what such a group might look like using All The Household’s blog as a guide. Check out the blog at allthehousehold.com. Questions? Contact Trudy Unruh.
- Picture Directory There are copies of the church picture directory in the narthex. Please pick one up at your leisure.
- The last day of Catechesis for 2024 was November 20. Wednesday classes will resume January 8, 2025.
- Are You A Dillon’s Shopper? Designate Trinity as your Dillon’s rewards charity online, using the code QG377. You will need to designate Trinity every year for this rewards program.
- Happenings at Fairmount Ministries
- 6:47 Tuesdays @Fairmount! We are studying Romans. There will be a special bible study series beginning Dec. 3rd for Advent. College Age/Young Adult Fellowship/Bible Group. E-mail hannah@fairmountministries.org for more info.
- T.O.T. (formerly Theology on Tap): We will take a break in December. See you in January!
- College Finals Kits: We will have a table at Fairmount beginning on Monday, Dec. 2nd and ending on Friday, Dec. 6th of items for you to build your own kit.
- Coffee and Cuddles Friday Dec. 6th: Risen Savior will pick up the tab for drinks ordered by students from 1 to 3 p.m. Students must show their student ID. Teddy will be there to give cuddles.
- Pancake Night Dec. 9th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students can stop by for pancakes and take a break from studying for finals.
- A Message from The Kansas District LCMS Office As many of you know, there is a great need in the eastern regions of the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Countless people, including LCMS members and congregations, are grieving the loss of their businesses, homes, and even their loved ones. Yet equally swift have been the many congregations, organizations, church members, and volunteers from around the Synod who have contributed their time, resources, finances, and prayers to aid those affected by the hurricane. Provided below are links for the three districts receiving contributions:
LCMS Mid-South District: https://mid-southlcms.org/
LCMS Southeastern District: https://se.lcms.org/
LCMS Florida-Georgia District: https://flgadistrict.org/
Funds received will be distributed by these districts for survivor support and some volunteer support. This will be a long-term ongoing recovery. Let us join in prayer together as we “encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). In the service of Christ, Rev. Justin Panzer, Kansas District President
RESOURCES:
Issues, Etc.
For the week of December 1
Expert Guests, Expansive Topics, Extolling Christ . . . Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s teachings include: Progressive Christianity, Christian Identity vs. Identity Politics, the Hymn “We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator,” the Advent Season and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn or a podcast provider. Listen Here for other Issues, Etc. programs.
As a result of Sunday’s Bible class discussion, these are link to Commemorations, Feasts, and Festivals with information about the Saints:
Link to Feasts and Festivals throughout the Church Year
Link to Commemorations throughout the Church Year
MISCELLANEOUS:
Trinity Lutheran Church tlcwichita.org
Concordia Academy Wichita Concordia Academy Wichita – Home
Kansas District LCMS LCMS Kansas District | (kslcms.org)
The Lutheran Church Missouri SynodLCMS.org – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Eighth Day Books Eighth Day Books
Eighth Day Institute Welcome to Eighth Day Institute
Concordia Publishing House Home – Concordia Publishing House (cph.org)
Issues, Etc. issuesetc.org
Luther Classical College Luther Classical College