*Thursday of Oculi*
Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
*Tomorrow* is
*T** The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord** T*
Join us in the celebration of a Divine Liturgy at Trinity at 7pm.
This Sunday is
*Laetare **– the 4th Sunday in Lent*
*T** The Sunday of the Feeding of the Five Thousand** T*
Exodus 16:2-21; Galatians 4:21-31; John 6:1-15 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+16%3A2-21%3B+Galatians+4%3A21-31%3B+John+6%3A1-15&version=ESV>
*The Lord Feeds His People*
*The Lord provided bread from heaven for His people in the wilderness (Ex. 16:2–21). Now He who is Himself the living bread from heaven miraculously provides bread for the five thousand (John 6:1–15). This takes place near the time of the Passover, after a great multitude had followed Jesus across the sea, and when He went up on a mountain. Seen in this way, Jesus is our new and greater Moses, who releases us from the bondage of Mount Sinai and makes us free children of the promise (Gal. 4:21–31). Five loaves become twelve baskets—that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the bread of life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers (Acts 2:41–47). So it is that God’s people “shall not hunger or thirst” (Is. 49:8–13). For He abundantly provides for us in both body and soul.*
*Bible Study this Week* is at Trinity. We’ll discuss the sixth Godly habit of piety: Confessing Christ*.* Join us at 9:30am at Trinity.
*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Trinity** Grace*
*Counters: The Lewallens Counters: Jennifer*
*Greeters: Minda Shultz Greeters: The Unruhs*
*Ushers: Dave Ketteman & Ushers: Jim & Sandy*
* Dave Norris Altar Guild: The Nickels*
*Altar Guild: The Wortzes *
*Elder: Keith Buhr*
*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/fa41231e-3f1a-97e3-b5de-ead4eaec500c/2022_03_27_The_Fourth_Sunday_in_Lent_Laetare_DS.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/6f8ce151-209b-00e6-d6de-264513bf450c/3_27_22_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/13b2602a-5985-57b8-e570-cac1c39bd59c/2022_3_27_Fourth_Sunday_in_Lent.pdf> .
*Prayer Requests…*
· For Melissa Spierling and family, mourning the death of her mother, Charmaine Powell (*daughter of Al Gene & Ruth Ann Meyer*).
· For Ana Bracamontes, one of our elderly members in the Spanish service, who is suffering from liver stones.
· For Tammy, Nancy Metzger’s friend, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.
· For Irma Quade, who is now recovering at the rehabilitation center at Waterfront
· For Melissa Cohlmia, Mary Hubbard’s cousin, who will drive to the Cleveland Clinic later this month for tests and evaluations before heart surgery on March 25.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Today: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *7:30pm *Hall of Men, the Ladder * *I’m presenting Nikolaus von Amsdorf*
· *Friday: **Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4-5pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
o *7pm *Festal Divine Service, Trinity
· *Sunday (3/27): **Laetare*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Trinity
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
o *3:30pm *Elders’ Book Study, Grace
· *Monday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Tuesday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *9:45am *OMT, Grace * *we’re reading St. Anselm, Why God Became Man*
· *Wednesday*:
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 Baptism), Trinity
· *Thursday*: *Commemoration of Joseph, Patriarch*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Friday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4-5pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
· *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
*Looking Ahead…*
· *March 29*: OMT: Theological Reading Group – We’ll be reading and discussing Anselm of Canterbury’s famous work, *Why God Became Man*. You can grab a copy at Eighth Day Books. We meet at Grace; Matins starts at 9am, discussion follows, then lunch. Join us!
· *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 27th annual Lutheran Lecture Series here at Grace. More details to follow, but please save the date and mark your calendar.
*Other Things…*
· *The Decision to Accept the Call to the Seminary* was announced last week. For those who may not have heard, we intend to accept the call when it “officially” comes in mid-May. Our last Sunday will be June 12. Please keep us, the Seminary, and these congregations in your prayers.
· *Amy Fox has to move out of her home*. If anyone is willing to help her pack just a few personal belongings and her clothing on Monday, April 4 around noon, please let me know.
· *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