*+ THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY +*
*July 16, 2023*
*Why?*
*Why does the church have stained-glass windows?*
Much of what passes for “stained glass” these days is actually painted glass, but it generally provides a similar effect, which is threefold. First, it provides an image to look at in a window, something on which to feast the eyes while in church. This is a good thing, because there ought to be plenty of things to look at while at worship. A church which has little or nothing to look at is not taking advantage of one of the two most prominent senses God has given us. St. Paul encourages attention to things of beauty: “Whatsoever things are lovely . . . think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). To fill the eyes with beautiful things at worship is to remind the faithful of the temple whose gate was called “Beautiful” (Acts 3:2), and that in turn reminds them that God Himself is the author of beauty. Moreover, this sense of beauty serves to remind the faithful of the beauty of the incarnation of God. Christ has become flesh, and so has adorned the earth with His own eternal beauty. Should we not therefore attend to what is beautiful?
Secondly, the images portrayed in stained-glass windows are generally images from the Gospel, and thus the maxim comes to mind: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” To see an image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, or of Jesus healing someone, or of the resurrected Christ hailing Mary is to bring immediately to mind the most precious truths which give rise to these images; and so the Word of God, as pondered in the heart, has good effect.
Third, the use of light filtered through colored glass provides an effect which is very uncommon anywhere else in the world. Churches still have pretty much of a corner on the market for stained-glass windows, and so the message stands out – a message unspoken yet unmistakable – that this place is unlike any other place in the world. This is where heaven and earth meet (through Christ who is preached and administered here), where He who is the light of the world is shed abroad in our hearts. How fitting, then, that as sunlight is filtered through those windows, so the almighty God is “filtered” to us through His gracious word of life.
*Taken from Eckardt, Burnell. Why? A Layman’s Guide to the Liturgy. Malone, TX: Repristination Press, 1998 – 2005.*
*Sunday Resources: **(Readings, Sunday Summary, Weekly Calendar, etc. all included in the following links)*
Trinity Bulletin <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-07-16-Trinity-6.pdf>
Congregation At Prayer <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-7-16-The-Sixth-Sunday-after-Trinity.pdf>
News & Notes <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/07-16-23-News-Notes.pdf>
*Sunday Catechesis:*
+ The Gospel of John
*Wednesday Catechesis:*
+ The Book of Genesis
*Upcoming Events:*
+ *OMT Theological Reading Group*
*Tuesday, July 18 *(Trinity)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am Reading Discussion
11:15 am Prayer
11:30 am Lunch
*Reading Assignment:*
*Due:* Beckwith, Carl L. *The Holy Trinity. Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics Series.* Ft. Wayne, Indiana, The Luther Academy, 2016. (412 pages)
*Announcements:*
+ *LAST WEEK The Wheels on the Bus Fundraiser *in the Fellowship Hall – Would you be willing to donate a “lug nut” for $10; “spoke” for $25; or a “wheel” for $100? We have a BUS with envelopes for the different amounts in the fellowship hall. If you wish to participate, you select an envelope of your choice and return the envelope with your donation. This is to help send our youth to Higher Things Youth Conference July 25-28
+ *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.
*Resources:*
+ *Issues, Etc.*
*For the week of July 16*
EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF LUTHERANS… 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 subjects include: The Movies “Sound of Freedom” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny;” An Attempt by Concordia University Texas to Reject the Governance & Oversight of the LCMS; Truth & Tolerance; Female Pastors & the Lutheran Church of Australia and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x7WwHUvmUn8HidOrJOZMkgI3kwLCrYwyMT5F6qV_9wjQn7EfVMAgcLaWN3SoqY-EWe183JmD-au59DCmcfXGJ_Q2WEidUK8I0-vixoJg2TNw4Xu08gViOcpYc1zycqhfWtihuv11p8jFCEzfiH6_Hw==&c=CdW536VpE2cuGHdBdq…>, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider. Listen Here <issuesetc.org/>
*Miscellaneous:*
+ *Immanuel Lutheran Church Secretary Position*
Job Opening- Parish Secretary at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wichita
With the upcoming retirement on Sept 29th of our long-time, faithful Parish Secretary, Immanuel
Lutheran Church is looking to fill this position. Part-time, 20-30 hours. If you’d like to apply, please email Carpenter24@Protonmail.com for an application and job description. For questions, please call Mike Carpenter at 316-217-7452.
+ *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
Luther Classical College Luther Classical College <www.lutherclassical.org/>