Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
*SUNDAY – TRINITY 5 – “The Sunday of the Miraculous Catch of Fish”*
1 Kings 19:11-21; 1 Peter 3:8-15; St. Luke 5:1-11 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Ki+19.11-21%2C+1+Pet+3.8-15%2C+Lk+5.1-11&version=ESV>
This Sunday centers us upon the word of Christ. He appears to Elijah neither in tornado, earthquake, nor fire, but in a whisper, *the still small voice *(1 Ki 19:11-12). From that voice He sends Elijah to be the bearer of that voice and calls Elisha to do the same. Similarly, Peter, James, and John (Andrew, too, but he’s not mentioned this time) are called from their vocation of fishing for fish to be those who catch men by the preaching of that Gospel voice (Lk 5:11). And from the voice of the Lord that comes through Prophet and Apostle, we, too, are given a voice. Our voice cries out to the Lord to be gracious to us and to answer us (Introit Antiphon: Ps 27:7, 9). Our voice speaks tenderly to our neighbor in blessing (1 Pet 3:9) and with gentleness and respect in “*always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you*” (1 Pet 3:15). This hope of ours that gives us a voice to our neighbor has come to us through the word.
*Join us at 8am at Grace and 11am at Trinity to hear again that voice of the Lord that we may be a blessing to others. *
*Bible Study is at 9:30am at Trinity between the services. *We’ll continue our study of the Revelation of St. John. As I mentioned in the study last week, it would be of great value to read all of Revelation in as close to one sitting as possible. You might try that this evening or tomorrow. We’ll be looking at chapter 1 specifically on Sunday.
*For those not yet joining us in person*, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/f14d9c8d-36ec-4078-bd0c-1e08605ff1ad/2020_07_12_Trinity_5.pdf> to follow along with at home. Please remember to give your offering to the Lord for the service of the Church, either by mailing a check or donating through our PayPal account (Grace <www.paypal.com/donate/?token=wCot5F31B3BCMGc_rqa9rKq8o4vspj-2tWvShIKflafDuTF3_Gjx2kAzNprB-l0qv9Cl_0&country.x=US&locale.x=US> , Trinity <www.paypal.com/donate/?token=-eO1mBefdYdlIer9JaA1yKx2ArXPRES5imEdrbOsmYixnzIYVbQ8trBJ22NR0QldHiAuOG&country.x=US&locale.x=US>). I know this is a difficult financial time for many, so if you need assistance, please let us know! We are so thankful for the continued generosity shown to both congregations during this time. Also, here are the news/notes <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/37ef7f6a-f62c-4af0-92ce-10aa760ad4a3/7_12_20_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/73f37c5d-2003-4a5e-8b34-f4b054125adc/2020_07_12_Fifth_Sunday_after_Trinity.pdf>for Sunday. If you’ve missed any of the services and don’t have FB, please see my YouTube channel <www.youtube.com/channel/UCps_zCiT4d-quSzrzhAEX0A/>.
*COVID UPDATE *
The ground continually shifts below our feet—and at times gives the sensation more of an earthquake than the normal shifting of plates…With the rising number of cases here in Kansas, our City government has increased strictures once again. What does that mean for us?
· For those able and willing, we will continue to meet in person (while also live-streaming on FB and posting to YouTube);
· As of yesterday’s revision <www.kwch.com/2020/07/08/sedgwick-county-health-officer-signs-emergency-face-mask-order/>, we may also do so without the 45 person limit;
· We will continue to observe the so-called “social distancing”, sitting only every other pew and foregoing the handshake line following (last week at Trinity I processed straight outside, which seemed to alleviate some of the log-jam in the Nave and the Narthex [at Grace, this is less of a problem]);
· Please refrain from sitting beside the aisle—imagine you’ve brought your imaginary friend who needs to use the restroom with inordinate frequency;
· Communion will continue as it’s been for some time now;
· Due to this distancing, we are within the strictures of the ordinance to forego masks during the service (the ordinance states in part: “*All persons in the City of Wichita shall cover their mouths and noses with a mask or other face covering when they are in the following situations: a) inside any indoor public space where distancing of 6 feet at all times is not possible;*”) [read the ordinance in its entirety here ];
· That said, please act according to your conscience and feel free to wear masks;
· Finally, and it should go without saying during this time, but if you have a cough or fever, or think you may have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19; or, if you may be at high risk of infection, please stay home and make use of your Scriptures, Hymnal, and the digital resources available.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Saturday*:
o *2pm* Concordia Academy Board Mtg., Grace
o *3pm *Trinity Security Council, Trinity
· *Sunday*:
o *3:30pm *Grace Voters’ Meeting, Grace
· *Tuesday*:
o *7:pm* Trinity Council Mtg., Trinity
· *Wednesday:*
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11:00am *Divine Service, Grace
o *7pm *Evening Prayer, Trinity
· *Thursday: *
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· *Saturday: *
o *3:30pm* Trinity Elders Mtg., Trinity
· *Sunday (7/19): *
o *3:30pm* Elders’ Book Study, Grace
*Remember the Regular Rhythm of the Chuch…*
· Daily Matins at Grace, Monday to Friday at 9am
· Wednesday Bible Class at Grace, 9:30am (*studying Philippians*)
· Wednesday Divine Service at Grace, 11am
· Wednesday Evening Prayer at Trinity, 7pm
· Friday Private Absolution at Trinity, 4-5pm
· Sunday Divine Service at Grace at 8am, at Trinity at 11am, and *en Español *at Grace at 2pm
· Sunday Bible Class at 9:30am at Grace (even months) and at Trinity (odd months)
· Sunday *Catecismo en Español *at Grace at 1pm
*Other things…*
· Apparently, last week, when I passed along the July Newsletter for Grace <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/5380038c-30a9-4adf-acbb-e9164e8c26b9/2020_07_July_Grace_Notes.pdf>, I failed to attach a readable version. That’s fixed now!
· Trinity has formed a brand new “Hospitality Committee”. They will:
o put together welcome baskets for new members,
o plan for periodic picture directories,
o arrange congregational meals,
o coordinate the Sunday greeters, and
o be trained to serve as wedding coordinators.
If any of these tasks interest you and you’re willing to serve, please contact Elle Casner.
· It’s time to update our Lutheran Witness <blogs.lcms.org/category/lutheran-witness/>subscription list. If you’re not familiar with the Lutheran Witness, it is a monthly magazine put out by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod that does a wonderful job of simply and beautifully communicating the faith and what’s going on in the Synod. Additionally, subscribing through the Church means that you’ll also receive a monthly insert from the KS District. Subscriptions are only $18 for the year. If you’d like to be added to the list, please contact the Church office at Trinity or, for Grace, let me know. Payment isn’t necessary yet. Thanks!
· Lastly, as some of you know, I’ve recently become a fan of the poetry of Malcolm Guite <malcolmguite.wordpress.com/blog/>. It seems to me that we are in a moment that cries out for a bit of respite from the constant barrage of fear and negativity. These poems offer a beautiful change of tone and I encourage you to subscribe to his mailing list.
*Prayer Requests…*
· Thanksgiving for Susan Lee whose cataract surgery went very well.
· Audrey Rolf is now home and thankfully recovering well from a successful back surgery this week.
· Today Nikki and I celebrate (from afar) our 16th wedding anniversary—thank God and prayers for many more years of joy!
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life,
-Pastor