Weekly Update for Grace & Trinity

10 December 2021
*Friday of Populus Zion*

Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,

This Sunday is
*The Third Sunday of Advent*
*T** Gaudete **T*
Isaiah 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 11:2-11 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40%3A1-11%3B+1+Corinthians+4%3A1-5%3B+Matthew+11%3A2-11&version=ESV>

*John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord*
*The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah’s coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come . . .?” (Matt. 11:2). Jesus’ works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord’s hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ’s overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God’s people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.*

*Bible Study this Week* is at Grace this month and we’ll continue our discussion of Christian piety as rooted in the Word of God. This week we turn toward the life of prayer. Join us at 9:30am at Grace.

*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Trinity** Grace*
*Counter: the Schneiders Counters: Tom & Sandy*
*Greeters: the Smiths Greeters: the Howards*
*Ushers: Derrel Pressnell & Ushers: Terry & Ted*
*David Ketteman Altar Guild: the Kennys*
* Altar Guild: Sheryl Anderson *
* Elder: Kendall Patterson*

*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/4267d623-d4ca-7158-1934-4e5d3f9f04c9/2021_12_12_Third_Sunday_in_Advent.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/e7687fcf-b096-300a-52c6-aa7d3a2ced1f/12_12_21_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/5c2abb1d-2f8a-f9b7-e3f0-728d35e8427d/2021_12_12_The_Third_Sunday_in_Advent.pdf> .

*Prayer Requests…*
· For Roger Zwemke, who has been released from the hospital and transferred to rehab.
· For Ruby Sites, still suffering from COVID.
· For Raymond Smith as he mourns the death of his mother, Alice, who fell asleep in Christ late Wednesday evening. The funeral will be at Zion Lutheran Church, Newton on Tuesday the 14th at 11am.

*Coming up this week…*
· *Today: *
o *4pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Trinity
· *Saturday: *
o *9am* Church Decorating, Grace & Trinity
· *Sunday (12/12): **The Third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete (Rose Sunday!)*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
· *Monday*: *Commemoration of St. Lucia*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *6:30pm* New Member Catechesis, Trinity
· *Tuesday: **Commemoration of St. Ambrose of Milan*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
Male low libido can be sorted with this amazing and superlative supplement and a man can convert his wrecked up life to an purchase cheap viagra loved this enjoyable one. Medical studies and papers confirm that Karlovy Vary mineral water from cheapest viagra price the16th century. Having hundreds and thousands of customers who have reported total satisfaction, Kamagra Cheap is your first line generico levitra on line of defense against erectile dysfunction. These phones have made human lives easier and include much more than just making calls or sending text messages. viagra pills in india o *11am *Funeral Service for Alice Smith, Zion Lutheran, Newton
o *4:30pm *Grace Elders’ Mtg., Grace
o *6:45pm *Trinity Council Dinner, Mediterranean Grill
· *Wednesday: *
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *4:15pm *Bell Choir Practice, Trinity
o *5:45pm *Advent Meal, Grace
o *6pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Grace
o *7pm *Advent Compline, Grace
· *Thursday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Friday: **Commemoration of Daniel the Prophet and the Three Young Men*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Trinity
o *6:30pm *Advent Caroling, Trinity
o *The “O” Antiphons begin today! (See LSB 357)*
· *Saturday: *
o *9:30am* Trinity Ladies Guild/LWML, Trinity
o *6pm **Las Posadas*, Grace
· *Sunday (12/19): **The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Rorate Coeli*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
o *3:30pm *Elders’ Book Study, Grace

*Looking Ahead…*
· *December 11, 9-11:30am (both Churches) *– Church Decorating for Christmas. If you’re willing to help put up the lights and wreaths, or hang the chrismons on the trees, we could use all hands on deck! This is a great opportunity to spend some time together preparing the sanctuary for the festal season to come.
· *December 17, 6:30-8:30pm *– Advent/Christmas Caroling through the neighborhood at Trinity. We’ll carol for about an hour and then come back to the Church for warm drinks and desserts. This is always a great time and brings such joy to our neighbors. Please join us!
· *December 21, 9am *– Divine service to celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas, followed by OMT.
· *Christmas Services*:
o Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols at Grace, 7pm,
o Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Trinity, 11pm,
o Christmas Day Divine Service at Trinity, 10am.
· *December 30, 6:30-10pm* – EDI’s annual Nativity Feast will be held again at Trinity. This is for EDI Members and their guests. If you’d like to attend, register here <eighthdayinstitute.salsalabs.org/2021FeastoftheNativity/index.html> .

*Other Things*
· *The Million Dollar Life Grant: *The LCMS is offering a million dollars to partner with congregations to promote life from the womb to tomb. More details are coming soon, but for now, please watch the video here <www.lcms.org/serve/grants/life-grant?erid=8f028836-2e23-4329-88dc-d77e7ac8d7ad&trid=8f028836-2e23-4329-88dc-d77e7ac8d7ad> from President Matthew Harrison.
· *Tube Socks for the Homeless: *The Board of Social Ministry at Grace is filling tube socks for the homeless again this year. We need your help in filling them with goodies. Some suggested items are: hard candy, small packages of snacks, “Slim Jims,” playing cards, small first aid items, trial size toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Items for donation can be left in the narthex at Grace in the Food Pantry collection box. Thank you!
· *Christmas Gifts for our homebound members: *Grace’s Board of Social Ministry will put together (with your help) some goodies this year to be delivered to our homebound members. We’d love to have a few baked goods, small personal religious items like (a cross, bible verses, little trinkets, ornaments) crossword puzzle books, socks, blankets, etc. If you would like to donate, please place your items in the narthex in the food pantry box. Thank you and God bless your giving hearts.
· *Concordia Academy’s December Newsletter *is now available! Read it here <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/6c3f622e-02d5-27c4-d3bf-90bd2d253bb4/12.2021.pdf> .
· *Seminary Class on the Prophets: *Here’s the lecture <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/e93bd4b5-1358-0a45-a033-41e44a031050/Zoom_Recordings.08.docx> from this past Monday.

Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
-Pastor

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Weekly Update for Grace & Trinity

Weekly Update for Grace & Trinity

3 December 2021
*Friday of Ad Te Levavi*

Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
This Sunday is
*The Second Sunday of Advent*
*T** Populus Zion **T*
Malachi 4:1-6; Romans 15:4-13; Luke 21:25-36 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+4%3A1-6%3B+Romans+15%3A4-13%3B+Luke+21%3A25-36&version=ESV>

*The Lord Comes on the Last Day*
*The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus’ coming. Then, by God’s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.*

*Bible Study this Week* is at Grace this month and we’ll continue our discussion of Christian piety as rooted in the Word of God. This week we’ll finish off our discussion of the Word of God and then turn toward the life of prayer. Join us at 9:30am at Grace.

*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Trinity** Grace*
*Counter: the Schneiders Counters: Tom & Sandy*
*Greeters: the Smiths Greeters: the Kennys*
*Ushers: Derrel Pressnell Ushers: Jim & Sandy*
* & David Ketteman*
*Altar Guild: Sheryl Anderson Altar Guild: the Nickels*
*Elder: Kendall Patterson*

*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/b2a1defb-bcbf-b151-3209-591e805ebc63/2021_12_05_Second_Sunday_in_Advent.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/74dc6316-4a52-4bef-1745-78c7f02a1f06/12_5_21_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/a44ee459-fad3-2e38-c9bd-a22ee6daa239/2021_12_5_The_Second_Sunday_in_Advent.pdf> .

*Prayer Requests…*
· For Roger Zwemke, who is still hospitalized. He has undergone a couple of surgeries—one to put a plate in his chest to support his ribs, the other to remove a mucus plug from his lung.
· For Sarah, Brian, Richard (the younger), and Owen Lewallen, all suffering from COVID. Richard is also suffering from Influenza B.
· For Ruby Sites, also suffering from COVID.

*Coming up this week…*
· *Today: *
o *4pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Trinity
· *Saturday: **Commemoration of St. John of Damascus*
o *2-4pm* Advent-By-Candlelight, Trinity
· *Sunday (12/5): **The Second Sunday of Advent – Populus Zion*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
If you are concerned only about your own interests, think twice because canadian pharmacy cialis she also has her needs and expectations from you. ED can be cialis 40 mg appalachianmagazine.com dealt with successfully though there is not a permanent cure. So grab your pills now and be ready to get a driver’s license or tadalafil cipla a learner’s permit. On top of that, love is order levitra canada incomplete without satisfying sex. o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
· *Monday*: *Commemoration of St. Nicholas of Myra*
o *6:30pm* New Member Catechesis, Trinity
· *Tuesday: **Commemoration of St. Ambrose of Milan*
o *8:35am *Divine Service for Winkel, Trinity (*please join us!)*
· *Wednesday: *
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *4:15pm *Bell Choir Practice, Trinity
o *5:45pm *Advent Meal, Grace
o *6pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Grace
o *7pm *Advent Compline, Grace
· *Thursday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *7:30pm *Hall of Men, the Ladder
· *Friday: *
o *4pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Trinity
· *Saturday: *
o *9am* Church Decorating, Grace & Trinity
· *Sunday (12/12): **The Third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete (Rose Sunday!)*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace

*Looking Ahead…*
· *December 11, 9-11:30am (both Churches) *– Church Decorating for Christmas. If you’re willing to help put up the lights and wreaths, or hang the chrismons on the trees, we could use all hands on deck! This is a great opportunity to spend some time together preparing the sanctuary for the festal season to come.
· *December 17, 6:30-8:30pm *– Advent/Christmas Caroling through the neighborhood at Trinity. We’ll carol for about an hour and then come back to the Church for warm drinks and desserts. This is always a great time and brings such joy to our neighbors. Please join us!
· *December 30, 6:30-10pm* – EDI’s annual Nativity Feast will be held again at Trinity. Registration will open soon!

*Other Things*
· *The December Newsletters* are ready! Here’s Grace’s Grace Notes <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/80a26ce4-79d8-303f-cbfb-14084db09dd5/December_Grace_Notes_2021.pdf> and Trinity’s Torch <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/dd707fbe-0444-6b3f-905c-206439fa9535/December_Torch_2021.pdf>, along with the December Calendar <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/ffabea51-656c-0754-18a2-85cfee49321d/December_2021_Calendar.pdf>. Remember, subscribe to our google calendar for the most up-to-date calendar. In this month’s study of the Service of the Word we look at the Prayer of the Church. What a joy to know that when we pray we are not alone!
· *Tube Socks for the Homeless: *The Board of Social Ministry at Grace is filling tube socks for the homeless again this year. We need your help in filling them with goodies. Some suggested items are: hard candy, small packages of snacks, “Slim Jims,” playing cards, small first aid items, trial size toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Items for donation can be left in the narthex at Grace in the Food Pantry collection box. Thank you!
· *Christmas Gifts for our homebound members: *Grace’s Board of Social Ministry will put together (with your help) some goodies this year to be delivered to our homebound members. We’d love to have a few baked goods, small personal religious items like (a cross, bible verses, little trinkets, ornaments) crossword puzzle books, socks, blankets, etc. If you would like to donate, please place your items in the narthex in the food pantry box. Thank you and God bless your giving hearts.
· *My Newman University Lectures* on the Old Testament can be found here <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/c03bd6a2-90c8-1771-d883-682853dd7fd1/Zoom_Recordings.07.docx>. This is the end of these lectures. Let me know if they were helpful to you!
· *New Class on the Prophets: *This past Monday I began teaching a class on the Prophets for the Seminary in Fort Wayne. It’s a class I’ve taught about half a dozen times. This time, however, I’m incorporating a weekly ZOOM lecture. I’ll try to make these lectures available beginning next week for those interested.

Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
-Pastor

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Weekly Update for Grace & Trinity

Weekly Update for Grace & Trinity

26 November 2021
*Friday after the Last Sunday*

Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,

This Sunday is
*The First Sunday of Advent*
*T** Ad Te Levavi **T*
Jeremiah 23:5-8; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 21:1-9 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+23%3A5-8%3B+Romans+13%3A8-14%3B+Matthew+21%3A1-9&version=ESV>

*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. *

*Bible Study this Week* is at Trinity and we’ll continue our discussion of Christian piety as rooted in the Word of God. Join us at 9:30am at Trinity.

*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Trinity** Grace*
*Counter: The Wortzes Counters: Jennifer*
*Greeters: the Pattersons Greeters: the Unruhs*
*Ushers: David Ketteman Ushers: Jim & Sandy*
*Altar Guild: the Pattersons Altar Guild: the Nickels*
*Elder: **Scott Smith*

*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/0739c29a-efa3-e640-3066-9bb94a17ae0f/2021_11_28_First_Sunday_in_Advent.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/9985b0d5-62c7-5daf-08b7-381de04af084/11_28_21_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/6d777b2a-98a1-51ad-943c-a5957b51f37a/2021_11_28_Advent_I.pdf> .

*Prayer Requests…*
· For Roger Zwemke, who is still hospitalized in the ICU. He has a surgery scheduled for Monday, but at the moment he is intubated and not likely going to be able to undergo surgery.
· Also, prayers for Mary as she has recently moved into Regents Park. Visitors or lunch dates would be very welcome; however, you must know that there are a few covid positive cases in the memory unit. She recognizes faces from Church and it brings a great deal of comfort to her.

*Coming up this week…*
· *Sunday (11/28): **The First Sunday of Advent*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Trinity
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
The increased amount of glucose appears when the free samples viagra sugar of your body falls too low. However, there are ED medications toothat are a great way to find a community of dog lovers and buy viagra join in the conversation to get advice about the care and treatment outcomes of their pets. So visualizing the better emotions and learning to check for more info now levitra prescription levitra relax through your subconscious can be a good way to release negative emotions, so too having a “Happy Jar” can reinforce positive emotions. Psychological Issues in Older men Leading to ED Some common causes of impotence for middle-aged men might include condition like guilt, stress, or having intercourse with a viagra online top pharmacy store female. o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
o *3:30pm *Elders’ Book Study, Grace
· *Monday*: *Commemoration of Noah*
o *6:30pm* New Member Catechesis, Trinity
· *Tuesday: **Feast of St. Andrew*
o *9am *Divine Service, Grace
· *Wednesday: *
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *4:15pm *Bell Choir Practice, Trinity
o *6pm *Advent Meal, Grace
o *6pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Grace
o *7pm *Advent Compline, Grace
· *Thursday: **Thanksgiving Day*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Friday: *
o *4pm *Private Confession & Absolution, Trinity
· *Saturday: **Commemoration of St. John of Damascus*
o *2-4pm* Advent By Candlelight, Trinity
· *Sunday (12/5): **The Second Sunday of Advent – Populus Zion*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace

*Looking Ahead…*
· *December 1 – *Midweek Advent Meals (6pm) and Services (7pm) begin at Grace. These Wednesday evenings are a wonderful way of slowing down and preparing our hearts for the Nativity Feast. If you’d like to prepare a meal for one of these Wednesdays in December, please let me know.
· *December 4, 2-4pm* – Please join the ladies of Grace & Trinity for Advent-By-Candlelight at Trinity. Sign-up in the narthex to attend or to be a Hostess. Questions? Contact Vicki Lessman at 316-641-9392 or vlessman@cox.net.
· *December 11, 9-11:30am (both Churches) *– Church Decorating for Christmas. If you’re willing to help put up the lights and wreaths, or hang the chrismons on the trees, we could use all hands on deck! This is a great opportunity to spend some time together preparing the sanctuary for the festal season to come.
· *December 17, 6:30-8:30pm *– Advent/Christmas Caroling through the neighborhood at Trinity. We’ll carol for about an hour and then come back to the Church for warm drinks and desserts. This is always a great time and brings such joy to our neighbors. Please join us!

*Other Things*
· *Giving Tuesday *is the single largest charitable giving day during the year. There are many great not-for-profits that rely on your generosity to keep them doing the unique work they do (as you know, I’m intimately involved with two of them: Concordia Academy <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/contribute.html> and the Eighth Day Institute <www.eighthdayinstitute.org/>). As you consider your thankfulness and how that might overflow to the aid and support of others, remember that charitable giving does not replace your thank offering to the Lord, but is over and above that. That being said, our congregations are able to provide faithful preaching, teaching, and an administration of the Sacraments in prominent buildings for the sake of the life of the world because of your generosity. We support missionaries at home and abroad. We provide food for the hungry, offer an Hispanic ministry, and are boldly supporting a new school. Thank you!
· *My Newman University Lectures* on the Old Testament can be found here <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/c4fc878d-6f58-8aff-4087-8e259b721aa4/Zoom_Recordings.06.docx>. For some reason, today’s lecture had some zoom difficulties. Hopefully most of the lecture can be accessed. Enjoy!

Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
-Pastor

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Weekly Update for Grace & Trinity