*Friday of the Third Sunday following the Epiphany of the Lord*Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
This Sunday is
*The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany*
Jonah 1:1–17; Romans 13:8–10; Matthew 8:23–27 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1%3A1%E2%80%9317%3B+Romans+13%3A8%E2%80%9310%3B+Matthew+8%3A23%E2%80%9327&version=ESV>
*Jesus Is Lord of All Creation*
In Jonah we see ourselves. For Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:1–17) even as we sinners turn our backs on God and go our own way. This brings the storm of God’s judgment. But in Jonah we also see Christ. For even as he was in the great fish for three days and three nights, so also Christ Jesus was buried in the depths of death for us and raised on the third day. The Lord of creation, who rules over the wind and the wave (Matt. 8:23–27), saved us from the fury of divine wrath by taking the judgment in His own body. His love is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom. 13:8–10). Though our faith be weak in the face of peril, yet we are kept in safety on the ship of the Church; for the Son of God is with us. Though the whole creation groans with us under the curse, yet by Jesus’ speaking, there is a great calm. For we know that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18–23).
*Bible Study this Week* is at Trinity. We’ll continue our discussion of Christian piety as rooted in the Word of God. This week we’re in the third godly habit: *Frequent and Faithful Reception of the Holy Eucharist.* Join us at 9:30am at Trinity.
*Those Serving* *at Grace & Trinity today…*
*Counter: David Ketteman Counters: Jeanette*
*Greeters: the Lewallens Greeters: the Petersens*
*Ushers: Sheryl Anderson & Ushers: Ted & Cory*
* Keith Buhr Altar Guild: the Unruhs*
*Altar Guild: the Lessmans *
*Elder: Scott Irwin*
*To prepare* your hearts and minds for the Sunday gathering of the faithful, here is the bulletin for Sunday <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/d402a35b-d95e-a672-36e9-9fc1594529d8/2022_01_30_Fourth_Sunday_after_Epiphany.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/f9719b46-4438-9397-4c1d-1d899e589aaf/1_30_22_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/a29a4b32-6e8d-4c0e-95ec-17380fde0e7c/2022_1_30_The_Fourth_Sunday_After_the_Epiphany.pdf> .
*Prayer Requests…*
· For Vicki Lessman, with thanksgiving, whose pathology report came back negative, which means no additional treatment!
· For Roger Zwemke, who fell and was hospitalized this week. He should be able to return to Regents Park in the next couple of days. He will not, however, be moving from Rehab to the Assisted Living at this moment.
· For Trudy Unruh, who fell while watching her grandkids in Arkansas this week. She broke her wrist and hurt her foot. She’s now recovering from surgery and still in Arkansas.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Sunday (1/30): **The 4th Sunday after the Epiphany*
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 **we’re starting Rod Dreher’s Live Not By Lies*
· *Monday*
o *9am* Matins, Grace
· *Tuesday*:
o *No Matins*
o *8:30am-3pm *Winkel, Ascension, Wichita
o *5:15-8:30pm *Lord’s Diner
· *Wednesday*: *Feast of the Purification of Mary & Presentation of Jesus*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am **Festal Divine Service, Grace
o *4:15pm *Bell Choir, Trinity
o *5:15pm *Youth Catechesis, Trinity
o *7pm *Evening Prayer, Trinity
· *Thursday*:
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Friday:*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4-5pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
· *Sunday (2/6): **The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace**
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
*Looking Ahead…*
· *Jan 30: New Elders Book Study *– The elders of Grace & Trinity meet monthly to read and discuss a book. This month we begin Rod Dreher’s *Live Not By Lies*. This study is open to all, laid back, and requires no preparation. We’ll meet at Grace on Jan 30th at 3:30pm. I have books that I’ll make available for $15 each. Join us!
· *Feb 2*: *Feast of the Purification of Mary & Presentation of Jesus* – During our Wednesday 11am Divine Service we’ll celebrate this feast, sometimes called “Candlemas,” which commemorates the 40th day after Christmas and the fulfillment of Leviticus 12.
· *Feb 12: Concordia Academy Open House* – Join us at Grace on Saturday for our Open House and open enrollment from 10am to 12pm. It’s a great opportunity to see what the school will look like and how it will operate. You can meet Mr. Dan Snyder, our new Headmaster as well.
*Other Things…*
· *Concordia Academy* is excited to announce that we have a Headmaster: Mr. Dan Snyder! Mr. Snyder is a man of many talents and abilities and is passionate about classical Lutheran education. An elder at Immanuel Lutheran Church and currently a high school teacher of logic and rhetoric at Classical School of Wichita, Mr. Snyder brings a wealth of education and life experiences to the position, and we are delighted to have him join us. Come and meet Mr. Snyder, tour the school, and enroll your child for our 9th grade at our Open House on Saturday, February 12th from 10am-12pm (3310 E Pawnee). For a fuller bio and more news about the school, see our website, ConcordiaAcademyWichita.org <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/news/we-have-a-headmaster>
· *Commemorating St. John Chrysostom *– I was on KFUO Radio <www.kfuo.org/2022/01/27/coffee-hour-012722-john-chrysostom-january-27/> yesterday talking about St. John Chrysostom, whose feast we commemorated yesterday. You might enjoy listening to this short, 10-minute conversation about this incredible saint.
· *Topeka March For Life *– On Tuesday I took Ana, Claire, and Gigi with me, along with Lydia Schneider, to attend the KS District Life Conference as well as the march to the state capitol building. They took some video footage of us and asked to interview me afterwards. You can see a clip of it here <www.wibw.com/2022/01/25/legislators-backing-anti-abortion-amendment-gather-alongside-supporters-statehouse-steps/> .
· *Speaking of Life* – I have lots of material available for Value Them Both <valuethemboth.com/> (bumper stickers and magnets, koozies and pamphlets). This will be made available in the narthex of both congregations. If you’re not aware of this, please read about it and tell your friends. This is an important vote coming up for all Kansans.
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
-Pastor