*Eve of the Circumcision and Naming of Our Lord*Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
*Merry Christmas!*
We’re still celebrating the 12 days of the Nativity season!
***This evening* we’ll gather to celebrate the *Feast of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus* at *Grace at 5:30pm*. Join us!
This Sunday is
*The Second Sunday of Christmas*
Genesis 46:1-7; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Matthew 2:13-23 <www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+46%3A1-7%3B+1+Peter+4%3A12-19%3B+Matthew+2%3A13-23&version=ESV>
*Jesus Is the Perfect Israel*
Israel and all his family went and dwelt in Egypt (Gen. 46:1–7). God made a great nation of him there, but that nation would prove unfaithful to the Lord. Therefore, the New Israel came. In fleeing the murderous Herod, our young Lord goes to Egypt (Matt. 2:13–23), that the prophecy might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my Son” (Hos. 11:1). Jesus brings to perfection what old Israel could not. He is the faithful Israel, the embodiment of the people of God. He offers His perfect and holy life in place of our own. He submits Himself to persecution and suffering in order to save us. Therefore, we should not think it strange when we who are in Christ experience trials because of the faith (1 Pet. 4:12–19). Rather, we rejoice to share in Christ’s sufferings, knowing that we will also share in His glory.
*Bible Study this Week* is at Trinity this month 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: David Ketteman Counters: Tom & Sandy*
*Greeters: the Smiths Greeters: the Kennys*
*Ushers: Sheryl Anderson & Ushers: Jim & Sandy*
* Keith Buhr Altar Guild: Trudy & Michael *
*Altar Guild: the Lessmans Unruh*
*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/812bedda-76c8-90e8-3387-47d06727cc3a/2022_01_02_2nd_Sunday_of_Christmas.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/617c7511-01a0-603c-4874-651df052e160/1_2_22_News_Notes.pdf> and the congregation at prayer <mcusercontent.com/a90ee03ff0810e6c55bae6a58/files/cefe13d5-3118-dc85-2310-5959bfbaf57e/2022_1_2_The_Second_Sunday_After_Christmas.pdf> .
*Prayer Requests…*
· For all those who are sick or recovering from COVID.
*Coming up this week…*
· *Today: **New Year’s Eve*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *5:30pm *Divine Service for the Eve of the Circumcision & Name of Jesus, Grace
· *Sunday (1/2/22): **The 2nd Sunday of Christmas*
o *8am *Divine Service, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Trinity*
o *11am *Divine Service, Trinity
o *2pm **Misa en Español*, Grace
· *Monday*:
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Tuesday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
· *Wednesday: *
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *9:30am *Bible Study, Grace
o *11am *Divine Service, Grace
o *5:15pm *Youth Catechesis, Trinity
o *7pm *Evening Prayer, Trinity
· *Thursday: **Feast of the Epiphany*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *6pm *Divine Service for the Feast of the Epiphany, Trinity
o *7pm *Youth Christmas Pageant, Trinity
· *Friday:*
o *9am *Matins, Grace
o *4-5pm *Private Absolution, Trinity
· *Saturday: *
o *9am *Church De-Decorating, Grace/Trinity
· *Sunday (1/9/22): **The 1st 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
*Looking Ahead…*
· *Jan 6: Feast of the Epiphany – *6pm Divine Service at Trinity, followed by the Children’s Christmas Pageant & Open House downstairs
· *Jan 11: OMT* – We’re moving OMT a week early this month. We’ll discuss John Kleinig’s *Wonderfully Made*. Join us at Grace at 9am!
· *Jan 13: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord* – In years past, we’ve simply moved this feast to the Sunday following the Epiphany. This year we’re going to hold the feast on its traditional day. Join us for a *Divine Service at Grace at 7pm*.
· *Jan 14-15: EDI Symposium (St. George Orthodox Cathedral)* – Speakers: Rod Dreher, Carl Trueman, and Jennifer Roback-Morse. Friday runs from 10am – 3pm; Saturday from 9am – 4pm. Register now. <www.eighthdayinstitute.org/eighth-day-symposium-2022> If you’d like to attend the banquet on Friday night (6-9pm), register for that as well, but let me know. I’ll try to designate a couple “Lutheran Tables” for us. The banquet is a great taste (pun intended!) of what EDI is all about.
*Other Things*
· *As you consider Year-End Giving*…Please remember that your gifts flow from thankfulness to God for His gracious provision to you. From that thankfulness, we give glory to God and offer back to Him from what He has given to us. A helpful starting place is to offer 10% for the mission and ministry of the Church (of course, you’re free to give more!). Your generosity *may* extend above and beyond your regular giving to the Church (which you can do here for Grace <www.paypal.com/donate?token=kFQGHUzA0R87vozaXkYSQLXPQe4T2oiPMRSb0y4YlhOM5T6WaE2BTky4ABOFppGN7aXTHsHOMNrXk5CW> and here for Trinity <www.paypal.com/donate?token=aLn8ehnpj9bGF5ym_PhPfd4W-oenKowm5-MimQfk57jZZ_reKACoUVY3wHjli1vuXK3NwWC2Xh3i8Zhs>); should that be the case, you might consider supporting one of these worthy causes:
o Concordia Academy-Wichita <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/contribute.html>
o Eighth Day Institute <eighthdayinstitute.salsalabs.org/endofyear2021/index.html>
o Our Seminarian, Kyle Nelson, and his family (donate to Church, earmarked for the Nelsons)
o Our Missionaries: Rev. Jacob Gaugert & Rev. Daniel Conrad (to the Church, earmarked for the missionaries)
o Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne <pages.elevate.salesforce.org/ctsfw/support-ctsfw>
o Lutherans for Life <lutheransforlife.org/donate/>
o The Siberian Lutheran Mission Society <siberianlutheranmissions.org/donate/>
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life.
Merry Christmas!
-Pastor