*December 18, 2022*
*Readings:*
Deuteronomy 18:15–19
Philippians 4:4–7
John 1:19–28
*John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the Messiah*
The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15–19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39–56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (John 1:19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4–7).
*Sunday Resources:*
Trinity Bulletin <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-12-18-Fourth-Sunday-in-Advent.pdf>
Congregation At Prayer <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-12-18-The-Fourth-Sunday-in-Advent.pdf>
News & Notes <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/12-18-22-News-Notes.pdf>
*Sunday Catechesis:*
+ Topic: The Church
*Wednesday Catechesis:*
+ 2 Peter
*Prayer Requests:*
+ *Bill Brooks (Matthew Flint’s stepfather) Recovering from Surgery*
+ *Smith Family (Mourning the death of Scott’s Mother)*
+ *Cindy Rietcheck (Recovering from Surgery)*
+ *Les Howard (Recovering from Surgery)*
*Sunday Highlights:*
*Counters: The Schneiders*
*Greeters: The Smiths *
*Ushers: Derrel Pressnell *
*Altar Guild: Sheryl Anderson *
*Elder: Kendall Patterson*
*Sunday Notes:*
+ Abbreviated Catechesis (9:30 am – 10:15 am)
+ Special Voter’s Meeting (10:15 am – 10:45 am)
*Weekly Schedule (December 18-24, 2022):*
*Sunday *
+ 8:00 am Divine Service
+ 9:30 am Catechesis
+ 10:15 am Special Voter’s Meeting
+ 11:00 am Divine Service
+ 3:00 pm Divine Service (Spanish)
*Monday *
+ 8:30 am Matins
+ 4:30 pm Private Confession
*Tuesday *
+ 8:30 am Matins
+ 9:15 am OMT Reading Group
*Wednesday *
+ 8:30 am Matins
+ 9:30 am Catechesis
+ 11:00 am Divine Service *(St. Thomas, Apostle)*
+ 6:00 pm Private Confession
+ 7:00 pm Advent Midweek Service (Vespers)
*Thursday *
+ 8:30 am Matins
*Friday *
+ 8:30 am Matins
*Saturday*
+ 7:00 pm Christmas Eve: Lessons and Carols
+ 11:00 pm Christmas Eve: Midnight Mass
*Sunday (December 25)*
+ 10:00 am Christmas Day: Divine Service
+ 1:00 pm Divine Service (Spanish)
*Feasts, Festivals, and Commemorations (December 2022)*
Lectionary Summaries – Feasts and Festivals <files.lcms.org/file/preview/G1MmzeM6FGzy4VOoKsjP5C9w4ify7t85?>
Commemoration Biographies <files.lcms.org/file/preview/Eqm0sBtilV1kI57LHE7XkLDDgl0mV2ng?>
+ 19 – [C] Adam and Eve
+ 20 – [C] Katharina von Bora Luther
+ 21 – [F] St. Thomas, Apostle
+ 26 – [F] St. Stephen, Martyr
+ 27 – [F] St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
+ 28 – [F] The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
+ 29 – [C] David
+ 31 – [F] Eve of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus
*Upcoming Events:*
+ *Private Confession and Absolution*
· Mondays at 4:30 pm.
· Advent (Dec. 21) Wednesdays at 6:00 pm
+ *OMT Theological Reading Group*
*Tuesday, December 20* (Trinity)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am Reading Discussion
11:15 am Prayer
11:30 am Lunch
*December’s Book and Reading Assignment*
Anthony Esolen, “In The Beginning Was The Word”, Angelico Press.
*Announcements:*
+ *Trinity Office Hours **(New Office Hours)*
The secretary will now be in the office Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Thursday, if needed) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone messages will be checked daily 316-685-1571.
+ *SPECIAL VOTER’S MEETING **(DECEMBER 18) !!!*
Mark your calendars and plan on attending a Special Voter’s Meeting. The meeting will be December 18 at 10:15 am. We will have an abbreviated Bible Study. The meeting will last 30 minutes. There will be two items to be voted on.
*Voting Topics:*
1) New Service time and Bible Study time on Sundays
2) Add an Elder to the Board of Elders
*** *Please note that all communicant members of Trinity – including the recently transferred members from Grace – are eligible to attend and become members of the Voters Assembly. The only requirement is to sign the Constitution Voter Roll, which is the first order of business in the Voters meeting. Copies of Trinity’s Constitution and Bylaws are available in the Narthex and will be available at the meeting. If you’re unable to attend the Voter’s meeting and would like to share your thoughts about the times of Divine Service and Bible Study on Sundays, please let one of the Pastors, one of the elders, or Curt Engelbrecht know.*
+ *Would You Serve? *Please contact Curt Engelbrecht curtengelbrecht@gmail.com
· *Trinity Board of Trustees*
From our bylaws: Board of Trustees:
Administer and supervise maintenance of all property belonging to the congregation; to make contracts; accept and receive grants and bequests; appear in court; in short, to transact all the business of the congregation assigned to them by the Voters Assembly. This does not include signing legal documents for the congregation.
· *Trinity Board of Evangelism *
From our bylaws: Board of Evangelism:
Greeting visitors at worship services; Accomplish canvasses as needed; Call on visitors who attend church and on new people in town; Assist in maintaining an active prospect file; Be active in responding to the emergency needs of those in the church
community; Study the best Evangelism literature available and use every means to promote a strong evangelism program consciousness in the congregation; Inform the congregation of the evangelism program of the Synod.
· *Hospitality Committee*
We are looking for people to join the hospitality committee. One of the focuses of the hospitality committee is coordinating meals throughout the year. An example is helping with the meal for Voter’s Meeting in a couple of weeks.
*Resources:*
+ *Issues, Etc.*
*For the week of December 18*
EDUCATION & EDIFICATION… 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 interview topics include: The Movie “Avatar,” Marriage Enrichment, Looking Forward to Christmas Sunday, Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019xjBYJazcWneZeNdBisCA_K-HH-_i2YS0LvS1QRInFdTE9dtQE0p7CzKgIB-wsUQHNaniE90bgGFzWW95Ve-W2iF2_Qf80Ylzr3wjoxIXZqNgpaQSWV3rUqtWhMkp_bgqwflmCyJtiHxSKZnsliu0w==&c=14CwwyIblRHLCrTDYg…>, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider. Listen Here <issuesetc.org/>
+ *Higher Things Reflection Booklet *
Advent – Christmas
November 27, 2022 – January 5, 2023
Download a free copy of HT Reflections devotional booklet
Reflections-Advent-Christmas-2023-Scrolling.pdf (higherthings.org) <higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Reflections-Advent-Christmas-2023-Scrolling.pdf?goal=0_af4f6c5af5-abc2e75fea-346584966>
+ *Fasting Brochure*
Advent is a time for fasting. Please see the attached brochure for information concerning fasting.
*Miscellaneous:*
+ *Greece & The Greek Isles*
11 Days: October 17–27, 2023
Hosted by Rev. Cliff and Lois Winter
Space is limited!
For more information, see the attached flyer or contact them at (316) 461-2593 or loiswinter@yahoo.com
+ *Attention Youth!*
Higher Things has two summer conferences for 2023. The conference theme is *Beyond Reasonable Doubt*. Registration is now open. Please let Pastor Filipek know if you would be interested in attending. Here is a link for further information. Beyond Reasonable Doubt 2023 – Higher Things <leader.higherthings.org/events/conferences/>
+ *Dillions Community Rewards and Amazon Smile*
Please consider donating your Dillons and/or Amazon Smile Rewards to Trinity Lutheran Church. Every donation is a help and appreciated.
+ *2023 Kansas District Life Conference & March for Life*
Here is an email from District President Panzer:
Dear Friends,
Rejoice! Your King comes to you!
In light of the 2023 Kansas District Life Conference and March for Life, I want to draw your attention to three things:
1. Please register for the event at this link by *January 18, 2023* – kslcms.org/caring-ministry/life-ministry/2023-life-conference/
2. When registering, please pay for the lunch. Scroll to the bottom of the website page and click on the red “Lunch Payment” button.
3. Please also register for the “March for Life” with this link by *December 31, 2022* – www.lcms-life.org/need/detail/?need_id=737571 This will ensure that you receive a stocking hat and hymn sing sign.
Thank you! We look forward to your participation, and we will continue to pray for the mighty of the Holy Spirit in the State of Kansas for the respect of life from womb to the tomb.
In the service of Christ,
Rev. Justin Panzer
Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Aaron M. Filipek (316) 391-9562