*+ THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT +*
*December 17, 2023*
*ADVENT AND CHRIST-MASS SCHEDULE *
12/20/23 ~ Midweek III Wednesday
Private Absolution at 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Order of Vespers at 7:00pm
ChristMass Services:
12/24/23 ~ ChristMass Eve Candlelight Lessons ~ 7:00pm
12/24/23 ~ ChristMass Eve Divine Service (Midnight Mass) ~ 11:00pm
12/25/22 ~ ChristMass Day Divine Service ~ 10:00am
12/31/22 ~ Eve of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus (New Year’s Eve Divine Service) ~ 5:30pm
*Sunday Resources:*
Trinity Bulletin <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-12-17-Third-Sunday-in-Advent.pdf>
Congregation At Prayer <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-12-17-The-Third-Sunday-in-Advent.pdf>
News & Notes <www.tlcwichita.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/12-17-23-News-Notes.pdf>
*Sunday Notes:*
*(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.
*Sunday Catechesis:*
+ Special for the Next Few Weeks: Overview of the Common Service
+ The Gospel of John
*Wednesday Catechesis:*
+ Special for the Next Few Weeks: Overview of the Common Service
+ The Book of Genesis
*Week of Third Sunday in Advent:*
+ *Monday, December 18* *NO Matins (Pastor Filipek Vacation Day)*
+ Tuesday, December 19 @ 8:30 am OMT
+ Wednesday, December 20 @ 5:15 pm Advent Meal
+ Wednesday, December 20 @ 5:30 pm Additional Private Absolution
+ Wednesday, December 20 @ 6:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
+ Wednesday, December 20 @ 7:00 pm Midweek Advent Vespers
+ Thursday, December 21 @ 6:00 pm Advent Caroling
*UPCOMING EVENTS:*
+ *ADVENT MEAL* will be held *December 20* from *5:15 to 6:30 p.m*. Please consider signing up to bring food to share. The sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.
+ *OMT Theological Reading Group*
*Tuesday, December 19 *(Trinity)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am Reading Discussion
11:15 am Prayer
11:30 am Lunch
*Reading Assignment:*
*Due:* Hurtado, Larry W., *Honoring the Son: Jesus in Earliest Christian Devotional Practice*. Bellingham, Washington, Lexham Press, 2018. (96 pages)
+ *CAROLING* Join members of Trinity, young and old, as we go caroling the neighborhood around our church. We will meet *December 21 at 6 p.m.* for singing. Afterwards, we’ll go back to church for cider, hot cocoa, and snacks. If you’d rather not sing, but want to join in the fellowship downstairs, that’s fine too! Everyone is welcome!
*ANNOUNCEMENTS:*
+ *OFFERING ENVELOPES IN NARTHEX* Please pick up your 2024 offering envelopes located in the narthex.
+ *GIFT FOR TRINITY STAFF*: The Board of Elders invite you to give a gift for our Trinity staff members. Please use the envelopes and basket in the Narthex. Thank you from the Board of Elders.
+ *Trinity Choir* CHOIR FOR ADVENT, CHRISTMAS, EPIPHANY If you are interested in singing, Trinity Choir will be practicing on *Wednesday evenings* from *6:00 to 6:45 p.m*. This is a short-term commitment. Call the church office for more information. (316) 685-1571
+ *Elder’s Book Study* The Elder’s Book Study will be cancelled until January.
+ *Confirmation Schedule *
No Confirmation until January 10, 2024
+ *Faith At Work* is a district wide local community service event to kick off on April 7 2024. We are entering the planning stages for the event, calling for prayer and planning. Keith Buhr has volunteered as the interim crew leader until another congregant volunteers to take over. He is requesting volunteers to form the planning team. Anyone interested can meet with him after service or email to kkbphd@gmail.com. We already have some starter ideas to choose from, and new ideas are welcome!
+ *Homemade Food To Share*
There is a refrigerator where the old Dr. Pepper soda machine was. Inside the fridge contains individual bags and containers of homemade food. *Any member who would like a home cooked item or wants to share with someone who could also use one, they are free to take.*
Feel free to take when needed or contact the office for more information.
+ *Are You A Dillons Shopper?* Designate Trinity as your Dillons rewards charity online, using the code QG377. You will need to *designate Trinity every year* for this rewards program.
*RESOURCES:*
+ *Issues, Etc.*
*For the week of December 17*
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUNDAY MORNING… Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. You can listen to weekly studies of the Biblical texts, prayers and hymns of the day. Pastor Sean Daenzer of LCMS Worship leads us through the three-year lectionary. Pastor Will Weedon of “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever” leads us through the one-year lectionary. You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001j32roCbv7R8u1jOkcIo6emh_kYzwtRXJk9iJJDERd2pEv1-MxtJNXYmUAe20HtoqNc12_AfMEhzpGRxtucq6hF1o3xWVezmal6lyS6EQD0E9TyMLok9Yi23BBdXsm_q2KOHQCzO_rQuJM33Tup0Liw==&c=zzP_FsNGgwuTXBshhq…>, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider. Listen Here <issuesetc.org/>
*MISCELLANEOUS:*
+ *Volunteers needed!* The Lord’s Diner on Hillside needs volunteers to serve our community. The first Tuesday of every month from 5 to 7:30 p.m. is when several members of Trinity are usually there, but they could always use more. If you would like more information or if you would like to sign up, please contact Vicki Bessey at (316) 641-7863.
Trinity Lutheran Church tlcwichita.org <www.tlcwichita.org/>
Concordia Academy Wichita Concordia Academy Wichita – Home <www.concordiaacademywichita.org/>
Kansas District LCMS LCMS Kansas District | (kslcms.org) <kslcms.org/>
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod LCMS.org – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod <www.lcms.org/>
Eighth Day Books Eighth Day Books <www.eighthdaybooks.com/>
Eighth Day Institute Welcome to Eighth Day Institute <www.eighthdayinstitute.org/>
Concordia Publishing House Home – Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) <www.cph.org/>
Issues, Etc. issuesetc.org
Luther Classical College Luther Classical College <www.lutherclassical.org/>