WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 1, 2019

8:00 a.m. - Rite I, Holy Eucharist  

Chalice: Gail Griffin, Mary Donovan 

Lector: Tod Sutton

Intercessor: Diana Dyal

Usher: Doug Flessing

10:30 a.m. - Rite II, Holy Eucharist

Chalice: Leslie Foust, Carl Edwards

Lectors: Margie Lawrence,

Austin Turney

Intercessor: Janine Cox

Verger: Andrew Hoyt

Acolytes: Geme Ajekwu, Dylan Eldridge, Max Eldridge

Ushers: Katie Becker, Katie Bieker, DuWayne Kramer, Nancy Hanson, Linda McCoy

Altar Guild:

Melinda McKnight, Gail Van Loenen, Barbara Haverty, Karen Keim, Jennifer Sanner, Debbie Pitts

Flower Guild:

Advent Season Team

Hymns

Entrance Hymn: 542 Christ is the world's true Light

(St. Joan)

Sequence Hymn: 57 Lo! he comes, with clouds descending (Helmsley)

Offertory Hymn: 380 (v. 3) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow (Old 100th)

Communion Hymn: 596  Judge eternal, throned in splendor (Komm, o komm, du 

Geist des Lebens)

Closing Hymn: 61   "Sleepers, wake!" A voice astounds us (Wachet auf)

  Altar Flowers

This Sunday's Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God

READINGS

 The Liturgy of the Word

See the complete lectionary reading at www.lectionarypage.net

Upcoming Event: Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1, 8 and 15

Time: Following 10:30 service

Location: Parish Hall Description: Practice will begin after a light snack following the 10:30 service. Participation in the Christmas Pageant ( Sunday 10:30 service on the 22nd) is open to all children in kindergarten through middle school. We need singers, actors and readers for this lovely tradition. Adult helpers are also needed throughout the season. (Note: It's really, really fun.) Thank you in advance for the help. Contact: Susan Hires [email protected]

Upcoming Event: Trinity Youth Group

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1

Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Location:  Parish Hall

Description: We will be meeting in the Parish hal l through the Advent season. This Sunday we will be creating Christmas Ornaments and our Advent wreath. A meal of cornish pastries/empanadas will be prepared along with discussion of Advent traditions.. Youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to attend. Please spread the word.

Upcoming Event: Sunday Evening Holy Eucharist

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1

Time: 6 p.m

Location: Canterbury House,

1116 Louisiana St.

Description: This intimate service offers a time for reflection and prayer using some of the latest Eucharistic rites from Enriching Our Worship.

From the Rector's desk...

As the nation gathers together for a communal expression of Thanksgiving, I would like to just celebrate the fact that God calls us to gratitude every day of our lives, should we choose to listen. I believe that gratitude is the cornerstone of Christian spirituality and discipleship, especially in the way that it helps us avoid sin.

It prevents IDOLATRY and PRIDE because it reminds us that good things come from God, not from outside sources or ourselves.

It prevents GREED, GLUTTONY, ENVY, and LUST because it helps us recognize that so often we have enough, and not seek to find comfort in the pointless pursuit of more.

It prevents SLOTH by inspiring us to do good, follow the way of love, and be a force for change in the world.

And finally it prevents WRATH by blessing us with the peace that comes from contentment and a closer relationship with God.

So as you gather together, whether in Church or at the family table this week, embrace all that a disciple of gratitude has to offer you, not just in the holiday season, but year round.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob+

Adult Forum



The Adult Forum is the study of the Book of Hebrews. Join us as we explore the Letter to the Hebrews from the New Testament chapter by chapter.  This Sunday is an introduction to the book, including its author and intended audience. The Adult Forum meets in the Jackson Kemper Room Sunday mornings at 9:30.

Long newsletter this week. If you do not see the "This Week at Trinity" at the bottom of the newsletter, there should be an expand button to click to view our complete newsletter.

From Our Senior Warden

As we approach the holiday season, and this week being Thanksgiving, I look back at 2019 reflecting on the things I’m thankful for. There’s a lot. One of the most significant events was being elected by you to serve on the Vestry again. Honored by being selected to serve as your 2019 Senior Warden. 

Joining the Board this year, I was struck by the dedication of the 2019 Vestry members to serve their congregation. In 2019 we had fantastic member attendance at our meetings. Everyone was engaged. With watchful eyes we scrutinized every expenditure to insure we managed our finances to forestall the challenges of last year. And we’ve done well. We expect to end the year in the black, our commitments and obligations dutifully met. And much of the merit belongs to you in your gracious contributions in the Above and Beyond campaign, the Art Auction, the Garage Sale and countless other activities.

Monday night, Nov. 25, we held our November Vestry meeting with the expectation of finalizing our 2020 Budget plan. We wish again to be proactive in getting our work done ahead of schedule. Unfortunately we hadn’t received a significant number of pledge cards and were unable to make any final decisions. Our hope was to complete the budget process in this month’s meeting as the December Vestry meeting is fundamentally a push close to the Christmas holiday as it is. Many members are absent for the holiday. Unable to complete our work this month we have set a final budget retreat on Sunday Dec. 15.  

Accordingly, I’m reaching out to you to thank those who have returned their pledge cards and to appeal to those who have yet to return theirs. We can’t meet the goals of the congregation without your feedback. Thank you in advance for your attention and action to this critical phase of our mission.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Thank you,

Steven King

Senior Warden

Lessons and Carols

The Free State Minster is organizing an Advent Choir to perform Lessons and Carols at Trinity Church and Grace, Ottawa. This choir will be made up of members of the various churches and Episcopal institutions in the area and will have a couple of practice times coming up in the next few weeks.



If you are interested, please contact Hurst Coffman at   [email protected]

A Morning Breather

The ladies of Trinity are offering the gift of free child care to Trinity families and their friends on Saturday, Dec. 14, 9-noon. We will watch your little ones, ages infant to 4 in the church nursery, ages 5 to 9 in the Parish Hall. We will provide snacks, crafts and activities to keep everyone happy. To help us plan, please email Camille Olcese, [email protected], if you would like to take this opportunity for a free morning to shop, enjoy coffee with a friend, wrap gifts, or just breathe. Feel free to invite your friends to participate so we can share the love.

Pastoral Care

We want to know about hospitalizations, illnesses, or special needs for pastoral care. Please call the church office, or call a Vestry member or a Deacon so that we can help.

Advent season is upon us and Taize worship offers a quiet, reflective opportunity to prepare for Christmas. Traveling Taize will host three, 6 p.m. services—Dec. 6 at Immanuel Lutheran; Dec. 13 at Peace Mennonite; and Dec. 20 at St. John the Evangelist.

All are welcome to these ecumenical services of simple song, scripture, readings, candlelight, instruments, and brief moments of silence. 

To receive information about all upcoming Taize services, email Judith Galas  [email protected]  

Vestry Meetings

There will be no Vestry meeting this December.

The minutes of each meeting are posted to the church bulletin board and Trinity Vestry Minutes. Your Vestry can be contacted at [email protected]

Minutes through September have been added to our website.

Reminder that articles for our newsletter should be sent to [email protected] by noon Wednesday each week. The newsletters are also available on our website and Facebook page.

December Holy Stir-It

This year's Holiday Holy Stir-It will be Sunday, Dec. 15, 3-6 p.m., at Bill and Janet Muggy's festively Christmas-decorated home.  This will be a memorable evening with their 10 trees and extensive artwork collection. Please bring a guest and enjoy fellowship, the festive trees, and wonderful artwork. Hors d'oeuvres will be served; BYOB. You may RSVP or get more information and directions by contacting  [email protected] , or you may sign up after the 10:30 service.

Prayer Chain

To add a person's name to the prayer list or to become a prayer chain member, please contact the parish office... Prayers...; or call 785-843-6166) or Carol Hatton, Prayer Chain coordinator ( [email protected]).

The Prayer Chain prays daily for those who are ill, suffering or troubled; who have died; or who wish to offer praise and thanksgivings. Prayer Chain members find that their own private prayer life with God also deepens during this daily practice.

Pray for those who are ill: 

DJ, Judy, Wayne, Eleanor, Charlotte, Julie, Amy, Beth, Alaina, Kurt, Clenece, Kim

Pray for those with special intentions: 

The Van Schmus family, Jan, Matt, Annelise, Pete, the McMillian family

Pray for those in the hospital:

Marjorie, David, Mary

Pray for the departed: Albert Zobolio, Roy and Sally Limpitlaw, Ron

Middle and Senior High Youth Group

Please join us Sunday December 1 at 6 p.m. in the Parrish hall for our first Advent meeting.We will be meeting in the Parish hal l through the Advent season. This Sunday we will be creating Christmas Ornaments and our Advent wreath.

A meal of cornish pastries/empanadas will be prepared along with discussion of Advent traditions.. Youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to attend. Please spread the word.

Membership Directory

We would like to update Trinity's membership directory and get a copy to all members. But we need your help! On Sunday Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 you'll have an opportunity to check your listing for accuracy. A team with a copy of the directory will be in the Narthex and another team in the Atrium following the 8:00 and 10:30 services. Please take a moment to check your listing and to indicate whether you'd like to receive a copy of the directory in electronic (email) form, printed form, or both. You can also help by simply calling the church office if your contact info (address, phone, email) has changed in the past two years. 

African Team Ministries Sale: December 1 and 8

 

The annual African Team Ministries sale of handcrafted items from Kenya will be before and after both services on Sundays Dec. 1 and 8. African Team Ministries supports church and relief efforts in East Africa for more than 30 years and all proceeds go directly to them. Their efforts include resettling displaced people, supporting orphans, conducting AIDS education and providing water-conserving drip irrigation kits to individual farmers.

These handcrafted items of stone, wood and textiles are all made in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Get some Christmas shopping done and aid a longstanding Christian outreach organization at the same time.

Confirmation Retreat

A weekend retreat will use the book "My Faith, My Life" to prepare young people for confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Students may then be confirmed in their home parish or at a special Easter Vigil service.

When : Dec. 6-8

Where : Grace Cathedral, Topeka

Who : grades 8-12

Fee : $55 ($70 after Nov. 22)

Registration :  at http://www.episcopal-ks.org/

 

Highlights for 2019 Retreat:



TEST Tidbits: What Do Smelly Candles, Dryer Sheets and Car

 Fresheners Have in Common?

The holidays are upon us and everywhere you go you are met with the mouth watering smells of pumpkin pie and apple Brown Betty – mostly not at home, but in the department stores or grocery shelves in the form pf perfumed candles, sprays and room fresheners. Let’s not forget the tree shaped ornamental fresheners for your car that smell like a pine forest or the dryer sheets that smell like a "mountain breeze." All good? Afraid all is not good. To read the full article, please click here.

You can visit the Trinity website for past TEST Articles.

Episcopal News links

DioLog - The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas newsletter

Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Youth Ministry

Alternative Christmas Market

What is an Alternative Christmas Market? It is an easy way you can support a worthwhile organization and honor a loved one at the same time.

Please, stop by our table in the Parish Hall between services or after the 10:30 service. We will be open from Dec. 1 through the 22nd. The process is easy – choose an organization, make a donation, pick out a Christmas card and pick up an insert signifying you are donating to honor your loved one. 

This year we are featuring Heifer International (provides animals and care instruction to developing countries) or Episcopal Relief and Development Programs for educating women to read and write or to gain job skills. Both organizations help others in sustainable ways.

Hats and Gloves Bring Warmth

to Lawrence Kids

Winter weather came early this year and this means more Back Snack students are likely going out each morning with freezing heads and hands. Each year the Back Snack program tries to raise enough funds to add a hat and pair of gloves to each Back Snack during the Christmas season. Can we count on you to help fund this important mission? 

You might consider donating an amount in honor of each child in your family – nieces, nephews, children or grands. Or what about donating in honor of your favorite teacher? The opportunities are endless. 

  

Donating to Back Snack is easy. Write a check and include “Back Snack” on the memo line. You can contact Tod Sutton at [email protected] or Greg Hazen at [email protected] for more information.  They coordinate the program and shop for the gloves and hats. 



To donate online, go to TrinityLawrence.org . Click the blue “Make a Donation” button at the side of the page. You can choose from general fund, food pantry or the Back Snack Fund. If it is your first time donating online, you will be asked a few questions on the next page to make sure your information is secure. The online donation is a great way to support the work at Trinity. 

Let’s all work together to give each Lawrence child a fighting chance to be free from cold and hunger during these winter days.   

Christmas Flowers

Flower Guild is collecting donations for our Christmas Flowers until December 18. Please make your check payable to Trinity Episcopal Church and clearly mark them "Christmas Flowers" when you turn it in along with your donation form. Names from your donation form will be listed in our Christmas Eve Bulletin

The Bottom Line



Trinity's October financial reports are now available on the church's website, under "Resources/Finances." The financial highlights for the 10 months ending Oct. 31 are below. 

Total CYTD Income:

Budgeted: $367,666.60

Actual: $414,858.08

Difference: $+47,191.48

Total CYTD Expenses:

Budgeted: $358,950.90

Actual: $362,481.50

Difference: $-3,530.60

For the first six months of CY2019, Trinity's monthly income exceeded monthly expenses. However, for the last four months, Trinity's monthly expenses have exceeded monthly income, drawing down Trinity's operating fund balance. At this point in the budget year, Trinity's income is running approximately 13% ahead of budget, while year-to-date expenses are now slightly higher than budgeted. Trinity's financial resources are currently sufficient to support regular operations as budgeted for the rest of 2019, including regular Diocesan apportionment payments. (Trinity is current on its scheduled apportionment payments for 2019.) 

The Vestry appreciates all of the feedback that we have received on the 2020 Mission Plan. However, the Vestry has been unable to finalize the Mission Plan (aka budget) for CY2020, because there are still many 2020 pledge cards outstanding, making it difficult for the Vestry to know how much money will be available to fund Trinity's ministries next year. Please help the Vestry be responsible stewards of Trinity's financial resources by submitting your pledge card as soon as possible. Your financial support of Trinity is greatly appreciated. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Liz Miller

Treasurer

Plum Pudding Sale

The Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team (TEST) is selling plum pudding again this Advent season. This year's funds will go toward replacing the 1967 single-pane windows in the kitchen. The puddings are $18 (large, serves eight to 12) and $9 (small, serves four to six), and hard sauce is $1.50 per container. Place orders in the parish hall or contact Vashti Winterburg (785-633-7396). 

Ecumenical Campus Ministries

Fair Trade Marketplace Featuring Ten Thousand Villages will be open daily from   Nov. 29-Dec. 8 ,  11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ( 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Final Friday). You’re invited to shop for unique holiday gifts that help end the cycle of poverty and ignite social social change around the globe. Located at 1204 Oread Ave., the market is on the main floor and parking is available on the building’s south side. Contact ECM at 843-4933 or learn more about fair trade at www.TenThousandVillages.com .

A Visit From You-Know-Who

Please join us for our annual St. Nicholas Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the 10:30 service. Please leave your shoes in the library and wear warm socks.

St. Nicholas Day is Dec. 6 and we will be celebrating on Dec. 8. The tradition of children leaving their shoes out the night of the fifth, hoping for holiday treats, still lives in many northern and eastern Europe countries.

Volunteer Corner

Looking for something to do to help your Church? We have a few positions currently open. Please contact Cathy if you are able to spare a few hours at [email protected].

Sunday School Assistants - Assist Susan once a month with our children during Sunday School class time.

Baptismal Coordinator - This position assists with our baptisms, which occur about four times a year. Duties are to verify with the church office that the service is on the calendar, contact the Sunday hospitality coordinator of the date, contact Deacon Deborah for creating the baptismal certificate, and make sure Father Rob records the event in our Church Baptismal book.

Funeral Reception Coordinator - Bonnie Briscoe coordinates the funeral service and this position helps coordinate the volunteers who provide a small reception following funerals. Many people frequently bring in cookies, etc., as an act of compassion and hospitality, but we need someone to coordinate those efforts.

Save the Dates

Confirmation Retreat

Dec. 6-8, for grades 8-12

Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603

Saint Nicholas Visit

Sunday, Dec. 8, just before our 10:30 service

Christmas Pageant

Sunday, Dec. 22, during our 10:30 service

John Bullock Ordination

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, 10:30 a.m.,

Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603