• BackSnack adjusts to school policy changes
  • Pick up your St. Nicholas treats
  • Fr. Rob: The scriptural dimension of a volatile issue
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect with the community.
WORSHIP TIMES
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Second Sunday of Advent
10:30 a.m. – Spiritual Communion

READINGS
The Liturgy of the Word



MUSIC PROGRAM

  • Prelude: "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come" (Johann Pachelbel)
  • "Advent Processional" (Richard Proulx) Trinity Choir, directed by Doug Lawrence, Mark Stotler, organist, Charles Anthony Silvestri, cantor
  • Musical Offering: "My Soul Waits for the Lord" (refrain) (Michael Bauer) Bev Benso, Margie Lawrence, Emma Silvestri, Cheryl Wagner, singers
  • Post-service: Congregational Hymn 67 Comfort, comfort ye my people (Johann G. Olearius, Psalm 42); “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella”; Dance Prelude on “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” (Christopher Uehlein)

Webstream link:

View the complete lectionary readings at www.lectionarypage.net

Wednesday, December 9, 2020
7 p.m. – Evening Prayer

Livestream Link:

Bulletin link:
Upcoming Event: Children's Sunday School
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Livestream
Description: Susan Hires leads lessons and activities. Join us on our Facebook page. 

Upcoming Event: Spiritual Communion
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Webstream
Description: Join your fellow Trinitarians online for worship and music.

Upcoming Event: St. Nicholas Treats Pick Up
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Church Parking Lot
Description: Since we are not able to meet in person, St. Nicholas will be giving out bags of golden treats in the Church parking lot. Drive, ride or walk over to claim yours. If you cannot make it on Sunday, please call the office and we will deliver to your doorstep.

Upcoming Event: Anchor Women
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 8
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Description: A community of women of various ages and backgrounds share thoughts, stories, highlights, fun and laughter. For more information reach out to

Upcoming Event: Library Book Pickup
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 9
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Location: Parish Hall
Description: During Advent, books from our library can be ordered online through our website and be available for pickup Wednesday afternoon. Please see the full article for more details.

Upcoming Event: Friendship Circle
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 9
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: The Friendship Circle welcomes those who are widowed, divorced or single, or who are seeking friendship from parishioners. If you would like to join us, please contact Susan Ralston at sralston@sunflower.com for an invitation. All are welcome.

Upcoming Event: Evening Prayer
Date: Wednesday, Dec 9.
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Livestream
Description: Join Vashti and David for Evening Prayer each week.
Reminder, 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.

If you are subscribed to receive our newsletter by email and have not received it for some time, your email service may have updated its logic for sending emails to spam.
From the Rector's Desk...

This week I am continuing to answer the brown bag sermon questions from the “lost service” a few weeks ago. This one is a doozy:

 Q: In my reading of the New Testament, I don’t find any instance in which Jesus directly said anything about abortion, one way or another. Am I missing something?

So the short answer is that Jesus, in the Gospels, never specifically tackles the question of the ethics of abortion, despite the common usage of abortifacients and debate within the both Jewish and Hellenic communities regarding the practice. Jesus did speak frequently about the Kingdom of God, God, the true nature of love, the hypocrisy of some of the Jewish religious practices as they were popularly conducted, and of course a lot about money. Those, for the people who recorded his teachings, seemed to be the priority.

Now it is possible to reach out and draw from passages far and wide small strands of theological thought and weave together your own conclusions about the ethics of abortion and its relation to self-determination, benevolence, the sanctity of life, women’s rights, and a host of other salient issues therein. But at that point, to use the classic “three legged stool of Anglican theology metaphor” you are in all likelihood relying much more on the teachings of whatever faith community you are a part of (Tradition) or your own personal reflections and bias on the issue (Reason, hopefully), than you are on Scripture specifically.

Now a sidebar: when I was ordained 18 years ago and began doing these brown bag sermons I told myself that I would not address my own thoughts from the pulpit on the issue of abortion, despite having very complicated, nuanced feelings on the matter. The reason for that is that this issue has, in general and in our own time and society in particular, such deep emotional and cultural gravitas that it deserves the respect of dialogue that the pulpit (or an e-newsletter article) simply can not give to it. This is, whether it was in my initial response or in this article, just me (a cis hetero white male) talking without immediate contact and engagement with the dozens if not hundreds of people who will read it. And for something this volatile, this reactive, that is not loving the people for whom this is an issue, regardless of their own positions. I hope that makes sense, and you can appreciate my position on the matter.

Thank you for the question, and I hope my answer helped.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Rob+
Share Your Holiday Season with Us!

Throughout Advent and Christmas, we are hoping to share among ourselves the many ways in which we are observing this most unusual of holiday seasons. As such, we are hoping you will share with us what you are doing personally that we can then put onto our Trinity Facebook page.

What kinds of things are we looking for?  
  • stories
  • holiday greetings
  • recipes
  • music
  • arts and crafts ideas
  • pictures of your holiday decorations
  • or anything else you might think would be fun and interesting!

Send your videos, pictures, et al. to corner@trinitylawrence.org and thank you for your generosity, kindness and community spirit!
Plum Pudding Sale

The Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team (TEST) is selling plum pudding again this Advent season. The puddings are $18 (large, serves eight to 12) and $9 (small, serves four to six); and hard sauce is $1.50 per container.
Please place orders with Vashti Winterburg (785-633-7396).
A Visit From You-Know-Who

Please join us for our annual St. Nicholas Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. St Nicholas will be joining our 10:30 service but since we are unable to leave our shoes in the library, he will be giving out his special treats at 1 p.m. in the parking lot.

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.
Help LIRIM's Ministry to Immigrants

The local immigrant community has felt the pinch from the COVID pandemic, just as it has made all our lives more challenging. Many have lost already low-paying jobs and suffered from the restrictive immigration policies of the current administration. Some have lost family members to deportation – usually the main wage earner in the family.

As the holidays approach, we have another chance to reach out and help. Lawrence Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Ministry (LIRIM), a ministry of Trinity, is assisting with Centro Hispano's Christmas support program. Adopting a family to allow the children to have a joyful Christmas amid such a difficult year is something we'd like to help with.

A family can be "adopted" for a gift card of $100 from Walmart or Target. Since this is a bigger ask than LIRIM has made in the past, we are hoping that members of Trinity can come together to combine our efforts. If you can help with a $25 or $50 donation, we will combine everything to support several families.
  
You may contribute with a gift card, or just submit a check. You can make it out to Centro Hispano. Send your contributions to:
    Chuck Olcese
    1600 St. Andrews Dr.
    Lawrence, KS 66047 

If you'd like a receipt for your contribution, please let us know.
  
LIRIM would like to thank Trinity for your tremendous support of the immigrant community in Lawrence. May your holidays be full of peace and joy.
Reminder that articles for our newsletter should be sent to corner@trinitylawrence.org by noon Wednesday each week.

Our newsletters are available on our website and Facebook page.
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 at (caroldonhatton@gmail.com).

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 need healing: D.J., Sigrid, Eleanor, Glenna, Kristin, Max, Clair, Doug, Sam, Al, Robyn, Becky, Will, Brenda.

Pray for those with special circumstance: Jose, Ellyn, Bill, Mary, Nellie.

Pray for those in the hospital: Holly, Barbara, Sam, Dennis.

Pray for the departed: Steve Roberts, Bill Theisen, Frank Kramer Jr., Ralph Walker.
We would like to know about hospitalizations, illnesses or special needs you are experiencing. Please call Father Rob, Deacon Deborah Burns, the Church office or a Vestry member so that we can help.
BackSnack Getting More Food to Students in Hybrid Learning
 
BackSnack is adjusting the way it distributes food to Lawrence students as the school district changes its remote-learning policies.

As you may remember, the BackSnack program has traditionally supplemented the weekly snacks with fresh fruit – an apple or orange was an added treat. These extras were made possible by our generous donors. Because of COVID-related issues with distribution, the fresh fruit was omitted this year. As the funds were already in the budget, Back Snack coordinators Tod Sutton and Greg Hazen decided to use this money to purchase 300 sets of hats and gloves to hand out in December. 

BackSnack handled its weekly distribution differently this year as a result of the remote learning phases instituted by the school system. The recently adopted hybrid schedule lets our volunteers get more food to the kids. BackSnack is currently serving approximately 150 students per week to six schools. It is expected an additional school will be added soon.

Kids in school or those learning virtually have needs that are the same as every year – to know they live in a caring and generous community. BackSnack helps do just that for Lawrence students.  
 
A special thank you to our volunteers during this time. To this point, the program has been less manpower-intensive than in prior years to minimize contact points and protect the volunteers, students and school coordinators we serve. We share your hope that we will be able to reach all our schools in the near future.
While we currently have sufficient funds to continue the Back Snack program, your continued prayers for our service to Lawrence students and families are very much appreciated.
Advent Starter Kits

Did you miss out on picking up your Advent Starter Kit last Sunday? We still have plenty of Advent calendars, 2021 liturgical calendars, intergenerational Advent activity books and Advent wreaths in the church office.

Call the office or email us to pick up yours, and/or we can deliver to your doorstep. Have a blessed Advent season!
Please Pledge Online or Return Pledge Cards

We are only part-way toward hearing from all families that made pledges last year. The Vestry is contacting families that have not yet returned their 2021 pledge cards.

Pledges are a critical part of planning for next year's mission.
You can make your 2021 pledge online – or stick with mailing it. Either way, please get your pledge in.

The online pledge link is:

You can also return your 2021 pledge card in the addressed envelope provided. If you haven't received it in the mail, please contact the church office.
  • call the church at 785-843-6166,
  • send email to finance@trinitylawrence.org
  • or drop a line by USPS to 1011 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

The annual pledge drive is vital for Trinity's continued success in serving the community and its parishioners. We are livestreaming Sunday services, and our community outreach continues with the Lawrence schools learning pod, Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry and other services. Your pledge helps Trinity continue its mission.

Join in, whenever and wherever you can. And please remember that Trinity needs your support.
Pump 'n' Pray Moves Indoors

Pump 'n' Pray will now be meeting at the Lawrence Surgery Center, 6th and Maine at 6 a.m. every M-W-F
earth from space
TEST Tidbits: The Slightly Altered Alternative Christmas Market

Usually folks gather around a display of free Christmas cards, inserts and colorful cutouts of animals as they prepare to honor a loved one. Since the pandemic will be keeping the congregation from getting together, we are conducting the market in a slightly different manner this year. Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team has chosen Heifer International as our focus this year. This is your opportunity to be thrice blessed by giving. Your gift will help a family help themselves through caring for animals or growing gardens, that family promises to gift the first born or share produce with their neighbors and you may use your gift to honor a loved one. 

Here are the easy steps:
  • Find or make a nice Christmas Card.
  • Make a check out to Heifer International (suggestions follow) with the animal or share of an animal, seeds or stove in the subject line.
  • Send the check to TEST Chair Nancy Hanson at 3017 W. 7th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66049 before Dec. 22. 
  • Write a note to your loved one that informs them of your gift in their honor. It is always a nice idea to explain how these gifts help families help themselves and that training is part of Heifer International’s mission. For added fun – draw a picture of your gift. Send your card, note and drawing to your loved one.

Here are some suggestions for giving. A donation of $10 gives a family a share of a goat, sheep, pig or garden seed and training in nutrition. A donation of $20 will give a family a flock of chickens or ducks or a share of an alpaca. A donation of $25 will give a family a share of a water buffalo. A $30 donation will gift a hive of bees (honey for eating plus pollination). A donation of $50 give a family a bio-cookstove (helps both the environment and the air quality of the family) or a share of a heifer. A generous gift of $120 provides a family with a goat. Of course, any amount will be accepted. You may also put “where needed” in the subject line if you wish.

A report of our giving will be made in January. Thanks for your help. The world becomes a wonderful place when we care of our neighbors here at home and everywhere.

Earth steward action:  Please donate to our Alternative Christmas Market and look for ways to make every activity “green” during this holiday season.

SOURCE: www.heifer.org 

Visit the Trinity website for past articles of interest
Advent Library Activities


My daughter-in-law had a tradition of reading one of her Christmas books to her children each night during Advent. If you would like to start such a tradition, Trinity's library has a good selection of books for the season. Take a few and start a new tradition with your family. In addition, we have a number of other books to check out to help you observe the season of Advent.

The books are still there and the catalog is online at the Trinity web-page under Resources, or you can use this link to access.

Bill Perkins has offered to respond to requests by checking out books and having them ready in the Parish Hall to be picked (with appropriate social distancing) Wednesday afternoons from 2-3 p.m. E-mail your requests to Bill at corner@trinitylawrence.org.

If you have questions or need help with the catalog, call Margaret at 842-1091

— Margaret Bearse
Trinity librarian
Christmas Flowers

Because we're having no in-person worship through the Advent season, we will not be taking contributions toward the poinsettias traditionally decorating the Church.

We will still be decorating the Church for Advent and Christmas, but instead ask you to consider making a contribution using the Donation button to the Deacons' Discretionary Fund to assist those in need during this difficult season.

Save the Dates



Saint Nicholas Treats
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m.

Mary Donovan Ordination
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, 10:30 a.m.,
Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603
Vestry Meetings

The scheduled Vestry meetings are:

Dec. 7, Jan. 4

Meetings are open to all and are being held on Zoom at this time. The minutes of each meeting are posted to the church bulletin board and Trinity Vestry Minutes. Your Vestry can be contacted at vestry@trinitylawrence.org

Minutes through October have been added to our website. Financials through September are also added.
Ministry Opportunities
THIS WEEK AT TRINITY

Thursday, Dec. 3
9 p.m., Tea and Compline at Canterbury House – Livestream

Friday, Dec. 4
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray

Saturday, Dec. 5
9 a.m., Organ Practice
10 a.m., Food Pantry

Sunday, Dec. 6
9:30 a.m., Trinity Children's Sunday SchoolLivestream
10:30 a.m., Spiritual Communion – Webstream
1 p.m., St, Nicholas Treats Pick Up - Back Parking Lot

Monday, Dec. 7
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
7 p.m., Vestry Meeting

Tuesday, Dec. 8
1 p.m., Food Pantry
6:30 p.m., Trinity Anchor Women

Wednesday, Dec. 9
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray
4 p.m., Friendship Circle – Zoom
7 p.m., Evening Prayer – Livestream

Thursday, Dec. 10
9 p.m., Tea and Compline at Canterbury House – Livestream

Friday, Dec. 11
6 a.m., Pump 'n' Pray

Saturday, Dec. 12
9 a.m., Organ Practice
10 a.m., Food Pantry

Sunday, Dec. 13
9:30 a.m., Trinity Children's Sunday SchoolLivestream
10:30 a.m., Morning Prayer – Webstream
Trinity Vestry 2020
Rob Baldwin, Rector 785-424-4312
Steve King ‘21, Senior Warden 913-645-3135
Richard Lungstrum, Junior Warden ‘21 jrwarden@trinitylawrence.org
Jennifer Attocknie ‘20 785-760-2938
Elizabeth Miller ‘20 785-766-8175
Dave Severance ‘20, 785-691-7261
Betsi Anderson ‘21 785-843-9083
Leslie Foust ‘20 785-979-1829
Camille Olcese ‘21 620-704-4180
John Broholm ‘22 785-766-7002
Donna Griffin, Clerk, ‘22 785-865-6039
Linda McCoy ‘22 785-550-6743
Bill Perkins ‘22 785-331-4401
Cristian Sauciuc, Treasurer

785-843-6166  
1011 Vermont St. Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Office closed due to stay at home
Facebook @TrinityLawrenceKS
Twitter @trinity_kansas