Newsletter for January 31, 2021

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany 1/31/2021

The mission of St. Aidan's is to make disciples by proclaiming Christ as Lord and making a difference in our community.

Visit Our Website

St. Aidan's Sunday Services are on Facebook Live. No in-house services through the end of February, when COVID numbers will be re-evaluated. Check UNISON, FACEBOOK, and our Website for Schedule Updates. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE LIVE BROADCAST.

January 31, 2021 Sunday Worship Service

Holy Eucharist RITE II, 10:00 am - Rev. Tom Baker Sermon: "Name that Demon"

If you are watching our online worship service, please use the attached Worship Booklet below. It includes our Lectionary Readings and Hymns.  Click Here for the Worship Booklet

ROTA for Sunday, January 31, 2021 Lectionary Reader for January 31 is Paul Reed or Fr. Tom Baker If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please find your replacement.. Sharon Seidel Note: I have January, 2021 On-line Worship "Readers Only" ROTA listed below. When we resume In-House Worship Services, I will post a complete ROTA. Click Here For "Readers Only" January, 2021 ROTA

Fr. Tom's Talk ... As you know, our Annual Meeting will be held on Zoom on Sunday, January 31,2021 immediately following our regular, live-streamed 10AM worship service; further information can be found in Unison. This year's meeting cannot follow our traditional format because of COVID. We've done our best to streamline the meeting while still including elections, reports, and collaborative dialogue to discern our future together. I know for many of you being part of the St. Aidan's family has been a source of strength and encouragement as we live through this pandemic. Annual Meeting is an important moment in the life of an Episcopal Church. As a denomination, we are governed by our members. At the Annual Meeting we make important decisions together. We elect members to our Vestry, the board which governs the parish throughout the year. This year we are blessed with an excellent list of nominees. It has been remarkable how we have been catapulted into the digital age. Although I am really looking forward to returning to in-person worship, I want us to continue to use social media and online streaming of our services as a permanent and important feature of the life of our parish once the pandemic is over. But perhaps most importantly, spiritually, the pandemic has helped us reflect on our priorities and what is important in life: our relationships with each other, helping those in need, and God's presence in our lives. There is much to give thanks for as we look back over the life of our parish during the last year. The life of our parish serves as a concrete reminder of Christ's loving presence. Please let me know if you’d like to sit down and talk or enjoy a coffee, at a social distance of course, or feel free to call me at 785-670-0158, or email me at [email protected]. My office hours are Monday - Thursday 10 am - 3 pm. … Fr. Tom

Jesus and the apostles went to Capernaum. When the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught, and they were astounded at his teaching. Mark 1:21-22

We who are stewards of Jesus' kingdom continue to be astounded at his teaching. We are astounded each time we reflect upon his words and realize the great mission to which we are being called. We are invited to a life of care and concern for one another. How are we to live out that call?

Sunday, Jan. 31 - The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany No Adult Forum: see announcement below. 10:00 am: Spiritual Communion Service, on Facebook LIVE ANNUAL MEETING TODAY - SEE INFO BELOW  Wednesday, Feb, 3 12:00 pm: Noon Day Prayer - on Facebook LIVE Thursday, Feb 4 BackSnack Delivery - Double Pack 6 pm: Cup of Cocoa - join us via ZOOM Sunday, Feb 7, 2021 - The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany 9:00 am Adult Forum Begins - See note below 10:00 am: Spiritual Communion Service, on Facebook Live

Click here to see January Birthdays and Anniversaries

Adult Form - Still time to join in the fun! Our Adult Forum group is growing. The first meeting will be on Zoom Sunday, February 7 at 9am look for a link in Unison. For the next few weeks we'll be reading and discussing Diana Butler Bass' book "Christianity for the Rest of Us". Books are still available for free or you can offer a donation of $15 to offset the cost. Pledges and Offerings Until St. Aidan's Reopens Send your pledges and offerings to the church office. You may also donate online. MAKE SURE YOU DESIGNATE ST. AIDAN'S IN THE DROP DOWN BOX. Click here for Donation form.

Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 31 at 11:30 am.   Please check Unison for updates on how the annual meeting will be conducted through ZOOM. It will NOT be in-house.

Links for the ZOOM events are available on the website, under EVENTS.

Adult Forum  I’m excited to announce our next program for Adult Forum.    We will be be reading and discussing Diana Butler Bass' “Christianity for the Rest of Us” (link below).   This book has been used by many churches and is a very interesting read about what modern people are looking for in a church Her findings will surprise and encourage you!    All the copies we ordered of Diana Butler Bass' "Christianity for the Rest of Us" have been distributed! Don't worry, we've ordered more and received them. Extended the date to order additional books, if required, to February 3. Come join our growing group! The book is free and donations are appreciated.   I encourage you to get prepared by reading ahead when Adult Forum resumes on Zoom on Sunday, February 7 at 9 am. Click here for link to book.

"Cup of Cocoa" with Fr. Tom - ZOOM Due to popular demand Cup of Cocoa has returned on Thursdays at 6 pm. Join us via ZOOM.

BackSnack Program St. Aidan’s is in our second decade of working with five Olathe Elementary Schools in this important ministry. ... See St. Aidan's Facebook and Web page for more information about BackSnacks. Click here to see the BackSnack Packing and Delivery Schedule for 2020-2021

Johnson County Food Ministry at Center of Grace Community Meals at Center of Grace-Outreach Ministries : Each weekday our neighbors are receiving a meal now, thanks to the Kansas City area restaurants, Grace Methodist Church & Johnson County Food Ministry. St Aidan’s has been partnering with Johnson County Food Ministry for more than ten years to provide a meal the 4th Thursday of each month. Thanks to our Vestry who approved funding this ministry again for 2021. And a huge THANK YOU to those of you who have supported this ministry with your time, energy, and financial support!! St Aidan’s has shown such great support for this ministry throughout the past 10 years! Thank you all for your assistance in making this happen for the Olathe community. Barb Belt Text or email to volunteer: 913-515-9001 [email protected] ... See St. Aidan's Facebook and Web page for more information regarding this ongoing ministry. St. Aidan's serves the fourth Thursday of the month.

Pastoral Concerns and Prayer Requests

Pastoral Concerns: In case of pastoral emergencies, please contact Fr. Tom Baker at 785-670-0158 (call or text) or email him at [email protected]. Prayer Requests: Please email any prayer requests to Karon Wintrode, and she will post them on Unison.  [email protected].

The parish email system is accessible through our website – www.staidansolathe.org See Julie Wojtas (630 865-3931) for information or any questions. Be sure to check Unison for all updated information regarding St. Aidan's.

Thanksgivings and Prayers  Thanksgivings – We give thanks for the people of St. Aidan’s and the privilege of serving each other, our church and our community throughout the year. We give thanks for the faithfulness and resilience of St. Aidan's parish as we all work together during this difficult time, finding new ways to stay connected in spite of the challenges. Cycle of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Burundi. In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer we pray for the people of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Grace, Chanute. For Our Parish Leadership – We pray for our rector, Rev. Tom Baker and his wife, Cherie. We pray for the members of the Vestry: Senior Warden Julie Wojtas, Jane Bush, Mark Sappenfield, Sarah Smith and Kathy Mencer; for the Vestry Clerk, Carolyn Sturgeon; for our Treasurer, Tim Tatlock; and for our delegates, Carolyn Sturgeon, and Sarah Smith.   For Our Troops, Veterans, and Law Enforcement – Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women in the service and law enforcement at home and broad. Defend them with your grace; give them courage; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence; through Jesus Christ. Amen.   For the Departed – Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that all your faithful people may at the last enter into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   For Guidance and Grace Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    For Healing – Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Episcopal Youth Ministries

Kansas Youth News

STAY CONNECTED St. Aidan's Episcopal Church 14301 South Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 913-764-3050 Email: [email protected] Website: www.staidansolathe.org Facebook Page: St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Olathe, KS Twitter: @staidansolathe  ‌ ‌

Click here for updated Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Information