Newsletter for February 14, 2021

St. Aidan's Weekly Newsletter

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany 02/14/2021

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

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St. Aidan's Sunday Services are on Facebook Live. In-person services will begin on Ash Wednesday February 17 at 7pm. Check UNISON, FACEBOOK, and our Website for Schedule Updates. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE LIVE BROADCAST.

February 14, 2021 Sunday Worship Service

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

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, February 14, 2021 Lectionary Reader for February 14 is Fr. Tom Baker If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please find your replacement.. Sharon Seidel Note: The February, 2021 ROTA is in process of being updated. Please watch for the updated ROTA on the next newsletter. Click Here For "Readers Only" February, 2021 ROTA

Fr. Tom's Talk ... Lent begins on February 17 and currently we are planning to hold Ash Wednesday services in church at 7 p.m. Social distancing and wearing of masks will be observed. At our Bishops recommendation, for safety reasons we will not impose ashes on foreheads but will use the ancient practice of sprinkling ashes on our heads. For more information see this interesting article by Bishop Neil Alexander. https://anglicanmusicians.org/a-note-on-ash-wednesday/ The Book of Common Prayer says we are invited "In the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (p.265). In the early church the primary purpose of Lent was to prepare catechumens for baptism, reflecting Jesus' days in the wilderness before his baptism. I invite us to enter this season of Lent with our baptismal promises always before us. See, https://www.episcopalchurch.org/what-we-believe/baptismal-covenant/ To help guide our Lenten observances, St. Aidan's will offer: Special Lenten prayers during our Wednesday noon prayer on Facebook. The daily devotional "Living Well Through Lent" by Living Compass. This free booklet will be available by calling the church or at Sunday services. PASS a personal devotion to use at home or work. A lectionary based sermon series for each Sunday of Lent. The sermons use the lives of famous black Episcopalians, both clergy and lay, blended into Gospel readings: Feb 21, Reverend Absalom Jones, first black Episcopal priest Feb 28, Verna Dozier, a mentor of Bishop Michael Curry March 7, Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshal March 14, Pauli Murray, civil rights founder March 21, Johnathon Daniels, Episcopal seminarian and Civil rights activist March 28, Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, first black woman Bishop April 1, Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, first black woman priest April 2, (although not Episcopalians) Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Carol Denise McNair who died in a church bombing on September 15, 1963 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

Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here." Mark 9:5

It is good for us to be here, in this season of Lent. Let's strengthen our resolve to be present to this holy time, to take advantage of this opportunity to pray more, care more, love more.

Sunday, Feb 14 - The Last Sunday after the Epiphany Adult Forum: Begins 9am today - see announcement below. 10:00 am: Spiritual Communion Service, on Facebook LIVE  Wednesday, Feb, 17 12:00 pm: Noon Day Prayer - on Facebook LIVE Thursday, Feb 18 BackSnack Delivery 6 pm: Cup of Cocoa - join us via ZOOM Sunday, Feb 21, 2021 - The First Sunday In Lent - In-person service 9:00 am Adult Forum 10:00 am: Spiritual Communion Service, on Facebook Live

Click here to see February Birthdays and Anniversaries

Olathe Schools Outreach - Underwear The Olathe School District is in need of more underwear for needy students. We have met three request since the August underwear drive. At this point, we have no reserves. To continue this service to meet the needs of our Olathe students, we are requesting additional funds for the remainder of the school year. If you would like to assist, please make your check to St. Aidan's and specify it is for underwear. Thank you for your support. Adult Form - Still time to join in the fun! The second meeting will be on Zoom this Sunday, February 14 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 Please 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.

In-house Worship begins on February 17 "Following the guidelines set forth by our Diocese we are happy to announce that our case numbers have dropped to a level that will allow us to regather for in-person worship beginning on February 17, for Ash Wednesday services at 7pm. On Sunday, February 21, we will go back to our normal Sunday times and meet in church for Adult Forum at 9am and worship at 10am. All the original safety precautions will be in place again. Social distancing, masks and sign-in will be required. 

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. 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 this 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

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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 Church of the Province of Central Africa. In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer we pray for the people of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Bethany House and Garden. 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 Jane Bush, Mark Sappenfield, Sarah Smith, Kathy Mencer, Bonnie Eckel, Clarice Ewing and Paul Reed 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  ‌ ‌

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