Newsletter for January 2, 2025

St. Aidan's January 2, 2026 Newsletter

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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Join us for "In Person Worship" Sunday, January 4, at 10:00 am Second Sunday After Christmas Day St. Aidan's Episcopal Church 14301 S. Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 913-764-3050

Sunday, January 4, 2026 Fr. Steve Rottgers

10 am Holy Eucharist Serving on Sunday Acolyte: Jane Bush Lectors: Anne Brunner, Myke Chovanec, Mark Sappingfield, John Zemites, Paul Reed, Sarah Smith Intercessor: Karon Wintrode Ushers: Mike and Barb Belt Counter: Carolyn Sturgeon and Don Seifert Altar Guild: Bonnie Eckel Be Our Guest: Kathy Mencer

The Liturgy of the Word Sunday Jan 4 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7 Luke 1: 26-35, 38 Luke 2: 1-7 Luke 2: 8-16 John 1: 1-18 ATTENTION: ROTA SERVERS!!! Click Here for January and February ROTA Remember that if you cannot serve please find a substitute and let the office or Jane know. If you have requests for in advance contact Janet Seifert [email protected] Thank you! Jane Bush [email protected]

From The Rector: A New Year’s Resolution Worth Considering            Having just dealt with Christmas shopping lists, we’re now facing the tradition of “New Year’s Resolutions”. I don’t know about you, but I find this is about as futile as the next step of, “What are you going to give up for Lent” items. So many possibilities, and so many that never get past 1-2 weeks of daily living. Just too many items for a busy paced life.           I realized this fact several years ago and made the shift to a KISS method and yes it still means “Keep It Simple Stupid”! I no longer create lists that are actually well meaning, but quickly get lost in the overload of information, actions and intent. Instead, I now focus on just one thing.           “Making God’s Story My Story” and knowing that doing that on step, “My Story becomes God’s Story!” Living into being focused on just one item, I’m not lost in information overload. Living into this I attempt to make myself better for not only myself, but for those around me at any given point in place or time. I’m living a life like the Apostles, and even more, like Jesus himself!          I can focus on being kind, generous, loving, forgiving, gracious, firm yet open to change, humble yet resolute for the Gospel, accepting and not judgmental.           I’m not saying that it is easy, but it is worth the focus, just one thing that can completely change your life and the multitude of relationships that you have as loved family members, friends, colleagues and those we meet by chance. You will feel at peace and confident in your daily activities of life. No regrets, and able to learn from the times you fall short of the goal.          Try it! I bet you’ll feel better than giving up watermelon or taking on a monumental intent that will only frustrate you. Keep it Simple, Open Yourself to Allow God’s Story to be Your Story and Celebrate that the Living God’s Story is Living and being made Manifest just like Jesus, in Your Life’s Story!           Happy and Blessed New Year to All!                                                          Fr. Steve+

Pastoral Concerns and Prayer Requests

Pastoral Concerns: In case of pastoral emergencies, please contact Fr. Steve Rottgers at 205-223-3638 (call or text) or email him at [email protected]. Prayer Requests: Please email any prayer requests to the office [email protected]

Happenings Special Services January 4 Will be Lessons and Carols Diocesan Ordinations January 10, 10:30 am at Grace Cathedral, Topeka Justice, Welcome, and Inclusion Task Force Invites Diocesan Leaders to Join The Justice, Welcome, and Inclusion Task Force of the diocese will meet January 24 at 10 am via Zoom. The mission of the task force, supported by the guidance of the The Episcopal Church and Bishop Cathleen Bascom, is to create an equitable environment and promote awareness of human rights, peace and community in neighborhoods and communities as well as parishes served by the diocese. Contact task force member Melanie Laster with questions and to receive the Zoom link if you would like to attend the meeting. Christian Contemplative Prayer January 18th 1pm-3:30pm, Christian Contemplative Prayer, Zoom Have you always wanted to know more about meditation practices within Christian faith? This is a short course on Christian Contemplative prayer. Canon Lisa Senuta will guide this class and offer ways to support your own at home practice.     Great is God's Faithfulness Feb 7, 2026, 9am-11:30am, Great is God’s Faithfulness, Zoom We all need a “bridge over troubled waters” yet we seldom intentionally learn what the scriptures, and spiritual teachers have to say about the importance of grief in our lives. This zoom course is for people who desire to spend some time reflecting on the positive process of grief that energizes us for new ways of being, living and trusting God. Young Adult Spiritual Retreat This is a spiritual retreat for people who seek God amid a fragmented and at times frenzied experience of the demanding realty of being alive. Come and spend a day reflecting on the pathway to a more integrated life that fosters wholeness in body, mind and spirit. Explore Christian contemplative practices that assist finding the One who longs for you, calls you beloved, and whose desire is to bring you an abundant life of wonder and curiosity.  This retreat will include times for group and individual reflection, prayer and meditation, time in nature, mindful movement, and periods of silence. Come and see and simply be. All are welcome.  When: Saturday, March 7, 1-8 pm Where: Upton Hall @ Grace Cathedral, Topeka Who: Young adults age 18-30ish Fee: $20 (includes supper), optional $40 to stay overnight (includes breakfast), scholarships available Register online: Available here St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church   Christmas Memorial Poinsettia Donations 2025                                       Bobby Broadway: Anne Marie Broadway, Peggy Ann Broadway, Peggy Jean Humphrey   Bonnie Eckel: John Richard Eckel, Edith Humphries Lankalis    Joe Fossati: Barbara Fossati   Kurt Gordon:Rev Canon EH Gordon, Maj Karl Gordon, Rose King, Lester Spence, Ruby Spence, Brandon Murray   Kathy & Tom Mencer: Charles and Loretta Mencer, Guy and Yolanda Ceraolo and Thanksgiving for Family   Martha Miller : Shirley and Bill Miller                                   Tim Tatlock & Steve Hartke:  All members of our extended family Living and Deceased     Mary and Steve Rottgers :Celebration for all of our family and friends, For Carson Chambliss and his Family, For Andrew Perez and his family, For the St. Aidan’s church family   The Bush Family: In Memory of Marcia Fink Anderson and Jody Anderson     Clarice Ewing : In Memory of Roger Ewing, Richard Innes, Scott Innes   Gordon and Kathy McDaniel: Lloyd Mcdaniel, Arlene McDaniel, Mary Maloney, James Maloney, Goldie Worner, Kelly McNamara, Ancesters, Sisters and Brothers   Bobbie Roberts: Lana Szczyceril, Departed Family Members   Julie, Tom, Veronika and Amber Wojtas: Kane Family, Tod and Leona Wojtas, Tom Nerney, Maryanna Nerney, Hatton Family   The Sturgeon Family: The Sullivan Brothers, Wanda Ellis, Hazel and Joe Senn, Ray and Eureka Sullivan, Ruth Sullivan, Alvera and Keith Sturgeon, Marion and Virginia Sturgeon, Stella Aguirre, Cindy Sullivan   John Zemites : Suzanne Zemites, Michelle Zemites Muiller, Joe and Sophia Zemites, Rev Joe Zemites, Lois Zemites Curtis, Rev Bob Walker, Bill Raynor, Howard Brun Baptism at St. Aidan's December 28 Amber Noel Wojtas

BackSnack Program 2025-2026 St. Aidan’s is partnering again with Harvesters in the Backsnack program. This year we will be partnering with four Olathe Elementary Schools. Summer is upon us, and Back snack will resume in October. The Pack are to be picked up on Wednesdays, and delivered on Thursdays. Thanks to all our faithful volunteers that make this ministry possible. For more information on the BackSnack program, please contact Don Seifert at [email protected] Thanks to all our faithful volunteers that make this ministry possible. For more information on the BackSnack program, please contact Don Seifert at [email protected] Johnson County Food Ministry at Center of Grace St. Aidan's helps prepare and hand out meals at Center of Grace in Olathe, on the fourth Thursday of the month. Dinner prep is at 3:00 pm and at 5:00 pm we distribute food at Center of Grace. Next Outreach at Center of Grace is on January 2026 *** Also, we need your help by bringing individually wrapped desserts for the Center of Grace to St. Aidan's by noon on that Thursday.

Online Giving For online giving, for those using technology, please go to our website: Donations - St. Aidan's Episcopal Church (staidansolathe.org) Or if you would like to donate through other means, Please contact Tim Tatlock at 913-764-3050

Upcoming Events January 4, 2025 10:00am Second Sunday after Christmas Service Lessons and Carols January 11, 2025 10:00am First Sunday after Epiphany January 18, 2025 10:00am Second Sunday after Epiphany January 25, 2025 10:00am Third Sunday after Epiphany

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