Newsletter for 12/27/2020

St. Aidan's Weekly Newsletter

First Sunday after Christmas 12/27/20

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 will be on Facebook Live until Epiphany, January 6, 2021. Resuming in-house services will be decided by the Bishop. Check UNISON, FACEBOOK, and our Website for Schedule Updates. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THE LIVE BROADCAST.

December 27 Sunday Worship Service

Holy Eucharist RITE II, 10:00 am - Rev. Tom Baker Lessons and Carols

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, Dec. 27 Lectionary Reader for Dec. 27 is Sarah Smith 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 ... This is the season of gifts. Whether we buy them on line, in the store, or make them. Or whether they are small or big gifts are meant to show our appreciation and love. The tradition of gift-giving, many say, is tied to the story of the Biblical Magi, the Wise men, giving gifts to baby Jesus. Later gifts were bonded together with another story, that of Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop and gift-giver. The gifts we share are also reminders to all of us of the greatest gift of all, the gift of God’s love born in a stable.   I am especially thankful for the gift of all of you. In these difficult times, you opened your hearts and welcomed me into your lives and faith. You supported and trusted me to become your Rector. I want to thank especially, our Vestry, the Daughters of the King, our school backpack and Center of Grace volunteers, the Altar guild, our director of music, Dr. Mark Pretzel, and our secretary, Sharon Sheidel. Since coming here we’ve had to stop in-person worship and meet virtually for Sunday services, Adult Forum, Hot Cocoa with Fr. Tom, our Advent Lighting service, and Midday Prayer every Wednesday. We had a successful stewardship program and despite the challenges of a global pandemic we continue to offer support and care to our neighbors.   Cherie and I can’t thank you enough for all you have shared and gifted us with. We wish for you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and you all remain in our daily prayers. One slight gift we can share with you are two of our favorite Christmas carols. I’ve always love the rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” sung by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. One of Cherie’s favorites is “Some Children See Him” as sung by James Taylor. Links to both songs are below. Enjoy! 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 Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed." Luke 2:34-35a

As part of his blessing over the Holy Family, the holy man Simeon makes these prophetic comments about Jesus. Obviously this little infant's life is to become one of struggle and conflict, and we know it ends on the cross. But not really... the real ending is not on the cross but in Jesus' resurrection and exultation. Christmas invites us into the deeper mystery of Jesus, the one truly a baby but also the saving presence of God.

Sunday, Dec. 27 - First Sunday after Christmas No Adult Forum on Dec. 27 10:00 am: Spiritual Communion Service, Facebook Live Wednesday, Dec 30 12:00 pm: Noon Day Prayer - on Facebook Live Thursday, Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Thursday, Jan. 1, 2021 - New Year's Day Best wishes for the the New Year - 2021! Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 Second Sunday After Christmas NO Adult Forum on Jan. 3 10:00 am: Spiritual Communion Service, on Facebook Live

Click here to see January Birthdays and Anniversaries

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.

Vestry News

Please consider serving on the St. Aidan's Vestry for 2021.  If you are interested, please contact Julie Wojtas, 630-865-3931.

Christmas Poinsettias Memorial Donations Thank you for all your Memorial Donations.The List of Memorials was included in the Christmas Eve Online Worship Book.

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

Adult Forum Adult Forum will resume on Sunday, January 10, 2021. Sunday at 9 am, Facebook LIVE, or via ZOOM - (if you choose). Stay Tuned for Adult Forum Topic and Study Notes. ...The ZOOM address stays the same. Join Adult Forum ZOOM Meeting ... Meeting ID: 885 7588 5412 ... Passcode: 992430 Download the following Adult Forum iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Adult Forum Weekly Calendar

"Cup of Cocoa" with Fr. Tom - ZOOM Due to popular demand Cup of Cocoa will Resume on ZOOM on January 7, 2021. ...Look for updated information on Unison. Join Cup of Cocoa ZOOM Meeting ... Meeting ID: 899 2559 3328 ... Passcode: 563904 Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Cup of Cocoa Calendar

BackSnack Program St. Aidan’s is in our second decade of working with five Olathe Elementary Schools in this important ministry. ... Next BackSnack Delivery is January 7, 2021 ... 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 ...Next Ministry at Center of Grace is January 24, 2021.  ... 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 anniversaries of Rodney and Darlene Kincaid and Russell and Susan Johnson. 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 our Full Communion Partner, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, India. In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer we pray for the people of Ghana and Nigeria. In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Calvary, Yates Center. 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  ‌ ‌

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