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THE MORNING STAR And what about that morning star, sometimes capitalized: Morning Star. Isn’t it beautiful this time of year? This morning, for example, it looked bright enough to be an airplane on approach. Did you ever wonder how a small – or would we call Venus large? – planet, far away by the naked eye, could shine brilliantly? It does shine, too, like a planetary diamond. What makes that brilliance? The sun of course, rarely capitalized – Sun – but when you are as bright as the sun, what need to make more of it. Somewhere beyond the Earth’s horizon (let’s give ourselves a little "capital"), dark and not yet the morning, the sun shines on that planet, actually closer to it than Earth, and we have the marvel of the Morning Star. There are many ways to work with that image as a spiritual thought. Jesus is the Morning Star. That’s one. But what dawns on me – no pun intended, but since it’s there, what the heck! – when I see Venus during my morning walk with Mosie is that the Father is the source of light, which Jesus is bringing into the world. And though we cannot see the Father (no one has, remember, except the son) we can see every light of the Father in Jesus. And the ray of light that brings the Morning Star (Jesus) to my eye is none other than the Holy Spirit, constant and never failing. Of course, it will fail, this cosmic arrangement, at sometime in the future. That future won’t include you or me; I think I’m right in saying. It’s going to take awhile for this line up of stars and planets to be changed. Even that realization hints spiritually as the everlasting nature of Jesus, the Morning Star, and the Father full of light and the Holy Spirit, always bringing the light to our eyes. If we open our eyes, huh? Because closed eyes can’t see the beauty, not easily, anyway. And staying inside won’t do. We have to come out and at the very least, be beside someone who can tell us, if we cannot see but want to. That is Christian community. Yes, every time I look up in the cold mornings of the year I am happy to see the morning star of creation and more happy to see the Morning Star of the Father, even Jesus himself. Aren’t you happy, too, to be a part of those that see?
Happy Epiphany! Fr. Mark+
WEEKLY CALENDAR Sunday, January 13 8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am The Beatitudes, Room 1 9:00am Children's Sunday School, Rms. 6 & 11 9:00am Youth Sunday School, Youth House 10:00am Holy Eucharist 10:00am Baby Church, Nursery 5:15pm Holy Eucharist Monday, January 14 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall 9:30am Yoga, Musikgarten Room 11:00am Musikgarten Toddler II, Musikgarten Room 5:15pm Holy Eucharist and Healing 5:15pm Yoga, Musikgarten Room 7:00pm Boy Scouts, Parish Hall Tuesday, January 15 7:00am HE and Women’s Breakfast 9:30am Yoga, Musikgarten Room 12noon Allison Cancer Center Women's Support Group, Parish Hall Wednesday, January 16 7:00am HE and Men’s Breakfast 8:00am BSF, Nave and Ed. Wing 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall 9:00am Musikgarten/Babies, Musikgarten Rm. 9:45am Musikgarten/Toddler I, Musikgarten Rm. 10:30am Musikgarten/Toddler I, Musikgarten Rm. 11:15am Musikgarten/Toddler II, Musikgarten Rm. 12noon Women's Bible Study, Parish Hall 5:00pm Junior Choristers, Choir Room 5:30pm Supper, Parish Hall 6:00pm Bethel Bible Study, Room 1 6:00pm Study of the Sunday Propers, Room 2 7:00pm Adult Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Thursday, January 17 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall 9:45am Rector's Bible Study, Room 1 11:00am HE and Healing Friday, January 18 8:30am CDO, St. Francis Hall
Lay Eucharistic Ministry January 13, 2008 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 89:20-29 Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17 8:00am Holy Eucharist David Overton Charles Simmons 10:00am Holy Eucharist Jack Bilbo Mary Lou Cassidy 5:15pm Holy Eucharist Laura Scott
Altar Guild Team I will serve January 12-18. Ann Curtis, Captain. Harriet Barnes, Sidney Scarborough, Diana Petrosky, Julie Crosby, Cathy Graham.
Tuesday Morning Women’s Breakfast Connie Godlevski will served breakfast on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.
Men’s Club Tom Scott and Will Green will serve breakfast on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, following the 7:00am Holy Eucharist.
Wednesday Night Supper Wednesday Night Supper 5:30pm January 16, 200g Please call Angela Stephens at 685-4135, to offer your help in providing a nourishing meal for our diners on Wednesday evenings.
Comunidad Alabare Every Wednesday, Bob Hilton comes to Holy Trinity to pick up food in the grocery cart in the Parish Hall to give to the poor who attend Comunidad Alabare. Please remember to bring food, especially canned or dry goods. Remember, need knows no season. Thank you!
HOSPITAL VISITS Please call the Parish Office at 683-4207, and let us know when someone from Holy Trinity is in the hospital or rehab center. We don't want to miss anyone. Thanks!
Prayer List Please note that this is an extended list. This list is not read at the services on Sunday or during the week. For Those in Trouble, Sorrow, Need, Sickness or Any Other Adversity: Justine, Darlene, Brent, Patsy, Josie Mae, Doris, Pat, Sydney, Diane, Connie, Richie, Gay, Britt, Clayton, Margot, Pauline, Heather, Camden, Beth, Marci, Carol, Jim, Jessica, Susie, Mike, Wanda, Denise, Christopher, Kylie, Liz, Eric, Allison, Kathy, Julie, Kathleen, Debbie, Bill, Bettie, Jan, Becky, Jennifer, Ann, James Jr., Meg, Livi, Kay and Pat.For Those in the Military: Chris, Randy, David, John, Miller, Michael, Drew, Bo, Eli, Nick, James, Kimberly, Rosemary, Justin, Lisa, Craig, Jody, Andrew, David, Steven, Jordan, Sean, Patrick, Etienne, Annie, Casey, Nick and his platoon, the 293rd; and Victor. If you know of anyone in the Armed Forces, please feel free to call the Parish Office and place his or her name on the Prayer List. Please call the Parish Office to place a name on the Prayer List. Deadline is Friday at 2:30pm.
ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY Rector’s Bible Study, Thursdays at 9:45am in Room 1. Join us for a study of Luke’s Gospel.
YOUTH ALERT Feed yourself - Body and Soul Donuts with Deborah and Juice with Jim 9:00am in the Youth House (if you are usually late- come at 8:55am) An enlightening and revealing discussion of the "Propers" (what are the Propers, anyway?) Come find out what you always wondered, but were afraid to ask!
Youth Confirmation Sundays at 9:00am in the Youth House. Need more information? Call Paula Howbert at 697-6536.
Children's Express
Godly Play Call Karen for more information, 413-0331
Children’s Chapel Resumes January 6 For children preschool to 2nd grade
Baby Church 10am Nursery Sundays from 9am – 11:30am
Wednesday Night Activities Bible Blitz grade school) and Hands on Bible (preschool) 6-7 pm 5:30 Dinner in the Parish Hall
Faces of Children Prayer Ministry Wednesdays 11:30am First Presbyterian Church This ministry prays for children throughout the world—children at risk and in crisis. Please consider this weekly ecumenical ministry with the faith communities of Midland.
HOLY TRINITY BOOKSTORE & GIFTS The Bookstore is closed temporarily. If you would like to make a purchase, please call the Parish Office, 683-4207 to make an appointment. Thank you for your patience. Sunday, January 13
Wedding Anniversaries January 14: Kim and Brad Jones January 19: Leslea and Frank McCabe Saturday, January 19 is the next time to make Salvation Sandwiches. Please join us at 10:00am in the Holy Trinity Kitchen.
The Shawl Ministry The Shawl Ministry will meet on Wednesday, January 16 at 1:30pm at Nancy's Place (small gray house west of parking lot - 1506 W. Illinois Ave). If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile ministry, please plan to join us for our kick-off meeting. Call me if you are unable to attend on that day. (Cindy Olive 686-9545).
Ash Wednesday Services February 6 7:00am AND 5:30pm
"Shrove Tuesday" Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 5 5:30pm Parish Hall If you would like to help, call the Parish Office at 683-4207.
The Departed Pat O' Bryan Jack Powers May light perpetual shine upon them.
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