Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
12 January 2012
In the gospel lesson for the coming Sunday, Jesus says “Follow me” to Philip, and Philip goes and tells Nathanael about Jesus. Nathanael replies cynically, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nazareth was a backwater, a border town. It’s kind of like someone rolling his eyes, and saying “Well, he is from [fill in the blank]”.
Nathanael’s attitude changes when Jesus tells him that He saw him under the fig tree, in other words, that He has knowledge of Nathanael already. Does it matter what Nathanael was doing? Maybe he was asleep. Maybe he was up to something. It’s sometimes tempting to preach that “God is watching”. And it would be easy to combine this idea with a phrase from Sunday’s psalm, “you know my sitting down and my rising up”, and with Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians that “you were bought with a price,” to preach hell fire and damnation. But what Nathanael was doing is a distraction: it doesn’t matter. What matters is his reaction to Jesus.
He answers Jesus’ call, and proclaims Jesus by messianic titles before any of Jesus’ miracles. He’s met Jesus, encountered Him, and it’s personal; it’s real. It’s real to Nathanael, but Jesus recognizes that Nathanael’s response is not one of faith. It’s in response to proof, to Jesus telling Nathanael where he was, under the fig tree. But then Jesus continues, and tells Nathanael that he will see greater things. What He says is, in effect, “Follow me and you will see heaven”.
It’s real to Nathanael. Jesus stands before him. What about you? How does each of us encounter Jesus, that we may follow Him? How do we listen for God, so that we can say, like the boy Samuel (in Sunday’s first lesson), “Speak, for your servant is listening”? We do this first in how we seek our Lord in His holy Word and in the sacraments, but we do this also as members of a common Body, members of Christ. And this involves being open to each other in our differences, that we have may a real encounter with each other and with Christ in each other.
The apostles, the disciples chosen by Jesus were not in any way extraordinary or special. But when they followed Jesus then were they equipped to do extraordinary things: to testify and witness despite persecution; to cast out demons; to take the Good News out from Jerusalem, as witnesses to the world at large. They were equipped, given the gift of the Spirit to follow and to lead others to follow; to lead others to say, with Nathanael, “[Y]ou are the Son of God!”
When we choose to follow God, He will lead. God will equip us to be His disciples. He will arm us to struggle to continue to follow, so that when we stumble and fall, we can again rise to turn to Him, to say with Samuel, “Speak, for your servant is listening,” and to say always “Lead on.”
Vestry retreat: On Saturday, 14 January, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Vestry will meet in St. Nicholas Hall to define in detail the mission priorities for the parish, which will be used in agreeing a final 2012 budget. The retreat will include the regular January meeting of Vestry, so please send any additional agenda items to Fr. Karl by 11 January.
Lunch will be included. All members of the ministry team of the parish are invited to meet with the Vestry during this retreat.
Bible Study: Bible study resumed this week. Tuesday sessions follow the 5:30 p.m. Mass, with discussion beginning at 6:30. A pot-luck soup-and-salad supper is planned. Thursday study sessions follow the 9 a.m. Mass. Study summaries of the lessons for the coming Sunday are posted on the parish website on Tuesday of each week.
Discerning Our Future Meetings, February 25th
The Discerning Our Future Task Force is working to help the diocese discern its future direction. On Saturday, February 25th, 10 a.m.–noon, there will be a diocesan-wide meeting hosted in each deanery. What do you value about the diocese?
- What are your hopes for the diocese?
- When you consider where you would like your congregation to be in the future (5yrs), what challenges / barriers / obstacles do you see?
- In what ways can we - the Discerning Our Future Task Force or the Diocese support you - what do you need? How can we help?
What gifts does your congregation have that you can share with other congregations?
If you are able to represent Grace Church please contact the office at 452-9659.
Ecumenical Prayer Service, January 25th
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, The Rt. Rev. David L. Ricken, has invited Bishop Jacobus and other judicatory leaders to participate in a prayer service at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 139 S Madison St, Green Bay, at 7:00 p.m, Wednesday, January 25th, the last day of the week of Prayer for Christian Unity. All members of the Diocese of Fond du Lac are invited.
Thanksgivings: Thanksgivings are offered to Hans Graf, Bernie Markevitch, and Fred and Gail Tyska, for their work in redecorating the nave and sanctaury following the end of the Christmas season.
Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.
Music this week:
Prelude: Two Chorale Preludes on “All glory be to God on high” J. S. Bach
Entrance Hymn: 7 “Christ, whose glory fills the skies”
Offertory Hymn: 477 “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine”
Communion Motet: Eternal light, shine in my heart Samuel Scheidt
Communion Hymn: 126 “The people who in darkness walked”
Closing Hymn: 542 “Christ is the world’s true light”
Postlude: Chorale Prelude on “The people who in darkness walked” C.H.H. Parry
Parish Notices
· Adult Formation: has resumed on Sunday mornings in St. Nicholas Hall, at 9 a.m. The first course offered in 2012 is led by Fr. McQueen, and will focus on comparative religion. Discussion will include a comparison between the Christian faith and the belief of other major world religions, such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and “New Age” Gnosticism. In addition, the major Christian denominations will be compared to each other. Please join this lively discussion.
· Flower Schedule for 2012: Giving the gift of flowers is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to offer thanksgiving for your blessings. If you wish to sign up for a specific Sunday, the Flower Schedule is available on the table in the narthex. More than one person can sign up for each Sunday.
· The Annual Financial Meeting: This year’s Financial Meeting will take place on Sunday January 29, 2012. We will have one Mass at 9:00am followed by the Financial meeting held in the Nave 10:30am. The agenda of the meeting will include, 2011 financial review and 2012 budget, Recent Vestry actions, and an overall review of the 2012 calendar. Please make every effort to attend and participate.
· Great Marriages class on the Song of Solomon: It’s known the Bible provides wisdom for righteous living and spiritual growth. But it can guide us in our dating, courtship and marriage relationships as well. As you learn about the relationship of the Bible’s most passionate lovers, you’ll see how you, too, can find the satisfaction that God created to be enjoyed in marriage. Married and engaged couples please join us for this study of the Song of Solomon held in Sheboygan on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm for 9 weeks beginning 1/18/12. Please bring a Bible to class. Suggested donation for materials, $5. To register, call Great Marriages at 920-783-3660.
· Circle of Faith: Time to think about the winter retreat at the Norbertine Center, De Pere sponsored by the Diocese of Fond du Lac Women's Ministries! Pastor Diane Murray is our Spiritual Leader and she will be presenting a program called "Circle of Faith" February 17-19, 2012. You will be able to use the pool on Saturday and do exercises that include Christian music and prayer. Snowshoes will be available to those who wish to take advantage of the beautiful grounds. Is a massage more your cup of tea? or a book study? We will have crafts and fellowship! If you sign up with a friend you can get $10 off your registration! Registration cost for overnight is $110 includes room and meals, for commuters the cost is $50 includes meals. You can find more information and to register online at diofdl@diofdl.org. Deadline is Feb. 1st.
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