Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
8 March 2012
Religion and faith are not the same thing. Religio (“that which binds”) is the practice of faith, and faith can be practiced in a variety of ways (hence, all the variations we find in worship between denominations). Faith involves trust in God (a personal relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and mental assent to specific propositions of belief (e.g., that Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily from the grave). All this said, faith must be practiced; it must be lived, and in this reality we encounter an interesting intersection between a life of faith and habit.
In his current book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, an investigative journalist for The New York Times, describes the neurological basis for habits, how our brains switch into an “automatic,” non-cognitive mode in practicing a habit. For example, do you think about how you brush your teeth? If you are observed brushing your teeth, the observer will note that you always do it the same way, in the same order, but do you ever think about this? Habits can be more complex than tooth-brushing, but in every case there will exist a cue or series of cues that triggers the automatic behavior. If the first thing you do when you get home is turn on the television, what effect does this have on how you prepare a meal and interact with your household?
Which brings us back to the practice of the faith, to religion. In examining whether you have a habit of prayer, a habit of worship, consider what cues are in place that either promote the practice of your faith or hinder it. If you tell yourself that you would like to be more faithful in Sunday worship, but find that you miss worship often, then look carefully at what gets in the way of worship. What happens on a Sunday that becomes a barrier? What cues exist? For example, if in preparing the morning meal you park young children in front of a T.V., is it then surprising that getting them away from the TV to complete the meal in time, to make getting to Sunday School a reality, all without undue stress and hassle, becomes a challenge?
In Lent we focus on habits, when we say that we will either renounce something or take on an additional duty. Let’s focus on the habit of worship and prayer, surely, but let’s keep Lenten discipline simple and attainable: Identify whatever cues exist in your environment and routine that hinder the practice of your faith. Eliminate the cues, and you will find that this “renunciation” will bear fruit in the practice of your faith. Identify how you can establish a cue that will promote daily prayer, such as setting aside a specific time of day when you will be in one place in your home. Prayer often enough at that time and place, and soon enough it will become your prayer time and place. Live into the faith.
Thanksgivings: Thanksgivings are offered to Jennifer Keller and Elizabeth Schaffenburg for coordinating the Lenten supper this past Friday, and to all who helped in clean-up.
Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.
Name tags: It is often said that children are the future of the Church. This is, actually, incorrect. Children are full members of the Church now. To better live into this reality, all children have now had name tags made for them, so they can join the rest of this parish in identifying who they are within this Body. Please pick up your children’s name tags on the table set up in the narthex. Adults, please wear your tags as well. We are going to invite the children to show theirs’ off at Sunday worship and fellowship.
Music this week:
Prelude Chorale Partita on Our Father, thou in heaven above Buxtehude
Introit My eyes are ever looking unto the Lord Plainsong
Offertory Hymn 149 “Eternal Lord of love, behold your Church”
Communion Motet O for a closer walk with God Stanford
Comm. Hymn 312 “Strengthen for service, Lord”
Closing Hymn 684 “O for a closer walk with God”
Postlude Toccata in E Flat Kuhnau
Parish Notices
§ Friday Evenings in Lent: will continue this Friday, March 2nd with Stations of the Cross at 5:30pm followed by supper and study. We will be study Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. We still have a couple copies available for purchase at a cost of $15.00 each. Please speak with Deacon Michele if you would need a book.
§ Cooking on Friday Evenings in Lent: If you are interested in cooking and hosting a dinner on the Fridays during Lent, please sign-up on sheets in the Narthex. The last Friday is still open. Thank you for your willingness to serve in this manner.
§ Adult Formation: Classes take place in St. Nicholas Hall, at 9 a.m. We have launched The Bible Challenge. A schedule of readings is provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries. During Lent we want to focus on parish participation, and so our Sunday morning adult education hour will involve review and discussion of the Bible readings for the week. If you need a good study bible for the challenge, contact the parish office.
§ Bishop Salmon’s Visit: We will welcome The Rt. Reverend Edward L. Salmon, Jr., Dean and President of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, to Grace Church Sunday, March 25, 2012. No stranger to Grace Church, Bishop Salmon brings the greetings of Nashotah House and his visit gives thanks for a historic and fruitful relationship between the seminary and Grace Church. Noted for his theological clarity, quick wit and Southern accent, Bishop Salmon will preach at both Masses. Please join us as we welcome him back to Grace Church.
§ Are you still looking for fun plans for St. Patrick's Day? Then look no further! Plan to attend the 2012 Boys & Girls Clubs Irish Party on Saturday, March 10th from 6-10pm at the Club in Sheboygan Falls (107 Cedar Street, Sheboygan Falls). Tickets are $35 and include dinner and two complimentary drinks; tickets are available for purchase at any Boys & Girls Club. This is a great way to support kids in our community, so grab your green and buy your tickets today! Call Sarah McQueen at 627-7484 with any questions.
§ Staying in Love: We all know what’s required to fall in love … a pulse! Falling in love is easy, but staying together with the one you’ve found seems to be the real challenge. Join us as pastor and author Andy Stanley leads us through “Staying in Love” on DVD. Discussion to follow led by marriage mentors. This free session will be held 9 a.m.–noon on Saturday, March 17th in Sheboygan. Please call Great Marriages at 920-783-3660 for details and to register.
§ Adult Formation: Classes take place in St. Nicholas Hall, at 9 a.m. During Lent our focus will be on The Bible Challenge. As of the beginning of the challenge 38 parishioners (30% of average Sunday attendance) have signed up to participate. A schedule of readings is provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries. During Lent we want to focus on parish participation, and so our Sunday morning adult education hour will involve review and discussion of the Bible readings for the week. (This week the focus is on the first third of Genesis, the beginning of the Psalter, and the beginning of Matthew’s gospel.) After Lent we will revert to our education hour covering a variety of topics, with the first focus being on how to defend our faith against worldly attacks. If you need a good study bible for the challenge, contact the parish office.
If you have not undertaken the challenge, join us still, for a group exploration of Scripture. If you want to take the challenge, but did not start on 27 February, don’t worry. The schedule allows you to start at any time, designating your start day as Day One.
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