Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
13 December 2012
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
We will pray this collect for the Third Sunday of Advent (given here in the Rite I language) this coming Sunday. The collect reminds us that Advent is a penitential season, sometimes referred to as “Little Lent”. Or is it? This question occurs in the light of a very minor change in the calendar found the prayer book. Prior to the current (1979) version of the prayer book, a Sunday was one in Advent, not of Advent. Advent was treated, in this way like, like Lent (in which Sundays remain in). Does this change matter? It might if the reason for change were in any way discussed, but the records of the adoption of the new prayer book are silent on this point. So, why raise the matter?
The detail of itself is of little, if any, consequence. But it might matter if we take the detail to point to a difference between Advent and Lent. Consider that in Lent we are quite explicit about the fact that we are in a penitential season. We fast or take on additional spiritual duties, or both. The idea is to make ourselves ready to participate in the mystery of the resurrection of our Lord, having passed through with Him the denial of God found in the Good Friday which is our own sin. In Advent we more and more focus on anticipation (or on kingship, e.g., in the royal blue liturgical color used in some parishes). But what are we anticipating? The coming of our Lord. And in preparing for this coming, how do we prepare?
How do we prepare to receive our Lord? We prepare by turning to Him (i.e., in repentance). Penitence requires us to recognize the distance by which we are separated from God—the distance between who we are created and called to be, and who we are. Once we truly recongize this distance and turn to God, we find that the distance is bridge by God! Once we turn to God, He comes to us, His advent is complete. Consider, then, how you prepare, how in this season of looking to the coming of our Lord you recognize where you are, that you may better invite God into your life. When we listen to the scriptures, when we sing words of “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” let us ever keep in front of us the reality and blessing that we prepare God’s way into our own lives when we turn to Him—when we reprent, turn, and welcome the King who comes.
Prepare. Prepare using spiritual disciplines as you would in Lent. Focus on what you are called to do, who you are called to be, and God will come to you. When we look to God we prepare in our own lives the turning that will bring forth from our lips the Christmas proclammation, “Glory to God in the highest!”
Grace Abounds: Many people merit thanksgivings for their service this past week:
Coffee hour: The Larson Family.
Advent Lessons & Carols: Please thank Ben Dobey and all of the choir for the marvelous offering of a festival of lessons and carols. Numerous people also helped set up the High tea reception which followed, and in cleanup.
Decorations: Please thank bernie Markevitch for decorating the church ofr Advent Lessons & Carols, and thank Bill and Bobbie May for decorating the columbarium courtyard with greens.
Holiday Gift Tree: Please thank Nancy Yurk for organizing the parish response. Gifts for 81 people have been provided, with the number of gifts exceeding the number of people by a wide margin!
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.
Children’s Sunday: This coming Sunday we will once again bring the children to the altar during the canon of the Mass. Children should sit up front, so they can see best. You may want to consider wearing something purple for Advent!
It’s all Greek to me! In response to a few enquiries, we are exploring interest in offering an adult education course in New Testament Greek. This course would be intended to allow the student to gain enough knowledge of the language to use a Greek New Testament with the aid of such language sources as an analytical lexicon and verb parsing guides. The goal is not reading fluency, but an appreciation of the linguistic issues present, and how these affect our understanding of Scripture. The course would meet on a weeknight from 7 to 9 p.m. A cost of about $75 should be anticipated for books. (Scholarships are available.) If you are interested, please alert Fr. Karl by 19 December.
The Bible Challenge will restart on 1 January. The reading schedule is now independent of the Sunday lectionary, so as of 1 January you can start any Monday of the year. If you began in 2012 (I Lent), 2013 will begin at week 45. Study summaries for all 52 weeks are posted on the parish website (Christan Formation: The Bible Challenge).
Almost 10% of the parish has participated in The Bible Challenge. If you are interested, ask who has, and listen to their insights.
Adult Christian Education: Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall. On 16 December we continue our series on Christian ethics, with the focus this week being on issues related to Christian stewardship of possessions, and the environment. The entire course can be found on the parish website under “Christian Formation: Adult Education”. CORRECTION: The course does not end on 16 December. We will end on 23 December, with a final review sessioin.
2013 Coffee Hour roster: The 2013 coffee hour roster is now found on the parish website. http://about.us6.listmanage.com/track/click?u=a7c552cd00fbea92696dfb086&id=4871ae69fa&e=92395de79d . Please sign up for vacant slots.
Biblical Literacy: The Bible Challenge readings will be for week 42. Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.
The Search Process for our Next Bishop: Updates on the search process can be found at http://www.diofdl.org/org.asp?page=sc . You may ask questions and provide comments to the Standing Committee of the diocese at sc@diofdl.org . The election of our next bishop will be held on 19 October 2013, with consecration scheduled for 26 April 2014.
Music this week:
Prelude Chorale Prelude on Savior of the Nations, Come J. S. Bach
Entrance Hymn 59 “Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding” Merton
Offertory Hymn 444 “Blessed be the God of Israel” Thornbury
Communion Motet Rejoice, O Jerusalem Healey Willan
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Behold, the Lord shall come and all his saints with Him: and in that day the light shall be great. Rejoice, O Jerusalem, behold, thy King cometh. Alleluia.
Comm. Hymn 613 “Thy kingdom come, O God” St. Cecilia
Closing Hymn 65 “Prepare the way, O Zion” Bereden vag
Postlude Prepare the way, O Zion Dale Wood
Parish Notices
§ Sunday School Cookie Bake: Today, Sunday, December 16th the Sunday School children will be baking cookies for Meals on Wheels, baking will begin after the 10:15 Mass. Pizza lunch will be provided. Please bring family and friends to help, many hands make light work.
§ End of Year Pledge Reminder: Please make every effort to pay the remainder of your pledge before the end of the year. If you need to know your balance, please call the office at 452-9659. If you want tax credit for your pledge paid in 2012, you must have the payment in the office by Sunday, December 30th. A check dated the 30th, but arriving later cannot be counted as paid in 2012. All payments received after the 30th will be credited in 2013. Thank you so much.
§ Salvation Army Gift tags: Thank you to everyone who participated in the Salvation Army Gifts this year. Over 130 gifts have been given to those in need in our community.
§ Christmas Castle Volunteers: A couple more people are needed to help with the Christmas Castle December 20th from 11:00am until 1:30pm. The castle is located behind the old Walgreen's at memorial. Mall, close to the Good Year store on the west side of the mall. Please park on the south side of the Building. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Any questions please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.
§ Christmas Joy Committee: once again needs your help. We need volunteers to assemble and delivery Christmas arrangements and cookies to the shut ins of our parish. We will gather at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 20th in St. Nicholas Hall. Money to fund this project (buy flowers) is greatly appreciated; please note in memo area that it is for “Christmas Joy.” Sign up sheet is in the narthex for volunteers, cookie donations or contact Barb MacEwen at 467-6909. Last year was a huge success for both volunteers and recipients-please help! Thank you.
§ Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00pm downstairs in the choir room. The final rehearsal will be on December 20th this is be just before the Pageant rehearsals. The choir is open to 2nd graders and up, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.
§ Christmas Pageant Rehearsal: will be on Thursday, December 20th starting at 6:00p.m. The rehearsal will begin in the church and then go downstairs for costumes. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Mass. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If your child would like to participate but cannot make rehearsals please note that on the sheet or call Annette Fabiano at 451-7098.
§ Hosting the Seminarian and His Family: Please consider hosting our seminarian Ryan Delaney and his family for a Saturday evening meal or Sunday Brunch. Ryan and his lovely wife Melanie and children Brenna and Bremen will be staying most Saturday evenings in preparation for services on Sunday morning. This will give the parish an opportunity to get to know them and for the Delaney’s to get to know the parish. Please find a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex for dinner Saturday evening and brunch Sunday after the service.
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