Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
9 May 2013
Today is Ascension Day. This is one of the “principal” feasts on the Church calendar; i.e., it cannot be moved to another day, must be observed by the congregation, and is considered a feast which of equal obligation as Easter and Christmas. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m., because at 6 p.m. we will host a service of Solemn Evensong as a joint worship service with our tripartite covenant partners, the clergy and people of St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church and St. Peter Luther Church, followed by a fellowship meal.
The story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven is found at Act 1.6-11, ending with angels telling the disciples that Jesus “... will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Traditionally, churches are “oriented” (worship faces east), because we expect Jesus to return from the east. This is also why graves face east, that at the Second Coming the dead may rise to meet their judge.
Ascension Day is considered to be the inauguration of the reign of the living Christ. As described by Paul at Phil. 2.10-11 (using words that had probably already been in hymnal use for decades at the time Paul recorded them), “[A]t the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ...” Ascension Day allows us to remind ourselves, and to proclaim, that we do not worship a God through a Christ who was, but who is. This reality highlights the principal problem with the “search for the historical Jesus”. Those who focus on what can and cannot be “proven” from extra-biblical sources about what Jesus did and said have done the Church the service of bringing to lot some relevant evidence of who Jesus was perceived to be by non-believers in His own days incarnate on earth, but this really misses the point: If what we are focused on is what one Palestinian Jew said and did two millennia ago—rather than on what the risen Lord, the reigning Christ does now—doesn’t faith become no more than some kind of cultural or tribal baggage? We worship a God who is alive, One who is active in our lives now as a Person and not just as a memory. Ascension Day allows us to reaffirm and proclaim this reality, this triumph, this presence of God in the life of the world.
Grace Abounds: Please thank all those who made the parish clean-up a success. including: John Ambelang, Andrea & Paul Aparicio, Jack Britton, Mike Burg, Julie Davidson, John Davis, Ben Dobey, Scott Fabiano, Jim Gardner, Steve Larson, Bobbie & Bill May, Jennifer Pawlus, Mike Prange, Elizabeth & Karl Schaffenburg, Mary Snyder (who also provided a wonderful lunch!), Tom Wright.
Please thank Polly Schmeiser and Bernie Markevitch for the reception following the bishop’s visitation.
Seminarian Ordination: Charleston Wilson will be ordained deacon by Bp. Daniel Martins, Episcopal Diocese of Springfield (Illinois) on Tuesday, 14 May, at 6 p.m., in St. Mary’s chapel at Nashotah House. If you wish to car pool to attend, please contact the parish office.
Fr. Karl will be out-of-town: Fr. Karl will not be in the office Tuesday through Thursday next week. This means that there will be no celebration of Holy Eucharist on those days. The building will continue to remain open for Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5:10 p.m.
Adult Christian Education: During Eastertide we will keep adult education simple. This will involve a Bible study session at 9 a.m. on Sundays, in which we will examine in detail the lessons used in worship on that day. Bible Study will not meet on Thursdays until after Ascension Day. On 12 May we will commence a four week course on the First Letter of Peter.
Outreach: We have multiple copies of Archbishop Michael Ramsey’s Introducing the Christian Faith. This short, very readable book, is something you can give a friend or acquaintance who has questions, and then invite them to worship with us.
Two CD’s exist of anthems and hymns recorded by our fine choir, under the direction of Ben Dobey. These CD’s are available for sale, but consider just taking some without paying for them. Why? The CD’s are intended to be a form of outreach, to facilitate how we can invite people to join us in worship at Grace. If you have thought about asking someone to visit the parish with you, then go ahead and give them a CD so they can get a little foretaste of worship here. If you do this, just let the office know, so that we can keep apprised of inventory, but don’t hesitate to use the CD’s whenever you think it might be helpful. Consider, as well, using parish note cards in outreach and invitation.
Music this week:
Prelude Alla Sarabanda; Musette Ralph Vaughan Williams
Entrance Hymn #495 “Hail, thou once despised Jesus” In Babilone
Offertory Hymn #307 “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor” Bryn Calfaria
Communion Motet If ye love me Philip Wilby
If ye love me, keep my commandments,
and I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you forever,
even the Spirit of Truth.
And ye know him,
for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless;
I will come to you.
Comm. Hymn 603 “When Christ was lifted from the earth” St. Botolph
Closing Hymn 460 “Alleluia, sing to Jesus” Hyfrydol
Postlude Prelude on ‘Bryn Calfaria’ Vaughan Williams
Parish Notices
Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like please call Michele at the office.
Scholarships are available.
Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3pm) – June 15 (Sat 12noon)
Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)
Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)
KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30am)
There are application forms on the Narthex table.
Knit Together: Knit Together is re-grouping! Please join us every 4th Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00pm for fellowship and handwork. Knitting, needlepoint, crochet - all are welcome. We look forward to seeing you! Please call Polly Schmeiser at 889-6796 with questions or if you need a ride.
Food For Freedom: Have you heard about the mega food drive happening this spring in Fond du Lac to fight hunger in our area? Food for Freedom will take place at the Fond du Lac High School west parking lot May 25-26, 2013 from 1:00pm on Saturday and 1:00pm on Sunday. This event will happen over a 24-hour period on Memorial Day weekend. Food for Freedom is being coordinated by a Fondy High School junior, Danny Loomans, in a effort to raise food for distribution in five counties, Sheboygan County being one of them. This event will attempt to break the current world record for the largest food drive in 24 hours at a single location. More details can be found at www.foodforfreedom.org.
Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.
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