Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
7 November 2013
Faith is something we do together (Mtt. 18.20). This Sunday we will focus on one aspect of
this togetherness—of this community—when we join with each other in
giving. As much as it ofetn makes us
uncomfortable to talk about money, consider the following realities about life
together:
1.
Community is a privilege. Jesus lived in the midst of His enemies. God’s people must dwell amongst unbelievers:
―Scattered “into all the kingdoms of
the earth” (Deut. 28.25)
―Sown among the peoples that “they
may remember me in far countries (Zech. 10.9)
―And yet gathered as redeemed
(Zech. 10.8-9)
2.
It is only by God’s grace that we live
together in visible fellowship. Our
fellow Christians are to be a source of joy and strength. We belong to one another only through and in
Jesus Christ.
3.
Every
Christian needs another Christian: to speak God’s Word to him. Christians bring to each other the message of
salvation. Christians look upon a sister
as one united with him in Christ. One is
a brother to another only by and through Jesus Christ.
4.
Our community consists solely in what Christ
has done to/for both of us. Community is not founded on who/what
we are as individuals, but on who/what we are in Jesus Christ.
5.
God is the God of truth, not of emotion. We enter into community not on the basis of
what we desire but of what we give.
In true community we are thankful recipients.
―We must give thanks for
small things in order that we may give thanks for great
things.
things.
The net: net of this is that when
we speak of money we speak only of one aspect of how we live together, of how
we are called to be a blessing to each other, and of how we are called to live
in common in the blessings of God. Let’s
look forward to stewardship discussions as
opportunities to discern God’s will together.
Grace Abounds: Please thanks John Davis, and Paul and Andrea
Aparicio for the coffee hours this past Sunday.
Please thank Barb Knauf, Bev Evans, Nancy York, Bill & Deb Gagin,
and Bobbi Kraft for their work in putting together the stewardship meeting.
Call for
Contributions: If you have a spiritual reflection to share,
or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your
contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday (noon) each week.
Being the Body: On Saturday we reconvene in the “doing” phase
of our discipleship program. The program focused on Caring for One Another. We
will experience the many dimensions of pastoral care as provided to each other,
in healing ministries, and in the ministries of presence and listening. The session will be facilitated by our own
Dcn. Mike Burg and by Mthr. Marie Gray of St. Paul’s, Plymouth.
Small Group
Ministries:
1.
Depression support group: This is a group to offer support for those
who suffer from depression, and for their family members.
The participants will include non-professional local contact/resources
for parishioners who might develop symptoms of depression in the future.
The group will meet on the fourth Sunday after the early service in the
rector's office. Contact people are: Ed Clabots and Martha Shad.
2.
Caregiver support group: This group intends to offer emotional and
spiritual mutual support for those of us who are responsible for or who
are caregivers for elderly or ill family and friends. Many members
of our parish are caregivers in one way or another. The first goal is to
contact individuals who fit into this category, in order to identify who wants
to belong to the group. At that point the group will be able to determine
a meeting time and place. The leader is Scott Gedemer; please contact him
if you are interested.
3.
Study/discussion group: This group decided to start with a study of
Galatians. They (six people so far) plan to meet after the 10:15 service
starting Nov. 17th, hoping to meet every two weeks in the church
library. Contact people are Mary Massey and Fr. John Ambelang.
4.
Order of St. Luke/ healing prayer team: This group will learn about healing and
praying for those needing any kind of healing. Contacts will be Dcn. Mike
Burg, Dcn. Michele Whitford and Jane Hanson. Tentative meeting place and
time will be Tuesdays, 5:30 at Jane Hanson's condo.
5.
Film study: Jane Hanson has agreed to facilitate a
monthly film discussion. This will be called “Soup and Cinema”. The
first session will be on Wednesday, 13 November, at 6 p.m., St. Nicholas
Hall. The second Wednesday of the month will be the default timing. The plan is the start at 6, with a light
supper of soup, salad, and bread. As people are seated, the film will
begin. It will be projected on our large screen. Afterward, Jane
will facilitate a discussion.
The first film in
the series is the 2005 feature (based on a true story), End of the Spear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_of_the_Spear
Other films which may be used include Get
Low (Robert Duvall), Tender Mercies
(Robert Duvall), The Mission (Robert
Deniro and Jeremy Irons), Of Gods and Men
(Lambert Wilson, in French with subtitles). Suggestions for future titles
will be solicited from participants.
6.
Society of Mary: The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion
to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an
internationally-recognized named cell.
Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize
attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of Mary on the
Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham protoshrine daily
prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve
communication in the broader community of our intended missions.
Normal meeting
time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the
month in the church library. However, this coming Sunday, Nov. 3, there
will be a special follow-up meeting led by Paul Aparicio at 9:00 in
the library. Contact person is Mary Kohler.
7.
Social group: This group will plan activities for the
family on an informal basis. Details are being discussed. Contact
persons are Tom and Tasha Crouse.
8.
ESL teaching group: This group will help immigrants learn the
English language to better their lives and job prospects. Members will
individually decide when and where the teaching can be done. Contact
person is Scott Lubbers.
New Consecration
Sunday: Our stewardship Sunday will this
Sunday, with one service at 10 a.m.,
followed by a parish luncheon. Thank
you, Bernie Markevitch, for speaking this past Sunday!
What is I have guests/visitors/fols who are “checking us out”? Bring them to the service and luncheon! They are under no obligation to give. They are guests, and can experience how we
come together to do what we need to do.
Make sure they know there is no expectation of them particpating in the
campaign while they are not members.
Special stewardship opportunity:
Whichever person has the greatest increase in a 2014 pledge, over their
paid 2013 pledge amount (calculated at close of the giving year), or who has
the highest new pledge for 2014 (for any person who has not pledged
previously), will receive a complimentary stay at a Hyatt-managed timeshare apartment
in Key West, Florida (occupancy dates are 2 March to a 9 March check-out. These dates include Mardi Gras.) Go To: www.hyattwindwardpointe.hyatt.com You can find all the amenities and room
pictures there.
The unit is on the 3rd level,
set way back on the property, with a virtual private lani looking straight out
on the grounds, pool and ocean. Cuba 70
miles straight south. The unit is about a
2 mile walk to the southern most point in the lower 48, on the east and quiet
side of the Key, about 1 ½ mile walk to Duval St. St. Paul's Episcopal Church is on Duval, a great
place for Ash Wednesday services.
This timeshare opportunity is the
gift of Bill and Debbie Gagin.
Episcopal Youth
Community Grace and peace to you in the the Holy Name of Jesus.
These past weeks have been busy
for us and for our youth, and they will continue to be that way for a little
while.
Last week the youth group joined
in with over 80 other students from at least 4 different churches to play in
the St. Thomas (Menasha) Terminator Night. It's just a game that is fun to
play, but the camaraderie amongst the students, especially those who were just
at the Fall Lock-In emphasizes the larger Christian community that we are a
part of.
Coming up very shortly is
Happening. Happening is a High School, lock-in style experience, much like
Cursillo is for adults. It was one of the most transformative weekends of my
youth, and it continues to be for youth and adults alike even now. We have 5
people from Grace attending Happening both as candidates and as team leaders.
If you have been to Happening and would like to send caritas, please contact me
for a listing of the candidates and staff. Everyone is invited and encouraged
to attend the closing mass which concludes the weekend, as a show of support to
the candidates and staff. Happening starts on Friday November 15th and the
Closing Eucharist is at 2:00pm on Sunday the 17th. (And I promise it doesn't
hurt to have communion twice.)
In film school we will continue
our discussion of Apollo 13, this is the first film so far where the students
have not seen the movie (or at least don't remember). We had a guest speaker
Dcn. Mike Burg join us to share his memories of the first moon landing (which
is featured in the movie), and other instances of life where there's no going
back to a world where that didn't happen. Our discussion last week was great,
and I look forward to the weeks to come.
If you have any questions about
events, classes, discussions please ask. If you want to know more about
Happening, please ask. You can call the office, or contact me directly.
Thanks!
Nick
Happening - November 15-17 - St.
Thomas, Menasha - is for all students grades 9-12 - http://diofdl.org/Happening
New Beginnings - December 7-8 -
Grace Church, Sheboygan - is for all students grades 6-8 - http://diofdl.org/newbeginnings
Each of these is unique in style,
delivery, and experience, and each one is a great way to learn more about God
and our faith, as well as connect to the wider community of Christian youth in
our diocese; many people have made life-long friends with those around the
diocese and have stayed connected through events like these, camp and others.
Please contact me or the office
with questions, but remember to sign up!
Grace and peace, Nick
Music this week: Pentecost 25 (Proper 27C)
Prelude Introit L. Vierne
Entrance Hymn 625 “Ye
holy angels bright” Durwall’s 148th
Offertory Hymn 624 “Jerusalem
the golden” Ewing
Communion Motet Jesu, the very thought of thee Este
Comm. Hymn 526 “Let
saints on earth in concert sing” Dundee
Closing Hymn 579 “Almighty
Father, strong to save” Melita
Postlude Prelude
& Fugue in C Speth
Parish Notices
New Consecration Sunday! is our
congregation’s Consecration Sunday. There will be one service at 10:00am Sunday, November 10. I urge you to plan now
to attend the two important events: Sunday morning worship and the Celebration
Luncheon immediately following worship that same day (a catered meal, not a
potluck dinner).
New Parish Directory updates: Please find a draft copy of a new parish directory
on the table in the Narthex at Grace Church. If you would please look at your
entry and make any changes necessary and then initial it so we know it is
correct. We are trying to have as many email addresses as possible, it saves
postage and much of the communication of the church is done electronically. We
never give them out but. Thank you.
Being the Body: The third block of the Being the
Body program will continue on Saturday, November 9th. We will welcome
Mother Marie Gray and Deacon Michael Burg as presenters. Being the Body involves an examination and experience of knowing (who God is and what His will is
for us), being (experiencing and
living who we are called to be as Jesus’ Body), and doing (doing God’s will as His people, and each as His son or
daughter).
Metropolitan
Opera:
A group of parishioners will meet this Saturday, 9 November, for the live
Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Puccini’s Tosca. Meet at 11:45
a.m. at the Marcus theatre in Sheboygan, or call Fr. Karl if you need a ride.
Soup and Cinema: Jane Hanson has agreed to
facilitate a monthly film discussion. This will be called “Soup and
Cinema”. The first session will be on Wednesday, 13 November, at 6 p.m.,
St. Nicholas Hall. The second Wednesday of the month will be the default
timing. The plan is the start at 6, with a light supper of soup, salad,
and bread. As people are seated, the film will begin. It will be
projected on our large screen. Afterward, Jane will facilitate a
discussion. The first film in the series is the 2005 feature (based on a true
story), End of the Spear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_of_the_Spear
Other films which may be used include Get Low (Robert Duvall), Tender Mercies
(Robert Duvall), The Mission (Robert Deniro and Jeremy Irons), Of Gods and Men
(Lambert Wilson, in French with subtitles). Suggestions for future titles
will be solicited from participants.
Study/Discussion Group: This group
decided to start with a study of Galatians. They (six people so far) plan to
meet after the 10:15 service starting Nov. 17th, hoping to meet
every two weeks in the church library. Contact people are Mary Massey and
Fr. John Ambelang.
Christmas Shoe Boxes: Please consider
bringing toothpaste and individually wrapped toothbrushes, and mild soap bars
and wash cloths to church for the Christmas shoe boxes. We will also be looking
for these items in the coming weeks: pencils, colored pencils, erasers
and pencil sharpeners, paper to write on. These items must be able to fit into
a shoe box. Thank you so much. Pat Ford Smith
Operation Christmas Child: Miss Pat's
Sunday School class is spearheading the effort to put together shoe boxes for
Operation Christmas Child, and would like to invite the whole parish to
participate by donating small items for the shoe boxes, or if you desire a
monetary donation that will be spent to get shoe box gift items. The goal is to
have this be a parish outreach lead by the youth and children of the parish.
Please participate as you can, including prayers for this to be a successful
project. The drop off date is in mid November (before Thanksgiving), and there
will be more information in the next couple of weeks.
Happening Closing Eucharist: The Happening
Closing Eucharist is a time of joy, and you're invited. Show your support for
our youth by showing up for the Closing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 17th at
St. Thomas, Menasha. We hope to see you there! More details at diofdl.org/happening.
Society of Mary: The fundamental Mission is
to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The
Society will be revived, to qualify as an internationally-recognized named
cell. Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize attendance at the
celebration of the four annual commemorations of Mary on the Church Calendar;
(b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham protoshrine daily prayers,
and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve
communication in the broader community of our intended missions. Normal meeting
time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the
month in the church library. Contact person is Mary Kohler.
"So many books so little time". I am
interested in starting/being a part of a book club centered at Grace. My
initial thought is a once a month meeting at Grace to discuss the months
selection. At this point I am simply throwing out a few ideas I have seen work
in the past. All "rules" would be decided by the participants.
Since we have made some progress in developing "Faith Alive" small
groups revolving around mostly spiritual issues I thought a
"literary" small group might be nice. Any thoughts, suggestions,
interest would be welcome. Dale Massey (920) 254-3034, masseydale51@gmail.com.
Raking
Leaves Fundraiser: If raking your yard this year seems like too much of a
task, then our Boy Scout Troop is here to help. They will be raking leaves
on the following dates: November 2nd, 9th, and 16th. If you are interested
please contact Paul Aparicio (paac92399@yahoo.com). A
sign-up sheet will be available in the narthex.
Meals On Wheels Christmas
Cookies: Meals On Wheels volunteers will be delivering a
box of homemade cookies to our clients again this Christmas season. (As
many of you know, for some clients, this is the only gift they will
receive). So all we need are the cookies. If you would like to
donate some of your goodies to our project please call or email Maureen at
Meals On Wheels at 451-7011 or client1@shebmow.org. We
have cookie drop off sites in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and we will be
packaging cookies on the 17th of December. Your response in
the past has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough for your
continued support.
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