With Gratitude

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

29 December 2016

Dear Grace Church Family,

Thank you so much for all the prayer, love and encouragement you have shown me through this journey to the priesthood. Thank you for the Book of Common Prayer/Hymnal and the portable baptismal/sick stole. They are both beautiful and will be very useful in my future ministry. Thank you for the very thoughtful purse. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. A special thank you to Ben Dobey who wrote the music for the Psalm and refrain for the liturgy. I was very blessed to have so many of our Grace Church choir members come and participate in the combined choir. Thank you also, to Bernie Markevitch and Mary Beniger who arranged the flowers at the cathedral for the ordination.

I pray our new ministry together will be fruitful and joyous.

In His Mercy,

Mother Michele +

Grace abounds:  Please thank:  Ellen Aparicio and Ben Dobey for coffee hour after the Christmas Day service.

Thank you to the Ben Dobey, Sandie Palmer and the choir for providing beautiful music to enhance our worship.

Thank you to the altar guild for all the extra hours they put in preparing for the many Christmas services.

Christmas Joy 2016 was another successful endeavor to the elderly and shut ins of this parish.  Many thanks to the following parishioners who made it happen:  Pat Sather, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Polly Schmeiser, Bev Evans, Mary Snyder Katy Larson, Bob and Anne Hanlon, Bernie Markevitch who assembled and made the deliveries of flowers and cookies, and also to those who baked cookies:Traci Revis, Joyce Wessel, Jessica Ambelang, Ann Hanlon, Katy Larson Mary Clabots, Mary Snyder.  Thank you!

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Don’t forget “Something Extra for Grace”:  Supplemental giving envelopes can be found in pews.  If you want to give something extra, please use an envelope to ensure that you are credited.

Special appeal:  Later this Fall we will have a grounds cleanup day that will include ground cover and shrubbery trimming.  We are, however, overdue for major reshaping of shrubbery, and the arbor vitae which flank the church entrance are out-of-control.  Quotations for shrub reshaping and removal/replacement of the arbor vitae run into the thousands of dollars.  Major work will not be a 2016 initiative, but we are appealing for your donations now, to build a fund for work in the Spring of 2017.  Keep Grace beautiful!  Give “Something Extra”.

Music this Week:          Holy Name 2017

                                      Organist:  Ben Dobey. 

Entrance Hymn 102 “Once in Royal David’s City,”  Irby

Offertory Hymn 82 “Of the Father’s love begotten” Divinum Mysterium

Communion Hymn 81 “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” Est ist ein Ros

Closing Hymn 100  “Joy to the World,”  Antioch

Parish Notices

§  Sunday School: There is no Christian Formation on Sunday, January 1, 2017. Christian Formation for adults and children will resume Sunday, January 8, 2017.

§  Adult Education: Beginning on January 8^th we will explore The State of the Church in 2017.  We’ll use data and trend lines related to what it means to be a Christian in America and the world, to better define the broader context in which we live our faith. We will focus on how the changes around us and in us can best be identified, that we can best decide how to proactively serve in ministry.

§  The Eve of The Epiphany Solemn Mass: will be held on January 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Twelfth Night Potluck Supper. A sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

  A draft of the 2017 Parish Directory: can be found on the Narthex table. Please initial your information if it is current, otherwise make changes as necessary.

  Girl Scout Cookies! Calling all Grace Church Girl Scouts and cookie lovers! Inviting all Grace Church Girl Scouts to work the cookie order booth AFTER both masses on Sunday, January 15th and 22nd. Please wear your sash or vest. Cookie order forms will be available outside of the parish hall and will be evenly distributed between the participants. Cookies will once again be $4/box and money is not collected until delivery sometime in February. Thank you for supporting your local Girl Scouts! 

§  The Annual Meeting: This year’s Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2017. We will have one Mass at 9:00am followed by the Annual Meeting at 10:15am. If you have been in leadership of any group or committee please submit an annual report to the office@gracesheboygan.com. Please make every effort to attend and participate.

§  Love Buckets: is a GAP Ministry of Love INC organized by our neighbors, St. Luke’s Methodist Church. As other churches have donated to our own GAP Ministry – Martha & Mary Cooking Guild – St. Luke’s is asking for donations to their Love Buckets Ministry. A list of supplies needed is posted on the notice board, and a large grey bin for donations can be found in the Narthex. This drive will run until the end of January.

§  Something Extra for Grace: Envelopes are available in the pews if you are moved to give an extra gift, beyond your pledge or regular plate donation, toward the life of the church.  Gifts are tax deductible if you write your name on the envelope.

§  Bible Challenge: Videos for all 52 weeks of the year are now available on Grace Abounds. If you take this challenge, you will find that in one year you will read all of the Bible! This will require less than an hour of your time, six days a week. A schedule of readings is provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries and a weekly video summary of the readings. If you need a good study bible for the challenge, contact the parish office. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the mantle of the Lord does fall upon us. We are equipped to discern God’s will and to lead others to know and love and serve the Lord.

  Flower Schedule for 2017: 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.

§  Coffee Hour Schedule: There is a new sign-up sheet for hosting coffee hour in 2017. If you would like to host, please sign up for either 8:00 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. If you have any questions, please see Mary Massey. Thank you so much.

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

§  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

22 December 2016

Lo, how a rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As seers of old have sung.

It came a blossom bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
This Rose that I have in mind,

With Mary we behold it,
The Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
She bore to us a Savior
When half-spent was the night.

O Flower, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,

Dispel in glorious splendor

The darkness everywhere;

True man, yet very God,

From sin and death now save us,

And share our every load.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, that as we gather to celebrate that your child the eternal Word became one of us, we might become one with Him.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  All who helped make the reception for Mthr. Michele a success:  Nicci Beeck and Bryan Stenz (set up); Mary Grace and Rachel Boland, Julie Davidson, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, and Mary Snyder (cleanup); and all who provided food.

§  All who helped decorate the church for Christmas:  Ed Clabots, Julie Davidson, Scott Fabiano, Susan Macintosh, Bernie Markevitch, Bobbie May, Bryan Stenz, Jon and Nick Whitford.

§  All the generous donors to the Adopt a Family program at The Salvation Army.

§  Those who helped sort gifts for The Salvation Army Christmas Castle:  Jessica Ambelang, Katie Larson, Jennifer Pawlus, Nancy Yurk, Bev Evans, Bob MacEwen, Art Imig.

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Don’t forget “Something Extra for Grace”:  Supplemental giving envelopes can be found in pews.  If you want to give something extra, please use an envelope to ensure that you are credited.

Music this Week:          The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

                                      Organist:  Ben Dobey

                                      Choir Direction:  Sandie Palmer

Christmas Eve:  Children’s Service

Processional Hymn 83 “O Come, all ye faithful”                             Adeste fideles

Sequence Hymn 101     “Away in a manger, no crib for his bed”

                                                                                                          Cradle Song

Pageant Hymns            “O little town of Bethlehem”

                                       “The first Nowell the angel did say”

                                       “Joy to the world! the Lord is come”

Offertory Anthem  Sung by the Children’s Choir 

                                         Come, join the Angels Singing      

                                                                                           18^th C. French Carol,

                                                                                             arr. Hal Hopson

Offertory Hymn 110      “The snow lay on the ground”                Venite adoremus

Communion Anthem     In the Stable                                         Maxine Posegate

Communion Hymn 111 “Silent night, holy night”                                Stille nacht

Closing Hymn 96           “Angels we have heard on high”                              Gloria

Postlude                        Noël on Quittez, pasteurs                             Harold Owen

Christmas Eve:  Solemn Service

Prelude                          Adagio & Allegro from the Cello Concerto in D Minor

                                                                                                      Antonio Vivaldi

                                                                                            Lindsay Fischer, cello

                             All this night my heart rejoices                  Johann Ebeling

                             Born on a New Day                         David & Philip Lawson

                             Still, still, still               Austrian carol, arr. Norman Luboff

Hymn  87                       “Hark! The herald angels sing”                     Mendelssohn

Processional Hymn 83 “O Come, all ye faithful”                              Adeste fideles

Offertory Hymn 79        “O little town of Bethlehem”                                St. Louis

Communion Motets       Christmas Night                        16^th cent. French melody,

                                                                                      arr. John Rutter    

                             In the bleak midwinter    

Communion Hymn 111  “Silent Night”                                                Stille Nacht

Closing Hymn 96           “Angels we have heard on high”                             Gloria

Postlude                        In dulci jubilo                                                   J. S. Bach

Christmas Day

Prelude  Adagio & Allegro from the Cello Concerto in D Minor    Antonio Vivaldi

                                                                                      Lindsay Fischer, cello

    All this night my heart rejoices                                    Johann Ebeling

    Born on a New Day                                            David & Philip Lawson

    Still, still, still                                  Austrian carol, arr. Norman Luboff

Hymn  87 “Hark! The herald angels sing”    Mendelssohn

Processional Hymn 83 “O Come, all ye faithful,”  Adeste fideles

Offertory Hymn 79  “O little town of Bethlehem,”  St. Louis

Communion Motets  Christmas Night   16^th cent. French melody, arr. John Rutter  

                         In the bleak midwinter        

Communion Hymn 111  “Silent Night”  Stille Nacht

Closing Hymn 96  “Angels we have heard on high,”  Gloria

Postlude  In dulci jubilo  J. S. Bach

Parish Notices

§  Office Closed: The office will be closed December 26, 29 & 30. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call Father Karl at 889-7190 or Mother Michele at 918-1230.

§  Sunday School: There is no Christian Formation on Christmas Day or the foloowing Sunday.  Christian Formation for adults and children will resume Sunday, January 8, 2017.

§  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 2016, you must have the payment in the office by Thursday, December 29^th. A check dated the 29^th, but arriving later cannot be counted as paid in 2016. All payments received after the 29^th will be credited in 2017. Thank you so much.

§  A Big Thank You: To all who took names and bought gifts for the Salvation Army “Adopt a Family for Christmas” off the tree – we received a lot of gifts this year. Blessings to all, Nancy.

§  The Eve of The Epiphany Solemn Mass: will be held on January 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Twelfth Night Potluck Supper.

§  The Annual Meeting: This year’s Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2017. We will have one Mass at 9:00am followed by the Annual Meeting at 10:15am. If you have been in leadership of any group or committee please submit an annual report to the office@gracesheboygan.com. Please make every effort to attend and participate.

§  Love Buckets: is a GAP Ministry of Love INC organized by our neighbors, St. Luke’s Methodist Church. As other churches have donated to our own GAP Ministry – Martha & Mary Cooking Guild – St. Luke’s is asking for donations to their Love Buckets Ministry. A list of supplies needed is posted on the notice board, and a large grey bin for donations can be found in the Narthex. This drive will run until the end of January.

§  Something Extra for Grace: Envelopes are available in the pews if you are moved to give an extra gift, beyond your pledge or regular plate donation, toward the life of the church.  Gifts are tax deductible if you write your name on the envelope.

§  Bible Challenge: Videos for all 52 weeks of the year are now available on Grace Abounds. If you take this challenge, you will find that in one year you will read all of the Bible! This will require less than an hour of your time, six days a week. A schedule of readings are provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries and a weekly video summary of the readings. If you need a good study bible for the challenge, contact the parish office. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the mantle of the Lord does fall upon us. We are equipped to discern God’s will and to lead others to know and love and serve the Lord.

§  Flower Schedule for 2017: 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.

§  Coffee Hour Schedule: There is a new sign-up sheet for hosting coffee hour in 2017. If you would like to host, please sign up for either 8:00 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. If you have any questions, please see Mary Massey. Thank you so much.

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

§  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Free Days

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

15 December 2016

On the Church calendar today is an Advent Feria.  Feria is Latin for “free day,” a day in ancient Rome on which slaves were not obligated to work, and courts were closed.  In Church usage the term refers to a day for which no special feast is appointed, i.e., a day on which the Mass is said using the lessons from the preceding Sunday, rather than for the feast of a particular saint or commemoration.  But, even if a day is not “special,” is not a feast day with special lessons appointed, it remains a day when we can offer praise, worship and thanksgiving to God. 

When all of life becomes an ongoing Advent, the ongoing process of ever turning to the Lord, to prepare for His coming; when all of life can be an ongoing Epiphany, the participation in how God chooses to reveal Himself and His will for us to us; when all of life can be an ongoing Lenten turning, in which we call to mind the ways in which we have strayed from God’s will and turn yet again to Him; when life can be an ongoing participation in Jesus’ sacrifice, and we can always live in our baptismal participation in His resurrection because we have participated in His dying to self; when life can be the ongoing “labor pains” of the time between Jesus’ ascension—His assumption of His heavenly throne, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—labor pains that will allow us to participate in new birth; and when all of life then becomes the newness of life lived in the fullness of God come down from above, then all days—feast and “free” become truly free; all days become days lived in the freedom of new life in Christ, new life in His truth.

Celebrate all days as free days, as days of freedom, as days on which each day God creates life anew as life redeemed.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Wayne and Pat Sather, and Tom Wright and Mary Snyder for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Ben Dobey, Sandie Palmer, and the choir for Advent Lessons & Carols.

§  Nicci Beeck and Bernie Markevitch for Advent Lessons & Carols reception preparation and set up.

§  Julie Davidson and Elizabeth Schaffenburg for Advent Lessons & Carols cleanup.

§  Brian Munro and Bryan Stenz for Grace Abounds support for Advent Lessons & Carols.

§  Jennifer Pawlus for pastoral ministry in caring for an injured parishioner.

§  Bobbie May for reorganization work in the parish library.

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Don’t forget “Something Extra for Grace”:  Supplemental giving envelopes can be found in pews.  If you want to give something extra, please use an envelope to ensure that you are credited.

Music this Week:          The Fourth Sunday of Advent

                                      Organist:  Ben Dobey

                                      Choir Direction:  Sandie Palmer

Prelude                          Two Verses on the Magnificat                      Marcel Dupré

Entrance Hymn  72       “Hark! The glad sound!”                                  Richmond

Offertory Hymn 56        “O come, O come, Emmanuel,”       Veni, Veni, Emmanuel

Communion Motet        Ave Maria                                                  Jacob Arcadelt

Communion Hymn  60  “Creator of the stars of night”        Conditor alme siderum

Closing Hymn 436         “Lift up your heads, ye might gates”                        Truro

Postlude                        Chant de paix (Song of Peace)                     Jean Langlais

Parish Notices

§  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 2016, you must have the payment in the office by Thursday, December 29^th. A check dated the 29^th, but arriving later cannot be counted as paid in 2016. All payments received after the 29^th will be credited in 2017. Thank you so much.

§  Christmas Flowers/Music: If you would like to contribute to the Christmas flowers/music in memorial or in thanksgiving, please complete and submit the form inserted in the mass booklets by noon on Wednesday, December 21st.

§  Christmas Pageant: The final rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant is Sunday, December 18^th at 9:00 a.m. The rehearsals will begin in the church and then go downstairs for costumes. The Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass and we ask all children on Christmas Eve to please come to the basement of the church at 3:15 p.m. After everyone is dressed and ready, we will proceed upstairs together. Children participating in the pageant will sit with their parents for the first part of the Mass, until the Pageant begins. At that time, the Sunday School Teachers will stand up and summon them to their places.

     Participation is open to youth of all ages.  If your child would like to participate but cannot attend rehearsals, we ask that they come to the basement of the church at 3:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve and they will receive a costume and part in the Pageant. All children are welcome and encouraged to participate.

§  Youth and Children’s Choir: The final rehearsal will be Wednesday, December 21^st at 5:30 p.m. only. The choir is open to 2^nd graders through high school, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.

  The Eve of The Epiphany Solemn Mass: will be held on January 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Twelfth Night Potluck Supper.

§  Meals On Wheels Christmas Cookies: Volunteers will deliver a box of homemade cookies to their clients again this Christmas season. (As many of you know, for some, this is the only gift they will receive). Boxes have already been donated, so now all they need are the cookies! If you would like to donate cookies, please call Maureen at Meals On Wheels at 451-7011. Drop off sites are in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and cookies will be packaged on December 20^th. Your response in the past has been overwhelming and they cannot thank you enough for your continued support.

§  Salvation Army Adopt a Family Gift Drop-Off: Please return all gifts unwrapped, with value attached, to Grace Church by Monday, December 19^th. Distribution to families is Thursday, December 22^nd. Any questions, please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Christmas (Castle) Sort and Shop: On Monday, December 19^th, 10:00 - 1:00 p.m., volunteers are needed to sort and organize all toy donations. This will be at 710 Pennsylvania Ave, Sheboygan. And on Wednesday, December 21^st, 10:00 – 1:00 p.m., volunteers are needed to shop for each member of the families using the lists provided by the parents. Sign-up sheets can be found on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Christmas Gifts Distribution Volunteers! On Thursday, December 22^nd, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., at 710 Pennsylvania Ave, Sheboygan you can assist local families pick gifts from the Toy Shop. This gives those in need an opportunity to “shop” for Christmas gifts for their families. A Sign-up sheet can be found on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Christmas Joy: is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 22 at 11:00 am in the church kitchen. At that time, we will assemble winter greens and flowers and bag cookies, and then make deliveries. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. We need helping hands. Can you bake, make a delivery and/or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our home-bound and elderly. They will appreciate it. Questions, please call Barb MacEwen at 920-912-4505.

§  Love Buckets: is a GAP Ministry of Love INC organized by our neighbors, St. Luke’s Methodist Church. As other churches have donated to our own GAP Ministry – Martha & Mary Cooking Guild – St. Luke’s is asking for donations to their Love Buckets Ministry. A list of supplies needed is posted on the notice board, and a large grey bin for donations can be found in the Narthex. This drive will run until the end of January.

§  Something Extra for Grace: Envelopes are available in the pews if you are moved to give an extra gift, beyond your pledge or regular plate donation, toward the life of the church.  Gifts are tax deductible if you write your name on the envelope.

§  Bible Challenge: Videos for all 52 weeks of the year are now available on Grace Abounds. If you take this challenge, you will find that in one year you will read all of the Bible! This will require less than an hour of your time, six days a week. A schedule of readings is provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries and a weekly video summary of the readings. If you need a good study bible for the challenge, contact the parish office. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the mantle of the Lord does fall upon us. We are equipped to discern God’s will and to lead others to know and love and serve the Lord.

§  The Annual Meeting: This year’s Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2017. We will have one Mass at 9:00am followed by the Annual Meeting at 10:15am. If you have been in leadership of any group or committee please submit an annual report to the office at office@gracesheboygan.com. Please make every effort to attend and participate.

§  Flower Schedule for 2017: 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.

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

§  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791