Of Good Courage

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

12 May 2016

At Pentecost it is common to speak of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and, indeed, the hymns we will sing include the reference to “seven fold gifts” (Hymn 504).  What are these gifts?  Various lists and categories exist (see Rom. 12.6-8; 1 Cor. 12.8-10; 28; Eph. 4.11; 1 Pet. 4.11), and there are also the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5.22-23).  If we combine lists and categories (of gifts), we identify the gifts as:

1. Wisdom:  to allow us to, and to help us in, our search for God.
2. Understanding:  to lead us to the knowledge of the truth.
3. Counsel:  to help us discern right from wrong.
4. Spiritual strength:  to support us in doing right; in doing God’s will.
5. Knowledge:  to teach us the will of God.
6. True godliness:  to help us to live righteously.
7. Holy fear:  we are granted respect and reverence for God.  We care, and are not indifferent.

What’s not on this list?  What’s missing here is courage, although we can argue that the gifts (particularly strength and godliness) enable courage.  But, pay attention to what Jesus says in the gospel lesson for this coming Sunday (Jn. 14.8-27, at v. 27)), “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Just as Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said “[T]he only thing we have to fear is fear itself …”, Jesus is telling us that when we have the Spirit who reminds us of all that Jesus has taught, and who will continue to teach us and counsel us in God’s will, we need not fear; that we will receive the peace which God gives.  This peace may not look like what we may have had in mind.  It definitely will not look like the wish-fulfillment which is worldly.  ("If only I had $X,000,000, I could be happy by …”)  But it will be a godly peace, the peace which Jesus gives to those who know who is in charge.  When we know who is in charge, and how the story ends, what have we to fear?  Be of good courage!

Thank you to: Thank you to Ben Dobey, Barb Drewry Zimmerman, Jennifer Pawlus, Pat Sather, Mary Kohler, Mary Snyder, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Deb Gagin, Bev  Evans, Jane Hanson, Jessica Ambelang, Katy Larson, Joyce Wessel, Bernie Markevitch and Barb MacEwen the wonderful ministry of providing Spring Joy to those who are home bound and not able to be with us.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Kevan and Traci Revis, and Steve and Polly Schmeiser for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Ben Dobey and Bobbie May for gardening.

§  Pat Ford Smith for help in the parish office.

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.

Music this Week:           The Feast of Pentecost (Whitsunday)

Holy Eucharist (10:15 a.m.)

Prelude                           Prelude on ‘Come down, O Love divine’          R. B. Dobey

Entrance Hymn 225         “Hail thee, festival day”                            Salve festa dies

Mass Setting:                  Deutsche Messe                     Franz Schubert, arr. Proulx

Sequence Hymn 504       “Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire”           Veni Creator

Offertory Hymn 509        “Spirit divine, attend our prayers”              Nun danket all

Communion Motet           Come, Holy Ghost                                  Orlando Gibbons

Communion Hymn 508    “Breathe on me, breath of God”                         Nova vita

Closing Hymn 516           “Come down, O Love divine”                      Down Ampney

Postlude                         Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God                            J. S. Bach

Choral Evensong (4 p.m.)

Prelude                           Veni Creator                                                    M. Duruflé

Introit                             Sicut cervus                                                G. Palestrina

Entrance Hymn 29           “O Trinity of blessed light”                                  Bromley

Psalm 148                                                                             Anglican chant: Monk

Canticles                         Evening Service in C                                    Charles Wood

Anthem                           Listen, sweet Dove                                    Grayston Ives

Closing Hymn 512           “Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove”              Mendon

Marian Antiphon              Regina Coeli                                                      Plainsong

Postlude                         Veni Creator (final)                                          M. Duruflé

Parish Notices

§  Adult Education: Following on the pulse-taking exercises undertaken in April (e.g., with the Commission on Congregational Vitality), in May our focus will be on our identity.  This will involve a simple format, an open forum Q & A about the faith, the life of the Church, etc.  Think of these sessions (Sundays at 9 a.m.) as a time to ask any of those questions that have bugged you, like: “Why do we …?”  “What is the origin of …?”  “Do I have to …?”  “What does the Church teach about …?”  “What is a …?”  Think of your questions in advance, but also build questions on what you hear others questioning or wondering about!

§  Choral Evensong and High Tea: Sunday May 15, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. we will have Choral Evensong followed by High Tea in the Parish Hall. Please plan to attend this beautiful service. There is a sign-up sheet to bring a sweet or savory on the Narthex table.

§  Celebration of Ministries! On May 22, 2016, at the 10:15a.m. service we will be celebrating the ministries of all the baptized of Grace Church. This includes the formalized ministries within Grace, and the ministries that go beyond the church.  Representatives of the many ministries of Grace Church will be invited to bring forth symbols of their ministry to place on and around the Altar. Just as we minister in our world through the Church, we minister to others in our daily lives. To offer to God your gifts and ministries in your daily life, we invite you to bring a symbol of your ministry with you to the 10:15 a.m. service. These symbols will be offered to God and to this community of faith and then placed at the Altar. More information on this celebration will be forthcoming, please watch for email announcements.

§  Parish Life Survey: During this season of Eastertide your parish has been in celebration and examination of the love that God offers to us all. To further the examination, please take a moment to participate in the Parish Life Survey.  In conjunction with the "What's My Gift?" sessions in Adult Formation each week and the Commission on Congregational Vitality event held last week, this survey will continue our efforts to live as members of the Body of Christ. Printed copies of the survey can be found in the Narthex or to complete the survey electronically go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2PT7KF.

§  Parish Music Survey:  We have concluded our open forums and the Music Committee is working towards forming a proposal of what this ministry is called to be after Dr. Dobey's retirement.  An additional aid in that effort is the following survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDMKWB8.  Please take a few minutes and offer your thoughts so that we as a family can best listen to how our Lord is guiding us.  

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th 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. There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Scholarships are available.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 12 (Sun 3pm) – June 18 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) – June 11 (Sat 12noon)

§  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