Being Jesus' Arms

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

15 September 2016

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  So said Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first inaugural address, to a country mired in economic depression.  We can recall these words, and add to them the far deeper words of the Apostle John, “perfect love casts out fear” (1 Jn. 4.18), when we consider our own questions about the Church in the public square.  This issue surfaced in the run-up to Mass in the Grass.  One parishioner expressed concern that celebrating the Holy Eucharist in public “might make us a target,” and when an acolyte fell during the service another expressed an initial fear that he had been shot!  This is, of course, a commentary on the state of our society more than it is a commentary on faith, but let’s examine how faith intersects with fears like this.

Recent data indicate that 43% of Americans now self-identify as those not having any religious affiliation.  If we consider, as well, that many Americans who self-identify as Christians are not active in any worshiping community, the reality is apparent that practicing Christians are a minority in this country.  The great (and easy) temptation is, therefore, to withdraw, to just group with like-thinking people.  And yet Jesus, speaking to people facing actual persecution, says “go”.  John, speaking to those facing actual persecution reminds that perfect love—abiding with God—casts out all fear, for if God is for us, who can be against us?

Many can and will be against us in how we proclaim the Good News of God in Christ Jesus.  But in the eternal present of God’s presence and blessing, their opposition, whatever its form, or their more common indifference or even contempt, amounts to exactly nothing as compared to God’s plan and reign.

Each of is in baptism “sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own for ever”.  Far from being tempted to withdraw, let us “press on the kingdom,” knowing that when we share our faith God is using us to plant seed in the hearts of those who do not know Him.  We serve a Lord whose sign is not a circle—something which encloses—but the Cross, that which reaches outward.  In the words of a prayer for mission from Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace:  So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name.  Amen.

God uses each one of us as these arms!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bobbie May for giving the kitchen a commercial grade cleaning.

§  Elizabeth Schaffenburg for service in pastoral care.

Mass in the Grass:  What a success this was!  There are many people to thank, and I’m bound to miss some, but we can start by giving a big “thank you” to Bryan Stenz, who headed the planning and execution committee.  I personally witnessed Bryan, together with Paul Aparicio, Randie Barrows, and Nick Whitford loading and transporting a van load of material late on Saturday evening, and after the celebration on Sunday.  (Thank you, as well, to Dcn. Mike Burg and Advantage Prototype Systems, Inc. for the loan of the van.)  Others worked hard in set-up and hospitality, including Mary Snyder and Tom Wright and Traci Revis.  Many people supplied savories, and Bernie Markevitch prepared salads.  Please let us know who else helped:  in providing food, in roasting the pig, in setup and cleanup.  We’ll add them next week.  We thank, as well, our partners at St. Paul’s, Plymouth, and St. Peter’s Falls, and all the guests who joined us in celebration.

Addendum:  Here’s a more complete list of those who helped with Mass in the Grass:

Pig Roasting: Ed Clabots, Bryan Stenz, Paul Aparicio, St. Paul's parishioners, St. Peter's Parishioners

Corn: St. Paul's parishioners

Side Salads: Bernie

Baked Goods and Chips: Grace parishioners, St. Paul's parishioners, St. Peter's parishioners

Buns and drinks: St. Peter's Parishioners

Setup: Randy Barrows, John Davis, Jim Gardner, Scott Gedemer, Tom Wright, Mary Snyder, Scott Fabiano, Paul Aparicio, Bryan Stenz, Nick Whitford, Ellen Aparicio, St. Paul's parishioners, St. Peter's Parishioners

Music: Nick Whitford, St. Peter's Parishioners

Ushers:  Ed Clabots, Scott Gedemer

Lector: Katy Larson

Crucifer: Thomas Sanders

Kids games: Pat Ford Smith

Sunday School Registration: Nicci Beck

Clean-up: Art and Nancy Imig, Paul Aparicio, Bryan Stenz, Nick Whitford, Scott Fabiano, Randy Barrows, Leslie Kohler, Pat Ford Smith, St. Paul's parishioners, St. Peter's Parishioners

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.

Energy Conservation!  Please treat Grace as your home.  If you turn something on, turn it off!  Don’t assume anyone else will lock or turn off.  Our utility bill was $300 above normal last month!

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”.

Update:  Our acolyte who was injured at Mass in the Grass is making a good recovery.  Many thanks for prayers!

The Processional Cross will be restored.  This will begin next Monday, and while the cross is out for repair (which will take some months) we will have a loaner.  For those who are responding to our appeal for help in defraying costs, please know that a parishioner has offered to match, dollar-for-dollar, all donations for this project, up to a very generous limit.  If you wish to help, please us a “Something Extra for Grace” envelope and mark “Processional Cross” on the envelope or in a check memo. line.

Music this Week:          The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20C)

                                      Organist:  Ben Dobey.  The choir resumes service this

                                      Sunday!

Entrance Hymn  518      “Christ is made the sure foundation”   Westminster Abbey

Offertory Anthem         “From the Rising of the Sun,”             F.A. Fore Ouseley;

                                                                                               Malachi 1:11

Communion Motet        “O Taste and See”                            R. Vaughan Williams

Communion Hymn 475 “God Himself is with us,”                                         Tysk

Closing Hymn 559         “Lead us, heavenly Father, Lead us,”        Dulce Carmen

Parish Notices

§  Parents!  Please prevent your children from playing in/with the wheel chairs.  Two have now required repair.

§  Rector’s Forum: At 9:00 a.m., on Sunday, September 18^th, there will be a Rector’s Forum on the music program going forward.

§  Sunday School: begins Sunday, September 18^th!

o   3-k through 1^st Grade with Mrs. Andrea (Aparicio), Ms. MaryAnn (Portz) and Mrs. Danielle (Whitford)

o   2^nd through 5^th Grade with Mrs. Nicci (Beeck)

o   6^th-12^th with Mr. Nick (Whitford)

o   The teachers have missed those familiar faces and are looking forward to some new ones, too.

§  Sunday School Snacks: One activity that is a favorite of the children is sharing in a snack together and serving each other in the Name of Christ. If you are able, we would so appreciate donated snacks and juice boxes.  Snack ideas include crackers, applesauce, fruit snacks, popcorn or any other non-perishable item you think they might like. String cheese, fresh fruit and veggies are also welcome, just alert Mrs. Nicci or Mrs. Andrea if you placed something in the refrigerator and we'll be sure to use them. Thank you!
§  Family Game Night: will take place Friday night, September 23^rd, 6-8 pm in St. Nicholas Hall.

§  Youth Group: will meet Sunday, September 18th in St Nicholas Hall, 5-7 p.m.

§  Cursillo Ultreya: This is a reunion of those who have attended Cursillo, but anyone is welcome to attend. Sunday, September 18th at St. Mark’s, Waupaca, 2-5 p.m. for fellowship, food and sharing stories of faith. Attendees are asked to bring snacks to share. Address is 415 South Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981

§  Adult Christian Formation: Begins on September 25^th at 9:00 a.m.  A six-week course, The Christian Worldview Through the Artists’ Eyes, will be taught by Christi Jentz, a professional artist, illuminator and iconographer resident at St. Josaphat’s Basilica in Milwaukee. The first class will explore the contrast between a Christian worldview and the secular, followed by a brief overview of Christian artistic expression from Early Christian times to the present day.

§  “Here I Am” Circle of Light Process: Do you ever wonder what God is calling you to do?  “Here I Am” is a six-month long process of meeting with other seekers and a facilitator to listen and discern God’s calling in your life. Perhaps God is calling you to a ministry in your neighborhood, at work, in the wider community or in your church. This small group meets every 2-3 weeks. The first session begins on Sunday, September 25^th, 3-5 p.m. at All Saints, 100 N. Drew St. Appleton. For more information, you may email Mother Jane Johnson at mthrjane@gmail.com 

§  Catechumenate will begin: Catechumenate is a nine-month course in the basics of the Faith and its practice. It is a period of training and instruction in Christian understandings about God, human relationships, and the meaning of life. It includes the Sacrament of Baptism, if you are not already baptized, and culminates in Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows. The Catechumenate will meet on an evening each week starting at 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The class will begin in late September and will continue until May when Bishop Matthew Gunter makes his annual visitation. The study is led by Deacon Michele Whitford, the Parish Catechist. If you would like to be a part of this exciting study and fellowship or would like more information, please call the office 452-9659 or e -mail Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.
§  Deacon Michele Whitford: is traveling Sunday, September 4^th through Wednesday, September 21^st.
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