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Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Church Idea

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
27 July 2017

Today is the feast of William Reed Huntington, an Episcopal priest remembered for his book The Church Idea (1870), in which he argued that four key identifiers for the Church must be:  visibility; the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; unity; and a perpetual capacity for renewal.  Huntington enumerated four principals as the bases of Church unity, and these four principals were adopted in what became known as The Chicago—Lambeth Quadrilateral (of 1886 and 1888, and as found at pp. 876—877 in the prayer book):
a.    Holy Scripture as the revealed Word of God.
b.    The Nicene Creed as a sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
c.    The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
d.    The historic Episcopate (apostolic succession), as adapted locally.
These essential elements of unity form the ground upon which we can engage in any work intended to promote ecumenism and common mission, even when we continue to argue about specifics of doctrine.  But, when we descend from the altitude of efforts between denominations and confessions to the ground level of what we do as a parish, what Huntington first identified as principals of unity can become, in effect, measures. 
These measures must be experienced; they must all be visible.  We need to constantly ask ourselves:
1.   Are we visible in the community, in ministry?  How does this happen?  How can we become a more public presence?
2.   Are we seen/experienced to be Spirit-led and Spirit-filled?  Are lives changed, not only within the congregation but through the ministries of the congregation in the community?
3.   Are we seen/experienced to act as a body (the Body), rather than just as well-meaning individuals?
4.   How do we experience change and renewal?  How do we discern when changed is needed?
Any one of the questions enumerated above could be an area for focused reflection and discernment, and we can be focused upon all of them all of the time.  But when we are intentional about our identity as the Church and as the clergy and people of this parish in this place, God will renew us in how He uses us.  There’s no “idea” bigger than this!

Grace aboundsPlease thank: 
§  Andrea and Paul Aparicio for the Sunday coffee hour.
§  Julie Davidson for janitorial help.
§  Ben Crouse for lawn care.
§  All who helped clean the church from debris associated with the roofing project:  Nicci Beeck, Colleen Darling, Julie Davidson, Elaine Dinstuhl, Steve Gallimore, Dale Massey, Ty Massey.

Special “Thank You’ s” :  A supply of Thank You note cards can be found on the table at the back of church nave.  When someone in the parish does something special, take the time to write them a personal note.  Also, from time to time, think about who you might want to thank for ongoing service, and let them know you have noticed!

Call for ContributionsIf 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.

When you think about giving:  When you think about giving, consider that we are one of the only churches in the downtown area that’s generally open for any walk-in.  Consider this in light of the information and reflection included in the attached blog post:

Music this Week:  The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12)
                               Guest Organist:  Sandie Palmer

Prelude:     Hinno Ave Maris Stella                                  Girolamo Frescobaldi
Entrance       1    – “Father, we praise thee”                     Christe Sanctorum
Offertory     419 – “Lord of all being, throned afar”          Mendon
Communion 508 – “Breathe on me, Breath of God”          Nova Vita
Closing        613 – “Thy kingdom come, O God”               St. Cecelia
Postlude   Prelude in F major                               J. S. Bach
                                                                                                         
Parish Notices    

§  All Saints’ Chapel: We are in need of help for the following Sunday: August 13th. This would include: picking up the box of bulletins at Grace Church, arriving a little early to open the buildings, finding readers for the lessons and the prayers of the people, lighting candles, greeting the visiting priest, various other tasks, locking up at the end and returning the box to Grace Church. There are instructions printed and several people who would be able to help if you have questions. Please sign up for a Sunday or two on the clipboard on the Narthex table or by calling the office at 452-9659 with dates you are available. Thank you.
§  Please keep Bill in prayer: Bill May has been diagnosed with a compression fracture in a vertebra. This means that he will be on restricted duties. We have established a volunteer rota for items such as: fellowship hall set-up and take down; restroom cleaning; trash removal; floor cleaning; lawn care. Sign-up sheets are on the Narthex table. Thank you.
§  Special Ultreya Community Picnic: will be held Thursday, August 10th at St. Mark, Waupaca 5-9pm"Ultreya" means Onward! and was used by Christian pilgrims to greet and encourage one another. This word is used by the Cursillo community to signify meetings held after a Cursillo experience and friends and family are always welcome. It includes worship, singing, witnessing, teaching, prayer, and a good time. Bring a dish to share, your own plates and utensils, chairs and a name tag, if you have one. More information can be found at monarchcursillo.org.
§  Starter Kitchen Kits: A Love INC Ministry sponsored by Bethel OPC in Oostburg is in need of 1-quart and 2-quart sized pots, and bubble wrap to secure the breakables within the kits.  Please place your items in the Love INC Collection Bin located in the Narthex. This product drive with run through August 16th.
§  Freedom Cry would like to ask for your help and support in promoting participation and fundraising for our new Hope's Hearts Project going on now and through the end of the summer. They would love everyone to participate in this exciting art project and consider donating to cover our cost of materials.
o   Many youth are especially vulnerable to being lured by human traffickers in the summer. That is where the idea for Hope's Hearts wind chimes was born. It offers a positive activity for the community, especially youth, to engage in that will also accomplish the goal of reducing youth vulnerability.
o   The wind chimes include five words of encouragement on ceramic hearts, information on trafficking, and a call to encourage others. In the art studio time, participants will create ceramic hearts, stamp them with the selected words of encouragement, and put them together into wind chimes. These wind chimes will be spread throughout our community with special focus on the places known to be hiding spots or hangouts for runaways or youth who may be vulnerable to traffickers. 
o   When someone finds one of the Hope's Hearts, they will be encouraged to find someone else who needs a word of encouragement and pass it on. Together we can make a difference and change the atmosphere of our entire community! For more information go to www.freedomcryinc.org/donate
§  Biblical Greek to be offered:  Join us on Thursday evenings, beginning on Thursday, 7 September. (Classes will meet 7—9 p.m.) This is not a course about learning to speak Greek, and it is unlikely that you will become fully literate in the biblical language but, what you will learn is how to really dive deeply into the Bible by using a myriad of resources (online and in print) that will allow you to study the words in the original and what the grammar in the original may point to in meaning. There is a cost: $100—hence, the early notice. There will be limited scholarships available. We are opening this course to other churches, and will limit overall class size, so if you are curious explore your interest with Fr. Karl or Mthr. Michele.
§  Education for Ministry: How do I learn to make the Bible stories become my stories? How do I learn how God wants to bless me with more than I can imagine?  Join the EfM (Education for Ministry) group that is starting on Monday, September 11th. Two groups will meet at St. Peter’s Church House in Sheboygan Falls. The morning group is from 9:30-11:30 and the evening group runs from 5:00-7:00pm.  Scholarships are available, so don’t let the cost of $375 for this college credited class, stop you from joining. Registrations are due by August 1st so materials can be received before the first class. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189 for registration materials. The choice is yours—do you want to learn how to bring God’s mercy & delight into your neighborhood?
§  Grace Notes is here: http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/.  You can sign up to receive the blog every Thursday
§  Grace Abounds: http://www.graceabounds.online Sermons, podcasts, the Bible Challenge
§  Like Grace Church on Facebook: @gracesheboygan
§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @gracesheboygan
§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @gracesheboygan
§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!









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