Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
10 August 2017
“Here are the
treasures of the Church.” So said St.
Laurence, deacon of the church in Rome, to the imperial prefect. Laurence was roasted to death (on this, his
feast day) on an iron grate, in the context of persecution under the emperor
Valerian in the year 258. Laurence was
offered his freedom by the prefect if he would deliver to the government the
riches of the Church. Laurence produced
the poor people cared for by the Church, declaring them to be her riches. The prefect was not amused; hence the grisly
nature of the execution.
Laurence’s witness
illuminates the issue we always face when we are blessed materially. In this parish we have a history of being
blessed in ways that have resulted in a beautiful building, richly adorned,
inhabited by music of a high standard, with hospitality and gathering spaces
the allow us to do pretty much what we want.
This blog is published and republished using equipment included in a
generous donation that allows us to maintain online ministries. Laurence’s witness begs for us, then, the
question, of how we would define the treasures of this parish.
As stewards of
blessing we are called to preserve what we have been given, hence the recent projects
to repair the roof and bell tower. But
(and may Our Lord forbid!), if the church physical plant were to be destroyed
tomorrow, we would still be the Church, the assembly of those gathered in
Jesus’ Name, regardless of whether we were meeting on a vacant lot. What Laurence points us to is that the
treasures of the Church are her works, her witness, her ministry to literally
embody Jesus Christ.
In stewardship it
is common to speak of “time, talent, and treasure” as ways in which people give
to the Church. Let’s flip that equation,
and be so crass as to consider what the “return on investment” might be for
such giving. The ratio of return is
infinite, for the return involves lives
changed. Lives are changed both in
those who receive the word and care of Christ, and in those who give to enable
word and care to proceed forth, to many generations. The treasures that we can point to in lives
changed, these are indeed the treasures of the Church, bestowed by God’s grace
in how He allows hearts open to Him to become conduits for His blessing.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ All who helped in the
birthday reception: Jessica Ambelang,
Emily, Mary Grace and Emily Boland, Julie Davidson, Katie and Steve Larson,
Barb MacEwen, Bernie Markevitch, Bobbie May, Susan McIntosh, Jennifer Pawlus,
Elizabeth Schaffenburg.
§ Julie Davidson and
Bobbie May for janitorial help.
§ Ben Crouse for lawn
care.
§ Elaine and Gary
Dinstuhl for pastoral care.
§ Randie Barrows for
extensive maintenance work in the parish.
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 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
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14A)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude: Prelude & Fugue in E-flat (Well-tempered Clavier, Book II) J.S. Bach
Entrance 388 – “O worship the King,” Hanover
Offertory 441 – “In the cross of Christ I glory,” Rathburn
Communion 691 – “My faith looks up to thee,” Olivet
Closing 542 – “Christ is the world’s true light,” St. Joan
Postlude Prelude & Fugue in D Maj. (Well-tempered Clavier, Book II) J.S. Bach
Parish Notices
§ No
Noonday Mass on Monday, 14 August: The regular 12:10 p.m. Mass on Monday, 14 August
will not be held. A Mass will be held
for the funeral of Lillian Baily, at 11:00 a.m.
§ St.
Mary the Virgin (Assumption): Tuesday,
August 15th is the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, also known as the
Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We will celebrate with a Solemn Mass at 6:00
pm.
§ Thank
You!! Thank you Grace Church for all the
love and support you have given us in preparation for our wedding and for all
the help during the reception and for recording the ceremony and reception.
Special thanks to Bobbie May, Jon Whitford, and Nicholas Whitford. Sung Lak and
Deanna Yang Choi.
§ Coffee
Hour: We need volunteers for next Sunday
and September 24. Most of October,
November and December are still open. If you would like to host, please sign up
on the sheet found on the table in the Narthex. Please see Katy Larson if you
have any questions.
§ Blessing
of the Backpacks! We will be blessing all the backpacks and school children as
well as all the teachers, on August 27th at both 8:00 and 10:15
services. We will invite everyone, young and old, who are starting school to
come forward with their backpacks for a blessing. We will also ask all the
teachers to come forward to be blessed in their important work as well.
§ Choir: Choir rehearsals
begin Wednesday, September 6th at 6:00 pm. All voices are welcome,
but we especially need tenors and basses. You don’t need to be a trained
singer, an opera star, or a Broadway sensation – you just need a desire to
share the love of Christ through music! “Sing and make music from your
heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19
§ Biblical Greek to be offered:
Join us on Thursday evenings, beginning on Thursday, September 7th. (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.
§ Believing God: A
Women’s Bible Study by Beth Moore will be held every Monday in Nicholas Hall
10:00-11:00 a.m., September 11th through November 13th.
Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? Come and find out the power
and promises that are yours. A sign-up
sheet can be found on the table in the Narthex.
§ Mass
in the Grass: Please join us Sunday, September 10th, 2017
for an outdoor Mass and All Church Picnic together with the parish of St.
Peter, Sheboygan Falls and the parish of St. Paul, Plymouth. This event will
take place at Deland Community Center, 901 Broughton Dr., Sheboygan,
beginning with Mass at 10:00 a.m. with lunch following.
There will be games and activities for our children’s enjoyment. Inviting
guests is encouraged. Fr. Karl and the Vestry participate in a dunk tank as a
fundraising opportunity. There will be ONE MASS only that
day. We will be asking for donations of cookies/bars, potato chips, and
monetary donations to defray the costs which will be shared amongst all three
parishes. We will also be asking for volunteers for set-up and clean-up. Please
sign up on the sheets on the Narthex table.
§ Sunday
School Begins: We are getting excited about Sunday School! The teachers are
making plans for another wonderful year of learning about the love of Jesus
Christ! Sunday School will begin September 17th and registration will take place at Mass in
the Grass on September 10th.
§ How
to be Holy! Will be the subject of Adult Formation beginning September
17th. Physical health, such
as dieting and exercise, can be extremely difficult, expensive, and has limited
benefits. Spiritual health brings
earthly joy and has eternal benefits.
Amazing news! Becoming holy is
easy! It builds your spiritual strength
and stamina. God is your personal
coach. It only costs you
everything! Come and discover how you
can become holy as we read Peter Kreeft’s How to be Holy: First Steps in
Becoming a Saint. Jerry Molitor will
facilitate this course. The book is easy
to read, and we will limit the weekly reading to 20—25 pages. We will gather for seven weeks from 9—10 a.m.
in the fellowship hall, beginning Sunday, September 17th, to discuss this
spiritual guide. Do you wish to be
holy? Do you want to see yourself as a
saint? If so, let’s explore this
together. We hope to see you here! Bring friends! Please let us know if you wish to attend so
that we can order enough copies of the book. Copies can be purchased at the
discounted price of $10, from the parish office. (Mark checks “Adult Ed”.) If you need a scholarship for this, just ask.
§ 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
Mother 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 email Mthr. Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com.
There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.
§ 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.
§ Love INC Monthly Bulletin is
now available online at: http://mailchi.mp/538d2add4a38/love-inc-monthly-bulletin-1109929.
§ 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.
§ Sheboygan Christian Women’s Connection invites
you and a friend to brunch at Pine Hills Country Club August 22nd
9:30 – 11:00 am. Special Feature: Rand Schwoerer of Plymouth Cheese Museum,
Guest Speaker: Terry Rutherford “Do you need a hero?” Cost $12. Call Ann
Keckonen at 457-4318 or at keckonen@charter.net before
August 15th. For more information see the notice board in the
Narthex.
§ Grace Notes is
here: http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/.
You can sign up to receive the blog every Thursday
§ Like
Grace Church on Facebook:
@gracesheboygan
§ We
Are on Itunes! Check out the
new podcast!!!
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