Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
7 September 2017
This coming Sunday, 10 September, will be a
“Celebration of Grace”! The double
entendre is intentional, for we will celebrate the outpouring of God’s grace on
this parish and people, and also celebrate the ministries of each other. There will be one service (Sung Holy
Eucharist) at 9 a.m., followed by a ministry fair, picnic style lunch, tours, a
scavenger hunt, and the beginning of the “white board selfie” project to
construct a parish mosaic. We’ll also
distribute our “Keep Calm and Kyrie Eleison” T-shirts (and take orders
for more). Come prepared to mingle (wear
your name tags, please!), to have fun, to ask questions, to explore
opportunities, to learn new things about Grace and the programs to be offered,
but come knowing that all of this happens after we first gather in
worship.
The date of “Celebration of Grace” was
originally designated for “Mass in the Grass”, but the venue became
unavailable. The date was picked to allow
a Fall program kick-off, but to avoid conflicting with the Labor Day
weekend. But guess what? Those practical, secular considerations
resulted in a date for which the lessons appointed all instruct in what it
means to be the Church; how we are to live in community; how we are to build
each other up in Christ, to together become Christ to the world. (There are no coincidences in God’s
providence.)
There is a lot to celebrate. If you have a friend or family member who is
curious about faith, invite them! (Alert
the office to any headcount, for meal planning purposes.) If you have a friend or family member who doesn’t
“do church” or is “mad at the church”, invite them! This is an ideal opportunity for them to ask
questions. We will seek to answer all
questions without challenging the questioner.
Our focus this Sunday might look a little bit
like it is more about us, because we will talk more about us. But our real focus, our reason for being and
for being here, is to participate in Jesus’ self-offering and redemption of the
world; to follow Our Lord, and to do this together. So, if you are not at all excited about a
ministry fair or any of the other activities described, still gather with us. Gather in worship, but then gather in
fellowship. Just be. Just be present, and know that your witness
is valued.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Anne
and Bon Hanlon, and Katie and Steve Larson for the Sunday coffee hours.
§ Randie
Barrows and John Davis for extensive maintenance work.
§ Ben
Crouse for lawn care.
§ Jennifer
Pawlus for pastoral care.
§ Nicci
Beeck, Pat Ford Smith and Cindy Weiss for Sunday School classrooms preparation.
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
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18A)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude Chorale Preludes on Lord Jesus Christ, be present now
J. S. Bach
Entrance 377 “All people that on earth do dwell” Old
100th
Offertory 400 – “All creatures of
our God and King,” Lasst uns erfreuen
Motet Rejoice, O Jerusalem Healey
Willan
Communion 488
“Be thou my vision” Slane
Closing 473
“Lift high the Cross, Crucifer
Postlude Prelude & Fugue in C Major J. S. Bach
Parish Notices
§ One Mass only: Sunday,
September 10th there will be at 9:00 a.m. Sung Mass with hymns
followed by a Ministry Fair and picnic luncheon.
§ Believing God: A
Women’s Bible Study by Beth Moore will be held every Monday in Nicholas Hall
10:00-11:30 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.
§ Sunday School Enrollment: On Sunday, September 17th Sunday School begins and we would
LOVE to see your children there. Sunday School is available for children
ages 3 through 5th grade. There is a sign-up sheet in the
Narthex as well as enrollment forms. Enrollment forms can be submitted to
the church office. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Ms. Andrea Aparicio (teaching ages 3-1st grade) or Ms. Nicci Beeck
(teaching 2nd grade – 5th grade).
§ Sunday School Snacks: It's
that time of year again! A time for learning and Christian formation with our
littles in Sunday School. 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 Ms. Nicci or Ms. Andrea if you placed
something in the refrigerator and we'll be sure to use them. Thank you!
§ How to be Holy! Will be the subject of Adult Formation beginning Sunday, September
17th. 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 by signing up on the sheet in the Narthex 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 Tuesday, September 26th 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and will continue
until May when Bishop Matthew Gunter makes his annual visitation. 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 study is led by Mother Michele Whitford, the
Parish Catechist. If you would like more information, please call the office
452-9659 or email Mthr. Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
§ Paper Drive: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
in Plymouth is having a paper drive! Please bring in ONLY newspapers (inserts
included). We cannot accept magazines or anything with a binding. A
semi-trailer will be in the Plymouth Furniture parking lot, 2133 Eastern Av,
Plymouth, the month of September. Drop off times are Tuesdays and Thursdays
4:00 – 6:00pm and Saturdays 9:00 – 4:00pm. Pickups can be arranged by calling
Jesse Cortinez at 920-464-0303.
§ Walsingham Music and
Flowers: The Walsingham Pilgrimage is just around the corner and
preparations are being made. We will have a quiet day with meditations
concluding with Solemn Evensong on October 13th; and a Solemn
Pontifical Mass with the Gaudete Brass again this year on October 14th.
Please donate so we can once again offer beautiful music that has become so
much a part of the pilgrimage and the flowers that add so much to the beauty of
holiness. Please make you check out to Grace Church with Walsingham music or
flowers or both in the memo. Thank you.
§ The Commission on
Congregational Vitality: will be hosting a workshop at the
cathredral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac Saturday, September 16th, on
managing change in congregations, to be repeated in each of the deaneries. This
workshop, presented by Leslie Gunter, the Rev. Diane Murray, and the Rev. Ralph
Osborne, is designed for both clergy and lay leaders. The workshop in each
location will begin at 8:30 with a continental breakfast, with program
beginning at 9 am. The day concludes by 3 pm. Other dates and locations are:
St. Anne, De Pere, Saturday, September 30th and St. John, Wausau,
Saturday, October 7th. A registration fee of $15 per person includes
the continental breakfast, lunch and materials. To register please go to: Register
at diofdlccv.weebly.com/workshops.
§ 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:
§ 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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