Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
14 September 2017
Today is Holy Cross Day. The hill of Calvary, upon which Jesus was
crucified, stood outside of the walls of the Jerusalem of His day, and
Jerusalem was, itself, razed by the Roman army in A.D. 70. In the second century, a Roman city, Aelia
Capitolina (named in honor of the emperor Hadrian and the pagan god
Jupiter) was built on the same site, with a temple to Jupiter erected over the
ruins of the Jewish Temple.
By the fourth century, Christianity had
become the favored religion under the emperor Constantine. As described by the Roman historian,
Eusebius, Constantine decreed that building of “imperial magnificence” be
erected in Aelia Capitolina (note that the name of the city was not
changed!), that pilgrims might be drawn to venerate the site of Jesus’
resurrection. In the course of this
building project, Constantine’s mother, the dowager empress Helena (St. Helena;
feast day is 18 August) undertook to excavate the site of Jesus’ crucifixion
(then to be found within the new city).
During these excavations a relic, believed to be of the true cross, was
discovered. Modern archaeologists
believe that Helena’s excavations were accurate.
The building complex decreed by Constantine
was finished on 14 September 335. This
followed a solemn veneration of the true cross on Good Friday that prior
Spring. The feast day for Holy Cross
reflects not the actual date of the finding, but of the solemn dedication of
the new shrine, which was intended by the new imperial regime to recapitulate
Jewish practice. Constantine decreed the
dedication to take place in the seventh month (September, on the Roman
calendar), to echo the dedication of Solomon’s temple in the seventh month of
the Jewish calendar (2 Chr. 7.8—10).
This parish holds an attested relic, purported
to be a very tiny fragment of the true cross.
This relic is displayed during Easter Week.
Collect for Holy Cross Day: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus
Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to
himself: Mercifully grant that we, who
glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and
follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, in glory
everlasting. Amen.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ All
who made the 10 September “Celebration of Grace” such a success: Andrea, Carver, Chase, Don and Nicci Beeck;
Julie Davidson, Kristi Ehler, Justin Panske, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Pat Ford
Smith, Mary Snyder, and Tom Wright, and members of the Vestry, and all presenters, tour guides, scavenger hunt
leaders, etc.
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
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19A)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude Alla Sarabanda, Musette Ralph Vaughan Williams
Entrance
410 “Praise, my soul, the King of
heaven”
Lauda anima
Offertory
Anthem “O how amiable” Ralph Vaughan Williams
Communion
Motet “God be in my head Philip Wilby
Communion 593 “Lord make us servants of your peace” Dickinson College
Closing 411 “O bless the Lord, my soul! St. Thomas (Williams)
Postlude Trumpet Tune in G David N. Johnson
Parish Notices
§ Clergy Retreat: Father
Karl and Mother Michele will be out of the office attending a clergy retreat on
Monday September 18th and Tuesday September 19th. There will be no mass on both days. In the
case of an emergency, please call Deacon Mike Burg on 918-9944.
§ White Board Selfie
Project. Following mass on Sunday, September 17th, a
member of the vestry will be present in St Nicholas Hall to take a photograph
of each parishioner. We ask that you hold up a white board with a word or
phrase you choose to express what you are passionate about at Grace Episcopal
Church. This will be an ongoing project to help us discover connections and
priorities amongst ourselves.
§ How to be Holy! Is the subject of Adult Formation beginning this 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 today, 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! Copies of the book 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.
§ Sunday School: begins
this Sunday, September 17th!
§ 3-k through 1st Grade with Mrs. Andrea
(Aparicio)
§ 2nd through 5th Grade with
Mrs. Nicci (Beeck)
§ 6th-12th with Mr. Nick (Whitford)
§ 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 Ms. Nicci or Ms. Andrea if you placed something in the refrigerator and
we'll be sure to use them. Thank you!
§ Stewardship Kick-Off Event: Next Sunday, September 24th
we will hold our kick-off event on Stewardship Revealed in Christ, Community,
and Compassion. After the 10:15 coffee hour, a presentation will be given
by the Stewardship Committee in addition to a meal of Italian cuisine prepared
by the Hospitality Committee.
§ 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 Mother Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
§ Parish Directory: As
you may know, a picture directory is ‘in the works’ for this fall. The first
step is to get the written information up to date. A print out of what we have
can be found on the table in the narthex. Please check your entry. Initial
the entry if it is correct, or write in any corrections necessary.
§ 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
Cortinaz at 920-464-0303.
§ White board selfie
project: After mass today a member of the vestry will be
present in St Nicholas Hall to take a photograph of each parishioner.
We ask that you hold up a white board with a word or phrase you choose to
express what you are passionate about at Grace Episcopal Church. This will be
an ongoing project to help us discover connections and priorities amongst
ourselves.
§ As a community, are
we really helping? Love
INC is sponsoring a community event and volunteer training. The community event is entitled “The Defining
Difference: Helping in Ways that Transform, based on the book Redemptive
Compasion, by author, Love INC of Treasure Valley Executive Director, Lois
Tupyi. This community event will take place at First Reformed Church, 927
Superior Avenue, Oostburg on Friday, October 6th 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
Registration fee is $10 The following day, Saturday, October 7th
volunteer training will be held, details of which can be found on the notice
board in the Narthex. To sign up for either or both events go to:
www.loveincsheboygancountry.org Fr.
Karl has 7 extra tickets: First
come/first served.
§ 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 your check out to Grace Church with Walsingham music or
flowers or both in the memo. Thank you.
§ Walsingham Pilgrimage: We need
accommodations for 15 choir members from Nashotah House for Friday, 13 October.
If you can take 1—2 choristers, please contact the office. You will
not need to provide dinner. (A light breakfast on Saturday, 14 October will
be appreciated.) You will need to provide pick-up and drop-of at the
parish.
§ Sheboygan Christian
Women’s Connection: Will be holding a brunch on Tuesday, September 19th,
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at Pine Hills Country Club. Ellein (Elly) Lutz will be the
guest speaker – “Goals, Strategies: Where is Your Life Going?” Special Feature
will be Christina McWilliams with The Dressbarn Fall Fashion Show. Cost is $12,
call Ann Keckonen at 457-4318.
§ 27th Annual Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign in which area
residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. Coats of all sizes
for people of all ages are accepted, with the need being greatest for
children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents
who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak
Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan, Friday, September 1st –
Monday, October 23rd, Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution
Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan, Thursday,
October 26th, from 1:00 – 6:00pm.
§ Coffee Hour Schedule: We
need volunteers following the 8:00 a.m. and10:15 a.m. masses this month
through beginning of November. If you would like to host, please sign up on
the sheet in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please see Katy Larson.
Thank you so much.
§ 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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