Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
18 January 2018
Today is the feast
of The Confession of Peter, commemorating the lead disciple’s words to Jesus,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mtt. 16.16). Jesus’ reply, that Peter is the “rock” upon
whom the Church shall be built (Mtt. 16.18) has been a source for debate over
the organization and governance of the universal church, but rather than focus
on these debates (at this beginning of what is observed as The Week of Christian
Unity), let’s focus on the context of Peter’s confession, of his declaration
about who Jesus is.
Peter confesses
Jesus to be the Christ after Jesus has asked His disciples who they understand
Him to be. The disciples have told Jesus
that the people of the land think that Jesus is perhaps a resurrected John the
Baptist, or the Elijah whom they await, or a raised Jeremiah or another
prophet. In other words, the
people—observing and hearing about Jesus’s works and His teaching—having tried
to “put two and two together”, to make sense of what is happening. Jesus then asks those closest to Him, “[W]ho
do you say that I am?” When Peter replied, naming Jesus as the Christ, the Son
of the living God,” it is then that Jesus both names Peter as blessed, “For
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”
(Mtt. 16.17), and as the foundation of the Church.
When we “put two
and two together” in faith there are many conclusions to which we may be
pointed. Such conclusions will, if based
in faith, not lead us away from God. The
people speculating about Jesus correctly identified that God being active, but
were very limited in their view of God’s activity. But speculations, and our own conclusions,
will never be complete in discerning God’s presence and will. What God does exceeds our dearest hopes! He surprises us, and acts in ways that we can
never expect. But, when we journey in
faith and are open to God, then God will reveal to us His presence and His
will, and in these revelations we may experience the blessedness of which Jesus
speaks in speaking of Peter. In this
blessedness we too may build upon the foundation. In
this blessedness we too may build upon the foundation, to proclaim to all that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God!
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Bob
and Anne Hanlon, and Jessica Ambelang and Bobbie May for the Sunday coffee hours,
with cleanup by Elizabeth Schaffenburg.
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!
Lenten meditation resource: We will once again offer a meditations
booklet in the parish, but an additional resource is available in Are We
There Yet? Pilgrimage in the Season of Lent (Forward Movement, 2017): https://www.forwardmovement.org/Products/2450/are-we-there-yet.aspx
In this book 7 authors walk with you through their own
pilgrimages, and how these relate to our Lenten journey. Fr. Jeffrey Queen, our 2017 Walsingham
Pilgrimage preacher, includes a chapter (week 2) in which what he describes in
his pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, here in Sheboygan.
Support for a
parishioner in prison: A member of the parish is in prison, at least
until next December. He would love to
receive letters. If you can write,
please contact Fr. Karl for details.
In
the current system of incarceration many things that we would otherwise think
of as necessities are not provided to prisoners—things like underwear, shower
shoes, stamps. Regulations do not permit
the supply of anything from outside the prison, but a prisoner can purchase
items through his/her commissary account.
If you want to make a donation to the commissary account for this
brother in Christ, please make a donation to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund,
marked “Prison Commissary”. And remember
Matthew 25.31—46!
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
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Music
Director: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude Voluntary
in D Samuel Wesley
Entrance Hymn 544 “Jesus
shall reign where’er the sun” Duke
Street
Offertory Hymn In a Monastery
Garden Albert Ketèlby
Communion Motet Panis Angelicus Donald Frazee
Closing Hymn 655 “O Jesus, I have promised” Nyland
Postlude Carillon Herbert
Murrill
Parish Notices:
§ Samaritan’s
Hand annual gala: Fr. Karl has purchased a table for the annual
fundraiser. Please contact him (by 2/1)
if you plan to attend. Suggested
donation for tickets is $85/person or $160/couple, but the seats are already
secured, and if you cannot afford the donation please come as a guest.
§ Sponsor
an “Every Day Hero”: Beth Boland, of this parish, a first year
student at The University of St. Andrews (Scotland), is participating in the
Every Day Hero Challenge, a “race” across Europe. Details may be found here: https://race2.everydayhero.com/uk/race2-barcelona-2
on how you can help sponsor Beth in raising money for charity.
§
Book
Study on Redemptive Compassion: The group study of the book Redemptive Compassion: The Defining
Difference has begun. The eight-week class will meet on Sunday mornings at
9:00 a.m. consecutively, through March 4 with the exception of January 28.
(There will be no class that day because of the annual meeting.)
§ Annual Meeting Reports: If you are in
leadership of any Ministry, please write a short report to be included in the
Annual Report and send it to Nicci: nbeeck @gracesheboygan.com ASAP.
§ The Annual Meeting: This
year’s Annual Meeting will take place next Sunday, January 28. We will have one Mass at 9:00am
followed by the Annual Meeting at 10:15am, which will include a light lunch.
You are encouraged to make every effort to attend, as your participation is
valued.
§ Call for
Vestry Nominations: Vestry elections will be held next Sunday,
January 28, at the parish annual meeting. We need at least six nominees, with
names provided to the parish office by January 20. You can nominate another
person or yourself. To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the
parish, which means that: (1) You are regular in your attendance on worship;(2)
You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year;(3) You are
active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of
giving; and (4) You are at least sixteen years of age. Vestry members are
called to lead. Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief
biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand
your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead. Vestry
members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings
throughout the year. (once per month).
§ Call for Diocesan Convention Delegates
and Alternates:
The 144th Convention
of the Diocese of Fond du Lac will be held October 19-20 in Fond du Lac. More details will be announced in the Spring.
We are
in need of four delegates and four alternates to attend and vote at Diocesan
Convention. If you feel called to serve in this way, please call the office.
Delegates and alternates are determined by volunteer order. In the event that
we have more than eight responses we will vote next Sunday at the Annual
Meeting.
§ Deacon
School:
The diocesan Deacon School courses in Old Testament (taught by Fr. Glen
Kanestrom of St. Paul’s, Marinette) and Church History (taught by Fr. Karl
Schaffenburg of Grace, Sheboygan) have begun. Classes meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
the second Saturday of each month, January – May, and September – December.
§ Auditors
are welcome.
If you wish to audit deacon school, contact Fr. Karl to receive details.
Note: Those in formation for the diaconate pay tuition. Auditors
are requested to contribute to the cost of the school, but if the offering of a
donation would restrict your attendance be assured that a donation is
voluntary.
§ Lenten Meditations: Our book of meditations, written by parishioners,
has become a treasured tradition to enter into the Lenten season. This year,
the 2nd-5th grade Sunday School class will also
participate to joyfully remind us what the scripture looks like through the
eyes of a child.
To participate:
Choose from the scripture readings on the
Narthex table. All are welcome to choose more than one. Sign your name on the
clipboard next to the corresponding scripture listed.
Read and reflect on the scripture for the
scripture(s) chosen.
Write a meditation based on what resonated
with you, or you feel called to share based upon the readings.
·
The meditation can be 10 words or 300
words (maximum, please); there are no rules and no right or wrong ways.
§ Submit
your meditation to Nicci nbeeck@gracesheboygan.com by February 5 to
allow production time. These meditations will be published in print and online
before Lent begins. In addition, meditations can be read aloud on Grace
Abounds, as part of our podcast series.
§ Bible
Challenge:
Videos for all 52 weeks of the year are now available on Grace Abounds. If you take this challenge, you will find
that in one year you will read all of the Bible! This will require less than an
hour of your time, six days a week.
§ A schedule of readings are provided
on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries and a weekly video
summary of the readings. If you need a good study bible for the challenge, contact
the parish office. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the mantle of the
Lord does fall upon us. We are equipped to discern God’s will and to lead
others to know and love and serve the Lord.
§ Diocesan Clergy Retreat, February 5-7: There will be
no Mass on these days.
§ Flower Schedule for
2018: Giving the gift of
flowers is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to offer thanksgiving for
your blessings. If you wish to sign up for a specific Sunday, the Flower
Schedule is available on the table in the Narthex. More than one person can
sign up for each Sunday.
§ Coffee
Hour Schedule: There is a new sign-up sheet for hosting coffee hour
in 2018. If you would like to host, please sign up for either 8:00 a.m. or
10:15 a.m. If you have any questions, please see Katy Larson at 893-6432. Thank
you so much.
§ Girl Scout Cookies! Sunday January 21 is
the last day to can be preorder Girl Scout Cookies for $4.00/box. Money will be
due when the cookies will be delivered at church (February or early March). Any
Grace Church youth member who is involved in Daisy/Girl Scouts should come in
their troop uniform to help work the booth and we will divide the orders up
equally between the participants.
§ Boy Scout Sunday: On Sunday, February
4, the Scouts will be joining us at the 10:15 Mass. If you are
willing to help Katy by bringing extra coffee hour treats, please let her know;
there will be a larger than usual crowd. Katy has graciously offered to host
but would like some help. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity.
§ 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.
§ 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!!!
§ Love INC Monthly Bulletin is now available
online at:
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