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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Do This


Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
29 March 2018

Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Middle English for “command”, from the Latin mandatum, with reference to what Jesus says at the Last Supper, after washing His disciples’ feet and after foretelling His betrayal.  He gives the new commandment (Jn. 13.34) that followers of Christ are to love one another as He has loved us, in self-giving.  So the words “commandment” and “love” figure prominently, but in focusing on how we can live into this commandment of self-giving love, it is in another two words that we get the directions we must take to heart.  These words are “do this”. 
The biblical accounts of Jesus’ institution of the Holy Eucharist all describe Him taking bread, blessing it and breaking it, and giving it to His disciples as His Body.  Luke’s account adds the specific command, “do this”, as does Paul’s description of the testimony of witnesses (1 Cor. 11.24—5).  “Do” is a verb stated in the plural form of address (“y’all do this”), with “this” being what Jesus does.  And what is this?  It is, in fact, the Holy Eucharist:  that we gather in the Lord’s Name; that we relive His teaching; that we make an offering of ourselves as He offers Himself; that we take and bless bread and wine, and then participate in this offering with Jesus.  Combine the plurality of the verb with Jesus’ promise that God will be present when “two or three” are gathered in His Name (Mtt. 18.20), and we receive the prototype of our principal act of worship, and (and this is the point) it is in real worship, in real participation in Jesus’ life, that we can, in fact live into Jesus’ commandment that we love one another as He has loved us.
By ourselves we cannot love in the ways that Jesus does; in the way that God loves us without reservation.  But in Christ we can, and we are in Christ when we gather in His Name and “do this” to make Holy Eucharist and to participate in this supreme self-giving.
In following Our Lord through the passion of Good Friday, through the descent into Hell on Holy Saturday, to the victory of life and love over death in the triumphant resurrection of Easter, let us remain focused on the reality and gift that He goes before us, and that we can participate in His triumph, in the fulfillment of God’s plan, in how we gather and “do this”.

Stations of the Cross:  If you were unable to make it on 18 March to experience the Stations of the Cross with the youth group, you're in luck! You can view the full program right now.
The link below will take you to a Google Drive folder which includes the full program video, and the booklet that goes along with it. If you don't use Google Drive that's okay, they don't require anything of you to use my link.
The program is basically an hour long. For the best experience, try to give yourself at least an hour of uninterrupted time. I would love to hear your reactions, you can find me at church, or email me at njwhitford@gmail.com
For any who are unfamiliar: Stations of the Cross is a tradition in some churches where, essentially, we tell the story of Jesus' arrest, condemnation, death, and burial through a series of locations, or stations (kind of like the chapters of a story). This version is special because we are using so-called secular movies to show how we can find God through our cultural storytelling.
Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday, there were about 30 people. I appreciated the conversation afterward, and am glad that you found it worthwhile.
Here's the link: http://bit.ly/VideoStations

Grace and Peace, Nick Whitford

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 
§  Bob and Barb MacEwen for the Lenten supper.
§  Wayne and Pat Sather, and Bryan Stenz for the Sunday coffee hours, with cleanup by Steve and Katie Larson.
§  Julie Davidson and Bobbie May for janitorial help.
§  Bobbie May and Bernie Markevitch for church decoration.
§  Andrea Beeck for donating children’s play mats for the nursery.

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:         

Maundy Thursday

Prelude                  Meditation on ‘Ubi caritas’                                       Larry Visser
                             Prelude on Adoro te devote                                    Healy Willan
Tract                     “Psalm 145:14-20”                                                   Plainsong
Entrance                “Hail, Zion praise thy Savior, singing”                     St. Thomas
Offertory  315       “Thou who at thy first Eucharist”                                   Song 1
Communion Motet Ave Verum Corpus                                                     Plainsong
Communion  314   “Humbly I adore thee”                                         Adoro devote
Procession to the Altar of Repose        
                             Now my tongue the mystery telling                        Pange lingua

Good Friday

Tract                     “Psalm 40:1-3, 12-14”                                               Plainsong
Veneration of the Cross                      
                             Adoramus te Christe                                              W.A. Mozart
                             God so loved the world                                           John Stainer
                             Behold the Lamb of God                                         Healy Willan
Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar    
                             Sing my tongue , the glorious battle                       Pange lingua                                                                                        
Easter Vigil

Offertory Anthem   Fanfare: Dextera Domini                             R. Benjamin Dobey
                             Christus Vincit                      Joseph Noyon, arr. Gerre Hancock
Communion Motet Most glorious Lord of life                                 William H. Harris
Communion 305    “Come risen Lord and deign to be our guest”                Rosedale
Closing 208           “Alleluia, the strife is o’er”                                             Victory
Postlude                Sinfonia from the Easter Oratorio                                J.S. Bach
Trumpets:
          Michael Winkler
          Scott Winkler

Easter Sunday

Organ Prelude       Concerto in F Major, op 4 no. 5                               G.F. Händel
Entrance 207         “Jesus Christ is Risen today, Allelulia”                    Easter Hymn
Offertory Anthem   Regina Coeli                                                          W.A. Mozart
Communion Motet Jesus, Sun of Life                                                    G.F. Händel
Communion 174    “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing”                               Salzburg
Closing 210           “The day of resurrection”                                          Ellacombe
Postlude                Toccata from the Fifth Symphony                Charles-Marie Widor
The String Quartet:
          Beth Warne, violin
          Katherine Brooks, violin
          Amanda Koch, viola
          Trischa Loebl, cello

Parish Notices:
§  Sacrament of Reconciliation: Lent is a time of self-examination preparing for the death and resurrection of our Lord. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered by appointment. Please contact Fr. Schaffenburg to set up an appointment to make your confession.
§  First Communion Instruction: Pat Ford Smith will be providing Communion Lessons in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday, 22 April. Classes have begun and will continue on 8 and 15 April from 1:30-3:00p.m.  Children will meet Mrs. Pat at the Ontario Street entrance.
§  Easter Vigil Dinner: The first Mass of the Resurrection is on Saturday, 31 March at 7:00 p.m. The Easter celebration then continues at Trattoria Stefano, 522 South 8th Street, at 9:30 p.m. The actual cost of the meal is a gift to the parish, so you not only get a delicious meal but you help the church by purchasing a ticket for the dinner. Tickets can be bought in the parish office or in the narthex after mass for $50 a person. Everyone is invited, but seats are limited. There are scholarships for anyone wishing to attend but are challenged by the cost.
§  Parish Spring Clean-Up Day: Saturday, 7 April has been set for clean-up of the Grace Church buildings and grounds.  (Rain date is Saturday 14 April) We will begin at 8:30am and work until noon. Please put this date on your calendar; many hands will make light work. A subs and chips lunch will be provided. A sign-up sheet is on the Narthex table.
§  Bishop’s Visitation: On Sunday, 22 April we welcome Bishop Matthew Gunter for his annual visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both 8 and 10:15 services. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Communions at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception to welcome Bishop Gunter and honor those Received and Confirmed. A sign-up sheet is located on the Narthex table for savories, sweets and clean-up.
§  The Feast of the Annunciation: We celebrate on Monday, 9 April at 12:10 p.m. the Eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, which commemorates the annunciation by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she will bear the Messiah (Luke 1.26-38).
§  Adult Formation-Sacramental Life (Holy Eucharist): Please join Leslie Kohler on 22, 29 April, AND 6, 13, 20 May as she finishes guiding us through the sacrament of Holy Eucharist using the book Sacramental Life by David DeSilva.
§  This book explores spiritual formation through the Book of Common Prayer. “Those that have participated before know that this is a fairly freeform guided discussion. I am as interested in learning from you, as I am teaching you.” -Leslie

§  Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Banquet: The annual banquet in support of ministry in the local jail is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 April (Blue Harbor, 6 p.m.) 
§  Fr. Karl; has 8 tickets available. There is no cost, but the cost of the meal to the ministry is $28.00, and you are encouraged to donate in support. There will also be a silent auction. Come and learn about how lives can be changed through the Gospel, behind bars as well as on the outside. For details contact Fr. Karl.
§  Annual Bake/Plant/Rummage Sale: This annual event takes place, in conjunction with St. Luke United Methodist Church Rummage Sale, on Friday, 27 April(noon–3:00 p.m.) and Saturday, 28 April (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
We are in need volunteers to provide baked items (brownies already provided) and help monitor the tables, set-up and take down. Sign-up sheets will be on the Narthex table after Easter Sunday.
*Do you have rummage items to donate? Please price and bring to the lower level room marked “Rummage Sale items”.
§  Spring Conference 2018: Faithful Innovation in a Disruptive Age, Saturday,
28 April, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Liberty Hall in Kimberly. https://www.diofdl.org/eventsblog/spring-conference-apr-28 Registration fee of $30 per person, includes breakfast, lunch speaker and supplies.  If you are interested in attending, but are challenged by the fee, contact the parish office. 
§  Monarch 74 Cursillo Weekend: Thursday, 3 May- Sunday, 6 May at Spencer Lake Christian Center in Waupaca.
What is Cursillo? It is a movement of the church.  Its purpose is to help those in the church understands their individual callings to be Christian Leaders.  The leadership may be exercised in work situations, in family and social life, in leisure activities and within the church environment.  Leadership, in Cursillo, does not mean power over others, but influence on others; all of us need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those around us. Visit http://www.monarchcursillo.org/ for more information or to register.
§  Save the Date! Summer Camp: The Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun!
Registration forms will be available soon. *Scholarships are available.
Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 10– June 16
Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 17– June 22
Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 17– June 22
KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 22 – June 24
§  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 is 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.
§  Ushers Needed: Ushers are often the first people seen by newcomers, visitors, and even regular parishioners when coming to Grace Church. People enjoy being greeted by a smile; become a part of this ministry today!
§  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.
§  Lost and Found: If you have ever lost anything while at Grace Church, it may be in the office lost and found box. Please email the office nbeeck@gracesheboygan.com to identify and claim.
§  Please continue to pray for those listed in this Mass booklet. Thank you.
§  Like Grace Church on Facebook
§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan
§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791




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