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Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Ultimate Reality


Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
15 March 2018

In the collect for this coming Sunday we pray that our hearts “may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found”, with the “there” in this petition being the “grace to love what [God] command[s] and desire what [is] promise[d]”.  We pray this having first acknowledged our own inabilities to govern our own wills.  In other words, we’re asking God to keep us grounded, that in the midst of the challenges and surprises of life we may find joy in the ultimate “home base”, God’s love.  Because the alternative is to be governed by our own wills alone, and we witness on a daily basis that the way the world “works” isn’t something in which we may take ongoing comfort and joy.  Our prayer is one that recognizes dependence on God, an essential focus in Lent, but a reality of which we must be constantly reminded. 
In the midst of the Last Supper, right after He has washed the disciples’ feet, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me” (Jn. 14.6).  This passage came to our attention in a recent Greek class, in which an assignment was to research the two most common meanings of the Greek word for truth (alētheía) in early Christianity.  The first is straightforward enough:  truth as the absence of deception.  But the second most common, and the sense as used in Jn. 14.6?  This is truth as the ultimate reality; the reality to be experienced when we can perceive clearly because we are focused not on ourselves alone, not on the fallenness of the world, not on the “swift and varied changes of the world” referred to in the collect for this Sunday.  This will be a usage that John comes back to in his letters and in Revelation, that beyond the day-to-day cares that can absorb us, God calls us into a greater reality, one of blessedness, one of joy, and one experienced in how we relate to God by keeping His commandments.
The psalm for this Sunday includes 13 verses from Ps. 51, the Miserere with which we began Lent on Ash Wednesday.  The psalm is thought to relate to David’s repentance occasioned by his adultery with Bathsheba.  David acknowledges his sin; he does not hide from it, but asks that God may forgive and cover this sin.  When we relate this reality to the adulteries that have given rise to the #MeToo movement, we realize that Lent also refocuses us on conduct which is judged by the external, objective standard of virtue, of right and wrong judged with reference to God’s commandments instead of by any subjective standard of “consent”.  Even if the transgressor can argue that his conduct was consented to, to do so he must first objectify the one whom is alleged to have consented.  And to do that, he must inhabit a moral universes in which the criterion of right and wrong is what is agreed to (i.e., only within a human frame-of-reference).  But we can often agree to what is wrong when we measure what is agreed to with reference to God’s commandments.  We can agree to the ways of the world and ignore the ultimate reality revealed in God dwelling in our midst.  In Lent we remind ourselves of our need for grace, of our need to live within God’s will, not our own.  The focus is on ultimate reality, on truth.

Are you called to leadership?  A member of the Vestry has been compelled to resign by reason of health.  The bylaws of the parish provide for the appointment of another member to serve out this Vestry duty for the balance of this year, subject to reëlection to a full (3 year) term in 2019.  If you wish to explore a call to leadership, what is involved, and what will be the priorities of the Vestry, please discuss this with any member of Vestry or the clergy.  Names of all Vestry members may be found in each worship bulletin and in the newsletter.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 
§  BSA Troop 801 for the Sunday pancake breakfasts.
§  Ed Clabots for disposing of discarded parish files.
§  Joann and Zack Sorensen, and Mary Tasche for the Friday Lenten supper.

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. 

Lenten Series:  In addition to the Lenten Meditations which will allow you to make your own pilgrimage through Lent with the insights of Scripture, prayer, and the devotional meditations offered by your fellow parishioners, please plan to gather on Friday evenings, 23 February—23 March.  We’ll begin with Stations of the Cross at 5:30, followed by a simple supper at 6 p.m.  (Please sign up if you can help with a supper.)  We’ll continue 6:30—7:30 with a program in which we’ll explore the ministries the parish shares in in the wider community, and how you can help.  Presentations will be made by:
§  This week:  Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO) will present concerning ministries to women and families in need, and about the operation of Bridgway  House.
Come to pray!  Come enjoy fellowship!  Come to learn!

Music this Week:          The Fifth Sunday in Lent
                                      Music Director:  R. Benjamin Dobey

Prelude                          Ah Holy Jesus and Christ, thou Lamb of God       J.S. Bach
Entrance Hymn 495         “Hail, thou once despised Jesus”                     In Babilone
Sequence Hymn 498       “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”                    St. Christopher
Offertory Hymn 441        “In the cross of Christ I glory”                            Rathbun
Communion Motet           I have longed for thy saving health               William Byrd
Communion Hymn           “I heard the voice of Jesus say”                          Kingsfold
Closing Hymn 488           “Be thou my vision”                                               Slane
Postlude                          Passacaglia in G Minor                                  G. F. Handel
         
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.
§  Stations of the Cross, Simple Supper and Presentation: Beginning on the second Friday in Lent (23 February) we will meet each Friday at 5:30 p.m. for Stations of the Cross, followed by a simple supper and Christian formation. Our program this year will feature the following presenters from community organizations that Grace Church supports:
·         23 February, Good News Jail Ministry
·         2 March, Samaritan’s Hand
·         9 March, Freedom Cry
·         16 March, Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO)
·         23 March, Love INC.
Please sign up on the sheets in the Narthex so we can share the number of attendees with the presenters and know much food needs to be prepared.
§  Adult Formation-Parallel Passions final class Sunday: Have you ever wondered how Jesus must have felt as he stood in front of Pontius Pilate? What was it like for him as he carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem to the place of execution? Did he know it was going to end like this?  How does this speak to us as we carry our crosses through the trials of life? We will walk with Jesus’ in his final days through his arrest and execution as seen through the eyes of the evangelists, Mark and John. Please join Facilitator Jerry Molitor today and on 18 March at 9:00 a.m. in St. Nicholas Hall to seek how Mark and John’s accounts of Jesus’ passion can inspire us to live in the hope of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. All are welcome. Bring a friend!
§  The Story of the Cross, Sunday from 5:00-7:00 p.m.: An invitation for all to come and experience the Stations of the Cross as told through prayer, Scripture, and film; to help us experience Jesus' road from Gethsemane to Golgotha in a new way. If you have been to our Friday night Stations, this Story of the Cross may be a great alternative experience. Using video clips from movies and films of all types to illustrate, and enhance our experience of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The evening will be contemplative on the whole, and will conclude with an opportunity for discussion - and a light meal (like spaghetti and/or soup). Please feel free to invite others. Open to ALL: all are encouraged to come to this unique experience - though, the recommended age is 10+. To help us plan food, please tell Nicci or Nick at the office how many will be attending with you.
§  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.     
§  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.
§  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!
§  Easter Flowers and Music: Please donate for Easter Flowers and Music. We enjoy the Beauty of Holiness in both the flowers that adorn the church and the special music which includes strings at the Solemn Mass on Easter morning. Please be as generous as you are able; call the office or fill out the purple slip found in the pews to indicate your wish for memorials and/or thanksgivings.
The deadline for returning to the parish office is TOMORROW, Monday, 19 March at noon.
§  Save the Date-Chrism Mass: Next Saturday, 24 March, 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. In the early church bishops baptized catechumens at the Easter Vigil with blessed oils. Over time this blessing was made earlier so oils could be used at the local level. This tradition includes blessing the oil of catechumens (adults preparing for baptism), oil of the sick (for anointing) and chrism. Parishioners interested in carpooling can contact the parish office.
§  First Communion Instruction: Pat Ford Smith will be providing Communion Lessons in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday, 22 April.  Classes will be held from 1:30-3:00 p.m. on the following Sundays: 25 March, 8 and 15 April. If you or your child are interested, please contact the office to sign up and for further details.
§  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.
§  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, 6, 13 and 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
§  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. 
§  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

§  Holy Week:  Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday of the Passion of our Lord.
§  Services in Holy Week:
Palm Sunday                   Holy Eucharist                 8 and 10:15 a.m.
Monday in Holy Week      Morning Prayer                8:45 a.m.
                                      Holy Eucharist                 12.10 p.m.
                                      Evening Prayer                5:10 p.m.
                                      Corporate Rosary             5:30 p.m.
Tuesday in Holy Week     Morning Prayer                8:45 a.m.
                                      Evening Prayer                5:10 p.m.
                                      Holy Eucharist                 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday in Holy Week Morning Prayer                8:45 a.m.
                                      Evening Prayer                5:10 p.m.
                                      Holy Eucharist                 5.30 p.m.
Maundy Thursday            Morning Prayer                8:45 a.m.
                                      Evening Prayer                5:10 p.m.
                                      Mass of Maundy Thursday 6:00 p.m.
                                      [Stripping of the altar.]
Good Friday:                   Morning Prayer                7:00 a.m.
                                      Good Friday Liturgy         1:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday:                Liturgy of Holy Saturday  9:00 a.m.
                                      Great Vigil of Easter        7:00 p.m.
Easter Day                      Holy Eucharist                 8 and 10:15 a.m.
§  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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