"Let me tell you how I messed up."

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

26 April 2018

Yesterday we celebrated the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist.  Despite the order of books in the Bible, Mark’s gospel is understood to have been the first written, for much of Matthew and Luke are based upon it, even to the point of direct quotation.  Mark is widely equated with the young man who ran off naked when Jesus was arrested (Mk. 14.51—52).  He is described as the cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4.10).  It is related that after the first mission journey, from which Mark returned alone, Paul and Barnabas quarreled over whether to include him in a second journey, with Paul leaving with Silas, and Barnabas and Mark proceeding to Cyprus (Acts 15.37—40).  Importantly, Peter describes Mark as “my son” (1 Pet. 5.13), and Church Tradition early on attests to Mark’s gospel account being based in large part on Peter’s dictation before his own martyrdom in Rome (ca. A.D. 64—67).

In the plenitude of God’s grace, consider the testimony of how it is that Peter ended up as Mark’s mentor.  Peter—who three times denied Jesus during the Lord’s passion—was by God’s grace appointed to be present to Mark as a father in faith who could say, in effect, “You think you messed up?  That you didn’t have ‘the right stuff’ for mission?  Let me tell you about how God has used me despite my own failings.”

In the plenitude of God’s grace, consider how God has appointed another to mentor your own faith and/or how you are appointed to mentor the faith of another.  To be truly a father or mother of another in faith will not involve how one might boast of anything, but will involve how one can share in the smallness of self, in the humbling of self, necessary to be filled by God’s Spirit.  Peter as a man did not have the courage to proclaim the Christ to the High Priest, but Peter as the apostle empowered by God became the bold declarer of the Good News to all of the Sanhedrin and to all of the Church.

What you have to share in faith with one who is struggling will involve how your own weakness, doubts, failings have allowed you to recognize God’s mercy; how God delights in you as His beloved son or daughter because of the image and likeness of God in which you were created.  The smallness of heart that will allow you to share your own failings will be filled by the Holy Spirit, and it will be then that you can say, like Peter, “Let me tell you how I messed up.”  It will be then that your child in faith can be given the faith to become one who, like Mark, will lead others to know and love and serve God.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Greg and Brenda Burgett for the Sunday coffee hour on 15 April.  Apologies for the oversight last week!

§  Polly Schmeiser and Mary Snyder for organizing the bishop’s visitation reception this past Sunday.  Thank you to all who provided savories and sweets, and to the following for cleanup:  Pat ford Smith, Joanne and Zach Sorensen, and 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!

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.

Please contribute for photocopies:  The photocopier is being subjected to frequent use that relates to parishioner’s needs and not those of the whole parish.  If you need to make copies (and please keep this to a minimum), please inform a member of the parish staff and make a contribution toward the costs of the copies.  A suggested contribution is $0.6/page.  (We are trending above budget on copy costs!)

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 Fifth Sunday of Easter                            Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                             Trois Élévations                                         Marcel Dupré

Entrance Hymn 182         “Christ is alive”                                                     Truro

Offertory Hymn 477        “All praise to thee, O King divine”                    Engelberg     

Communion Motet           The Call                                   Ralph Vaughan Williams

Communion Hymn 512    “Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove”              Mendon

Closing Hymn 657           “Love divine, all loves excelling”                        Hyfrydol

Postlude                         Toccata in F                                      Dietrich Buxtehude

Parish Notices:

§  Adult Formation-Sacramental Life (Holy Eucharist) begins TODAY: Please join Leslie today as she guides 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. This is a 5-week course: April 22 & 29, AND May 6, 13 & 20. “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

§  Sung Compline: Next Sunday, May 6 , there will be a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by Sung Compline at 8:00 p.m. Compline, or night prayer, is a Christian service of worship dating back to monastic life in the Middle Ages. The choir sings The Office of Compline by candlelight; this is a beautiful and restful way to nurture one’s soul. A sign-up sheet for the potluck supper can be found on the table in the Narthex.

§  Spring Cheer: Spring Cheer is around the corner!  Daffodils should be blooming! We will gather on Thursday May 10 at 11:00 a.m. to arrange flowers, package cookies and make deliveries to parishioners. Your help is needed. Please sign up in Narthex.  Thank you!

§  Companion Diocese Sunday: On May 13, we will be participating in liturgical worship prepared for by the Companion Diocese Committee.  Additional information to connect us with our Masvingo, Zimbabwe brothers and sisters in Christ is available in this bulletin.

§  All Saints' Chapel Ownership: Memorial Day is just around the corner and that marks the beginning of our All Saints' Chapel season! We are blessed to have Fr. Patrick Twomey serving as Celebrant every Sunday. Services will continue to be a shared ministry, which means volunteers will be needed to have ownership of opening and closing the chapel.  Look for a sign-up sheet and checklist of responsibilities located on the Narthex table in the upcoming weeks.  You can also call the office at 452-9659 regarding dates you are available to take ownership. Thank you for your support of such an important Ministry!

§  Pray. Brats. Sleep. Repeat. Save the date: Saturday, July 7, Brat Fry at Miesfeld’s! (More news to follow; we will need your help) Brat fryers, stand attendants, baked goods attendants, bakers! Contact Barb or Bob MacEwen at 912-4505 to lend a hand now.

§  Summer Camp registration for camp sessions are now open: The Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders.

Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! The registration process is now completely online and includes availability to make payments. www.diofdl.org/camp

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 10 at 3:00 p.m.–June 16, noon.

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 17 at 3:00 p.m.–June 22, noon.

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 17 at 3:00 p.m.–June 22, noon.

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 22 at 4:00 pm–June 24, noon.

*Scholarships are available; inquire at the parish office.

§  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!      

§  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 bible for the challenge, contact the parish office.

§  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. Please email office@gracesheboygan.com to identify and claim.

§  Please continue to pray for those listed in this Mass booklet.

§  Bulletin Prayer List and our Grace Church Prayer Team: The Episcopal Church believes in the power of prayer. Grace Church regularly prays for our own members needs as well as for the needs of the country, and our world.  We would be honored to pray for your needs, and the needs of your friends and relatives if they or you are in trouble, sorrow, pain, or are experiencing any other adversity. Please call the Parish office at 452-9659 or email a request to office@gracesheboygan.com to have a name(s) put in the bulletin, Our Lady of Walsingham Chapel and/or out to the email Prayer Team. It is only necessary to share details if you are comfortable.

For example:

Please pray for John Doe for a heart condition that requires surgery.

Please pray for Jane Doe for a reason known only to her and you Lord.

Please pray for John Doe for peace of mind and healing.

          Or simply,

Please pray for Jane Doe.

If you are interested in receiving prayer requests as a member of the Prayer Team, contact the Parish office.

§  Save the Date-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday 30 June: Established in 1960 by Bishop William Brady, the Eucharistic Festival gathers the diocesan family to be united in its faith in the Presence of our Blessed Lord in the Bread and Wine of the Altar. In being so devoted, we can be united in making known God's presence to all people.​ The Festival includes the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop's Picnic, Evening Prayer and the Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. If you are interested in carpooling, contact the parish office.