Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
10 May 2018
Today is Ascension Day, a Principal Feast of
the Church which commemorates Jesus’ bodily ascension to heaven, recorded at
Acts 1.6—11. What is described is
dramatic, certainly, but in focusing on the inauguration of Jesus’ reign we
should pay close attention to how we are players in this cosmic drama. Before He ascends to His Father, Jesus tells
His disciples “[Y]ou shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria
and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1.8).
God promises and gives His disciples power to
testify to the Good News. In Acts 1.8 we
encounter the “programmatic verse” for the book, and outline of what will
happen in the rest of Acts. First the
Holy Spirit comes upon the believers (at Pentecost). Then Peter and James and John testify in
Jerusalem, as does Stephen, the first martyr.
Then Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch in Samaria, and Peter
encounters Cornelius the centurion in Joppa (in Samaria), and then Paul begins
the missionary journeys that will take the Good News to “the end of the earth”
(it’s center, in Rome).
God’s grants this power and this charge to us
now, to be witnesses to all. At
Ascension we celebrate that Jesus has assumed His throne. He reigns, and much of our witness is
comprised in how we are seen to recognize this reign. Jesus never tells His disciples to worry about
how they are going to fit in. What He
send them to do—and what He send us to do—is guaranteed to result in them and
us not just fitting into the culture around us.
To the extent that the Church ever became comfortable with the power
structures of this world, it is because she became lukewarm in her faith. We are not called to be lukewarm, but to be
on fire; on fire with the Holy Spirit bestowed at Pentecost, and bestowed to
each one of us in baptism.
Be seen to be different. That is how you shall be a witness to the
inaugurated reign of Jesus Christ. You
are not given a bit role as “fifth business” in an out-of-the-way amateur
theatrical production, but a crucial role in the most important drama of all
Creation—the coming of the kingdom of God.
You shall carry the drama forward under the direction of a the supreme dramatist
who is both Author and director.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Wayne
and Pat Sather, and Bryan Stenz and Joyce Wessel for the Sunday coffee hours.
§ Ben
Dobey for gardening.
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 Seventh
Sunday of Easter (The Sunday after Ascension)
Dr. R. Benjamin
Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Chorale
Prelude on ‘Hyfrydol’
Geoffrey Vintner
Entrance Hymn 215 “See the Conqueror mounts in triumph” In Babilone
Offertory Hymn 307 “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor” Bryn
Calfaria
Communion Motet If ye love me Thomas Tallis
Communion Hymn 603 “When Christ was lifted from the earth” St.
Botolph
Closing Hymn 460
“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” Hyfrydol
Postlude Toccata
in F Vintner
Parish Notices:
§ Adult
Formation-Sacramental Life (Holy Eucharist): Please join Leslie 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. Sunday’s lesson will
be the final class in the 5-week course.
§ The 195th Commencement of
Virginia Theological Seminary, Thursday, May 17: The graduation of
(our own) The Reverend Roberta Ann
Kraft will be live-streamed in St. Nicholas Hall beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please
join us for this blessed event.
§ Prince Harry’s Wedding at St. George’s
Chapel, Windsor Castle: In the spirit of fun and fellowship, all are invited to
watch the Royal Wedding on Saturday, May 19 at 5:00 a.m. in St. Nicholas Hall.
Share in viewing an Episcopal service at its finest, while dining on quiche
prepared by our own Bernie Markevitch. A
sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.
§ All Saints' Chapel Ownership: Memorial Day is just around the corner and that marks the beginning
of our All Saints' Chapel season! The Chapel will have services every Sunday
through Labor Day weekend. We are
blessed to have Fr. Patrick Twomey serving as Celebrant for the entire season.
Services will continue to be a shared ministry, which means volunteers will be
needed to have ownership. We are
in need of help for each Sunday. This would include: picking up the box of
bulletins at Grace Church, arriving early to open the buildings, finding
readers for the lessons and the prayers of the people, lighting candles,
greeting Fr. Twomey, locking up at the end of Mass and returning the bulletins
box to Grace Church. There are printed instructions, in the event you have
questions, as well as members available by phone to offer support. 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.
§ Summer Camp registration for camp
sessions are now open:
The Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th
graders.
The registration
process is now completely online and includes availability to make payments. www.diofdl.org/camp *Scholarships are available; inquire at the
parish office.
§ Save the Date: Open House for Samaritan’s Hand, Inc. Sober House: On Saturday, June 2, there
will be an Open House to showcase the new Sober House. Tours, snacks drinks and
fun at 1406 N. 11th Street in Sheboygan. More details coming soon.
§ Save the Date-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday June 30: 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.
§ 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.
§ Save the Date-Diocese of Fond du Lac
Schedule for Ordination: The Ordination of the Reverend Roberta Ann Kraft to the
Priesthood will take place on Saturday, July 21, 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of
St. Paul the Apostle in Fond du Lac at 11:00 a.m. More details will be shared
in the upcoming weeks about this joyous event.
§ 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; please write your name on the envelope.
§ Lost and Found: If you have lost
something while at Grace Church, it may be in the office. Please email office@gracesheboygan.com to identify and
claim.
§ Bulletin Prayer List and our Grace
Church Prayer Team:
The Episcopal Church believes in the power of prayer. Grace Church regularly
prays for the needs of our own members, as well as 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 a state of 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, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and/or out to the
email Prayer Team.
If you are interested
in becoming a member of the Prayer Team, contact the office.
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