Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
28 June 2018
Today is the feast day of St. Irenaeus of
Lyons (martyred in 202). Hailing from
Smyrna (now Izmir in Turkey), Irenaeus was instrumental in nurturing the
Christian community in the south of what is now France. As a native of Smyrna, Irenaeus had heard the
preaching of St. Polycarp (martyred in 155).
Polycarp had, in turn, known St. John the Apostle (d. ca.
100). St. Irenaeus, in other words, was
not only a Christian theologian and witness in his own right, he was also a
link in a chain of witness going back to the call made by Jesus to His
disciples. (Cf. John 1.35—51.)
On the feast of any saint we can remind
ourselves that each one of us is a link in a chain of witness going back to the
earthly days of Jesus, but we can remind ourselves, as well, that we stand
today as witnesses not only to what Jesus said and did, but to what He does,
who He is as the risen Lord. On this
feast, therefore, consider for a moment the links in your own chain of
witness. Who first taught you the faith? Who first took you to worship, or read you a
bible story, or shared their own faith with you when you had a question or a
problem to discuss? Each one of us has
been led to the faith by another, or by others.
Think, as well, about to whom God sends you to witness now.
In witnessing one of the most important
things we do is to remember. Indeed,
probably the two most important things a priest is charged with is to remember
and to listen. We are to remember (in
the sense of “do this in remembrance of me”), to make present again what Our
Lord has handed on to us in His teaching, and to literally make Him present
again in the Blessèd Sacrament. And we
are to listen, to hear and bear the concerns of those to whom we have been
sent. But consider, as well, how you are
called to remember and listen. You may
not preside at the altar, but no priest can make Eucharist by himself or
herself; it is required that at least one other person be present, for Our Lord
promises to be with us when we gather in His Name (Mtt. 18.20). You must remember, as much as the
priest. And you must listen, for in order
to lead any other to the faith you must first listen to him or her.
Irenaeus was buried in the church in Lyons
(then Lugdunum). In 1562 Huguenots
(early Protestants) destroyed the tomb and Irenaeus’ remains, in the name of
doing away with the cult of saints.
Regardless of how we might argue about the theology embodied in this by
the Huguenots, we can say that in what they did they sought to erase
remembrance. Being convinced of their
own rightness, their efforts to “remember” teachings in scripture they saw as
in conflict with the cult of saints kept them from listening to those who
thought and practiced otherwise. We
cannot remember when we do not listen.
We cannot truly listen when our remembrance of Jesus passes only through
the filter of our own convictions.
Irenaeus reminds us of the need to listen in remembrance, and to
remember while listening. His name
(which means “peaceful one”) speaks to the reality that when remembrance and
listening come together, we receive witness which endures.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Steve
and Katy Larson for the Sunday coffee hours.
§ Fr.
John Ambelang for lawn care.
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.
Special call! We have issued full and partial scholarships
covering diocesan camp expenses for 5 children in the community and the
parish. Funds have been disbursed from
clergy discretionary accounts, and we need help to replenish these accounts so
that unplanned-for aid can continue.
Please give generously. Mark on
your check memo. line “Clergy Discretionary Accounts”.
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
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8B)
R.
Benjamin Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Fantasy
in E Major Harold Darke
Entrance Hymn 390 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” Lobe
den Herren
Offertory Hymn 567 “Thine arm, O Lord” St. Matthew
Comm. Hymn 691 “My faith looks up to thee” Olivet
Closing Hymn 542 “Christ is the world’s true light” St. Joan
Postlude Voluntary in C William Boyce
Parish Notices:
§ Inmate
pen pal: A local inmate (known to Fr. Karl) is looking
for people to write letters to him. If
you wish to explore how you may be called to this ministry, contact Fr. Karl.
§ All Saint’s
Chapel in Elkhart Lake: The Chapel offers services at 9:00
a.m., continuing 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 for Sunday Service ownership. This includes:
§ Picking up the bulletins box at Grace Church
in Sheboygan
§ Arriving early on Sunday to:
o Open the buildings
o Identify readers for the readings and the
prayers of the people
o Light candles
o Greet Fr. Twomey
§ Locking up at the conclusion of Mass and
§ Returning the bulletins box and etc. to Grace
Church.
A printed list of
instructions is on site, in the event of questions, as well as a list members
available by phone to offer direct support.
all the Grace
Episcopal Church office at (920) 452-9659 to schedule ownership of a Sunday(s).
Thank you for your support of such an important Ministry!
§ Brat Fry and
Bake Sale at Miesfeld’s: Saturday, July 7, Brat Fry at
Miesfeld’s Brat Haus! A sign-up table is located in the Narthex. We are looking
for: Brat fryers, stand attendants, baked goods bakers, before the sale
packagers and attendants while at the sale. Questions? Contact Barb or Bob
MacEwen at (920) 912-4505.
§ 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. If you are interested in carpooling, please contact
the office at (920) 452-9659.
§ Diocesan polo shirts are back: Every few years a Diocesan Polo Shirt embroidered with the diocesan
shield is
available for order and purchase. 2018 is the year! These 65/35 cotton blend
shirts come in both men's and women's sizes. They are red in color and
without pockets. Shirts may be ordered and paid for online or by check. Pick up
your shirt at the Diocesan Office, arrange to pick up at a diocesan event, or
have it shipped by U.S. Mail. Prices start at $30. Order at diofdl.org/polo
§ Volunteer Opportunities-Transformational Ministry
Program, Love INC: Help local lives transform by sharing your time and your
God-given gifts to bless our Neighbors across Sheboygan County. Volunteers
needed are: Mentors, Class Facilitators, Childcare, Meal Prep/Food Donor, Set
up/Clean up, Greeters/Welcome Table, On-site Prayer Warriors and Financial
Supporters. To learn how you can provide a hand-up call or email Jenna at (920)
783-6701 or jenna@loveincsheboygancounty.org
§ Save the Date: Mass in the Grass, Sunday, September 9 at Deland Park.
More information will be available in the upcoming months.
§ Kairos Outside Weekend Retreat, October 12-14: This is an ecumenical Cursillo-type event for
women having been impacted by incarceration. Perhaps they’ve been
prisoners, or had/have family members, friends in the Corrections System. The
weekend is a time of support and encouragement in a Christian community of
women. The cost of the weekend is covered. If you have questions or would
like more information, contact Fr. John Ambelang, (920)453-8983.
§ 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.
§ 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
(920) 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.
