Ordinary Time

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

7 June 2018

We have now entered the “Season after Pentecost,” often referred to as “Ordinary Time”.  What’s ordinary about the life of the Church in this season?  The time is considered “ordinary” because there are no special observances and disciplines.  No special rules apply to the liturgy (as in Advent and Lent), and no customary disciplines are dispensed with (as in Eastertide and Pentecost).  We just do what we normally do, and so we need to ask ourselves, in all seriousness, “What is ‘normal’?”

It’s tempting to kick back in the Summer, and most parishes play right into this expectation.  We don’t have Sunday School, for example.  In part, this relaxation of routine for the Summer reflects the reality that people are busy with activities for which they have planned.  Holiday travel interrupts the pattern of regular attendance on Sunday worship, and so planning what can be offered outside of worship on a Sunday is complicated by the less predictable nature of how many people will be present on a given Sunday.  But, if we’re honest, we’ll quickly note that attendance patterns for the rest of the year have their own vagaries attendant on factors such as athletics schedules, hunting seasons, etc.  The issue still obtains, “What is ‘normal’?”  The answer to this question will be decided by each one of us, and by all of us as a Church family.

If we seek to involve God in our lives only in time of trouble, then we have defined God to be unnecessary in “normal” circumstances.  If we involve God in our lives only when we have time which is not occupied by another priority,  then we have defined God as an accessory who can help us feel better about ourselves.  In each case we have ignored the fact that God commands worship and observance of the sabbath, and so we have defined our own will to be more important than God’s.

God intends that our normal, ordinary lives involve Him at all times.  God sends His Spirit to us to equip us to live in the knowledge, love and service of Him, and in the Baptismal Covenant we have each promised to do some very specific things in living in this knowledge and love, and in living by service.  “Ordinary time” is ordinary insofar as it does not involve a special discipline (a reminder of who we are in relation to God and His will for us) or a special celebration.  Each and every day of our lives we are empowered and called to know God as Father (as God-beyond-us), God as Son (God-beside-us), and God as Holy Spirit (God-within-us).  When we recognize this abiding presence and call of God, then we recognize that our own lives are far from ordinary at any time of the year, because they are lives consecrated to God.  Lives lived in this way are the most complete form of testimony that we can offer to others of the love of God, of salvation by and through Jesus Christ, and of new life in the Spirit.  Lives lived in this way are lives lived “after Pentecost,” as Spirit-filled lives which call all others to the knowledge and love and service of the Lord.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Leslie Kohler for the Sunday coffee hour.

§  Bryan Stenz for lawn care.

§  Bobbie May and 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 Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 5B)

                                      R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                 Tranquillo                                                    C. Hubert. H. Parry

                             Chorale Prelude on ‘Melcombe’

Entrance Hymn      444    “Blessed be the God of Israel”                          Thornbury

Mass setting          New English Folk Mass                                     Timms & Warrell

Psalm Refrain –      “With the Lord there is mercy”

Offertory H. 525    “The Church’s one foundation”                                       Aurelia

Comm. H. 314       “Humbly I adore thee”                                          Adoro devote

Closing Hymn 533 “How wondrous and great”                                               Lyons

Postlude                Prelude in G                                                              J. S. Bach

Parish Notices:

·         The Rev. Dr. Kamal Farah will be teaching The Gospel in Context: Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Grace Church. Fr. Kamal was our instructor for our pilgrimage to the Holy Lands and taught The Palestine of Jesus. He was also our instructor for the pilgrimage to Greece where he taught In the Footsteps of St. Paul. Fr Kamal was born in the village of Kefar Bar'am in upper Galilee. He has earned PhD’s in Advanced Linguistics and State Church Laws from Catholic University in Sorbonne-Paris. He was ordained in 1967 and has served as rector of churches in North Galilee and Nazareth. He has also served the Diocese of Jerusalem in several capacities. Kamal was the course director at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. He is fluent in Aramaic, Syrian, Arabic, Hebrew and English. He is a master at teaching the Bible and its connection to the Holy Land. Plan on hearing about the Bible and the life of Christians in the Holy Land. His topic of speaking/teaching will be "The Gospel in Context" and will include a time of Q&A. Refreshments will be served. Please plan to join us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from this esteemed teacher. Really, you will not want to miss it! Mother Michele.

·         Summer Camp will soon begin: Nothing is better for a camper away from home than receiving a letter! If you would like to send our Grace Church Campers mail, please inquire about their names by calling the Parish office.

Camp Address:

Camper’s Name
FDL Camp
Camp Lakotah
N1875 21st Ave
Wautoma, WI 54982

When should the mail be sent? 

Senior Camp, June 10– June 16

Middler Camp, June 17– June 22

Junior Camp, June 17– June 22

KinderCamp, June 22 – June 24

·         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:
• Open the buildings
• Identify readers for the readings and the prayers of the people
• Light candles
• 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.

Call 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!

Please note: The Bishop will make his Annual Visitation to the Chapel on June 17 (Father’s Day).

·         Kairos Outside: 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.  It will be Oct 12-14 at a Conference Center near Wautoma. The cost of the weekend is covered. 

·         On Tuesday, June 12 from 7:00-8:00 p.m., there will be a meeting at Grace for those interested in learning more. The woman leading the weekend will be presenting. Questions contact: Fr. John Ambelang 920-453-8983.

·         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.

·         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. Contact Barb or Bob MacEwen at 912-4505 if you have any questions.

·         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.

·         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

·         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; please 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.

·         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.

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