What may be Given

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

2 August 2018

How are you living into the kingdom of God by showing forth His kingdom to others?  This question occurs to me following a week of travel in which I experienced the vibrancy of another Episcopal Church parish.  The parish we visited (in Santa Fe, NM) was what would be considered (in most places) out of the mainstream:  High Anglo-Catholic liturgy (much higher than at Grace, with more choral participation); overtly conservative in theology and identity; focused in service ministry to at-risk children, etc.  There were specifics in the identity of the parish (as in all) that might be questioned by some, but the strength of the place was evident in how many ministries were listed for people to participate in.

When I compare the list of ministries available for participation at Grace to those in Santa Fe, I am struck by the fact that there is a lot of overlap.  The reality is that there are many, many opportunities for you to participate.  The greater reality involves, as well, that when you are active in ministry you are living into the kingdom of God by showing forth His kingdom to others, and that when we disagree in matters of identity and/or theology, the disagreement is swallowed up in the ministries in which we serve together.

You come to church because you believe; you profess a faith.  This faith involves trust in God as well as mental assent to a number of doctrinal descriptions about who God is and what His will for us is.  This faith calls you to serve God by serving His people.  This service includes how you are transformed and strengthened in faith, and as a person, in how you serve.  In other words, a completely passive faith is incomplete, and God calls us to fullness in faith.  To be clear, however, serving does not mean that you have to go out and “do something”.  You can serve God and His people by praying, by being present to each other.  What matters is that you make an offering of yourself not just to God but to each other.  By this you will experience how much greater the life of faith is when it is focused not on what can be received but on what may be given.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Anne and Bob Hanlon, and Polly Schmeiser for the Sunday coffee hours.

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!  Clergy discretionary accounts are provided for by church canon.  At Grace Episcopal Church the regular contributions to these funds are the loose plate offering for the first Sunday of each month.  This amount is not, on its own, sufficient to continue to fund things like jail commissary costs for prisoners (including parishioners), medical and housing costs, and work with victims of human trafficking.  Please give generously, with gifts designated “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 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                                Andante in E                                              Max Reger

                                           Melodia

Entrance Hymn 544              “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”          Duke Street     

Offertory Hymn 307             “Lord enthroned in heavenly splendor”     Bryn Calfaria

Communion Hymn 302         “Father we thank thee”                        Rendez á Dieu  

Closing Hymn 533                “How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise”                                                                                                                        Lyons                         

Postlude                                 Fugue in G                                   Felix Mendelssohn

Parish Notices:

§  The Transfiguration of Our Lord: On Monday, August 6 at 12:10 p.m., Mass will be celebrated for The Transfiguration of Our Lord.

§  The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: On Wednesday, August 15 there will be a Solemn Mass at 6:00 p.m., followed by a potluck supper. A sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table. All are welcome!

§  All Saints’ 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.

• 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.

§  Save the Date: Mass in the Grass celebration on Sunday, September 9.

St. Paul’s and Grace Episcopal Churches will come together in celebration for outdoor worship with Mass at 10:15 a.m. and a picnic lunch to follow. Location: Deland Community Center, 901 Broughton Drive in Sheboygan. There will be games and activities for children’s enjoyment and inviting guests is encouraged. More details to be shared in the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in participating in the planning committee, please contact the office at (920) 452-9659 or office@gracesheboygan.com.

§  Celebration of New Ministry: The Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac will host this celebration with its new Dean, the Very Rev. Patrick Perkins on Saturday, September 29 (re-scheduled from August 25). The Rev. Ezgi Saribay Perkins will be installed as Canon Precentor. All are welcome and invited to attend. The service marks the transition of ministry for the congregation and the priest as they live into a new relationship in serving the Gospel.

§  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.

§  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.