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Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving


Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
22 November 2018

Happy Thanksgiving!

When we are tempted as clergy to worry that “this might be the year” (in any given year) that a stewardship campaign will fizzle, may we be reminded of the giving hearts found in those who follow Jesus.  I write this before we know the results of our current stewardship campaign.  Results to date are very positive, but the examples of giving independent of the campaign include:
1     We made an appeal over two weeks for a $750 donation to complete a parish commitment as part of a campaign to establish a sober living facility for women in Sheboygan.  In two weeks you gave a total of $1,168.
2     We made one appeal for funds to aid in disaster relief in The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, following the devastating fire in Paradise, CA, and you gave $930 in one day.
Examples such as these speak to hearts formed in faith, hearts which are open to the Holy Spirit and formed in ways to then reach outward.  And it is in being formed by the Holy Spirit to reach outward that we come to know what thanksgiving truly is, for when we recognize the many ways in which God blesses us we are drawn to share this blessing.
I recently spoke with a parishioner who related how, upon awaking that morning, he had turned to his cat and said “God has given us another beautiful day to enjoy!”  Contrast this statement to what life can look like when we never give thanks.  To never give thanks means that I can focus only on what I don’t have, what I want and what I somehow feel is owed to me.  And whenever I feel I am owed something, the sin of covetousness and envy rears its ugly head.  To take a trivial example:  In a prior career I traveled extensively, and flew First Class with the many privileges of a “Million Mile Club” premier customer.  Or from time to time I flew in a corporate jet.  The contrast between this kind of travel and the awfulness of what now passes for being a customer in most airports, with most airlines, in Coach, could not be greater.  And yet, if I allow the contrast to prevent me from traveling, what is the result?  The result is that I won’t get to see those whom I love, or that I’ll not experience new locations.  To ever act like I am “owed” a premium travel experience is to fail to give thanks that I have people who I want to see and places I want to experience.
It is sometimes said that faith is a posture of the heart.  To pursue this metaphor, if this posture allows us to stand, then it is by this faith that our hearts incline to the other.  We “lean in” to the calling God places before us, offering thanks that we are called and equipped; offering thanks that God has given us another beautiful day to enjoy; offering thanks that it is by God’s grace that we may receive each new day as a gift.
If you wish to make a separate gift to the disaster relief campaign, follow this link:

Parish news!  Effective 20 November Nicci Beeck has been named as a Postulant to Holy Orders for further formation for ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons.  Nicci’s formation is scheduled to continue for another year.  Please continue to support her in her formation for the diaconate!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bob and Anne Hanlon, and Dcn. Paul and Andrea Aparicio for the Sunday coffee hours.
§  Jennifer Pawlus.

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.

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 Feast of Christ the King (Proper 29B)
                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude        Benedictus                                                   Alec Rowley
Entrance Hymn 544         “Jesus shall reign where e’er the sun”            Duke Street
Offertory Hymn 483        The head that once was crowned with thorns
                                                                                                            St. Magnus
Communion Motet           King of glory, King of peace            David Charles Walker
Communion Hymn 383    Fairest Lord Jesus                          Schönster Herr Jesu              
Closing Hymn 494           Crown him with many crowns                       Diademata
Postlude                         Allegro from Symphony                             William Boyce
                                                    
Parish Notices:
§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church Youth Group will be selling treats before and during the Sheboygan Holiday Parade this Sunday, November 25. The money raised goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade. Be sure to bring your friends!
§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, December 2, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered here at Grace beginning at 4:00 p.m.
§  Featured will be Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Organist and the Grace Episcopal Church Choir. The service is followed immediately by an Afternoon Tea reception. If you are willing to volunteers to bring food and/or clean-up, please see the sign-up sheet in Narthex.
§  St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will visit Grace Church on Sunday, December 9 during the 10:15 service. We invite all children to come and receive a special treat.
§  Salvation Army gift tags for 2 families: The tree is up, and gift tags for our two Salvation Army Families are on it. If you are interested in participating, please follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Ambelang at 918-5667.
§  Emmaus Meal Volunteers Needed: The Tripartite Emmaus Meal will be Saturday, December 1 at the Salvation Army Center. We will need 8 people to serve the meal, greet the guests and clean up from 10:30-1:15. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.
§  Advent Meditations: Our book of meditations, written by parishioners, has become a treasured tradition to enter into the Advent season. To participate:
§  Choose from the scripture readings on the Narthex table. All are welcome to choose more than one.
§  Read and reflect on the scripture for the scripture(s) chosen.
§  Write a meditation based on what resonated with you, or you feel called to share based upon the readings. The meditation can be 10 words or 300 words (maximum, please); there are no rules and no right or wrong ways.
§  Submit your meditation to the office, office@gracesheboygan.com by November 26 to allow production time. These meditations will be published in print and online before Advent begins. In addition, meditations can be read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series.
§  Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: Three (3) practice will take place on Sunday, December 2, 9 and 16 during the Sunday School hour. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Children’s Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.
§  2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Contest: It’s back! The Sunday School children will once again host and judge the ugly Christmas sweater contest on Sunday, December 9 in St. Nicholas Hall after the 10:15 service. The winner will receive a coveted award and have their picture on display in the Children’s Library.
§  Christmas Joy: On Thursday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m., interested members can meet in the church kitchen to assemble winter greens and flowers, bag cookies and then make deliveries. We need helping hands. Can you bake, make a delivery and/or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our homebound and elderly. They will appreciate it. Call Barb MacEwen (920.912.4505) if you have questions. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.




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