The Resurrection of the Dead

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

15 November 2018

Do you make the Sign of the Cross upon yourself during our confession of the Creed?  It is a long tradition in the Church to do so at the words, “We look for the resurrection of the dead, …”  But why?  Why do we (many of us) do this?  The answer lies in a gray area between superstition and piety, and looking at the reasoning behind this practice allows us to reject the superstitious elements.

One of the original rationales for crossing ourselves at the reference to the resurrection comes from a time when the belief in Purgatory was mandatory.  Leaving aside any debate over the doctrine of Purgatory, the thinking was that we were to cross ourselves for those who could not; that making the sign of the cross upon ourselves would benefit the soul of a loved one in Purgatory, in which state (so the thinking went) the one undergoing purgation could not himself or herself do so.  We were to help one in purgation along the pathway to purification and blessedness.  The thinking behind this was one which gave rise, as well, to the sale and purchase of Masses for the dead, and of indulgences, and resulted in much corruption in the Church.  Even absent the development of abuses, while the sentiment of helping out a loved one was certainly noble, the “logic” of the practice was highly flawed, for on what bases could it be argued that a soul in Purgatory could not make the sign of the cross?  The very doctrine of Purgatory points to a zeal from those in that state to be purified.

So much for an origin that smacks more of folk belief than of sound doctrine.  Why, then, continue the practice?  To answer this we need to combine the creedal reference to the resurrection of the dead (and, to be clear, this is a reference to all of the dead, past and future) with the prayer made in the Great Thanksgiving of Holy Eucharist, in which we pray “Therefore we praise [God], joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven …” (see, e.g., BCP 362).  In making this prayer we acknowledge that the worship and adoration of God is timeless (that is, eternal), and that at the celebration of Holy Eucharist the kingdom of heaven breaks into this world.  We become one with the kingdom.  We live into our identity and vocation as those saved by Jesus’s sacrifice, marked as Christ’s own forever in our baptism (BCP 308). 

In addressing the Christians at Corinth, St. Paul refers to them as “called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1.2), then referring to these same believers just as “saints” (2 Cor. 1.1).  Paul is reminding the Corinthians that they have been “set aside” in Christ, and that to be set aside is to be holy.  If Paul were to write to those gathered at Grace, he might address us (as he does the Philippians) “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who at Sheboygan …” (Cf. Phil. 1.1).  He might address us this way for each one of us has been set aside, marked as Christ’s own.  Just as in making the sign of the cross with Holy Water we remind ourselves of our baptismal vows, in making the sign of the cross in referring (in the Creed) to the resurrection of the dead, we reaffirm our identity as those gathered with “all the company of heaven”.  We reaffirm that the Church is a universal mystery that transcends time, as the “Church Militant” (here) and the “Church Triumphant” (in heaven).  You have been marked, set aside.  Mark yourself!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bill and Deb Gagin, and Leslie Kohler for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Mary Snyder for pastoral care.

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 Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                            Jesu, dulcis memoria                                Walford Davies

Entrance Hymn 598         “Lord Christ when thou cam’st”               Mit Freuden zart

Offertory Hymn 665        “All my hope on God is founded”                          Michael

Communion Motet           I have longed for thy saving health              William Byrd

Communion Hymn 615    “Thy kingdom come!” on bended knee”            St. Flavian               

Closing Hymn 594           “God of grace and God of glory”                 Cwm Rhondda

Postlude                         Fantasia in C                                               William Byrd

                                                              

Parish Notices:

§  Salvation Army Bell Ringing: There are openings on November 24 at Woodlake Market in Kohler for the 3-5 p.m. shift and the North side Piggy Wiggly for the

5-7 p.m. shift. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table. Thank you!

§  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.

§  Thanksgiving Day Community Meal: A free turkey dinner will be offered on Thanksgiving Day from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 2722 Henry Street in Sheboygan. Take-outs will be available and everyone is welcome.

§  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!

§  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.

§  St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will visit Grace Church on Sunday, December 2 during the 10:15 service. We invite all children to come and receive a special treat.

§  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.

§  2^nd 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.

§  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 if you write your name on the envelope.