Wahahoogrek!

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

14 February 2019

Oh, my God!  How often do you hear this expression in public, in the media, as a sort of catch-all expression of surprise—surprise which might range from pleasure to despair.  Very often the person using this expression has no discernable relationship with God, but even people who are regular in the practice of the faith can too often be heard to use the expression.

In my brief service in the U.S. Marine Corps I became used to that all-purpose short Anglo-Saxon word otherwise known as the “F bomb”, as what I came to refer to as the “universal modifier”—as an adverb/particle/intensifier/noun/etc. that could be included in any sentence or phrase, and generally was.  I got so used to the F bomb that it became like water off a duck’s back.  I didn’t really react to the use of the word; it became background noise, and to this day I don’t really react too much when I hear it in public.  My lack of reaction is in marked contrast to that of one dear to me who when hearing the word is shocked, and reacts in shock.

So let us ask ourselves the question:  When we hear “Oh, my God!” are we just treating this as background noise?  Would we have the same reaction (absent sufficient boot camp experience) if someone next to us in a line said, loudly, what might be semi-politely abbreviated as “WTF?”

Scripture commands (not suggests) “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain …” (Exod. 20.7).  The intention here includes that we not invoke God’s Name to curse another (as in “G_d d__n you!”), but also to recognize that the Name is itself holy and we are not to abuse this holiness, for example by swearing falsely.  Elsewhere in Scripture we are warned not to swear (Jas. 5.12) and to put away “foul talk” (Col. 3.8).  But ask yourself this question:  If you do react to WTF and don’t react to OMG, why the difference?  Why do you react to foul talk but not to the taking of God’s Name in vain?  Is it because OMG has become background noise?  If so, how do we change this, or how do we, at least, witness to the holiness that an invocation of God is supposed to require?

I would like to suggest a simple practice:  If someone you know blurts out OMG (or, more directly, “Jesus!” as an oath), say something like, “Excuse me, if you are going to swear, can you at least use your own name?”  This will often result in an awkward interaction, but it will at least plant the seed that God’s Name is not to be abused, and your own witness to the holiness of God’s Name will, over time, allow you to better live into the holiness to which we are all called.  Then, if you have to utter an expression of surprise it can be your own coined, eccentric, meaningless word.  The next time you stub your toe, if you have to yell, yell out something like WAHAHOOGREK!  And see who notices.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bill and Debbie Gagin, and Bob and Barb MacEwen for the Sunday coffee hours, with cleanup by Julie Davidson, Joanne and Zack Sorensen.

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 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Baptism of Our Lord)

                              Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                           Chorale Prelude on Deck thyself, my soul with gladness

                                                                                                            J.S.Bach                                                               

Entrance Hymn 477         “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine”       Engelberg

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

Communion Motet          God be in my head                                        John Rutter

Communion Hymn 339    “Deck thyself, my soul with gladness”              Schműcke dich                         

Closing Hymn 411           “O bless the Lord, my soul”           St.  Thomas (Williams)                    

Postlude                          Toccata and Fugue in D major               Johann Pachelbel

Parish Notices:

§  Adult Formation: The Language of Faith: Class continues at 9:00 a.m. in St. Nicholas Hall, exploring the language of faith. What words do we use to describe faith? How do the words we use shape our own understanding? How do words we use present barriers to those who have no experience of faith, or whose experience is different? All are welcome.

§  Lenten Meditations:  Our book of meditations, written by parishioners, has become a treasured tradition to enter into the Lenten season.

To participate:

Choose from the scripture readings on the Narthex table; you 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 office@gracesheboygan.com by February 20 to allow production time. These meditations will be published in print and online before Lent begins. In addition, meditations can be read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series.

§  Diocesan Clergy Retreat, February 25-28:  There will be no Masses or Bible Study on these days.

§  Shrove Tuesday Feast before the Fast: March 5 is Shrove Tuesday. A New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration in St. Nicholas Hall will follow the 5:30p.m. Mass.

§  Ash Wednesday: March 6 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and a day of fasting and penitence. We will observe this day with Mass and Imposition of Ashes at 12:10 p.m. and Solemn Mass with Imposition of Ashes at 6:00 p.m. This is a holy day and a wonderful way to begin your Lenten observance.

§  Lenten Formation:  Beginning on Friday, March 15, our Lenten formation will consist of a 5-part program involving:

Stations of the Cross in the church from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Simple Supper:  6—6:30 p.m.  Please sign up to host a simple supper (e.g., soup and salad), or to share a dish.

The Public Face of Faith:  6:45—8 p.m.  Fr. Karl will lead a series of discussions about faith which is lively because it is not private. In a militantly secular culture, problems like the dangers of growing up in a family which is not intact, or the psychological damage attendant on the “hookup” culture, or the damages to psychological health caused by the consumption of pornography are finally showing up in the popular media as problems to be named and addressed. But the media have, in general, treated the existence of these problems as “news”, as if we should be surprised.  We’ll discuss real examples of how:

What the Church has always taught now must be “rediscovered”, because a culture hostile to faith has never engaged in wisdom which has been handed down; and

“Rediscovery” is necessary because people of faith have not shared it.  Too many people of faith have bought into the model of faith being only private.

How we share our faith, how we speak to contemporary issues by addressing the cultural amnesia around us will be discussed using examples and interactive small group exercises. Join us!

§  Flower Schedule for 2019: Giving the gift of flowers is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to offer thanksgiving for your blessings. If you wish to sign up for a specific Sunday, the Flower Schedule is available on the table in the narthex. More than one person can sign up for each Sunday.

§  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.