Taking God Seriously

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

16 August 2012

Be prepared is an old and useful motto.  We may keep this in mind when we consider whether or not we are prepared to participate in Holy Communion.  In this respect, I can but refer you to a wonderful (and brief) sermon preached by The Rev. Dr. Bryan Owen of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson, Mississippi, on this past Sunday.  The sermon can be found here:  http://creedalchristian.blogspot.com/2012/08/sermon-for-11th-sunday-after-pentecost.html .  Fr. Owen preached this in the context of the recent debates in the Church over whether Communion should be “open,” i.e., available to the unbaptized.  This requirement has not been changed, but even for those of us who are baptized, it is always necessary to consider in what spiritual state we find ourselves in coming to our Lord’s table.  Let us never take participation in our Lord’s Body and Blood as something that can be done casually.  As St. Paul teaches us, if we partake of the Body and Blood in an unworthy manner, we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves (1 Cor. 11.27-29).  This is why we offer a confession before receiving, and remember, saying the prayer is not in itself a complete confession.  In addition to saying the prayer we must call to mind and offer to God the sins we have committed.  That’s why the deacon pauses before invoking the confession and starting the prayer.

Take God seriously!  He is serious enough about you that He sent His only-begotten to die for us while we were yet sinner (Rom 5.8).

Fr. Karl is on vacation:  Fr. Karl will be away 20 through 26 August.  Morning and Evening Prayer will be offered each day, but Holy Eucharist will be offered only on Wednesday (5:30 p.m.) and Friday (12.:10 p.m.), through the offices of Fr. Okkerse.  There will be no meetings for The Bible Challenge or for Bible study.

Discipleship:  Beyond Church membership:  An 18 month program in discipleship launches on Saturday, 15 September, as a county-wide Episcopalian ministry with St. Peter’s, Sheboygan Falls, and St. Paul’s, Plymouth.  This program is entitled Being the Body:  Beyond Church Membership.  To avoid confusion with how we have referred to thanksgivings for service on this blog, the weekly thanksgivings will now be know as Grace Abounds.

Being the Body is a program to equip the faithful in discipleship.  Being the Body is an eighteen month program, comprised on an introduction and twelve sessions. 

1. Knowing:  Content will focus on how God reveals Himself to us, and His will for us.
1. How do we gain knowledge and experience of God?
2. How does God’s holy word inform and guide us?
3. How do prayer and worship reveal and form faith?
2. Being:  Content will focus on who we are as members of the one Body of our risen Lord.
1. Exploring our roots:  Confessional faith and Anglican identity.
2. Participating in grace:  sacramental life and the life of prayer.
3. Embodying grace:  covenantal life with each other and in the world.
3. Doing:  Content will focus on equipping disciples to reclaim the world for Jesus Christ.
1. Work–Study–Prayer:  Holy living.
2. Defense of the faith:  Getting a skeptical world to listen.
3. Proclamation of the faith:  testimony and evangelism.
4. Call and response:  discerning a call to serve; living in service by the Holy Spirit.

Call for Vestry Nominations:  Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting.  We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September.  You can nominate another person or yourself.  To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the parish, which means that:  (1)  You are regular in your attendance on worship; (2)  You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year; (3)  You are active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of giving; and (4) Your are at least sixteen years of age.

Vestry members are called to lead.  Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead.  Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

Pictorial Directory:  The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 September.  Please visit the parish website to schedule your appointment.  You will also receive an automated telephone call from the parish, which will provide details of how to schedule your appointment.

Grace Abounds:  Yesterday we buried Jeanette Raymond.  A solemn service mid-week, on minimal notice doesn’t just happen.  Please thank all those who we rely on to make our liturgies come together, including Scot Fabiano (as acolyte master and thurifer), Claudia Fischer and the members of the Altar Guild, Bill Gagin and Kaleigh Kraft.  In fact, consider that our regular Sunday worship could not happen the way it does but for the dedicated service of all of the altar party, including teenagers.  When you see someone in a cotta and cassock, please thank them!  This certainly goes, as well, for Ben Dobey.  Please thank him for the music provided both on Sundays and at special services (e.g., two funerals and Assumption within the past week).

At Barbara Jung’s funeral last week, the luncheon happened as a results of a lot of work by Bernie Markevitch, assisted by Barb and Bob MacEwen, Scot Gedemer, Fred and Gail Tyska, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, and Mary Snyder.  Bill May has certainly been busy with set-ups and take-down’s for the hall!

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge and the weekly Bible study session will not meet next week, due to Fr. Karl being on vacation.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Prelude                        Adagio in E Flat                                                          John Stainer

Proc. Hymn  #390       “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”                             Lobe den Herren

Off. Hymn  #477        “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine”             Engelberg

Comm. Hymn #324    “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”                              Picardy

Closing Hymn #542    “Christ is the world’s true light”                                 St. Joan

Postlude                      Two Chorale Preludes on ‘Lobe den Herren’             Max Reger

Parish Notices

§  Pictorial Directory: The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 September. Please visit the parish website to schedule your appointment. You will also receive an automated telephone call from the parish, which will provide details of how to schedule your appointment.

§  New Parish Directory updates: Please find a draft copy of a new parish directory on the table in the Narthex at Grace Church. If you would please look at your entry and make any changes necessary and then initial it so we know it is correct. We are trying to have as many email addresses as possible, it saves postage and much of the communication of the church is done electronically. We never give them out but. Thank you.

§  Sunday School Begins: We have a terrific new curriculum, several new teachers and a renewed commitment to enrich all of our children (and maybe some newcomers) with the love of Jesus Christ! Sunday School will begin on September 9^th at 9:00am. Please watch for more information.

§  Acolyte Training: If you have been an acolyte for years or would like to come and see what it is all about we will have a training Saturday August 18, 10:00-11:00 am. All children entering 3^rd grade or older are invited to become an acolyte! This is a great way to serve during worship and become an active member of our parish family! We will teach the basics of each position and learn to work as a team. Scott Fabiano, Father Karl and I will be providing a training and refresher for all acolytes. If your child is unable to make it, but would like to participate, please call or email the office.

§  Call for Vestry Nominations: Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting. We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September. You can nominate another person or yourself. To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the parish, which means that: (1) You are regular in your attendance on worship;(2) You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year;(3) You are active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of giving; and (4) Your are at least sixteen years of age. Vestry members are called to lead. Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead. Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

§  Youth participation is requested: As full members of the Body of Christ the youth of the parish are encouraged to participate in all areas of parish life. This includes: being a lector-reading the lessons, bringing up the gifts, both in the Holy Roller (the red wagon) and collecting the offering. A musical offering will be made by the youth on September 23^rd. Please contact Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com or Nick Whitford at njwhitford@gmail.com if your children are interested in participating.

§  Please Help fill up the Holy Roller: Our red wagon is brought forward every Sunday by the children filled with food for the Salvation Army and individual sized toiletries for Repairers of the Breach. Please remember to bring these items every Sunday for these worthy causes.

§  Help the Local Schools: The schools can receive up to $10,000 in Target giftcards for books or any supplies they need. Wouldn't that be great? All you need to do is vote for a school each week until September 8. For every 25 votes the school receives, Target will send the school a  $25 gift card. Visit the Give with Target app at Facebook.com/Target. And Vote!

§  The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton. 

The Challenge of Change

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

9 August 2012

The Challenge of Change:  When Jesus calls us, His first call is “Follow me.”  This means He is calling us on a journey with Him, one that we make together.  It also means that if we are not following we are not standing still, but are regressing.  If we are not growing in faith and discipleship, then we are diminishing.  The challenge this presents to every one of us is that “standing still” can be comfortable.  We all want to feel connected to God and to each other, and when activities and ministries in the parish are added to or changed in any way, this can cause us to question how we are connected, with whom, and who is driving the “program”.

Ask questions:  Ask the clergy and the parish leadership.  You should expect that a rationale must be provided to you for everything we do, and if you disagree with the rationale, then discuss this with clergy and leadership.  Ask yourself what you are called to do.  It may involve serving in a ministry, working on a committee, or something else.  If you want to be included more, then pray about what you are called to do and ask to be included more.  If you believe you need more information, ask for it.  All parish communications are designed to make as much information available as possible.  There are no secrets and no circle of those “in the know,” so if you believe more information is needed about anything, ask for it.

Pray:  Once you are satisified that you understand the reasons behind each ministry initiative, pray about how you are called to participate and respond.  God gives each one of us some gift by which to build up the Body.

Serve:  Respond to God’s call.  This can be in something as simple as intercessory prayer on your own, or can involve an active and visible ministry in the parish or in the community.  In serving you will be taking to heart our Lord’s call, “Follow me.”

Finally, note something very important:  Any of the changes in parish program only add to what we are doing already.  Nothing that we are doing is being taken away, so if you are not called into any of the additional activities or programs, you can continue to serve faithfully as you always have.

Call for Vestry Nominations:  Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting.  We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September.  You can nominate another person or yourself.  To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the parish, which means that:  (1)  You are regular in your attendance on worship; (2)  You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year; (3)  You are active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of giving; and (4) Your are at least sixteen years of age.

Vestry members are called to lead.  Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead.  Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

Pictorial Directory:  The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 September.  Please visit the parish website to schedule your appointment.  You will also receive an automated telephone call from the parish, which will provide details of how to schedule your appointment.

Rector’s Forum:  On Sunday, 12 August, a rector’s forum will be held to discuss the actions taken at General Convention 2012.  The forum will not be a discussion of issues at large in the Church.  It will focus on what we are called to, who we are called to be, and how nothing in this is changed by actions in the Church around us.

Being the Body:  Please thank Susan McIntosh and Michael Boland for pinch hitting and filling in as hosts at the coffee hour recently.

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 16 August session will review Week 24.  Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Prelude                                    Prelude on ‘Song 46’                                                  Sowerby

Entrance Hymn 408                “Sing praise to God who reigns above”

Offertory Hymn 523               “Glorious things of thee are spoken”

Communion Hymn 328          “Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord”

Closing Hymn 657                  “Love divine, all loves excelling”

Postlude                                  Voluntary in C                                                             Heron

Parish Notices

• New Parish Directory: Please find a draft copy of a new parish directory on the table in the Narthex at Grace Church. If you would please look at your entry and make any changes necessary and then initial it so we know it is correct. We are trying to have as many email addresses as possible, it saves postage and much of the communication of the church is done electronically. We never give them out but. Thank you.

• Sunday School Begins: We have a terrific new curriculum, several new teachers and a renewed commitment to enrich all of our children (and maybe some newcomers) with the love of Jesus Christ! Sunday School will begin on September 9^th at 9:00am. Please watch for more information.
• Acolyte Training: If you have been an acolyte for years or would like to come and see what it is all about we will have a training Saturday August 18, 10:00-11:00 am. All children entering 3^rd grade or older are invited to become an acolyte! This is a great way to serve during worship and become an active member of our parish family! We will teach the basics of each position and learn to work as a team. Scott Fabiano, Father Karl and I will be providing a training and refresher for all acolytes. If your child is unable to make it, but would like to participate, please call or email the office.

• Youth participation is requested: As full members of the Body of Christ the youth of the parish are encouraged to participate in all areas of parish life. This includes: being a lector-reading the lessons, bringing up the gifts, both in the Holy Roller (the red wagon) and collecting the offering. A musical offering will be made by the youth on September 23^rd. Please contact Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com or Nick Whitford at njwhitford@gmail.com if your children are interested in participating.
• Please Help fill up the Holy Roller: Our red wagon is brought forward every Sunday by the children filled with food for the Salvation Army and individual sized toiletries for Repairers of the Breach. Please remember to bring these items every Sunday for these worthy causes.

• Help the Local Schools: The schools can receive up to $10,000 in Target giftcards for books or any supplies they need. Wouldn't that be great? All you need to do is vote for a school each week until September 8. For every 25 votes the school receives, Target will send the school a  $25 gift card. Visit the Give with Target app at Facebook.com/Target. And Vote!
• Fr. Schaffenburg’s Vacation: Fr. Karl and Elizabeth will be on vacation from August 20^th through August 26^th. He will be back in the office on the 27^th.

• The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton. 
• 2:00 p.m.―Lecture on Bishop Grafton. Our scheduled speaker is Mr. Richard J. Mammana, Jr., of New Haven, Connecticut, Founder and Director of Project Canterbury, tentatively speaking on the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.
• 3:30 p.m.―Evening Prayer.
• 4:00 p.m.―Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.
• 5:00 p.m.―An “Old Fashioned Garden Party” in the Cathedral Close. Grafton came from a culture of Victorian Garden parties, which would have consisted of tea and coffee, bread and butter, biscuits, cake, sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and ice cream. Perhaps even a harpist.

Knowing, Being, Doing

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

2 August 2012

KISS is the acronym popularized many years ago in the United States Marine Corps for the observation and intent that things work best when we “Keep it simple, stupid.”   Recognizing that we are not dealing with stupidity in the parish, there nevertheless remains strength in keeping things simple, to allow for greater transparency and accountability.  As our Lord teaches, nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed (Lk. 8.17).  There is no secret in faith; there is no “inner circle,” and neither can there be in the life of the Church.

We are called to know God; to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior; to know the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth; and to know our Father as sovereign of our lives and of all life.  In knowing God, we are called to incarnate His love to all.  In loving God with all our heart and soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12.33), we must love our neighbors as ourselves.  In other words, we must be the Body of Christ in the world, and this involves and is made manifest in what we do in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ.  This includes all that we have promised to do in our own Baptism, in life together, in life of worship, prayer, proclamation, service, and care.

So, here’s the simple theme.  In everything we do in this parish; in all that will be communicated in further detail in the description of our Fall programs (to be published on 22 August); in all that is offered in the life of the Church, we will come back to the reality that to be disciples of Jesus Christ–to be active in faith in our own lives and in that of the world–we must manifest what is expressed in three participles:  Knowing, Being, Doing.  Whatever we do, and however we describe this, we need to relate our life of faith to how we know God and His will for us, how we become and live as His disciples, and how we embody His love and His will to all.  Every program will relate to one area of this reality (and often to more than one), so that everyone of us can always answer our own questions:  Who is God is my life, and how do I know His will for me?  Who and what does God call me to be as His disciple?  What is God asking me to do, and how does He equip me for His work?  When we can each answer these questions, and answer these questions together in common mission, then we will manifest God’s blessing and participate in this blessing, and then our prayer that God’s kingdom may come, and His will be done, will become not something we look forward to, but the very present reality of God being present in our lives.

Rector’s Forum:  On Sunday, 12 August, a rector’s forum will be held to discuss the actions taken at General Convention 2012.  The forum will not be a discussion of issues at large in the Church.  It will focus on what we are called to, who we are called to be, and how nothing in this is changed by actions in the Church around us.

Being the Body:  Please thank Pat Ford Smith for help in the office.  Please thank Susan McIntosh, Jűrgen Pietzner, and Elizabeth Schaffenburg for their work in developing descriptions of parish ministries, for a recruiting campaign.

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 7 August session will review Week 23.  Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Sunday, 5 August, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude                                    Andante in E                                                   Max Reger

                                                Melodia                                                           Max Reger

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

Offertory Hymn 307               “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor”

Communion Hymn 302          “Father, we thank thee who hast planted”

Closing Hymn 555                  “Lead on, O King eternal”

Postlude                                  Voluntary in C                                                            Henry Purcell

Monday, 6 August, The Feast of the Transfiguration

Prelude                                    Chorale Preludes on Lord, all my heart is fixed on thee

                                                                                                                        Krebs and Walther

Entrance Hymn 427                “When morning gilds the skies”

Offertory Hymn 137               ”O wondrous type!  O vision fair”

Communion Hymn 383          “Fairest Lord Jesus”

Closing Hymn 7                      “Christ, whose glory fills the skies”

Postlude                                  Chor. Prelude on The only Son from heaven Johann Pachelbel

Parish Notices

§  Youth participation is requested: As full members of the Body of Christ the youth of the parish are encouraged to participate in all areas of parish life. This includes: being a lector-reading the lessons, bringing up the gifts, both in the Holy Roller (the red wagon) and collecting the offering. A musical offering will be made by the youth on September 23^rd. Please contact Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com or Nick Whitford at njwhitford@gmail.com if your children are interested in participating.

§  Help the Local Schools: The schools can receive up to $10,000 in Target giftcards for books or any supplies they need. Wouldn't that be great? All you need to do is vote for a school each week until September 8. For every 25 votes the school receives, Target will send the school a  $25 gift card. Visit the Give with Target app at Facebook.com/Target. And Vote!

§  Hear about and discuss General Convention actions: All are invited to attend a Post General Convention Forum from 10am-12noon, Saturday, August 11th at All Saints, Appleton. Look for reflections on General Convention actions from our bishop and deputies over the next few weeks: Bishop's Video Chat and September Clarion (print edition) will include reflections from deputies and the bishop. Information and links about General Convention at diofdl.org/gc.

§  The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton. 

o   2:00 p.m.–Lecture on Bishop Grafton. Our scheduled speaker is Mr. Richard J. Mammana, Jr., of New Haven, Connecticut, Founder and Director of Project Canterbury, tentatively speaking on the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.

o   3:30 p.m.–Evening Prayer.

o   4:00 p.m.–Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.

o   5:00 p.m.–An “Old Fashioned Garden Party” in the Cathedral Close. Grafton came from a culture of Victorian Garden parties, which would have consisted of tea and coffee, bread and butter, biscuits, cake, sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and ice cream. Perhaps even a harpist.

§  Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries. It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined. Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15^th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations.