Investing Value

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

20 November 2014

Six years ago on this date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached its lowest level in the twenty-first century.  Stock market values are now at all time highs, with the reasons offered for this being as numerous as opinions on what is and is not “good taste”.  Fundamental to any investment, however, is that the investor has confidenec in what he or she is investing in.  We invest value in things because we believe them to be valuable and/or to have potential for greater value.

The English word “worship” finds it origins in the Anglo Saxon weorscipe, which means to offer devotion to and invest value in something.  We come before God and offer what?  We offer ourselves.  In the words of the Holy Eucharist Rite I (at BCP 336) “... we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee ...”  An offering of self must involve sacrifice.  It must involve the sacrifice that I recognize that it is God’s will which must prevail, not mine.  My own will I invest in God’s, by giving up my will to His.

As we approach this Sunday’s end of the Church year, the Feast of Christ the King, may we each so “invest value” in God’s reign that as we soon enter the season of Advent it will be as those who look to our Lord’s coming because He reigns in our hearts already.

Grace abounds:  Please thank:

§  Scott Lubbers for the Sunday coffee hour.

§  Paul Aparicio and Scott Lubbers for substituting as servers at the altar.

§  Supplies for The Happening:  Fr. James Barlow, Nicci Beeck, Mary Clabots, Barb Drewry-Zimmerman, Katy Larson, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Pat Ford Smith, Mary Snyder, Emily Williams.

§  Jail ministry items and preparation:  Paul Aparicio, Jim Gardner, Mary Snyder, Kathy Wiegand (a friend), Jeremy Williams.

§  Nicci Beeck, Pat Ford Smith, and MaryAnn Portz, together with all of the Sunday School children, for packing the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.

Episcofacts:  Why do we use incense?  Why do some people make the sign of the Cross at specific times in the Mass?  Do we call it Mass or Holy Eucharist?  These are examples of questions many people have, particularly in a church in which many people did not grow up as Episcopalians.  Questions can relate to the “wy or the origin of a practice, about doctrinal statements, etc.  Staring this Sunday, at announcements we have focus on one brief discussion of an “Episcofact,” as a way to better understand our common identity, and the broad range within this identity.  This Sunday, we will begin with the sign of the Cross.  If you want to suggest topics or questions, please let Fr. Karl know.

Youth Events:  Happening Blessing and Future Events

This past weekend the Diocese held Happening #68, with several of our very own in attendance. Kaleigh K. was our Rector (weekend leader), with Bobbi K. as Observing Lay Director ready to take over for the next Happening in March, Dcn. Michele W. was Spiritual Director, Jon W. as a Dad, and Nick W. as Musician. We were very blessed on the weekend, and want to thank everyone who prayed for us, and came to the closing Eucharist.

In the next few weeks there are a couple of diocesan events for the youth. This week, Sunday Nov. 23rd, is Terminator Night at St. Thomas, Menasha. Terminator Night is a fun night to play a game. have a meal, and fantastic fellowship with other youth from the Diocese. 9-12th graders start with dinner at 6:30 and play until 8:30 pm. Those interested must meet at Grace at 5:00pm to travel, and won't get back until nearly 10 pm. It's one of the craziest games we do all year. We will reach out to the other youth groups to offer rides for this event.

Sunday Nov. 30 is both Advent 1 and the Sheboygan Holiday Parade. We will again be selling warm goodies to parade-goers. In years past we have sold hot popcorn, hot dogs, warm apple crisp, hot chocolate, coffee, and brownies. This is a great way to warm up on a cold night, and to jump into the Advent season in anticipation of Christmas! We are looking for volunteers to help setup and tear-down, and to serve food to our customers.The parade starts at 5:00 pm and usually last about an hour. Please stop by and enjoy all of the goodies. We'll be on Grace's corner of Ontario Ave. and 7th St.

Saturday December 6th, at Trinity Church, Oshkosh, will be the first informational meeting for everyone interested in the Diocesan Youth Mission Trip to Washington DC this summer. This will be a one hour meeting for youth and parents to learn about how you can participate. The mission trip dates (including travel dates) are: Saturday July 18 - Sunday July 26, 2015. More information may be found at www.diofdl.org/ymt . Sign-up deadline is set for March 1st, 2015, and there are a limited number of spaces available. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity please let me know so that everyone can get to the meeting.

December 13th, Noon - 4 pm, cookies and caroling at St. Peter's in Ripon. Join us for some lunch-time pizza, and cookie decorating! Then we'll take those cookies to a local nursing home to share and do some caroling. Afterwards we'll wrap it all up with communion back at St. Peter's.

Diocesan Tubing Day, Saturday, January 24th from 11:30 am - 4:30 pm. There is a cost of $15 per person, and this gets you 2 hours unlimited tubing runs, lift ticket, tube, and transportation there and back (from St. Thomas). Each individual student and adult must sign up separately. go to www.styg.com and click on "Sign Up For Stuff".

Please stay tuned for future events, the youth workers of the Diocese are trying to schedule an event each month so that the youth of the diocese can get together in fellowship, and service, and fun. Direct all questions to me, and I'll get the info you need!

Thank you for your support!

Nick Whitford
Youth and Family Ministries

text or call - 920-889-8003

e-mail - njwhitford@gmail.com

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

“Yet there is one thing wrong: you don't love me as at first! Think about those times of your first love (how different now!) and turn back to me again and work as you did before; or else I will come and remove your candlestick from its place among the churches.” (Rev. 2: 4-5, The Living Bible)

Ah, I get it now, Lord. At first, I thought you were talking to me, us individually, and upset that I, we, was no longer “in love.” That first breath-taking, mountain-top love & joy experience when I, we, first came to know you.

I said as much to you. 'We can't always be on the mountain top, can we? Sometimes we have to be in the trenches, don't we?' I didn't understand, so I pulled out the NRSV and read the passage there. It wasn't much help, so I went back to TLB and read it again. The light dawned.

You aren't talking just to me, or us (individually) but us as your church, your bride; the collective and individual churches. We, your bride, are not doing your work – ministering to the homeless, poor, sick, imprisoned, lonely, etc. We are not loving each other, in our church or in our community, and thus, not loving you.

Sure, we do somethings the last six weeks or so before your birth. But the rest of the year...well it seems we kinda forget and THAT is what has to change. We have to do your work every day of every week of every month of every year. Everyone of us as individuals and as your churches must be involved. We are your hands and feet, your eyes and ears, your heart and your loving touch. There are so many ways we can and must be you to others. Not just for the sake of their souls but for our own and that of the church.

Sweet Jesus, help us remember to act like you did. Help us step out of our safe, comfortable, circle and be you to those we do not know.                                              ―Martha Shad

Music this week:  Proper 29A, Christ the King

Prelude                         Benedictus                                                                         Karg-Elert

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

Offertory Hymn 460                 “Alleluia, sing to Jesus”                                             Hyfrydol

Communion Motet                    King of glory, King of peace                                                  Walker

Communion Hymn 383 “Fairest Lord Jesus”                                                        St. Elizabeth

Closing Hymn 494                    “Crown him with many crowns”                                          Diademata

                                   

Parish Notices

§  Salvation Army Adopt a Family Gift tags: We have the tree up, and all the name tags on it, for the Salvation Army Family gifts, please take a name or two and follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. Please return the gifts to Grace Church by December 8^th. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Thank you! To all who donated both items and money for the Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes. This a tangible way for us to see gifts given to children around the world and to celebrate a Merry Christ’s Mass through mission.

§  Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Join the Celebration on Wednesday, November 26^th at 7:00pm at St. Dominic’s Parish. Pastor Kristin Berglund will preach. Join in the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy fellowship and deserts following the worship. The Thanksgiving Offering will benefit the Salvation Army. We will need two people to serve as ushers and a reader, if you can help please call the office. Thank you.

§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church will be selling cocoa and coffee, brownies, apple crisp and hotdogs, before and during the Holiday Parade Sunday November 30^th. 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, 7 December, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered at Grace Episcopal Church, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

§  The festival prepares us for the coming of the Messiah by following the scriptural record through nine lessons, each followed by a seasonal carol offered by choir and congregation.  The choir will also offer seasonal anthems, and music will include Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey on organ. The service is followed immediately by a High Tea reception.

§  Christmas Castle Volunteers! On Thursday, December 18^th from 1:00-3:00pm Grace Church will participate in the Salvation Army Christmas Castle. This gives those in need an opportunity to “shop” for Christmas presents for their families. We are in need of at least 5 people to help. Please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Raking Leaves Fundraiser:  If raking your yard this year seems like too much of a task, then our Boy Scout Troop is here to help. They will be raking leaves by appointment. If you are interested please contact Paul Aparicio (paac92399@yahoo.com).

§  Youth and Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00pm beginning Wednesday December 3^rd, downstairs in the choir room. Additional rehearsals will be on December 10^th and 17^th these will be just before the Pageant rehearsals.  The final rehearsal will be Sunday, December 21^st at 9:00am. The choir is open to 2^nd graders through high school, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.

§  Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: will be on Wednesday December 3^rd, December 10^th and 17^th starting at 6:00p.m. The rehearsals will begin in the church and then go downstairs for costumes. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If your child would like to participate but cannot make rehearsals please note that on the sheet or call the office.

§  Christmas Joy: is scheduled to meet on Monday, December 22 at 11:00 AM in the church kitchen. At that time we will assemble winter greens and flowers and bag cookies, and then make deliveries (there is a sign up sheet in the narthex.) We need helping hands and money (to buy for packaging supplies and flowers.) Can you bake, make a delivery or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our shut-ins. They will appreciate it. If you have questions please call Barb MacEwen at 467-6909. 

Caritas

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

13 November 2014

Here is the text of the caritas letter sent (on parish letterhead stationery) by the parish to the participants at The Happening, our gathering of diocesan youth taking place this weekend (with our own Kaleigh Kraft as Rector, Bobbi Kraft is co-Lay Director, Nick Whitford as Musician, Jon Whitford as Dad and Dcn. Michele Whitford as spiritual director.)

WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU!

When I first became a priest I served a parish in the Diocese of Mississippi.  In that diocese we had a summer camp called Camp Caritas.  It was a camp for young children whose parents were in prison.  These children came from very deprived, stressful environments where it was difficult to understand what self-giving love is.  This was made clear to me at the first arrival of a busload of children.  When the children were greeted, they each received a backpack full of all the things they would need in camp, like shoes, a swim suit, tee shirts, fun stuff, etc.  They wouldn’t take the backpacks, but held back.  Why?  Because no one had ever given them anything without expecting something in return.  The world had taught them that “giving” was all about getting.

In The Happening you get to experience God’s love, and experience that His love is unconditional—it really is all about giving.  Part of the way God expresses His love to you is through the prayers of other people.  You experience His love in how you pray for each other, in how God’s Holy Spirit opens your hearts that you may be filled with love, and in how being filled with love you can share His love with all others.  And, even if you can’t quite put your finger on it, you experience God’s love by being lifted up in prayer by people who are not present with you, and who you may not even know.

At Grace we are praying for you, for every one of you by name, and for all of you gathered together.  We are offering prayers of thanksgiving that the Holy Spirit is already moving within you, to call you together in worship and praise, and in exploration of your faith.  We are offering thanksgiving that God’s Spirit has opened your hearts to now fill them.  We are offering thanksgivings for your witness to us, for how you show us what faith looks like when it is alive.

May Our Lord bless you in your gathering, and may the sparks of faith glowing in each of you be fanned by the Holy Spirit, that the faith which burns in you may be a light to us all!

In Christ,

The Rev. Dr. Karl C. Schaffenburg

Rector

Grace abounds:  Please thank:

§  Bill and Deb Gagin for the Sunday coffee hour.

§  Bill and Deb Gagin for All Saints’ Chapel cleanup on 8 November.

§  Bernie Markevitch, Barb MacEwen and Martha Shad for preparing and serving the Sunday birthday luncheon.  They also worked in cleanup, together with Makiah Shad, Paul Aparicio, Nicci Beeck, Julie Davidson, Paige Heule, and Pat Ford Smith.

§  All of the parishioners (twenty-one!) who rang bells for The Salvation Army this past Saturday.

§  Ben Dobey for gardening and cleanup in the columbarium courtyard.

§  The Boy Scouts for leaf-raking.

Congratulations!  The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter has named Dcn. Michele Whitford as Archdeacon of the diocese.  In this capacity she will serve as the “go to person” when diocesan gatherings are planned and executed, and she will work in the establishment and maintenance of a council of deacons with the bishop.  And, here’s an “Episcofact” for you:  The form of address for an archdeacon is “The Venerable ...”

Episcofacts:  Why do we use incense?  Why do some people make the sign of the Cross at specific times in the Mass?  Do we call it Mass or Holy Eucharist?  These are examples of questions many people have, particularly in a church in which many people did not grow up as Episcopalians.  Questions can relate to the “wy or the origin of a practice, about doctrinal statements, etc.  Staring this Sunday, at announcements we have focus on one brief discussion of an “Episcofact,” as a way to better understand our common identity, and the broad range within this identity.  This Sunday, we will begin with the sign of the Cross.  If you want to suggest topics or questions, please let Fr. Karl know.

Youth Events:  What's Happening!?

Happening is a weekend long High School youth retreat, organized and lead by youth, for youth. It is and has been a formative and trans-formative weekend for many people in their relationship with God and others, being a place where you can experience Christ in your peers and be Christ in return to your peers. Throughout the weekend there are games, skits, talks, small groups, music, and of course food. The whole weekend has been tailored and crafted to allow the Holy Spirit to work within the group to meet them where they are in their faith, and guide them towards a deeper faith in Christ.

This, like summer camp, is one of those events where the people you meet there are likely to be the people you will know for your whole life. If you let yourself participate, you cannot but help make new friends, and having friends who are on the same faith walk as you is empowering, and comforting because you can share your successes and lift each other up when you fall. My longest friendships come from Happening and Camp.

Happening is open to all High School aged people, and those adults who work with or want to work with youth. Happening is a one-time event which means that you can only be a participant once, but if you are interested in "doing Happening again" you may be asked to be on the team, to be a leader among your peers. There are of course adults on the team too, they play an important but relatively minor role in the weekend.

Happening was grown out of the success of Cursillo, by youth who wanted something similar for their age group. On any given weekend there are multiple Happening's being run, and there are people all around the world who pray for these events all year round. This Happening is #68 in the Diocese of Fond du Lac, and we have several members from Grace Church on the team. Dcn. Michele is Spiritual Director, Jon Whitford is a Dad, Bobbi Kraft is co-Lay Director, Nick Whitford is Musician, and Kaleigh Kraft is Rector (which literally means, she's in charge of the whole thing). This has been a labor of love, and a God stress on each of us, please keep us in your prayers. 

One last thing, if you can at all come to the closing Eucharist to show your support of the youth, and those present whom you know, you are welcome and encouraged to do so. Closing Eucharist will take place at All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton, this Sunday, Nov. 16th, at 2:00 pm.If you have questions about the weekend, and the different ways you can participate please contact Nick, Bobbi, or Dcn. Michele. Thank you for supporting the youth of Grace and the Diocese. 

In Christ,

Nick Whitford

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Music this week:  Proper 28A

Prelude                                    Prelude on Christe Redemptor Omnium                        Hubert Parry

Offertory Hymn 680               “O God, our help in ages past”                                      St. Anne

Communion Motet                  Give ear, O ye heavens                                                  Dale Wood

Communion Hymn 312          “Strengthen for service, Lord”                                      Malabar

Closing Hymn 5r41                 “Come, labor on”                                                           Ora labora

Postlude                                  Chorale Prelude on O God, our help                             Hubert Parry

Parish Notices

§  Adult Education: Sunday, 16 November, we will follow up on the discussion held on last Sunday, about the Holy Spirit. Our class will be about the dogma and doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and the life of this Person in the life of the Church, every believer, and the world.  Come armed with questions! Our Heresies course will resume on 23 November. 

§  Happening Closing Eucharist: The Happening Closing Eucharist is a time of joy, and you're invited. We have several people on team this time. Kaleigh Kraft is the Rector, Bobbi Kraft is Co-Lay Director, Nick Whitford is musician, Jon Whitford is a dad, and Deacon Michele is Spiritual Director. Come and celebrate at the Closing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 16th at All Saints, Appleton. We hope to see you there! More details at diofdl.org/happening.

§  Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes: This Sunday November 16^th , 9:00 am, we will be packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child downstairs in the 4K-2nd classroom.  These will be delivered to Sonlight Books for shipment.  It's a real delight to see what our Grace kids put into their "gift" to be shipped to another country.  The cost of shipping is $7.00 per box, and we have received some donations. If you want to help with this cost please make checks payable to Operation Christmas Child.  There is a little store set up in the classroom.  We could use some of the following "new" items:  pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, markers, individually wrapped hard candy, fun sun glasses, small toys or stuffed animals, hair accessories, or anything you think would fit into a shoebox size container that would be fun for a child.  Each box wilI have soap, washcloth, toothbrush and paste.  If you have any questions contact Pat Ford Smith: 458-0355 or 918-1492 or by e-mail:  patfordsmith83@gmail.com or Nicci Beeck: 208-7243.  God bless you and thank you for your generosity.  

§  No Mass: There will not be 12:10pm mass Monday, November 17^th. Fr. Karl will be at a meeting in Appleton.

§  Life Line Screening: Grace Church is pleased to offer a preventive health event.  Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on 11/20/2014. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete.  In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.

§  Salvation Army Adopt a Family Gift tags: We have the tree up, and all the name tags on it, for the Salvation Army Family gifts, please take a name or two and follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. Please return the gifts to Grace Church by December 8^th. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Join the Celebration on Wednesday, November 26^th at 7:00pm at St. Dominic’s Parish. Pastor Kristin Berglund will preach. Join in the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy fellowship and deserts following the worship. The Thanksgiving Offering will benefit the Salvation Army. We will need two people to serve as ushers and a reader, if you can help please call the office. Thank you.

§  Christmas Castle Volunteers! On Thursday, December 18^th from 1:00-3:00pm Grace Church will participate in the Salvation Army Christmas Castle. This gives those in need an opportunity to “shop” for Christmas presents for their families. We are in need of at least 5 people to help. Please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Raking Leaves Fundraiser:  If raking your yard this year seems like too much of a task, then our Boy Scout Troop is here to help. They will be raking leaves by appointment. If you are interested please contact Paul Aparicio (paac92399@yahoo.com).

Witnessing to The Witnesses

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

6 November 2014

Witnessing to The Witnesses:  What happens when Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) knock on your door?  Do you freeze and act like no one’s home?  Or do you open the door and say “I’m too busy and not interested, good bye”?  In the past I would do something similar to that.  I would tell them I’m an Episcopalian and confident in my beliefs and I’m not buying what they are selling.  Earlier this year I decided to take a different approach.

So at the beginning of the summer it was my neighborhood’s turn to hear the JW’s so-called evangelism.  I heard the knock and thought to myself let’s see what they have to say.  They asked if I was a Christian and if I read The Bible.  I said I was and that I don’t read as often as I would like but that I was familiar with Scripture.  They then proceeded to dive into picking certain verses that held up their arguments that the end of the world is around the corner, I should be preparing for it, and that Jesus isn’t God.  As I listened to them and what “their” bible says, I thought to myself: I know I don’t believe their arguments but do I really know that?  I mean I have faith in my beliefs but do I truly know them, know how to explain or defend them, and in the true sense be a witness to my beliefs?  After about 20 minutes they concluded their bombardment of cherry-picking verses and asked if they could come back another time to discuss more.  So I said yes. 

The reason I said yes wasn’t that I wanted to prepare my defense and prove I was right and they were wrong.  I said yes because I believe God was telling me, “Paul, I want you to have a deeper understanding of your faith.”  For me I have always interacted with God and feel blessed to have known him early in my time and have grown up relying on him through the roller coaster of life.  So it’s great that my faith is strong but what is greater is when it grows.  One avenue towards that growth is becoming an active student of His Word and listening to it.  Without study, without practice, my faith won’t grow.  Now this doesn’t mean that I should just read The Bible front to back and memorize verses to hold up the arguments of the Church.  That is the failing of the JW approach.  Their arguments lack any real connection with who God is and what He is teaching us.  There’s a big difference between “reading words” and “listening to His Word”.  To read the words is simple but to listen to them is much more complex, and granted, is difficult.  But through practice God reveals who He is and His calling you should follow.

So five months later, I find myself regularly analyzing Scripture, reading commentary on it, and taking part in the Daily Office.  This has poured over into my perspective on being involved with the Vestry and what God is calling me to be at Grace.  I’m not sure I would have stepped up my faithful study if I decided five months ago to shun the JWs away like I always have in the past.  I’ve met with them six times since our first encounter and each time I re-affirm that my faith is strong and that my understanding of it is getting deeper.  And I am finding ways that I can be a witness in front of people that clearly don’t know who God is.  The next time there is knocking on your beliefs don’t assume it’s just those pagans again trying to preach nonsense.  Maybe it’s God telling you to study your faith and be a witness to it.

―Paul Aparicio

Grace abounds:  Please thank Jessica Ambelang for both Sunday coffee hours.

Youth Events:  High Schoolers  If you have never been to a Happening weekend, you're chance is coming. Happening is a High School only lock-in that is intentional about being together and learning together about our faith, and who we are as Christians. Many people find that Happening is a defining moment for them in their faith journey, and the friends and community you create together lasts long after the weekend. Happening will be held at All Saints in Appleton, on Nov. 14-16, and you can register at www.diofdl.org/happening . 

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

A Milestone:  After a month off (October was busy!) work has resumed on the project to strip and refinish the church floor.  All of the floor outside of the nave is complete.  All chapels, confessional/cry room, stair alcove, entrance steps, and within the rood screen and altar rail are complete.  Now the big project on the main floor begins!  If you are interested in participating, please contact Fr. Karl.

Music this week: 

Prelude                       Sarabande                                                                   Seth Bingham

Entrance Hymn  58   “Lo! He comes with clouds descending”                   St. Thomas

Offertory Hymn  61  “Sleepers, wake! A voice astounds us”                      Wachet auf

Communion Motet    O Salutaris (sung in Latin)                                          Charles Gounod

            O saving Victim, who opens the gate of heaven:

            Enemies threaten wars; grant us strength, send us aid.

            To thee, One in Three, be endless glory;

            Grant us life with thee in our true native land.  Amen.

                                                                        … St. Thomas Aquinas

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

Closing Hymn 436   “Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates”                         Truro

Postlude                      Toccata in C                                                                Johann Pachelbel        

Parish Notices

§  Adult Formation: Second Sundays will feature discussions centered a series of short films in the BASIC series: — Trends come and go in our culture and the Church sometimes seems to follow. BASIC is a seven-part series of short films that challenges us to reclaim the Church as Scripture describes her to be. This series speaks to those who have questions about the Church and to those who may have lost interest in the Church. Each Sunday we will watch one of the seven short films followed by a time of group discussion facilitated by Bobbi Kraft. The seven films are: Fear God, Follow Jesus, Holy Spirit, Fellowship, Teaching, Prayer, and Communion. Please join us.

§  Heresies: Adult Formation on the third and fourth Sundays will begin a five part series on Heresies. Heretical beliefs are both ancient and current, with none really being new. For example, it is common to hear Jesus described as a very holy man adopted or anointed by God, but “not God”. This is one of the ancient heresies (Arianism) about the person and nature of Christ. We’ll examine all of the classical heresies about who God is, what His will is for the Church, etc., to better understand our own faith. The class will be facilitated by Fr. Karl.

§  Happening Closing Eucharist: The Happening Closing Eucharist is a time of joy, and you're invited. We have several people on team this time. Kaleigh Kraft is the Rector, Bobbi Kraft is co-laydirector, Nick Whitford is musician, Jon Whitford is a dad, and Deacon Michele is Spiritual Director. Come and celebrate at the Closing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 16th at All Saints, Appleton. We hope to see you there! More details at diofdl.org/happening.

§  Winter is Coming! We will need to prepare All Saints’ Chapel for winter with some light cleaning inside and out. Please join us on November 15th from 9-12.  As a reward to those that help, fruit pies will be enjoyed after the clean-up!  Mmmm.....pie!

§  Christmas Shoe Boxes: We will also be looking for these items to fill the shoeboxes: toothpaste and individually wrapped toothbrushes, and mild soap bars and wash cloths pencils, colored pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners, paper to write on. These items must be able to fit into a shoe box. Thank you so much. Please bring items to church for the Christmas shoe boxes. For more information please speak with Pat Ford Smith.

§  Operation Christmas Child: The Sunday School classes are spearheading the effort to put together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and would like to invite the whole parish to participate by donating small items for the shoe boxes, or if you desire a monetary donation that will be spent to get shoe box gift items. The goal is to have this be a parish outreach lead by the youth and children of the parish. Please participate as you can, including prayers for this to be a successful project. The drop off date is November 16^th.

§  Salvation Army Adopt a Family Gift tags: We have the tree up, and all the name tags on it, for the Salvation Army Family gifts, please take a name or two and follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. Please return the gifts to Grace Church by December 8^th. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Join the Celebration on Wednesday, November 26^th at 7:00pm at St. Dominic’s Parish. Pastor Kristin Berglund will preach. Join in the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy fellowship and deserts following the worship. The Thanksgiving Offering will benefit the Salvation Army. We will need two people to serve as ushers and a reader, if you can help please call the office. Thank you.

§  Life Line Screening: Grace Church is pleased to offer a preventive health event.  Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on 11/20/2014. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete.  In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.

§  Christmas Castle Volunteers! On Thursday, December 18^th from 1:00-3:00pm Grace Church will participate in the Salvation Army Christmas Castle. This gives those in need an opportunity to “shop” for Christmas presents for their families. We are in need of at least 5 people to help. Please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Raking Leaves Fundraiser:  If raking your yard this year seems like too much of a task, then our Boy Scout Troop is here to help. They will be raking leaves by appointment. (You don’t need to be at home.) If you are interested please contact Paul Aparicio (paac92399@yahoo.com).