Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

28 November 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!  Let us pray that this may be a Holy Thanksgiving.  In the collect for the feast we pray:

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In a time when it is all-too-easy to focus on consumption, let us ever remember that all that we enjoy is of God’s bounty.  When we do this we can then offer thanks.  We can offer thanks to God for life itself—let alone the provision for our necessities, and for the fruits of the earth—and for the greatest bounty, that He has given His only Son for our redemption. 

At your celebration of Thanksgiving, focus on prayer first.  Make a point of opening your meal with prayer, whether or not it makes guests feel at ease.  That’s part of the point—that the Gospel is offensive to the world.  Focus on prayer.  Join with at the Tripartite service (Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Grace).  Join with us on Thanksgiving Day (9 a.m.)  Make a point of gathering in prayer and worship, and then take this grace to your own table.

Holiday closure:  The church and office will be closed on Friday and Saturday (29 and 30 November).  No services will be offered on those days.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Ann and Bob Hanlon, and Jennifer and John Keller for the wonderful coffee hours this past Sunday.

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 (noon) each week.

Advent Lessons & Carols will be offered, again, this year on Sunday, 8 December, at 4 p.m., followed by High Tea.  This is an ideal introduction to Anglican piety, as well as just a wonderful opportunity to gather in worship.  This year we are inviting community leaders from outside the parish to serve as our readers.  Please invite your friends to join us!

Episcopal Youth Community:   New Beginnings: December 7-8, Grace Church, Sheboygan, for all students grades 6-8 - http://diofdl.org/newbeginnings

Music this week: 

Prelude                       Chorale Prelude on Sleepers, Wake!                             J. S. Bach

Entrance Hymn 58     “Lo, he comes with clouds descending”                         St. Thomas

Trisagion S-102                                                                                              A. Archangelsky

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

Communion Motet     Come, thou Redeemer of the earth                             arr. David Willcocks

Closing Hymn 66        “Come, thou long-expected Jesus”                                Stuttgart

Postlude                      Chorale Prelude on Sleepers, Wake!                             J. G. Walther

Parish Notices

§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church will be selling cocoa and coffee, brownies, apple crisp and hotdogs, before and during the Holiday Parade Sunday December 1^st. The money raised goes to the Twenty Liter water project. Please come by the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade, be sure to bring your friends.

§  Simple Potluck Supper and Compline: Sunday, December 1^st we will have our first Sunday of the month Simple Potluck Supper at 6:30pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship then stay for Compline at 8:00pm. The Schola Cantorum will be singing Compline which is the night time prayers said or sung just before retiring. It is a wonderful and peaceful way to end the day.

§  Stewardship: If you received a pledge card and haven't responded yet, please do so. Even if your response is that you don't have a 2014 pledge, we still need to hear from you as soon as possible. We are in the process of assembling the 2014 budget and need your pledge information. Starting the week of December 1, members of the Vestry will be personally contacting parishioners who haven't responded. Thanks in advance for your assistance and for supporting Grace Church.

§  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.

§  Youth and Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00pm beginning this Wednesday December 4^th, downstairs in the choir room. Additional rehearsals will be on December 11^th and 18^th these will be just before the Pageant rehearsals.  The final rehearsal will be Sunday, December 22^nd 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 4^th, December 11^th and 18^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.

§  Director Needed: If you would like to spend some time with shepherds and angels have I got a job for you! A volunteer or two are needed to direct the Christmas Pageant. The more help keeping little feet in place the better. Please speak with Pat Ford Smith or Nicci Beeck.

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, 8 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: Tuesday, December 17^th from 1:00 – 3:30pm help make Christmas merry for hundreds of children this year by volunteering. As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to walk the aisles of the “toy store” with clients to help them find the perfect gift. The Christmas Castle is located on the west side of Memorial Mall in the old Walgreens’s. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

§  Christmas Joy: is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 19th 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 ministry to our shut-ins. They will appreciate it. If you have questions please call Barb MacEwen at 467-6909. 

§  Study/Discussion Group: This group decided to study of Galatians. They plan to meet after the 10:15 service starting December 1, hoping to meet every two weeks in the conference room.  Contact people are Mary Massey and Fr. John Ambelang.

§  Canticle of Christmas: Mark your calendars for the Lakeshore Chorale & Lakeshore Youth Chorale Christmas Concert. Sunday, December 8, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter Claver Church, 1444 South 11th Street, Sheboygan. Lakeshore Chorale & Youth Chorale celebrate the Christmas season with a variety of holiday music, an audience sing-along, and conclude with a reception of punch and Christmas cookies! $15.00 adults; $8.00 students OR included in Season Ticket.

§  Society of Mary: The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an internationally-recognized named cell. Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the five annual commemorations of Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham protoshrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the month in the church library and possibly Monday after shrine and rosary. Contact person is Mary Kohler.

§  "So many books so little time".  I am interested in starting/being a part of a book club centered at Grace.  My initial thought is a once a month meeting at Grace to discuss the months selection. At this point I am simply throwing out a few ideas I have seen work in the past. All "rules" would be decided by the participants. Since we have made some progress in developing "Faith Alive" small groups revolving around mostly spiritual issues I thought a "literary" small group might be nice.  Any thoughts, suggestions, interest would be welcome. Dale Massey (920) 254-3034, masseydale51@gmail.com. 

§  Meals On Wheels Christmas Cookies: Meals On Wheels volunteers will be delivering a box of homemade cookies to our clients again this Christmas season. (As many of you know, for some clients, this is the only gift they will receive). So all we need are the cookies.  If you would like to donate some of your goodies to our project please call or email Maureen at Meals On Wheels at 451-7011 or client1@shebmow.org. We have cookie drop off sites in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and we will be packaging cookies on the 17^th of December.  Your response in the past has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support.

Here comes the pitch!

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

21 November 2013

An elevator pitch, elevator speech, or elevator statement is a short summary used to quickly and simply define a person, profession, product, service, organization or event and its value proposition.  Ask yourself, if you have one minute to summarize to someone who does not know us who and what Grace Episcopal Church is, what we believe in and practice, and why they should visit to experience worship with us, what will you say?

We all need to practice and have ready our pitch, recognizing that what we do is much more important than selling—it is the proclamation of the kingdom of God, and we are, indeed, instructed in Scripture to always be prepared to offer a defense for the hope that is within us (1 Pet. 3.15).

In developing your pitch, a good place to get background information is on the parish web page, in our “Statement of Identity,” and on the link “What do Episcopalians believe?”  Your description of who we are, what we believe and practice, and why all are invited to worship with us must be tailored to the person(s) you speak with, but the description must include elements like the following:

1.      Our very reason for being Grace Episcopal Church is to proclaim who God is, and what His saving act is.  We are people who seek to know, love, and serve God.

2.      Our focus is on Jesus Christ, not on any issue or agenda.  As Jesus people we can hold differences over issues and agendas in tension, as members of one Body.

3.      Through Scripture, Reason and Tradition we seek to know who God is, and what His will is for us.  We seek to be the people He calls and equips us to be.  We seek to do the work He gives us to do.

4.      This is God’s Church, not ours.  All are welcome to join us in transformation by and through Jesus Christ.

5.      We experience God in His blessed Sacraments, His life-giving Word, His Holy Spirit, each other, and the in the beauty of holiness.  Join us in the experience, that you may come to know who God is, and what His will is for you!

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Wayne and Pat Sather, and Art and Nancy Imig for the wonderful coffee hours this past Sunday.  For the Fall parish clean-up held on last Saturday, please thank:  Paul & Andrea Aparicio, Julie Davidson, Ben Dobey, Claudia Fischer, Steve Larson, Scott Lubbers, Bill and Bobbie May, Elizabeth Schaffenburg and Mary Snyder.

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 (noon) each week.

This week, we’ll add the following thanksgivings submitted by Bobbi Kraft:

Happening #66 was a success.  It couldn't have happened without the generosity of so many in a variety of ways.  On behalf of Emily & Beth Boland, Kaleigh & Bobbi Kraft, and Deacon Michele we offer thanks to the Grace Church family for supporting Happening in a variety of ways.

We received bananas and oranges from Renee Stauffacher, cookies from Mary Snyder and Pat Ford Smith.  Jessica Ambelang provided brownies that surprised the kitchen staff at their abundance.  Along with all of this food, an air mattress from Mary Kohler helped to ensure the physical needs of candidates and staff were taken care of.

In addition, showing support by attending the closing Eucharist were: Fr. & Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Deacon Mike Burg, Nick, Jenni & Eowyn Whitford, Jon Whitford, Orlando Scott Fabiano, Susan MacIntosh & Mary Grace Boland from Grace.  Plus, Jeanna & Dan Werbeckes & John Clabots (formerly of Grace) who know our group from camp.  Their physical presence reminded all that they do not walk in faith alone.

Of course, the weekend would not be the same without spiritual support. The candidates were overwhelmed by the fact that so many were praying for them and so many had written words of encouragement to them.  It was a running theme through the weekend and at the closing.  Special prayer partners included: Susan MacIntosh, Mary Clabots, Crawford & Pat Ford Smith, Jane Hanson, & Pat Sather.

Thank you one and all!

Advent Lessons & Carols will be offered, again, this year on Sunday, 8 December, at 4 p.m., followed by High Tea.  This is an ideal introduction to Anglican piety, as well as just a wonderful opportunity to gather in worship.  This year we are inviting community leaders from outside the parish to serve as our readers.  Please invite your friends to join us!

Society of Mary:  The Society of Mary will meet in the parish library this Sunday at 9 a.m. to discuss organization and practice.  The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an internationally-recognized named cell.  Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham protoshrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the month in the church library. Contact person is Mary Kohler.

Special stewardship opportunity:  Whichever person has the greatest increase in a 2014 pledge, over their paid 2013 pledge amount (calculated at close of the giving year), or who has the highest new pledge for 2014 (for any person who has not pledged previously), will receive a complimentary stay at a Hyatt-managed timeshare apartment in Key West, Florida (occupancy dates are 2 March to a 9 March check-out.  These dates include Mardi Gras.)  Go To: www.hyattwindwardpointe.hyatt.com  You can find all the amenities and room pictures there.

The unit is on the 3^rd level, set way back on the property, with a virtual private lani looking straight out on the grounds, pool and ocean.  Cuba 70 miles straight south.  The unit is about a 2 mile walk to the southern most point in the lower 48, on the east and quiet side of the Key, about 1 ½ mile walk to Duval St.  St. Paul's Episcopal Church is on Duval, a great place for Ash Wednesday services.

This timeshare opportunity is the gift of Bill and Debbie Gagin.

Operation Christmas Child:  There have been lots of donations to the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box ministry through Samaritan's Purse.  A big thank you to everyone.  The children in classes with Nicci Beeck, Pat Ford Smith and Mary Ann Portz have begun filling up the shoe boxes.  We will deliver them to Sonlight Book Store on Sunday, Nov. 24 following the 10:15 AM mass.  We will have a better count of how many will be sent this year after class.  Nicci Beeck and Pat Ford Smith are coming in Thursday, 11/21 at 12:30 p.m. to sort through those that are already packed.  On Sunday, 11/24 we will finish packing with the kids.  Anyone who wishes to help with this can join us. We have already been given $40 in cash and a promise of $28 check to help defray shipping charges ($7 for each box).  I'm estimating approximately 20 boxes will be taken over.  If we have any supplies left over, we will keep them for the following year.

These gifts present us with an amazing opportunity to spread the Good News of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ to children in foreign lands that might not hear in any other way.  This is a gift that keeps on giving our love to children who may not have ever had a gift of their very own.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Episcopal Youth Community:   Thank you!  Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts for our students and staff that went to Happening this past weekend. The stories coming back about the weekend tell a story about a blessed weekend. Finding connections between each other, and learning that when you listen to each other before judging each other, you find that you have more in common with people you would not normally choose to get to know. The togetherness of this Happening was completely evident from my perspective as a visitor at the closing Eucharist. I want to thank our church family for taking the time to think about, pray for, and for your support spiritually and with your presence.

New Beginnings - December 7-8 - Grace Church, Sheboygan - is for all students grades 6-8 - http://diofdl.org/newbeginnings

Each of these is unique in style, delivery, and experience, and each one is a great way to learn more about God and our faith, as well as connect to the wider community of Christian youth in our diocese; many people have made life-long friends with those around the diocese and have stayed connected through events like these, camp and others.

Please contact me or the office with questions, but remember to sign up!

Grace and peace, Nick

Music this week: 

Prelude             Benedictus                                                                   Rowley

Entrance Hymn 544      “Jesus shall reign where’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                                       Walker

Comm. Hymn 383        “Fairest Lord Jesus”                                                     St. Elizabeth

Closing Hymn 494        “Crown him with many crowns”                                    Diademata

Postlude                       Allegro from Symphony in D                                       Boyce

Parish Notices

§  Admirals Hockey Game! On November 22nd (Friday) there is a group of people going to the Milwaukee Admirals hockey game. Transportation is provided (depart from the parish at 5:30 p.m., promptly). If you are interested in going please sign up by calling the parish office before 3:00pm tomorrow, Thursday, November 21!

§  Game Night at Grace Tonight! Game Nights are times when people of all ages can come together to play different games that are enjoyed by everyone. There will be board games, card games, and almost any type of game that you’d want to play. Invite your parents or your friends or anyone who you’d want to come. Game Night is open to all: young and old, singles, couples or families. The next Game night will be Thursday, November 21st 6:30-9:00 PM. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. We hope to see you there!

§  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.

§  Christmas Castle Volunteers: Tuesday, December 17^th from 1:00 – 3:30pm help make Christmas merry for hundreds of children this year by volunteering. As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to walk the aisles of the “toy store” with clients to help them find the perfect gift. The Christmas Castle is located on the west side of Memorial Mall in the old Walgreens’s. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

§  Tripartite Thanksgiving Service: We will celebrate and give thanks with our Tripartite Covenant Parishes November 27, 2013 at 7:00pm. This year’s celebration will be at Grace Church. The beautiful Service is followed by a reception in St. Nicholas Hall. Please plan to attend.

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, 8 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.

§  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.

§  Christmas Shoe Boxes: Please consider bringing toothpaste and individually wrapped toothbrushes, and mild soap bars and wash cloths to church for the Christmas shoe boxes. We will also be looking for these items in the coming weeks:  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. Pat Ford Smith

§  Operation Christmas Child: Miss Pat's Sunday School class is 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 in mid November (before Thanksgiving), and there will be more information in the next couple of weeks.

§  Society of Mary:  The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an internationally-recognized named cell.  Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham proto shrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the month in the church library. Contact person is Mary Kohler.

§  "So many books so little time".  I am interested in starting/being a part of a book club centered at Grace.  My initial thought is a once a month meeting at Grace to discuss the months selection. At this point I am simply throwing out a few ideas I have seen work in the past. All "rules" would be decided by the participants. Since we have made some progress in developing "Faith Alive" small groups revolving around mostly spiritual issues I thought a "literary" small group might be nice.  Any thoughts, suggestions, interest would be welcome. Dale Massey (920) 254-3034, masseydale51@gmail.com. 

§  Meals On Wheels Christmas Cookies: Meals On Wheels volunteers will be delivering a box of homemade cookies to our clients again this Christmas season. (As many of you know, for some clients, this is the only gift they will receive). So all we need are the cookies.  If you would like to donate some of your goodies to our project please call or email Maureen at Meals On Wheels at 451-7011 or client1@shebmow.org. We have cookie drop off sites in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and we will be packaging cookies on the 17^th of December.  Your response in the past has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support.

New Beginnings

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

14 November 2013

The Church year ends on 30 November, and in the lessons appointed for the Sundays ending the year there are many references to end times.  In the lessons for the new Church year this theme continues, setting the stage for the coming of the Lord as the Word who dwells among us.  Endings have new beginnings.  As we pray in the burial service celebration of Holy Eucharist, “... life is changed, not ended ... .”

We are experiencing endings and new beginnings in the life of the parish.  One new beginning is manifest in how we live together.  We are in the midst of our stewardship campaign.  Two-thirds of the pledges received at New Consecration Sunday represented increases in giving over 2013, and we have also received new pledges.  Thanks be to God, and to all who have responded to Him with giving hearts!

The pledges received to date represent about half of the total number, based on historical patterns.  If you were not at New Consecration Sunday, you will receive a pledge card in the mail, and we should know in about another fifteen days what our financial projection for 2014 will be.  Please consider in prayer how you are called to participate.  If you are unable to do so financially, then let’s discuss the other offerings you can make in the life of the parish, and how your brothers and sisters in Christ can help you.

Each one of us has offerings to give, offerings which have been given to us a blessings to share.  We have received new pledges this year, and of continuing pledges received about two-thirds represent increases, with the average increase exceeding 6%.  Thank you!  We are a part of each other in Christ, and participate in community by and through our Lord’s blessing.  Just as our Lord is always with us to the end of the age, now He appoints us to be with each other by and through Him.  In prayer discern how you will participate.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Barbara Knauf for taking the lead in organizing our stewardship campaign this year.  Please thank Mary Clabots for her work in tabulating the results. In connection with the splendid New Consecration Sunday luncheon, please thank:

§  Bernie Markevitch for preparing the wonderful New Consecration Sunday luncheon, assisted by Mary Snyder.

§  Bill May and Bobbie May for all of the extra set-up and take-down involved.

§  Jessica Ambelang, Ed Clabots, Pat Ford Smith, Mary Snyder, and Jon Whitford for clean-up.

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 (noon) each week.

Special stewardship opportunity:  Whichever person has the greatest increase in a 2014 pledge, over their paid 2013 pledge amount (calculated at close of the giving year), or who has the highest new pledge for 2014 (for any person who has not pledged previously), will receive a complimentary stay at a Hyatt-managed timeshare apartment in Key West, Florida (occupancy dates are 2 March to a 9 March check-out.  These dates include Mardi Gras.)  Go To: www.hyattwindwardpointe.hyatt.com  You can find all the amenities and room pictures there.

The unit is on the 3^rd level, set way back on the property, with a virtual private lani looking straight out on the grounds, pool and ocean.  Cuba 70 miles straight south.  The unit is about a 2 mile walk to the southern most point in the lower 48, on the east and quiet side of the Key, about 1 ½ mile walk to Duval St.  St. Paul's Episcopal Church is on Duval, a great place for Ash Wednesday services.

This timeshare opportunity is the gift of Bill and Debbie Gagin.

Episcopal Youth Community:   Please Pray

This weekend at St. Thomas, Menasha, Happening #66 in the Diocese of Fond du Lac will take place. There are over 20 candidates, including our own Emily B. and Beth B. and over 20 team leaders including our own Kaleigh K., Bobbi K, and Dcn. Michele W. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to make himself known to the community as they study, discuss, and learn about their faith and God.

ALSO! At Happening there is a closing Eucharist to celebrate the conclusion of Happening, this is a public Eucharist, and all parents, family, and church family are encouraged to support their Happeners by the witness of their attendance. If you are able to go, Mass begins at 2pm.

Save the date!

On November 21^st there will be a Game Night at Grace! Specific times to be announced. This is an all ages open invitation event for anyone to come together and play games or socialize with others.

On November 22^nd there is a group of people going to the Milwaukee Admirals hockey game. Specifics are available on the signup sheet in the narthex, but transportation is provided. If you are interested in going please sign up by the end of Sunday so that tickets can be purchased!

New Beginnings - December 7-8 - Grace Church, Sheboygan - is for all students grades 6-8 - http://diofdl.org/newbeginnings

Each of these is unique in style, delivery, and experience, and each one is a great way to learn more about God and our faith, as well as connect to the wider community of Christian youth in our diocese; many people have made life-long friends with those around the diocese and have stayed connected through events like these, camp and others.

Please contact me or the office with questions, but remember to sign up!

Grace and peace, Nick

Music this week: 

Prelude                        Lord Christ, on thee my hope is stayed                       Pachelbel

Entrance Hymn 616    “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”                                                Es flog ein kleins

Waldvögelein

Offertory Hymn 598   “Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth”           Mit Freuden zart

Communion Motet      Lord, make us servants of your peace                         Bristol

Comm. Hymn 615      “Thy kingdom come! On bended knee”                     St. Flavian

Closing Hymn 555      “Lead on, O King eternal”                                          Lancashire

Postlude                      Trumpet Voluntary in D                                             Croft

Parish Notices

§  Fall Clean-Up: Winter is coming and it is time to prepare the church for the new season. Please join us on Saturday November 16 from 8:30 to Noon. We will be clearing the grounds and doing some cleaning inside. Refreshments will be provided. Even if you can only come for a short while, your help is greatly appreciated.

§  Happening Closing Eucharist: The Happening Closing Eucharist is a time of joy, and you're invited. Show your support for our youth by showing up for the Closing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 17th at St. Thomas, Menasha. We hope to see you there! More details at diofdl.org/happening.

§  Study/Discussion Group: This group decided to start with a study of Galatians. They (six people so far) plan to meet after the 10:15 service starting Nov. 17^th, hoping to meet every two weeks in the church library.  Contact people are Mary Massey and Fr. John Ambelang.

§  Game Night at Grace: Game Nights are times when people of all ages can come together to play different games that are enjoyed by everyone. There will be board games, card games, and almost any type of game that you’d want to play. Invite your parents or your friends or anyone who you’d want to come. Game Night is open to all: young and old, singles, couples or families. The next Game night will be Thursday, November 21st 6:30-9:00 PM. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. We hope to see you there!

§  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.

§  Christmas Shoe Boxes: Please consider bringing toothpaste and individually wrapped toothbrushes, and mild soap bars and wash cloths to church for the Christmas shoe boxes. We will also be looking for these items in the coming weeks:  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. Pat Ford Smith

§  Operation Christmas Child: Miss Pat's Sunday School class is 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 in mid November (before Thanksgiving), and there will be more information in the next couple of weeks.

§  Game Night at Grace: Game Nights are times when people of all ages can come together

§  to play different games that are enjoyed by everyone. There will be board games, card games, and almost any type of game that you’d want to play. Invite your parents or your friends or anyone who you’d want to come. Game Night is open to all: young and old, singles, couples or families. The next Game night will be Thursday, November 21st 6:30-9:00 PM. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. We hope to see you there!

§  Society of Mary:  The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an internationally-recognized named cell.  Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham protoshrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the month in the church library. Contact person is Mary Kohler.

§  "So many books so little time".  I am interested in starting/being a part of a book club centered at Grace.  My initial thought is a once a month meeting at Grace to discuss the months selection. At this point I am simply throwing out a few ideas I have seen work in the past. All "rules" would be decided by the participants. Since we have made some progress in developing "Faith Alive" small groups revolving around mostly spiritual issues I thought a "literary" small group might be nice.  Any thoughts, suggestions, interest would be welcome. Dale Massey (920) 254-3034, masseydale51@gmail.com. 

§  Meals On Wheels Christmas Cookies: Meals On Wheels volunteers will be delivering a box of homemade cookies to our clients again this Christmas season. (As many of you know, for some clients, this is the only gift they will receive). So all we need are the cookies.  If you would like to donate some of your goodies to our project please call or email Maureen at Meals On Wheels at 451-7011 or client1@shebmow.org. We have cookie drop off sites in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and we will be packaging cookies on the 17^th of December.  Your response in the past has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support.