Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
5 January 2012
[Pause for effect] That bracketed phrase in italics is one that can be found in stage directions and screen plays. The idea is that the actors must allow the pace of the drama to unfold; for example, that the audience needs time to grasp an important point.
Worship is not a performance. There are to be no spectators, only participants. Nonetheless, a pause for effect can be useful to allow each one of us to grasp that something really dramatic is happening. When we have been diligent in worship for a long time, it is too easy to succumb to an automatism is which we do not reflect on what is really happening. A pause in worship is, therefore, more a pause to reflect.
At Grace we are trying to be more intentional in worship, to allow for greater reflection and devotion. Therefore, you will notice a few pauses in the service that may be new to you. Three are notable: (a) between the end of the sermon and the beginning of the Creed; (b) before the recitation of the general confession; and (c) following the fracture. The first is designed to allow worshippers to reflect on the message they have just received in preaching. The second is to emphasize that in saying the confession we must first call to mind our sins, in order to offer them up to God. The third is intended to allow us to more fully appreciate that something dramatic has just happened–that our Lord offers Himself for our salvation.
Worship involves more than saying the prayers in the service; more than listening to a message; more than receiving the blessed sacrament. As worshippers we are called to be active in our encounter with God. The Living God is among us, and if we are focused on “getting through the service” we are ignoring the timelessness of the encounter. When we pause let us each focus on what has happened, what is happening, what God does in our lives, that when we pause we may be better ready to meet the Lord who comes among us.
Vestry retreat: On Saturday, 14 January, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Vestry will meet in St. Nicholas Hall to define in detail the mission priorities for the parish, which will be used in agreeing a final 2012 budget. The retreat will include the regular January meeting of Vestry, so please send any additional agenda items to Fr. Karl by 11 January.
Lunch will be included. All members of the ministry team of the parish are invited to meet with the Vestry during this retreat.
Bible Study: Bible study resumes of Tuesday, 10 January, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass. A pot-luck soup-and-salad supper is planned. Thursday study sessions follow the 9 a.m. Mass. Study summaries of the lessons for the coming Sunday are posted on the parish website on Tuesday of each week.
Champagne fund-raiser: As of 5 January we have received donations of six bottles of champagne for the Twelfth Night Gala. (A sufficient stock is in hand in addition to the bottles donated.) This means that a matching donation of $120 will be made by the parish, plus $60 from a member of clergy, to the youth group for the Rwanda well project. If you wish to donate to this project, please donate with a specific notation for the youth undertaking.
Music this week:
Prelude Chorale Prelude on How brightly shines the Morning Star Buxtehude
Entrance Hymn 124 “What star is this, with beams so bright”
Offertory Hymn 497 “How bright appears the Morning Star”
Communion Motet Watchmen, tell us of the night Robert Below
Communion Hymn 120 “The sinless one to Jordan came”
Closing Hymn 119 “As with gladness men of old”
Postlude Improvisation on ‘How brightly shines the Morning Star’
Paul Manz
Parish Notices
· The Feast of the Epiphany: We will celebrate the Feast of Epiphany tonight, Thursday, January 5th. Parishioners and their guests are invited to the Vigil Solemn Mass beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Twelfth Night Gala Reception.
· Flower Schedule for 2012: Giving the gift of flowers is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to offer thanksgiving for your blessings. If you wish to sign up for a specific Sunday, the Flower Schedule is available on the table in the narthex. More than one person can sign up for each Sunday.
· The Annual Financial Meeting: This year’s Financial meeting will take place on Sunday January 29, 2012. We will have one Mass at 9:00am followed by the Financial meeting held in the Nave 10:30am. The agenda of the meeting will include, 2011 financial review and 2012 budget, Recent Vestry actions, and an overall review of the 2012 calendar. Please make every effort to attend and participate.
· Circle of Faith: Time to think about the winter retreat at the Norbertine Center, De Pere sponsored by the Diocese of Fond du Lac Women's Ministries! Pastor Diane Murray is our Spiritual Leader and she will be presenting a program called "Circle of Faith" February 17-19, 2012. You will be able to use the pool on Saturday and do exercises that include Christian music and prayer. Snowshoes will be available to those who wish to take advantage of the beautiful grounds. Is a massage more your cup of tea? or a book study? We will have crafts and fellowship! If you sign up with a friend you can get $10 off your registration! Registration cost for overnight is $110 includes room and meals, for commuters the cost is $50 includes meals. You can find more information and to register online at diofdl@diofdl.org. Deadline is Feb. 1st.
· The Discerning Our Future Task Force: is working to help the diocese discern its future direction. On Saturday, February 25th, 10am-12noon, there will be a diocesan-wide meeting hosted in each deanery. Please begin to advertise this meeting (more details about the meeting to come).
- St. Anne's, De Pere (Green Bay Deanery)
- Location Pending (Lake Winnebago Deanery)
- Intercession, Stevens Point (Wisconsin River Deanery)
- St. Augustine's, Rhinelander (Northwoods Deanery)
Is there any way to add the upcoming weekend's schedule for coffee hour to this weekly email?
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, we can post the coffee hour schedule as soon as it is available. Thank you.
ReplyDelete