Living in Christ

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

14 June 2012

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5.17).  St. Paul’s teaching presents two challenges to every one of us:  (1)  Am I “in Christ”?  (2)  How is this lived?  No one of us can look at another and determine whether he or she is “saved,” but we can make some judgments about how a person is living in Christ.  How do they live out their faith:  in gathering in worship; in advancing the mission of the Church; in ministering to each other; in proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ Jesus by how they live, and by how they seek and serve Christ in all persons?

These are not speculative questions.  They focus on evidence of new life, of being a new creation, and to the extent that we each ask our self how we evince new life, we need to ask this of each other, as members of the common Body of our Lord.

In asking these questions let’s focus first on objective evidence, those dreaded numbers.  Overall, we are in decent condition.  Our average Sunday attendance is slightly ahead of where it was at this time last year, but last year was a down year in a series of down years.  Our giving has advanced from where it was last Fall, but we have a deficit budget.  Our worship offerings continue on every day of the year, but attendance on weekdays is down.  Our program offerings have increased, but attendance is low. 

If we want to continue to experience of the fullness of life in the Body, we need to connect better, and to hold each other accountable.  This means that worship is not something I do only  if there is not a “competing priority”.  It means that if I think it good to have regular Christian Education and The Bible Challenge, I will support it through participating.  It means that I will step forward as an additional volunteer/candidate in parish ministries and for parish offices.  Ask yourself:  Is my faith something which guides me in life, or something that just tags along on my own journey? 

As your rector I will continue to focus on how we serve together, on how every member of the Body is called into active discipleship.  I invite you to consider your own gifts and call, and to reflect on how you can advance the mission of the Church.

Being the Body:  In addition to the clergy of the parish, many members of the Body have recently been very engaged in pastoral care, in being an embodiment of our Lord’s love to those who by reason of illness or debility are separated from the assembly.  In addition to the weekly rota of pastoral visits provided by clergy and by our Lay Eucharistic Visitors (Lisa Krueger, Dale and Mary Massey, Elizabeth Schaffenburg), the amount of time offered in ministry in hospital and hospice rooms has been a remarkable blessing.  This ministry of presence and care has been embodied by Bill and Deb Gagin, Pat Sather, Ben Dobey, Pat von Rautenkranz, Barb and Bob McEwen, Bev Evans and Nancy Yurk, and Mary Clabots.  Doubtless there are others.  Please thank those who are here named, and also name those who have not been identified.

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.

A “Holy Roller”?  In the narthex of the church there is a collection basket for food pantry.  With the twin aim of increasing contributions of in-kind donations, and of involving young children more in worship, the parish has procured a small wagon, which will be used at the 10:15 a.m. Sunday services for children to bring the food offerings forward (with the ushers bringing the altar gifts of bread and wine) at the offertory.  Please be generous in your donations, and thank the children for their service.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge review session on Tuesday, 19 June, will review Week 16 readings.  Bible study on Thursday (following the 9 a.m. Mass) will focus on the lessons for Sunday, 24 June (The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B).

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 “Rhosymedre”                             R. Vaughan Williams

Processional Hymn                 No. 388, O worship the King                         Hanover

Offertory Hymn                      No. 598, Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth

                                                                                                                        Mit Freuden zart

Communion Hymn                 No. 587, Our Father, by whose Name            Rhosymedre

Recessional Hymn                  No. 411, O bless the Lord my soul!                St. Thomas

Postlude                                  Voluntary in D Minor                                      Samuel Wesley

                                               

Nashotah House:  As a follow-up to Bp. Salmon’s appeal found in last week’s edition, please note that the end date for this campaign is 30 June.  Any parishioner donations made to Nashotah House 30 June will be matched, dollar for dollar.

Parish Notices

§  Fr. Schaffenburg on vacation:  Fr. Schaffenburg and Elizabeth will be on vacation from 22 through 30 June.  There will be Holy Eucharist offered on Saturday, 23 June, at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, 27 June, at 5:30 p.m., and on Friday, 29 June, at 12:10 p.m.  Morning and Evening Prayer:  The scheduled services will be offered throughout the time period.

        In the event of a need for pastoral care, please contact the parish office, and a member of clergy will be notified.

§  Vacation Bible School:  St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church and St. Peter Lutheran Church (our tripartite partners) will each offer VBS.  St. Dominic will offer a 9 to 11 a.m. session from 25 through 29 June.  St. Peter will offer a 6 to 8 p.m. session from 15 through 18 July.  If you wish your child to participate you need to sign up now.  Contact the Grace parish office by not later than Wednesday, 20 June, so that we can provide one list to our partners.

§  Sign-Up to Host Coffee Hour in 2013: A sign-up sheet for hosting coffee hour in 2013 is on the table in the narthex. Please sign-up for dates you would like to host.  A final schedule and reminders will be generated from the sign-up sheet and distributed in November 2012. Please consider signing up for 2-3 Sundays to help us cover the year! Contact Katy Prange at 920-889-1252 or katyprange@hotmail.com with questions.

§  The Bible Challenge: The Tuesday evening study will follow the weekly readings from The Bible Challenge. We begin with 5:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a light, pot-luck supper, with study commencing at 6:30 p.m. Lesson summaries for both the Bible Challenge readings and for the weekly lectionary lessons continue to be posted on the parish website.

§  Love Thinks: Dating can be tough...want some help?  Great Marriages is offering a free seminar called Love Thinks.  The program is for adults who want to make smart choices in dating including: never married singles, individuals who have experienced a divorce and are dating again, and anyone who wants to know how to find a mate who is compatible for a strong, healthy relationship.  It will be held on Saturday, June 30 in Sheboygan from 9:00am-4:00pm. Come learn to break negative dating patterns and make healthy choices for lifelong, happy relationships! Pre-registration is required so call Great Marriages at 920-783-3660 for details and to sign up today.

§  Stewardship/Fundraising Committee: The Vestry has approved the creation of an on-going Stewardship/Fundraising committee that will be responsible for our annual pledge campaign as well as developing multiple fundraising events. If you are interested in serving on this committee or have suggestions or comments please contact a Vestry member.  We appreciate your consideration.

§  Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry.  Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives.  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.