Call and Response

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

26 July 2012

Get ready to be asked to do something.  And get ready to hear about being asked, because in the month of August the sermons will add a thematic focus to the exposition of the Scripture lessons.

On Sunday, 9 September, our full programming resumes.  There are changes, including new Sunday School curricula, new ways of fostering volunteer ministries and youth minstry, greater involvement of children in ministries, the adoption of a new steardship plan, and the launch of an eighteen month program on discipleship.  Details of these programs will be provided in a special supplementary edition of The Angelus that will be published on 22 August, but to lay the ground for these changes there will be a lot of communication–including in preaching–about how every one of us is called to serve.

Look around you in the congregation, and consider prayerfully the gifts you see in the members of our Lord’s Body with whom you share in worship.  As you are looking, realize that others are considering your own gifts, so don’t be surprised to be asked to do something.  You may be asked to join a particular volunteer ministry, or an education project.  You may be asked to offer intercessory prayer, ro to visit those who cannot join with you in worship.  You may be asked to give in others ways.  When you are asked, remember that you are asked because those around you have discerned in prayer that God calls you to do something in His Church.

Be open-minded.  Above all, be open in prayer–open to God and open to each other.  We must each be open to God’s call, because the reality is that God does not deliver  His kingdom to us.  He says that it has “come near”.  We have to choose.  We have to choose the kingdom, and this choice involves what we do as a reflection of who we are.  But when we live into our prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” then our lives change because we walk no longer in the world but in God’s kingdom which breaks into the world around us.

Be open.  Being asked can be threatening.  Being asked can be a bother.  But remember that you are asked because you are called, and that in saying “yes” to God you will be blessed in ways that neither you nor those asking can now see.

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 and Katy Larson for help in the office.  Please thank Ben Dobey and Elizabeth Schaffenburg for ongoing work in the cutting garden, and Ben as well for descorating the daily altars in the parish.

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 31 July session will review Week 22.  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                                    Andantino                                                                    Darke

Entrance Hymn 377                “All people that on earth do dwell”

Offertory Hymn 522               “Glorious things of thee are spoken”

Comm. Hymn 308                  “O Food to pilgrims given”

Closing Hymn 438                  “Tell out, my soul”

Postlude                                  Toccata in D                                                                Krieger

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.

§  Second Annual Rummage Sale: Blessed Trinity Parish 319 Giddings Avenue Sheboygan Falls, is having a rummage sale Saturday, August 4, 2012  from 8am – 2pm in the Church Hall (in Basement) Items:  Household items, toys, children’s clothes and small appliances. Food will be available as part of the sale.  If you have any questions, please contact our Rummage Sale Chairperson: Nancy Bouche (467-4046).

§  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. 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.