Knowing, Being, Doing

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

2 August 2012

KISS is the acronym popularized many years ago in the United States Marine Corps for the observation and intent that things work best when we “Keep it simple, stupid.”   Recognizing that we are not dealing with stupidity in the parish, there nevertheless remains strength in keeping things simple, to allow for greater transparency and accountability.  As our Lord teaches, nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed (Lk. 8.17).  There is no secret in faith; there is no “inner circle,” and neither can there be in the life of the Church.

We are called to know God; to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior; to know the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth; and to know our Father as sovereign of our lives and of all life.  In knowing God, we are called to incarnate His love to all.  In loving God with all our heart and soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12.33), we must love our neighbors as ourselves.  In other words, we must be the Body of Christ in the world, and this involves and is made manifest in what we do in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ.  This includes all that we have promised to do in our own Baptism, in life together, in life of worship, prayer, proclamation, service, and care.

So, here’s the simple theme.  In everything we do in this parish; in all that will be communicated in further detail in the description of our Fall programs (to be published on 22 August); in all that is offered in the life of the Church, we will come back to the reality that to be disciples of Jesus Christ–to be active in faith in our own lives and in that of the world–we must manifest what is expressed in three participles:  Knowing, Being, Doing.  Whatever we do, and however we describe this, we need to relate our life of faith to how we know God and His will for us, how we become and live as His disciples, and how we embody His love and His will to all.  Every program will relate to one area of this reality (and often to more than one), so that everyone of us can always answer our own questions:  Who is God is my life, and how do I know His will for me?  Who and what does God call me to be as His disciple?  What is God asking me to do, and how does He equip me for His work?  When we can each answer these questions, and answer these questions together in common mission, then we will manifest God’s blessing and participate in this blessing, and then our prayer that God’s kingdom may come, and His will be done, will become not something we look forward to, but the very present reality of God being present in our lives.

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 for help in the office.  Please thank Susan McIntosh, Jűrgen Pietzner, and Elizabeth Schaffenburg for their work in developing descriptions of parish ministries, for a recruiting campaign.

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 7 August session will review Week 23.  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:

Sunday, 5 August, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude                                    Andante in E                                                   Max Reger

                                                Melodia                                                           Max Reger

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

Offertory Hymn 307               “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor”

Communion Hymn 302          “Father, we thank thee who hast planted”

Closing Hymn 555                  “Lead on, O King eternal”

Postlude                                  Voluntary in C                                                            Henry Purcell

Monday, 6 August, The Feast of the Transfiguration

Prelude                                    Chorale Preludes on Lord, all my heart is fixed on thee

                                                                                                                        Krebs and Walther

Entrance Hymn 427                “When morning gilds the skies”

Offertory Hymn 137               ”O wondrous type!  O vision fair”

Communion Hymn 383          “Fairest Lord Jesus”

Closing Hymn 7                      “Christ, whose glory fills the skies”

Postlude                                  Chor. Prelude on The only Son from heaven Johann Pachelbel

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.

§  Help the Local Schools: The schools can receive up to $10,000 in Target giftcards for books or any supplies they need. Wouldn't that be great? All you need to do is vote for a school each week until September 8. For every 25 votes the school receives, Target will send the school a  $25 gift card. Visit the Give with Target app at Facebook.com/Target. And Vote!

§  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. 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.