Transitions

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

25 October 2012

At diocesan convention on 20 October three decisions were taken/announced that are of particular materiality.  (1)  Bishop Jacobus announced his retirement, effective 31 October 2013. See  http://diofdl.org/documents/publications/announcesretirement.pdf (2)  Bishop Jacobus announced that General Convention (2012) Resolution A-049, a provisional rite for the blessing of same sex unions, will not be implemented in the Diocese of Fond du Lac.  Under the terms of A-049, such blessings must be authorized by the diocesan bishop, and Bishop Jacobus has announced his decision not to allow such rites in this diocese.  The reasoning behind this decision is included in the bishop’s pastoral address to the convention, which may be found here:  http://diofdl.org/documents/publications/pastoral2012.pdf (3)  Elizabeth Schaffenburg was elected to the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

We have been blessed with our bishop’s ministry since 1994.  The process of transition will, per canon, be managed by the Standing Committee.  Once candidates have been identified, screened, and nominated, they will be identified to the diocese, and opportunities made for members of the diocese to meet the candidates prior to the election.  Following election of a candidate, the election must be consented to by a majority of the Standing Committees of dioceses of The Episcopal Church.

The following prayer will be included in our worship for the next year, and is commended to your individual devotions, as well:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift:  Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Being the Body:  Our 18 month discipleship program re-starts this coming Saturday, 27 October (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Grace Church, with a session led by The Rev. Dr. Steven Peay, Academic Dean at Nashotah House.  Fr. Peay will begin our “knowing” focus with a discussion (to include small group activity) of “fundamental theology”:  How do we know who God is, and what His will is for us?

Please join with us.  Participation has been good (let the office know if you plan to attend, so we can plan the meal), and this program was singled out by Bp. Jacobus in his pastoral address (see the second link above)  at convention as an example of what the Church needs to be doing.

Consecration Sunday:  Consecration Sunday is three Sunday’s away!  We will gather following our one service of worship that day.  (Worship will be at 10:15 a.m.)  Our gathering is a time of celebration, at which we can thank God and each other for the blessings we enjoy, including the blessing of giving.  This is a catered luncheon (not pot luck), because it is a time of special celebration, as we come together in the life of the church.  Mark your calendars now, and look for your luncheon reservation cards to be distributed in one week!

Due to deaths and parishioners moving away, we have lost pledges for 2013 which would have totaled $31,879.  In order to stand still (and standing still involves as 2012) deficit, we need to significantly increase how each one of us participates in giving.

Grace Abounds:  Additional help at clean-up following the Walsingham pilgrimage was organized and provided by Mary Clabots, with help provided by Brenna and Bremen Delaney.  For the 21 October children’s service, Pat Ford Smith is to be thanked for her help. 

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.

Fall clean-up:  Fall clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, 3 November, from 8:30 a.m. until noon.  (Breakfast snacks will be provided.)  We need to rake, weed, clean-up, trim, etc.  Please bring hand garden tools with you, and let Ed Clabots or the parish office know you are coming.

Adult Christian Education:  Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.  We have begun our nine part series on Christian Ethics.  The entire course can be found on the parish website under “Christian Formation: Adult Education”. 

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge readings will be for week 35.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

The number of people following The Bible Challenge on-line is gratifying, and weekly summaries will continue to be posted.  However, attendance at the Tuesday evening sessions has been problematical.  Therefore, Tuesday evening pot-luck and discussion sessions are cancelled.

            Grace Church All Hallows Eve Party!  Today! Thursday, October 25 6-8pm.

Games and fun for children of all ages. Are you brave enough to try a mummy pizza? How about the pungent punch? Have you ever walked through the hall of bones?

Wear your costume and bring your Ghoulish Buddies, Invisible Friends and Cousin Its!

Come and play our tricks and you'll be sure to get a treat!

So that we have enough for all, please RSVP with the number in your party, at the church office (920-452-9659)

OLD-FASHIONED HYMN SING, DESSERT PARTY, & CONCERT

An old-fashioned hymn-sing (you know you’ve been wanting to sing those favorite old-time hymns we never get to do because Episcopalians have such good taste) will be held on FRIDAY, NOV. 16^TH at 6:30pm in St. Nicholas Hall, featuring Aaron Horvat at the mighty Steinway Grand, and Ben Dobey at the fabulous (or appalling, depending on your point of view) Hammond electronic spinet.  The purpose is to have some fun and raise money for the Arts in Croatia Ministry for teens in Osijek, led by Aaron and by Winnie Coleman-Horvat.  It will be worth it just to see if the Hammond explodes, like it kept doing  when we did this in 2008.  Come, bring a dessert to share if you feel inspired, and enjoy!

Annual Clothing Drive:  The annual community clothing drive is Saturday, November 10^th from 9:00-11:00am at the Grant School Gym 1528 North 5th St, Sheboygan. Donations of warm clothing in good condition (for all ages) is being accepted during the Annual Clothing Drive. Clothing donations can be dropped off at church by November 3rd. What a great way to help the community! This program is sponsored by Kiwanis Club & SASD and open to ALL community members and is FREE. It is suggested that a non-perishable food item be donated in exchange for warm winter clothing items. 

Music this week:

Prelude  Prelude & Ayre  Geoffrey Vintner

Entrance Hymn #523  “Glorious things of thee are spoken”  Abbot’s Leigh

Psalm 13  (Choir) Anglican chant:  Henry Smart

            How long wilt thou forget me O Lord, for ever:

                        how long wilt thou hide thy face from me.

            How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vex’d in my heart:

                        how long shall mine enemies triumph over me?

            Consider and hear me O Lord my God:

                        give light to my eyes that I sleep not in death.

            Lest mine enemy say, “I have prevailed against him:”

                        for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.

            But my trust is in thy mercy:

                        and my heart is joyful in thy salvation.

            I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me:

                        yea I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest.

 Offertory Hymn  #567  “Thine arm, O Lord”              St. Matthew

Communion Motet      Eternal light, shine in my heart  Samuel Scheidt

Communion Hymn #691 “My faith looks up to thee”  Olivet

Closing Hymn #542    “Christ is the world’s true light”  St. Joan

Postlude  Toccata in C  Johann Pachelbel

Parish Notices

·         New Adult formation: The adult formation class is looking at Christian Ethics. We will first examine what an ethical decision is, where we look for guidance in ethical decision-making, and how ethical decisions relate to salvation. We will then pass on to consider specific ethical issues. Throughout the course we will seek to identify the teachings of the Church as found in Scripture, Reason and Tradition. The course materials are posted on the parish website, under “Christian Formation: Adult”. Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.

·         All Saints’ Day: We will celebrate All Saints’ Day Thursday, November 1^st with a Solemn Mass at 6:00pm followed by an All Parish Potluck Dinner. Please plan to attend and sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and as you are able, plan to help with clean up. Thank you.

·         Hosting the Seminarian and His Family: Please consider hosting our seminarian Ryan Delaney and his family for a Saturday evening. Ryan and his lovely wife Melanie and children Brenna and Bemen will be staying most Saturday evenings in preparation for services on Sunday morning. This will give the parish an opportunity to get to know them and for the Delaney’s to get to know the parish. Please find a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex for dinner Saturday evening and brunch Sunday after the service.

·         Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Grace Church is signed up to ring bells for the Salvation Army on November 10^th in two different locations. At the Piggly Wiggly on the north side from 1:00-7:00pm and at the Piggly Wiggly on the south side from 9:00am-3:00pm. Both of the locations are inside. The bells and kettle will be there, & a sign in sheet. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

·         Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

·         Wanted:  $200 to cover the cost of a cart to hold the overflow of black chairs that are needed from time to time for extra seating in the church. The chairs are presently stored in the room across from the elevator but they are heavy and hard to move one at a time.   Having a cart to store them would make it SO MUCH EASIER to move and use them! Is there someone out there who can help cover this "out of budget" expense?  Please contact Michele or Ed Clabots.  Thank you in advance.

             

Sunday School Syndrome

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

18 October 2012

When Jesus enjoins “Let the children come to me ...” (Mk. 10.14) He does so because people have brought children to Him.  In a time when many worry over the “graying” of the Church we must ask ourselves, therefore, who is bringing children to Jesus?  And once we answer (it is to be hoped) that all of us are responsible to bring children to know God, then we must ask how we do this?

This coming Sunday will be our second this Fall in which the liturgy will reflect an increased focus on children in ministry.  Dcn. Michele will conduct a children’s ministry of the word in St. Nicholas Hall, following which the children will process to the front of the nave prior to our passing of the peace of God, to then stay for a brief children’s sermon and the celebration of eucharist.  The “sermon” will consist of the children bringing a box in which they have placed objects for me (Fr. Karl) to remove, to then discuss how these objects that are of interest to them relate to our faith.  They are not to tell me what is in the box (But no spiders!), so we’ll see how what is selected as special relates to their experience of faith.

As much as involving children in worship is vital, it begs the questions of who is bringing children to Jesus, and how.  We must avoid the “Sunday School Syndrome”.  Most young adults who leave the Church were formally catechized, and grew up attending Sunday School.  The problem is not with Sunday School; it lies in our over-reliance on such a “system” to the exclusion of the individual responsibility of parents to lead their children in faith.

If you are a parent, consider that the average child is now exposed to over 80 hours a week of media (including television, music, computer games, computer messaging, etc.), and might receive 1 hour of instruction in Sunday School and 1 hour of worship.  Regardless of how you view the content of the media to which your children are exposed, consider the fact that if you rely on what happens on Sunday alone to lead your child to Jesus, it’s not likely to happen in a way in which they become people of more than casual faith.  Quite apart from the minimal exposure to faith that this at best 2 hour window allows, the subtle message a child receives from the over-reliance on Sunday School is that faith involves a program, and that faith involves consuming a service rather than an identification of self.

So, what can you do to avoid the Sunday School Syndrome?  Parents must recognize that the primary role in leading their children to Jesus is theirs.  Faith cannot be a Sunday-only phenomenon.  Families must pray every day, for example at meals.  Children can be taught and led in prayer and in Scripture, with Bible stories for the very young and a habit of scripture-reading for the older.  Children can be led in a habit of how we live together in Christian community in the Church.

Parents recognize that as important as schools are, we have far more influence on the people our children become than do the schools.  Let us remember that this applies all the more so in the case of Sunday School.  It is a vital ministry undertaken by caring disciples, but Sunday School cannot come close to providing the instruction in faith that parents can, and must, if children are to be brought to Jesus.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Don and Mary Evans for the donation of metal shelving for the storage closet across from the elevator.  The number of people who helped prepare the festival celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham this past Friday and Saturday is long, and includes at least:

1. Ben Dobey and the choir for the wonderful music.
2. Dcn. Michele for three extra programs, plus extended logistical support.
3. The members of the Altar Guild.
4. The kitchen and clean-up crew, which included at least Bernie Markevitch, Martha Shad, Barb MacEwen, Fred and Gail Tyska.
5. Terry and Mary Kohler for the donation of wine served at the banquet.
6. Bill May for all the extra clean-up work occasioned by the celebration.

Thanks are also due to Bill and Paula Roenitz for our new Episcopal shield, installed next to the parish sign at the corner of N. 7^th and Ontario.  In their Paula’s words:

Bill and I hope you enjoy the new Episcopal sign outside our church.  This is the result of a team effort by Fr. Karl, who wanted some sort of a sign, by Paul Aparicio, who researched where one could be found and located the company, and by Ed Clabots, who made sure the sign was properly erected.  We simply paid for it.  Bill and I thank all these people for the great jobs they did in getting us this beautiful new sign that will last for a long time as it is made of a resin. 

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.

HELP NEEDED:  The columbarium garden needs to be weeded and trimmed.  If you can help in this project, please contact Fr. Karl.

Adult Christian Education:  Commencing on Sunday, 21 October, we will begin a nine week series of Christian Ethics.  We will first examine what an ethical decision is, where we look for guidance in ethical decision-making, and how ethical decisions relate to salvation.  We will then pass on to consider specific ethical issues.  Throughout the course we will seek to identify the teachings of the Church as found in Scripture, Reason and Tradition.  The course materials are posted on the parish website, under “Christian Formation:  Adult”.

Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge readings will be for week 34.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

The number of people following The Bible Challenge on-line is gratifying, and weekly summaries will continue to be posted.  However, attendance at the Tuesday evening sessions has been problematical.  Therefore, Tuesday evening pot-luck and discussion sessions are cancelled.

Music this week:

Prelude                                    Invocation                                                         Guilmant

Entrance Hymn 477                “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine”   Engelberg

Offertory Hymn 444               “Blessed be the God of Israel”                         Thornbury

Communion Motet                  O saving Victim                                                 Plainsong

Communion Hymn 475          “God himself is with us”                                  Tysk

Closing Hymn 655                  “O Jesus, I have promised”                               Nyland

Postlude                                  Prelude and Fugue in E-flat (WTC Bk. 2)        Bach

Parish Notices

§  New Adult formation: Today Sunday, 21 October, we will begin a nine week series of Christian Ethics. We will first examine what an ethical decision is, where we look for guidance in ethical decision-making, and how ethical decisions relate to salvation. We will then pass on to consider specific ethical issues. Throughout the course we will seek to identify the teachings of the Church as found in Scripture, Reason and Tradition. The course materials are posted on the parish website, under “Christian Formation: Adult”. Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.

§  BOO!  You Are Invited to an All Hallows Eve Party: Thursday, October 25^th from 6-8 p.m. in St. Nicholas Hall. Wear Your Costume and bring your Ghoulish Buddies, Invisible Friends & Cousin Its! Children of all ages will enjoy Food, Fun & Games. RSVP to the church office with how many people you will be bringing!

§  All Saints’ Day: We will celebrate All Saints’ Day Thursday, November 1^st with a Solemn Mass at 6:00pm followed by an All Parish Potluck Dinner. Please plan to attend and sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and as you are able, plan to help with clean up. Thank you.

§  Hosting the Seminarian and His Family: Please consider hosting our seminarian Ryan Delaney and his family for a Saturday evening. Ryan and his lovely wife Melanie and children Brenna and Bemen will be staying most Saturday evenings in preparation for services on Sunday morning. This will give the parish an opportunity to get to know them and for the Delaney’s to get to know the parish. Please find a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.

§  Coffee Hour Hosts for 2013: Last Call for Coffee Hour 2013 Host sign-ups! The binder on the table in the narthex contains a sign-up for 2013 Coffee Hour dates. Please sign up by Sunday, October 7. After 10/7, Katy Prange will be compiling a schedule for 2013 and will be calling potential hosts to fill in the gaps. A final schedule for 2013 will be distributed in November. For questions or thoughts, contact Katy Prange - 920-889-1252, katyprange@gmail.com.

§  Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Grace Church is signed up to ring bells for the Salvation Army on November 10^th in two different locations. At the Piggly Wiggly on the north side from 1:00-7:00pm and at the Piggly Wiggly on the south side from 9:00am-3:00pm. Both of the locations are inside. The bells and kettle will be there, & a sign in sheet. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Boy Scouts Trailer Fundraiser: Our Boy Scout Troop has had success in the last few years with membership numbers on the rise. With this success they have out grown their frequently used trailer. As a fundraiser to purchase a larger one, they are offering their services with raking leaves this fall. They are looking for donations per each yard. If you would like to take this year off from yard duty and help out our Troop, there is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. They will be available for raking leaves on October 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th. If you would simply like to donate to their cause please contact Paul Aparicio @ 920-912-6009 or paac92399@yahoo.com

§  Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

God is not a "killer app"

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

11 October 2012

God is not a “killer app”.  This states the obvious, but is nonetheless contradicted by behavior.  An “app” is, of course, a computer application (program) that can be down-loaded from the internet to a smart phone, tablet computer, etc.  In other words, the app is a utilitarian shortcut, a tool that allows the user to access the information desired (or might imagine as desirable).  The use of an app is driven by the need defined by the user.  A simple example might be a weather app, which allows the user to hit an icon on his or her device to learn the temperature and forecast.

But, to return to the premise, God is not an app.  God is not a tool that we can deploy when we need Him, and ignore when we think we don’t.  God wants us to be in relationship with Him.  He wants this so much—and loves us so much—that even when our relationship is broken by our own sin, He comes to us.  His Son has made the sacrifice by which we may be reconciled to God.  His Spirit comes to us to lead us into truth, to prompt us to prayer and love, to comfort us.

When we gather in Jesus’ Name, God is present with us.  When we pray to God, we enter into His presence.  This is not the same thing as touching a screen icon to activate an app to do our will.  No computer program or database created us, loves us, gives for us.  An analogy that may illuminate the difference is that of the difference between access to information and the possession of knowledge and wisdom.  I can search for on internet the description of the pathogenesis and mechanism of a cancer.  I can look up descriptions of the progression and complications of the disease.  I can look up information relating to treatment options—dosing, interventions, etc.  If you are diagnosed with cancer, do you want me to treat your disease, even if I have the best possible access to relevant information?  I think not!  You want the person in charge of your treatment to have real knowledge and wisdom, knowledge gained through study and experience, and the wisdom necessary to deploy this knowledge with judgment, based on long experience with people, and not just with disease.

Or, consider whether you would want to be married to someone who knew all about you—what you like and dislike, what motivates you or scares you, what your aspirations and plans are—even someone who agreed with you and admired you, but did not love you, was not called to give of self.  Just as love is necessary for two to become one, just as knowledge and wisdom are necessary to engage with the other, and mere access to information just isn’t enough, so it is with God.  We must know God as a Person in our lives, who loves us and who we are called to love, and not just as some kind of “magic” tool we can deploy when we need help or comfort.  To know God, to be the people He calls us to be, and to do what He empowers us to do, we must cultivate intimate and ongoing contact—relationship—by meeting with and Him and listening to Him every day, by seeking and serving Him in each other.  God is not an app.  He is not an idea, an ideal, or a moral imperative.  We meet God in the risen Christ, and it is in this meeting that we can experience the fullness of creation to which we are called.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Jack Britton, Ben Dobey and Bernie Markevitch for offering the sung Compline enjoyed on 7 October.

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.

Adult Christian Education:  Our four week course on The New Atheism concludes on Sunday, 14 October.  Commencing on Sunday, 21 October, we will begin a nine week series of Christian Ethics.  We will first examine what an ethical decision is, where we look for guidance in ethical decision-making, and how ethical decisions relate to salvation.  We will then pass on to consider specific ethical issues.  Throughout the course we will seek to identify the teachings of the Church as found in Scripture, Reason and Tradition.  The course materials are posted on the parish website, under “Christian Formation:  Adult”.

Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 16 October, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass an 6 o’clock pot-luck.  Readings will be for week 33.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

The number of people following The Bible Challenge on-line is gratifying, and weekly summaries will continue to be posted.  However, attendance at the Tuesday evening sessions has been problematical.  Therefore, if you plan to attend you must alert the office by Tuesday, noon.  If you do not notify the office of planned attendance, the evening session will be cancelled.

Building a Better You(th group):  Calling all 6th-12th graders and their friends!

 The Diocesan Fall Lock-In is being held at Camp Lakotah, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. until October 28 at 11:00 a.m.

 Many people have described The Fall Lock-In as “the best weekend EVER”. There’s so much to do:  music, games, fun, small group & large group activities, and this year:  IMPROV COMEDY!

Get the details and sign-up at http://diofdl.org/lockin/  All registration is done online.

Music this week:

Evensong Friday, Oct. 12^th with choral scholars from Nashotah House Joseph Kucharski, cond.

Prelude:                       Prière and Alma Redemptoris Mater                          Saint-Martin

Phos hilaron                                                                                                    R. Proulx

Psalm 45 (Anglican chant)                                                                              Stewart

Canticles:                    Evening Service (plainsong with fauxbordons)          Morley

Anthem:                      Ave Maria                                                                   E. Elgar

Postlude:                     Basso ostinato & Fughetta on’Ave Maria’                  S. Taneyev

Pontifical Mass with Procession, Oct. 13^th at 10:30 a.m.

Prelude:                       The Gaudete Brass Quintet

Processional Hymn:    The Pilgrim’s Hymn

Mass setting:               Deutsche Messe                                                           F. Schubert

Offertory Hymn:         “Hail, holy Queen, enthroned above”

Communion Motet:     Ave Maria                                                                   E. Elgar

Communion Hymn:  “Sing of Mary, pure and lowly”

Closing Hymn:            “Ye who claim the faith of Jesus”

Postlude:                     Feierliche Einzug                                                        R. Strauss

Sprinkling, Intercessions, Musical Offering and Benediction at 2 p.m.

Prelude:                       Ave Maria                                                                   F. Liszt

Opening Hymn:          “Hail Mary, ever blessed”

During the sprinkling: Prière                                                                          Jongen

Musical Offering:        Magnificat for organ and chant                                   B. Dobey

Hymn:                         “Sing we of the blessed Mother”                                Rustington

Benediction:                “O saving Victim, opening wide”                               Verbum superbum

                                                                                                                        prodiens

                                    “Therefore we, before him bending”                          Tantum ergo

 Sacramentum

Closing Hymn             “Alleluia!  Sing to Jesus”                                            Hyrfyrdol

Postlude  Magnificat VI:                                                        Dandrieu

                        Basse et dessus de Trompette; Dialogue

Sunday, Oct. 14^th

Prelude                        Like as the hart                                                            Saint-Martin

Opening Hymn 408    “Sing praise to God, who reigns above”                     Mit Freuden zart

Offertory Hymn 680   “O God, our help in ages past”                                   St. Anne

Communion Motet      Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult                                      Hurd

Comm. Hymn 488      “Be thou my vision”                                                   Slane

Closing Hymn 438      “Tell out, my soul”                                                      Woodlands

Postlude                      Toccata in D                                                                Krieger

Parish Notices

§  Coffee Hour Hosts for 2013: Last Call for Coffee Hour 2013 Host sign-ups! The binder on the table in the narthex contains a sign-up for 2013 Coffee Hour dates. Please sign up by Sunday, October 7. After 10/7, Katy Prange will be compiling a schedule for 2013 and will be calling potential hosts to fill in the gaps. A final schedule for 2013 will be distributed in November. For questions or thoughts, contact Katy Prange - 920-889-1252, katyprange@gmail.com.

§  Lakeshore Chorale and Youth Chorales: will open their 2012-2013 season with a concert of lovely and inspiring selections of American spirituals, hymns, and folk songs. Featured are “Four American Folk Hymns”, arranged for piano 4-hands by Mack Wilber, Associate Music Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The concert is Saturday, October 20^th beginning at 7:30pm at St. Peter Claver Church, 1444 South 11^th St., Sheboygan. The cost is $15.00 Adults, $8.00 Students available from Lakeshore Chorale members or at the door. A printable order form is also available on the web: www.lakeshorechorale.org. Season Ticket: $60.00 Adult, $25.00 Student

§  Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Grace Church is signed up to ring bells for the Salvation Army on November 10^th in two different locations. At the Piggly Wiggly on the north side from 1:00-7:00pm and at the Piggly Wiggly on the south side from 9:00am-3:00pm. Both of the locations are inside. The bells and kettle will be there, & a sign in sheet. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Boy Scouts Trailer Fundraiser: Our Boy Scout Troop has had success in the last few years with membership numbers on the rise. With this success they have out grown their frequently used trailer. As a fundraiser to purchase a larger one, they are offering their services with raking leaves this fall. They are looking for donations per each yard. If you would like to take this year off from yard duty and help out our Troop, there is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. They will be available for raking leaves on October 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th. If you would simply like to donate to their cause please contact Paul Aparicio @ 920-912-6009 or paac92399@yahoo.com

§  Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

A Life of Prayer

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

3 October 2012

Publication note:  Grace Notes is being published a day early this week, because the parish office will be closed tomorrow (4 October), for clergy to attend a conference.  Scheduled worship services for 4 October are cancelled.

“Wow!”  This single word was uttered at Morning Prayer today in response to the lesson from Hosea, and from how the lesson spoke directly to the situation in society today.  God speaks to us when we attend to Him.  The Word is very near to us (as we will hear in our lesson from Hebrews this coming Sunday), but we must be open to the Word.

In The Episcopal Church we are blessed that we use more of Scripture in worship than in any other church tradition.  But, if all you hear is the lessons from the Sunday lectionary—faithfully attending every Sunday of the year—you still are exposed to far less than the whole of God’s Word.  If you are participating in The Bible Challenge, you will work your way through all of the Bible, but not in the context of worship (the context in which we can best hear God’s Word).  So, let me suggest that you consider how you can participate in the daily office of Morning Prayer and/or Evening Prayer.

While it is certainly true, and a blessing, that “... the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord’s Day” is Holy Eucharist, in the daily office we can engage in an ongoing conversation with God, listening to His Word and praying to Him.  As a layman and in my own ordained ministry, I have found that by observing the daily office I am exposed to much, much more Scripture than in eucharistic worship alone, and that by doing this daily I am formed and informed in ways that surprise me continually. 

Being in conversation with God every day will change you, so how do make this happen?  In this parish you can participate in Morning Prayer daily at 8:45 a.m., and Evening Prayer at 5 p.m.  Praying with others can help us listen and hear better, and can help us in developing a rhythm of prayer.  But there is also a way you can pray the office at home or work, and any time of day.  Go to http://www.missionstclare.com/english/ to find the daily office online.  The format will walk you through the prayer office without you having to study prayer book rubrics, or fumble between the prayer book and a Bible.  The format allows options, such as hymns, and include wonderful narratives of the lives of saints on their feast days.

Try the daily office for a month.  You will find that you are exposed to parts of Scripture that may be new to you, and they will speak to you.  You will find that in a discipline of prayer your relationship with God will deepen, and how you see yourself and the world will evolve.  You will find that you can listen to God better.  A thiry day trial will not, by any means, more than begin this process, but thirty days is a long enough time to start to feel change, particularly if you can join us at the parish to pray together.  And remember, a parish that prays is a parish in right relationship with God, the God who’s will it is to bless us.  A parish that prays together is in right relationship with each other, for when we lift each other up in prayer we better bind ourselves in common life and mission.  Pray continually, and try the daily office!

Election results:  At the parish annual meeting on 30 September, the following persons were elected to parish offices:

Senior Warden            Roberta Kraft

Junior Warden            Paul Aparicio

Vestry                          Bev Evans, Bob Hanlon, Joann Otte*, Mary Snyder, Jack Westfall*

Diocesan Delegates    Bill Gagin, Debbie Gagin, Mary Kohler, Roberta Kraft,† Steve

Larson, Dale Massey,† Elizabeth Schaffenburg,

            *elected to two years terms, with right of re-election

            †alternates

           

Parish dinners:  The Chez Grace dinners have been cancelled due to insufficient participation.  We will continue to explore how to facilitate small group gatherings in which we can all work to develop relationships across the parish family. 

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Dcn. Michele Whitford for all of the extra work that preparing for the parish annual meeting required, and thank Joann Otte for acting as meeting secretary, and Pat Ford Smith as ballot counter.  Please thank Sarah Bondy, Bryan Stenz for providing children’s activities during the meeting.  Thanks to all who provided food, and who helped to clean up afterwards!

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 is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 9 October, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass an 6 o’clock pot-luck.  Readings will be for week 32.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

The number of people following The Bible Challenge on-line is gratifying, and weekly summaries will continue to be posted.  However, attendance at the Tuesday evening sessions has been problematical.  Therefore, if you plan to attend you must alert the office by Tuesday, noon.  If you do not notify the office of planned attendance, the evening session will be cancelled.

Building a Better You(th group)

As we go through the rest of 2012, asking questions and learning about what God may be calling us to do as a youth group, we also have a great opportunity to join in with other youth groups in our area. For starters after many Tripartite meetings (at different levels) we are going to try to start developing some community-building get-togethers between our covenant parishes of St. Peter Lutheran and St. Dominic Roman Catholic. I am arranging meetings with the youth workers from each of those parishes; to plan and organize these events, look for them to be open to all 6-12th graders. It is also my wish to join in with Episcopal Churches in Sheboygan Falls, and Plymouth, and look forward to what we can do together.

Also, I feel very strongly about building up our younger youth, and the community of young families. This might include ongoing Family Game Nights, movie nights, or other things we haven't thought of yet. If you have an idea for something in this area, or if you feel that you want to help organize an event like this. Please let me know, and we can work together to have fun together, as a community of believers.

―Nick Whitford

Music this week:

Prelude                        Chorale Prelude on Lord, forever at thy side              R. Vaughan Williams 

Entrance Hymn 495    “Hail, thou once despised Jesus”                                In Babilone

Mass Setting, Franz Schubert

Offertory Hymn 448  “O love, how deep, how broad, how high”                Deus tuorum militum

Communion Motet      O Love of God, how strong and true                          Vernon Griffiths

Comm. Hymn 704      “O thou who camest from above”                              Hereford

Closing Hymn 637      “How firm a foundation”                                           Lyons

Postlude                      Prelude and Fugue in G major                                   Dietrich Buxtehude

Parish Notices

§  Simple Potluck Supper and Compline: Sunday, October 7^th 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.

§  Walsingham Pilgrimage: This is the 61^st Annual Pilgrimage to the American Proto-Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Friday, October 12^th there will be a Quiet Day with meditations at 12:00 and 3:00pm concluding with Solemn Evensong at 6:00pm. The Rev. Dr. Arnold W. Klukas will lead the meditations. On Saturday, October 13^th The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus will celebrate at the Procession and Solemn Pontifical Mass at 10:30am. The Rt. Rev. Lindsay G. Urwin, OGS will preach. Bishop Urwin is the, Administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, England. If you can help with the cost of the Pilgrimage by donating for music and for flowers please make you check out to Grace Church with “Pilgrimage music and flowers” in the memo. Thank you so much.

§  Coffee Hour Hosts for 2013: Last Call for Coffee Hour 2013 Host sign-ups! The binder on the table in the narthex contains a sign-up for 2013 Coffee Hour dates. Please sign up by Sunday, October 7. After 10/7, Katy Prange will be compiling a schedule for 2013 and will be calling potential hosts to fill in the gaps. A final schedule for 2013 will be distributed in November. For questions or thoughts, contact Katy Prange - 920-889-1252, katyprange@gmail.com.

§  Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Grace Church is signed up to ring bells for the Salvation Army on November 10^th in two different locations. At the Piggly Wiggly on the north side from 1:00-7:00pm and at the Piggly Wiggly on the south side from 9:00am-3:00pm. Both of the locations are inside. The bells and kettle will be there, & a sign in sheet. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Boy Scouts Trailer Fundraiser: Our Boy Scout Troop has had success in the last few years with membership numbers on the rise. With this success they have out grown their frequently used trailer. As a fundraiser to purchase a larger one, they are offering their services with raking leaves this fall. They are looking for donations per each yard. If you would like to take this year off from yard duty and help out our Troop, there is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. They will be available for raking leaves on October 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th. If you would simply like to donate to their cause please contact Paul Aparicio @ 920-912-6009 or paac92399@yahoo.com

§  Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.