Reporting for Duty

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

14 November 2012

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Grace Notes is published one day early this week, due to the parish office being closed on 15 November, for a meeting of diocesan Executive Council.      

CHANGE IN SERVICE OF WORSHIP TIMES:  In order to allow for greater participation in worship of those whose work hours conflict with the existing worship schedule, effective immediately the worship schedule in the parish is changed as follows (changes in Italics):

Sunday                  No changes

Monday                MP      8:45 a.m.          Mass   12:10 p.m.        EP/Rosary      5:30 p.m.

Tuesday                MP      8:45 a.m.          Mass   6:00 p.m.         EP                   5:30 p.m.

Wednesday           MP      8:45 a.m.          Mass   6:00 p.m.         EP                   5:30 p.m.

Thursday              MP      8:45 a.m.          Mass   9:00 a.m.          EP                   5:30 p.m.

Friday                   MP      7:00 a.m.         Mass   7:15 a.m.         EP                   5:30 p.m.

Saturday               MP      8:45 a.m.          Mass   9:00 a.m.

Office hours will be maintained as they are currently, but appointments will be restricted to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This past Sunday we celebrated how we are called together into one Body in Christ, and how we are blessed in our life together.  One aspect of this life and blessing involves giving, and it is good to report on the spiritual growth represented in how this parish contributes to God’s work.  The final numbers for 2013 giving will not be available for a couple of weeks, but based on what is known now we can celebrate the following:

• Overall giving from parishioners who had a 2012 pledge has increased materially.
• Not less than 14 new pledges have been received!  That’s a 17% increase in pledging units.
• The best projection for 2013 is for a parish operating budget which balances, maintaining existing ministries.

Let’s look at that last observation, of a balanced budget.  The best projection at present is that giving will increase despite the loss of $31,000 in pledges due to deaths.  This means that we will have made up a deficit situation (2012 = $46,000) and put the parish back on a sound financial footing.

The point in stewardship is not to balance a budget, any budget.  It is to participate in the work that God has given us to do, and to participate in the blessing which God gives us when we do His work.  In this respect, it is illustrative that the body of a church building is referred to as the nave, from the Latin word for a ship.  (Most church buildings look, from the inside, a little like a ship turned upside down.)  A ship is going somewhere.  We journey together.  On a ship a person can be a member of crew or a passenger.  Crew members determine where the ship goes and how it is run.  Passengers are along for the ride.  What we have seen in the progress made in giving in this parish is that more people “aboard” have “reported for duty”.  You have heard the summons of the Holy Spirit and responded.  Thanks be to God! (and welcome aboard).

Grace Abounds:  Many people merit thanksgivings for their service this past week:

The New Consecration Sunday Team:  The team which came together to realize our stewardship program this year included Steve Larson, Tom Wright, Ed & Mary Clabots, Joanne Otte, Nicci Beeck, Barbara Knauf, Susan McIntosh, and Stuart Schmidt.  Please thank, as well, Dcn. Michele Whitford and Sutton Cecil for extensive support to the program.

The Celebration Luncheon Team:  Please thank Bernie Markevitch for organizing the meal on this past Sunday.  He was assisted in preparation by Nicci Beeck, Julie Davidson and Rex Perry, and clean-up was effected by Nicci and Julie, assisted by Pat Ford Smith and Elizabeth Schaffenburg.

Office help:  Sutton Cecil, Pat Ford Smith, Martha Shad, Paul Aparicio.

Seminarian family hosts:  John and Jennifer Keller.

All Hallows’ Eve Party:  This notice was not included in last week’s Grace Notes due to the editor dropping the ball!  Please thank all those who organized and conducted the Sunday School party for All Hallows’ Eve, including:  Jessica Ambelang, Nicci Beeck, Annette, Isabella and Scott Fabiano, and Pat Ford Smith.

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.

Tripartite Thanksgiving Service: We will celebrate and give thanks with our Tripartite Covenant Parishes November 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. This year’s celebration will be at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2104 Geele Ave., Sheboygan.  Please plan to attend.  It is important that we have the best possible representation from the parish, for at this service we will renew the covenant entered into between our congregations.

Adult Christian Education:  Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.  On 4 November we continue 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 38.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.  Bible study will not  meet this Thursday, due to a conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday.

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.

EYC Notes:  I met with the youth leaders from Saint Dominic Roman Catholic and Saint Peter's Lutheran. We are planning to do some things together as a combined youth group. We have something planned for December and something planned for January, and we look forward to the future. There will be more information coming up, so stay tuned.  –Nick Whitford

Music this week:

Prelude             Alla Sarabanda                                                           R. Vaughan Williams

                                    Musette

Entrance Hymn 598      “Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth”    Mit Freuden zart

Offertory Hymn 665     “All my hope on God is founded”                                  Michael

Communion Motet        God be in my head                                                      J. Rutter

Comm. Hymn 615        “Thy kingdom come”                                                    St. Flavian

Closing Hymn 594        “God of grace and God of glory”                                  Cwm Rhondda

Postlude                       Fantasia in C                                                              W. Byrd          

Parish Notices

§  Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00 p.m. beginning this Thursday November 29^th, downstairs in the choir room. Additional practices will be on December 6^th, 13^th and 20^th these will be just before the Pageant rehearsals.  The choir is open to 2^nd graders and up, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.

§  Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: will be on Thursday, November 29^th, December 6^th, 13^th and 20^th starting at 6:00 p.m. The rehearsals will begin in the church and then go downstairs for costumes. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Mass. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If your child would like to participate but cannot make rehearsals please note that on the sheet or call Annette Fabiano at 451-7098.

§  Salvation Army Gift tags: We have the tree up, and all the name tags on it, for the Salvation Army Family gifts, please take a name or two and follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Christmas Parade: The Sunday School Children will once again be selling snacks during the Christmas Parade Sunday November 25^th from 3:30-5:30pm. The proceeds of the sale will go to outreach. Come and watch the parade as it travels past Grace Church on 7^th Street and enjoy some warm snacks. All children are encouraged to come and help with the sale.

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: Advent Lessons and Carols is a beautifully sung service held December 9^th, at 4:00 p.m. The service is followed by a High Tea in St. Nicholas Hall.

§  Sunday School Cookie Bake: Sunday, December 16^th the Sunday School children will be baking cookies for Meals on Wheels, baking will begin after the 10:15 Mass.  Pizza lunch will be provided.  Please bring family and friends to help, many hands make light work.  Thank you both for your time

§  Christian Ethics: 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.

§  Hosting the Seminarian and His Family: Please consider hosting our seminarian Ryan Delaney and his family for a Saturday evening meal or Sunday Brunch. Ryan and his lovely wife Melanie and children Brenna and Bremen 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.