Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
6 December 2012
In speaking of faith it is common that we say that we’re not concerned, primarily, with numbers. And this statement is true, provided we recognize that it contains a qualifier: primarily. We do need to be concerned about numbers as surrogates of spiritual health, because they are markers of spiritual practice.
At the end of the year our number for Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) will be down, albeit the decline will be within the range of year-to-year variation in the recent past. 2012 closed with an ASA 127. We will probably close 2013 around 123. By itself this variation is not overly concerning, but only if we are content to stand still. We are called to mission, not to maintaining what we have.
In national surveys of beliefs and practices, people who classify themselves as “regular in church attendance” are not saying they are at Sunday worship every week. They self-define this regularity of worship in ranges down to once-a-month. Is this what God requires? Is this what we have each promised to do in our baptismal covenant?
Where we have seen a significant fall in attendance on worship is on weekdays. We offer Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer and Mass every day, with shrine prayers Mon—Fri evenings, and corporate Rosary on Mondays. Attendance is down by a significant margin. Why? We are experimenting with attendance times, but any changes do not appear to be real factors. The culture around us de-emphasizes any appreciation of the divine, so perhaps we are becoming more acculturated. Which means we need to focus, again, on enculturation.
In acculturation we acquiesce to environment. In enculturation we are intentional in adopting particular beliefs and practices. The long-standing culture of Grace—something which has set us apart in much of the Church—is daily worship. This culture reflects acts of will. Consider, then, where your own will fits in. Do you will that we offer praise and worship to God; that we be instructed in His holy Word? Do you will that praises rise constantly here, or that we become a Sunday-only parish? It is up to you to focus more on your own relationship with God, and how this is lived out in worship.
Choose God. Choose to serve Him. Be active in your faith, as a disciple, and not passive, as a “regular member”. God calls each one of us to Him, and He wills that in our response we gather. What you will also find in gathering on a weekday is a different worship experience from what you are used to on Sunday. In a chapel setting, with a smaller congregation, we get to experience more of the sharing of the common experience of God. We build community. We are physically closer, and this builds spiritual closeness. Find out what you are missing, and if you have attended in the past and have stopped for any reason, let Fr. Karl know the reason. If you have a complaint, voice it. This is your spiritual home. Let’s put it in good order together.
Stewardship: We can now celebrate 16 new pledges! However, we have still not heard from a substantial number of parishioners who were not present for Consecration Sunday on 11 November. Follow-up letters have gone out, but we still need to hear from 14 members who pledged in 2012, but who have not indicated their intention for 2013.
Please respond immediately! Whether you intend to pledge or not, or whether your pledge amount changes, we need to know in order to put a 2013 plan together.
Grace Abounds: Many people merit thanksgivings for their service this past week:
Coffee hour: .
Office help: Jane Hanson.
Holiday Gift Tree: Please thank Nancy Yurk for organizing the parish response.
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: Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall. On 2 December we continue our series on Christian ethics, with the focus this week being on issues related to crime and punishment, to willful substance abuse, and to civil disobedience. 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 41. Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.
EYC Notes: .
Music this week:
Prelude Partita on ‘Comfort, comfort ye, my people’ Pachelbel
Entrance Hymn 76 “On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry”
Offertory Hymn 75 “There’s a voice in the wilderness crying’
Communion Motet O Lord, how shall I meet you Crueger
Comm. Hymn 67 “Comfort, comfort ye, my people”
Closing Hymn 73 “The King shall come when morning dawns”
Postlude Toccata on ‘Winchester New’ Neswick
Lessons & Carols at 4 p.m. (followed by High Tea in St. Nicholas Hall):
Advent Hymns and Carols, including:
O come, O come, Emmanuel
Creator of the stars of night
Mendelssohn’s Behold a star from Jacob shining
Adam lay ybounden
The truth from above (English carol)
The angel Gabriel from heaven came
The blessings of Mary (Old Appalachian carol)
Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding
Lo, He comes with clouds descending
The Great ‘O’ antiphons
Parish Notices
§ Advent Lessons and Carols: Invite friends and family to Advent Lessons and Carols. It is a beautifully sung service held December 9th, at 4:00 p.m. The service is followed by a High Tea in St. Nicholas Hall.
§ Salvation Army Gift tags: We have a few names on the tree that need gifts, 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 Castle Volunteers: Nine people are needed to help with the Christmas Castle December 20th from 11:00am until 1:30pm. The castle is located behind the old Walgreen's at memorial. Mall, close to the good yr. store on the west side of the mall. Please park on the south side of the Building. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Any questions please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.
§ Christmas Joy Committee: once again needs your help. We need volunteers to assemble and delivery Christmas arrangements and cookies to the shut ins of our parish. We will gather at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 20th in St. Nicholas Hall. Money to fund this project (buy flowers) is greatly appreciated; please note in memo area that it is for “Christmas Joy.” Sign up sheet is in the narthex for volunteers, cookie donations or contact Barb MacEwen at 467-6909. Last year was a huge success for both volunteers and recipients-please help! Thank you.
§ Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00pm downstairs in the choir room. Rehearsals will be on December 13th and 20th these will be just before the Pageant rehearsals. The choir is open to 2nd graders and up, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.
§ Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: will be on Thursday, December 13th and 20th starting at 6:00p.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.
§ Sunday School Cookie Bake: Sunday, December 16th 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.
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