Grace Notes: May 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Real and Timeless

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

30 May 2013

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi, a feast set aside to commemorate the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The feast always falls on the Thursday which follows Trinity Sunday, with this placement on the calendar arising from our need to remind ourselves that the transcendent godhead dwells among us, and abides with us.

The institution of Corpus Christi as a feast in the resulted from approximately forty years of work on the part of Juliana of Liège, a 13th-century religious (in what is now Belgium) woman of the Praemonstrantensian order. The widespread observance of this feast was only recognized after Juliana’s death. Juliana was canonized in 1869.

In our own parish, one of the prayer cards to be found in the chapel of Our Lady of Walsingham (and a card which excludes an expiration date for the offering of this petition) prays that there may be an “increase in devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacrament [here]”. We pray this. We celebrate the festival. Let us consider how much we truly pay attention to the fact that Jesus is present physically as well as spiritually among us. He is present in the Blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood, reserved in the tabernacle. (That’s what that candle burning in the presence light in the sanctuary signifies.) He is present in us when we receive Him in Communion. So let us each make a sober examination of conscience before receiving Communion, and say the confession not just in the form of a prayer, but keeping in mind our individual sins that must be offered to God, that they may be forgiven and we may thus participate rightfully in Communion.

There are times when the Church calendar can seem a bit quaint, can seem to focus on things long ago and far away (as if distance or time matter to God!) But on Corpus Christi we remind ourselves of a very Real Presence which is here and now, and which calls us into the presence of God before whom we stand. Far from being quaint or remote, let this feast serve as a reminder of what is real and timeless, and of Who is with us “to the end of the age” (Mtt. 28.20).

Grace Abounds: Please thank Fr. John Ambelang for the coffee hours this past Sunday. Please than Bill and Deb Gagin, Barb MacEwen, Bernie Markevitch, and Dcn. Michele Whitford for their work in hosting the altar guild society of the Diocese of Milwaukee in tours of All Saints’, Elkhart Lake, and the parish, and in hosting a meal for the guild members.

Episcopal Youth Community: I am looking forward to our annual Start of Summer Bonfire on the Beach, and you should be too! This time it is actually on the first day of Summer, June 21st! We'll start at about 6:30pm and goes until 10pm, but really we'll just try to be packed and gone before the park closes at 11pm.

The way this works is that we, the hosts, will supply firewood, and a camp-fire grill-top, water, cups, and dessert. Then you, our invited guests, bring whatever you want to cook for dinner (over the fire), a chair, anything you want to drink that isn't water, any games or game balls, and anything else you might think you want on the beach.

After you've gathered your supplies, go and find everyone you know, and fit them in your car/van or caravan, and bring them with you!

I am excited to see you there! Remember this is an all ages, all invited event. If you're wondering if it would be appropriate for you to be there, the answer is a definite YES!

―Nick

Music this week:

Prelude Andante tranquillo Edward Hopkins

Entrance Hymn 372 “Praise to the living God” Leoni

Offertory Hymn 522 “Glorious things of thee are spoken” Austria

Communion Motet Ave verum W. A. Mozart

Comm. Hymn 567 “Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old” St. Matthew

Closing Hymn 535 “Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim” Paderborn

Postlude Toccata in G Major Johann Kuhnau

Parish Notices:

Being the Body: The second block of the Being the Body program will begin on Saturday, June 1^st, when we will continue with the “Being” trimester. The session will be focused on Participating in Grace: Sacramental Identity. The Rev. Paul Feider from St. John’s Church, New London will be the presenter Being the Body involves an examination and experience of knowing (who God is and what His will is for us), being (experiencing and living who we are called to be as Jesus’ Body), and doing (doing God’s will as His people, and each as His son or daughter).

Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like please call Michele at the office.

Scholarships are available.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3pm) – June 15 (Sat 12noon)
Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)
Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)
KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30am)

There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Woman’s Bible study: will be taking the summer off starting Monday 5/27/2013 until Wednesday September 4th at 1:00 pm. Location to be announced.

The 54th Annual Eucharistic Festival: at St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac is Saturday, June 29th, including the Bishop's Picnic and a Diocesan Summer Camp Reunion for any who have attended camp at anytime. The Rt. Rev. Ed Little, Bishop of Northern Indiana is the Homilist. Bishop Jacobus' goal is to make this Festival truly diocesan with every congregation represented by carrying their banner, singing with the choir, or worshipping from the pew. Read the details, including volunteering to serve by helping with set-up, serving, or clean-up, at diofdl.org/ef.

Bishop’s Retirement Celebration: Everyone is invited to attend the Celebration for Bishop Russ and Jerrie Jacobus Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 3:30 – 9:00pm at Homestead Meadows, W7560 Spencer Rd. Appleton, WI 54914. This will be a casual event including Hayrides & games, dinner, a program, concluding with a dance with a DJ. Please register at diofdl.org/celebration . The cost to attend is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 12-18 and children under 12 free. Please do not let cost be a factor in attending, assistance is available for all.

Friday Date Night: It’s easy to fall in love, but staying in love is another thing entirely! Come for a program and free simple supper to share with your partner. A fun, simple and easy way to spend an enjoyable evening together. Friday, June 14, 2013, 5:30—9 p.m. at the Great Marriages Office. It is free, but registration required. Please call 920-783-3660 for more information and to register.

Song of Solomon: It’s known the Bible provides great wisdom for righteous living and spiritual growth. But it can guide us in our dating, courtship and marriage relationships as well! Pastor Andy Shanholtz will guide married and engaged couples in this informative, 8 week study of one of the earliest known books on relationship advice. Mondays, Jun 17-Aug 5, 2013 at the Great Marriages Office. Please bring a Bible to class. Suggested donation for materials, $5. Registration is required. Call 920-783-3660 for more information and to register.

The Fifth Annual “Good Stock” Music Fesitival: will be held on Saturday June 22^nd at the Fountain Park band shell in downtown Sheboygan. Music featuring praise bands from all over Sheboygan County, a kid’s activity area and good food will all begin at 11am and run until 8:30pm. Admission is free. For more information visit the website at www.goodstocksheboygancounty.com.

Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin will be hosting our Scenic Shore 150 Bike Tour: On Saturday, July 20 & Sunday, July 21, which is a two day, 150-mile, fully-supported cycling event that is open to riders of all ages and abilities. This unique bike excursion takes place along the coast of Wisconsin beginning in Mequon, with an overnight in Manitowoc, and ending in Sturgeon Bay.

The Scenic Shore 150 is one of Wisconsin's most popular bike rides and the largest locally organized and supported event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In July 2012, 1,108 riders raised over $860,000, with 76% of all the funds raised going to our mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the lives of patients and their families. More information on LLS can be found at www.lls.org.

As this event continues to grow, so does our need for support from organizations like yours. We are looking for volunteer teams to join us during the event on Saturday, July 20 & Sunday, July 21, as well as before and after the bike tour on Friday, July 19 & Monday, July 22. There are many different volunteer opportunities available for your group. We believe you will find this experience to be both mutually beneficial and enjoyable to those involved.

As a volunteer, you can make a difference to the millions of people whose lives are touched by blood cancers. The funds this event will raise will be invested in critical cancer research, patient services and other activities to help enhance, prolong and save the lives of people with blood cancers. More information regarding the bike tour and volunteering can be found on our event website at www.scenicshore150.org. To sign up or for more information regarding the opportunities available, please contact Sara at 262-785-4244 or sara.drapp@lls.org.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

A Spirit-filled Church (Your Turn)

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

23 May 2013

What does a Spirit-filled church look like? As the Body of Christ in this place, what evidence do we have that we are in fact filled with the Holy Spirit? Past editions of Grace Notes have included a brief meditation on some aspect of the intersection of faith and culture, or on the development and practice of faith. But this week it is your turn. We have just celebrated the feast of Pentecost, when we recall the birth of the Church, and the reality that the Holy Spirit is given to each one of us—not just to select prophets and apostles. Having this Spirit we are called to specific ministries as disciples and apostles, and to a new life which relates to God and to each other in ways not possible without the Holy Spirit.

So, to get back to that point about it being “your turn,” this week’s blog is not issued in the form of a meditation but rather one of challenge. Let everyone who reads this blog add a comment. Tell all the other readers of this blog what a Spirit-filled church looks like to you; how you experience and share the Spirit here. Let’s follow all of these comments together, to be better informed of the many ways in which God is working among us!

Grace Abounds: Please thank those who helped prepare and serve food for the meeting of diocesan clergy held here this week: Nicci Beeck, Bill & Deb Gagin, Barb MacEwen and Bernie Markevitch. Please than Pat Ford Smith for managing the office during the clergy meeting.

As the term ends, please thank all of the Sunday School teachers, and those who help in the school and the nursery: Jessica Ambelang, Nicci Beeck, Pat Ford Smith, Mary Ann Portz, Brian Stenze, and Nick Whitford.

Episcopal Youth Community: Waiting Up

Why is it that sometimes when you want everything to go according to plan, it all falls apart at your finger tips. There's nothing you can do to prevent it, and there's nothing to do except accept, adapt, and move forward.

This happened in my house this week. And it happened to my one year old. She and I had been absent from each other for a good chunk of the weekend, and definitely during the week while I work the evening shift. On Monday, she was getting her routine back in order, and she was doing it herself. She took two naps, ate dinner, and was ready to go upstairs for bed. After reading three books, and cuddling with mama, she sat up, and waited. After a couple more read-throughs of the books, she cuddled again, and then sat up and waited. Then things got desperate.

Meanwhile I was working, and at my work a technical failure left me with a lot of catching up to do. I would normally have been done and home in time for the whole routine listed above, but I couldn't leave until two hours past my normal time.

After going back downstairs and sitting in front of the front door waiting for me, mama insisted that it was bed time, and the whole thing came crashing down. It wasn't right because I wasn't home. Daddy is part of the routine.

She had done her best to get it together, she had tried, and done everything in her tiny (though mighty) power, but she couldn't stay awake long enough, and even though she fought, and cried to stay awake, to have it be right. She fell asleep mere minutes before I walked in the house.

I picked her up and carried her to her bed. I was so touched by her wanting me to be home, and simultaneously pleased that she was asleep like she should be when I got there. I am proud to be her daddy. And I wondered when the last time I was trying so hard to make something right, and it wouldn't happen. And yet, when at last I couldn't fight for it any longer. I was given rest and peace, and even though it didn't happen the way I wanted it to, everything was alright in the morning.

―Nick

Adult Christian Education: On 12 May we began a four week study of the First Letter of Peter. Join as at 9 a.m. on Sundays.

Music this week:

Prelude Kyrie, God the Father in Eternity J. S. Bach

Christe, Savior of the World

Kyrie, God the Holy Ghost

Entrance Hymn 362 “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” Nicaea

Offertory Hymn 370 “I bind unto myself today” St. Patrick’s

Breastplate

Communion Motet From the rising of the sun Ouseley

Communion Hymn 365 “Come thou almighty King” Moscow

Closing Hymn 579 “Almighty Father, strong to save” Melita

Postlude Fugue in E Flat J. S. Bach

Parish Notices

Knit Together: Knit Together is re-grouping! We will meet this Saturday, May 25^th at 1:00pm. Please join us every 4th Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00pm for fellowship and handwork. Knitting, needlepoint, crochet - all are welcome. We look forward to seeing you! Please call Polly Schmeiser at 889-6796 with questions or if you need a ride.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3pm) – June 15 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30am)

There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Woman’s Bible study: will be taking the summer off starting Monday 5/27/2013 until Wednesday September 4th at 1:00 pm. Location to be announced.

Food For Freedom: Have you heard about the mega food drive happening this spring in Fond du Lac to fight hunger in our area? Food for Freedom will take place at the Fond du Lac High School west parking lot May 25-26, 2013 from 1:00pm on Saturday and 1:00pm on Sunday. This event will happen over a 24-hour period on Memorial Day weekend. Food for Freedom is being coordinated by a Fondy High School junior, Danny Loomans, in a effort to raise food for distribution in five counties, Sheboygan County being one of them. This event will attempt to break the current world record for the largest food drive in 24 hours at a single location. More details can be found at www.foodforfreedom.org.

Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Come, Lord Jesus!

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

16 May 2013

Last Sunday we heard a New Testament lesson from the very end of Revelation, and thus from the very close of the canon of Scripture. And how does all of the Bible end (short of a benediction)? With a prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev.22.20). We pray at all times that our Lord—who is very present to us—may return to fulfill God’s plan of salvation, but in praying this we should stop and each ask ourselves what it is that we are prepared to ask our Lord when we do finally meet Him? If Jesus were to walk into your door, wouldn’t it be a little lame to just quote Janis Joplin and say, “Oh, Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?”

This highlights the difference between prayer and wish-fulfillment. It is easy to ask God to fulfill what I may truly desire, even when I know that what I desire is too often a lot more than what I need. But the danger in translating desire into petition is that this form of petition is no more than a projection of will, and the whole point both of prayer and of our relationship with God is that we must seek that God’s will—not ours—be done.

There is nothing wrong with petition as prayer. We can pray for ourselves, but in doing so let’s keep in mind who’s will it is that we are seeking might be fulfilled. If it is just ours then the petition leads us away from God, rather than toward Him. As famously put by C. S. Lewis in his meditation on damnation, The Great Divorce, those who at the end of the day refuse to seek that God’s will may be done get their wish. He says to them “Thy will be done,” and their will is one that separates them from God.

Pray continually. Pray in adoration and contemplation, offering praise and thanksgiving. Pray in petition for yourself and in intercession for others. But, when you pray, pray always that God’s will may be done, and that you may discern His will and do it.

Grace Abounds: Please thank all those who made the Ascension Day dinner a success, including: Jessica Ambelang, Jack Britton, Julie Davidson, Deb Gagin, Jane Hanson, Mary & Terry Kohler, Bernie Markevitch, Barb MacEwen, Path Sather, & Mary Snyder.

Please thank Mary & Terry Kohler for the donation to our kitchen of a large induction heating sauce and soup pot, that will allow us to continue to offer wonderful soups!

Adult Christian Education: On 12 May we began a four week study of the First Letter of Peter. Join as at 9 a.m. on Sundays.

Music this week:

Prelude Variations on Veni Creator Spiritus Duruflé

Entrance Hymn 225 “Hail thee, festival day”

Sequence Hymn 504 “Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire”

Offertory Hymn 509 “Spirit divine, attend our prayers”

Communion Anthem Come, Holy Ghost Gibbons

Communion Hymn 598 “Breathe on me, breath of God”

Closing Hymn 516 “Come down, O Love divine”

Postlude Finale on Veni Creator Duruflé

Parish Notices

Val Burg Memorial Youth fund: The loose plate offering today will go towards the Val Burg Memorial Youth fund. This offering will help with the Diocesan Summer Camp Scholarships. It was Val’s passion that every child have the opportunity to go to camp. Checks can be made out to Grace Church with “camp” in the memo. Please be generous as you are able.

Scholarships are available.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3pm) – June 15 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30am)

There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Knit Together: Knit Together is re-grouping! Please join us every 4th Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00pm for fellowship and handwork. Knitting, needlepoint, crochet - all are welcome. We look forward to seeing you! Please call Polly Schmeiser at 889-6796 with questions or if you need a ride.

Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ascended on High

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

9 May 2013

Today is Ascension Day. This is one of the “principal” feasts on the Church calendar; i.e., it cannot be moved to another day, must be observed by the congregation, and is considered a feast which of equal obligation as Easter and Christmas. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m., because at 6 p.m. we will host a service of Solemn Evensong as a joint worship service with our tripartite covenant partners, the clergy and people of St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church and St. Peter Luther Church, followed by a fellowship meal.

The story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven is found at Act 1.6-11, ending with angels telling the disciples that Jesus “... will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Traditionally, churches are “oriented” (worship faces east), because we expect Jesus to return from the east. This is also why graves face east, that at the Second Coming the dead may rise to meet their judge.

Ascension Day is considered to be the inauguration of the reign of the living Christ. As described by Paul at Phil. 2.10-11 (using words that had probably already been in hymnal use for decades at the time Paul recorded them), “[A]t the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ...” Ascension Day allows us to remind ourselves, and to proclaim, that we do not worship a God through a Christ who was, but who is. This reality highlights the principal problem with the “search for the historical Jesus”. Those who focus on what can and cannot be “proven” from extra-biblical sources about what Jesus did and said have done the Church the service of bringing to lot some relevant evidence of who Jesus was perceived to be by non-believers in His own days incarnate on earth, but this really misses the point: If what we are focused on is what one Palestinian Jew said and did two millennia ago—rather than on what the risen Lord, the reigning Christ does now—doesn’t faith become no more than some kind of cultural or tribal baggage? We worship a God who is alive, One who is active in our lives now as a Person and not just as a memory. Ascension Day allows us to reaffirm and proclaim this reality, this triumph, this presence of God in the life of the world.

Grace Abounds: Please thank all those who made the parish clean-up a success. including: John Ambelang, Andrea & Paul Aparicio, Jack Britton, Mike Burg, Julie Davidson, John Davis, Ben Dobey, Scott Fabiano, Jim Gardner, Steve Larson, Bobbie & Bill May, Jennifer Pawlus, Mike Prange, Elizabeth & Karl Schaffenburg, Mary Snyder (who also provided a wonderful lunch!), Tom Wright.

Please thank Polly Schmeiser and Bernie Markevitch for the reception following the bishop’s visitation.

Seminarian Ordination: Charleston Wilson will be ordained deacon by Bp. Daniel Martins, Episcopal Diocese of Springfield (Illinois) on Tuesday, 14 May, at 6 p.m., in St. Mary’s chapel at Nashotah House. If you wish to car pool to attend, please contact the parish office.

Fr. Karl will be out-of-town: Fr. Karl will not be in the office Tuesday through Thursday next week. This means that there will be no celebration of Holy Eucharist on those days. The building will continue to remain open for Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5:10 p.m.

Adult Christian Education: During Eastertide we will keep adult education simple. This will involve a Bible study session at 9 a.m. on Sundays, in which we will examine in detail the lessons used in worship on that day. Bible Study will not meet on Thursdays until after Ascension Day. On 12 May we will commence a four week course on the First Letter of Peter.

Outreach: We have multiple copies of Archbishop Michael Ramsey’s Introducing the Christian Faith. This short, very readable book, is something you can give a friend or acquaintance who has questions, and then invite them to worship with us.

Two CD’s exist of anthems and hymns recorded by our fine choir, under the direction of Ben Dobey. These CD’s are available for sale, but consider just taking some without paying for them. Why? The CD’s are intended to be a form of outreach, to facilitate how we can invite people to join us in worship at Grace. If you have thought about asking someone to visit the parish with you, then go ahead and give them a CD so they can get a little foretaste of worship here. If you do this, just let the office know, so that we can keep apprised of inventory, but don’t hesitate to use the CD’s whenever you think it might be helpful. Consider, as well, using parish note cards in outreach and invitation.

Music this week:

Prelude Alla Sarabanda; Musette Ralph Vaughan Williams

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

Offertory Hymn #307 “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor” Bryn Calfaria

Communion Motet If ye love me Philip Wilby

If ye love me, keep my commandments,

and I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you forever,

even the Spirit of Truth.

And ye know him,

for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless;

I will come to you.

Comm. Hymn 603 “When Christ was lifted from the earth” St. Botolph

Closing Hymn 460 “Alleluia, sing to Jesus” Hyfrydol

Postlude Prelude on ‘Bryn Calfaria’ Vaughan Williams

Parish Notices

Scholarships are available.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3pm) – June 15 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30am)

There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Episcopal Visitation

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

2 May 2013

This coming Sunday, 5 May, we will welcome Bishop Jacobus to the parish. He will preside at the celebration of Holy Eucharist, preach, and confer the sacrament of Confirmation upon eight members of the parish. He will also join us, following the 10:15 service, at a gala reception. Please make a point of joining with the bishop this Sunday, for this will be his last episcopal visitation to Grace, prior to his leaving his see on 31 October.

We are “The Episcopal Church,” so it seems pretty obvious where we stand on the issue of whether the office and ministry of bishop is esse (essential) or de bene esse (closer to “useful”) to being the Church. And yet in practice we find that there are many sectors in the wider Church (including in this diocese) in which people act as if a bishop is in some sense optional. It is not. Let’s review what a bishop does; who he/she is called to be.

We get a strong hint about the sacrificial nature of the bishopric from the use of the same prayer in consecration as is used is used to conclude worship on Good Friday. (Compare pp. 280 and 515 in the prayer book.) Following this prayer, the bishop-elect is examined. The examination includes the following statement about his/her office: “You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and provide for the administration of the sacraments ...” The bishop elect then makes a series of vows (found on p. 518 in the prayer book) not only about what he or she will do, but about who he or she will be, in each case invoking the Name of God. In other words, the bishop gives his or her vow to be so transformed in and by Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that he or she will (in the words of the prayer of consecration pronounced at p. 521) become an offering to God.

Bp. Jacobus serves faithfully because of who he is, but especially because of how he lives into his vocation as an offering before God. But guess what? If you go back through all of the consecration rite, you’ll notice that every one of us is called to a like transformation. We may not be ordained to specific offices and ministries, but we are each called into vocation to love and serve the Lord. Each one of us receives the Holy Spirit in our Baptism and at Confirmation, and each one of us partakes of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may abide in Jesus Christ as He abides in us. We’re not dressed in purple, but each one of us is called to act as a sign and symbol to each other and to all of God’s redeeming love.

Come together on 5 May not only to celebrate with the bishop, but to celebrate the wonderful vocation to which we are all called as members of the Body of Christ.

Grace Abounds: Please thank all those who made Spring Cheer (visits to our shut-ins) such a success. Ben Dobey, gathered flowers and delivered. Bernie Markevitch supervised the arranging of flowers. Cookies were baked by: Rex Perry, Deb Gagin, Mary Clabots, Annette Fabiano, and Barb Mac Ewen. Deliveries and visits were made by Mary Kohler, Deb Gagin, Ben Dobey, Mary Snyder, Pat Sather, Bev Evans, Nancy Yurk, Barb MacEwen, and Joyce Wessel.

Adult Christian Education: During Eastertide we will keep adult education simple. This will involve a Bible study session at 9 a.m. on Sundays, in which we will examine in detail the lessons used in worship on that day. Bible Study will not meet on Thursdays until Ascension Day. On 12 May we will commence a four week course on the First Letter of Peter.

Correction” The “Kalendar” column in the May newsletter incorrectly identifies St. James the Less (1 May) as a son of Zebedee. This is incorrect. (Mea maxima culpa!) James the Less was the son of Alphaeus. There are three Jameses in the gospels: James, the brother of the Lord (referred to as James the Greater); James, son of Zebedee (one of the “sons of thunder,” with his brother John); and James, son of Alpheus, who is referred to by Mark as James “the younger”. Mark describes this James watching the crucifixion from a distance, with his mother Mary and the other women.

Nashotah House Graduation will take place on Thursday, 16 May. Graduates include our seminarian, Charleston Wilson. Charleston Wilson is to be ordained to the diaconate in The Episcopal Diocese of Springfield (Illinois), at Nashotah House on the 14^th of May, with Bp. Daniel Martins of Springfield as ordaining bishop. Check with the parish office about the time of the service and about carpooling possibilities.

Music this week: Bishop’s visitation, with Rogation Sunday.

Prelude Chorale Preludes on Blessed Jesus, we are here Bach

Entrance Hymn 405 “All things bright and beautiful”

Offertory Hymn 379 “God is love, let heaven adore him”

Communion Motet God be in my head Wilby

Comm. Hymn 655 “O Jesus, I have promised”

Closing Hymn 473 “Lift high the Cross”

Postlude Trumpet Tune in C ohnson

Parish Notices

Bishop Visitation & Confirmation: We welcome Bishop Jacobus today for his last visitation. He will celebrate and preach at both masses and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation at the 10:15 a.m. liturgy. There will be a gala reception, honoring the Bishop and the newly confirmed after the 10:15 service.

The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund: The undesignated offering today goes to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund which provides for the pastoral emergencies and other unplanned pastoral expenses. Please be generous as you are able.

Ascension Solemn Evensong and Dinner: Please join the Tripartite Covenant Parishes in celebrating Ascension Day. Grace Church, will host Solemn Evensong Thursday, May 9^th at 6:00pm. Evensong is a beautiful service of sung evening prayer. This will be followed by dinner in St. Nicholas Hall. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

Nashotah House Graduation will take place on Thursday, 16 May. Graduates include our seminarian, Charleston Wilson. A van will leave Grace at 8 a.m., with expected return about 4 p.m. If you want to attend, we need numbers by 26 April, in order both to alert the seminary and to insure travel arrangements. Contact the parish office.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3pm) – June 15 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Thu 4pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30am) There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Great Marriages of Sheboygan County: invites you to a “Celebration of Marriage” on Saturday, May 4,2013 at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan Falls. Social-Cash bar at 5:30 pm, Dinner & Silent Auction at 6 pm and Program and Dance to follow. Dress code is coat & tie. Cost: $60 per person. Please reserve your ticket by April 22, 2013. For more information please call: (920) 783-3660. Thank you.

SCIO Spring Luncheon & Fundraiser: Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization is once again honoring women at their Spring Luncheon & Fundraiser, Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 11:00am -1:00pm at Pine Hills Country Club, 4914 Superior Ave, Sheboygan. The Spring Luncheon will include Social, Silent Auction, Lunch and Program. The cost is $40 per person or $320 for a table of eight. Please contact SCIO at 457-7272 ext. 14 for reservations.

Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.

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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Real and Timeless

Thursday, May 23, 2013

A Spirit-filled Church (Your Turn)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Come, Lord Jesus!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ascended on High

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Episcopal Visitation