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 14th 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.
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: 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 9th 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.
Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th 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.
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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