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 1st, 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 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.
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 22nd 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.
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