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Thursday, November 14, 2013

New Beginnings

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
14 November 2013

The Church year ends on 30 November, and in the lessons appointed for the Sundays ending the year there are many references to end times.  In the lessons for the new Church year this theme continues, setting the stage for the coming of the Lord as the Word who dwells among us.  Endings have new beginnings.  As we pray in the burial service celebration of Holy Eucharist, “... life is changed, not ended ... .”
We are experiencing endings and new beginnings in the life of the parish.  One new beginning is manifest in how we live together.  We are in the midst of our stewardship campaign.  Two-thirds of the pledges received at New Consecration Sunday represented increases in giving over 2013, and we have also received new pledges.  Thanks be to God, and to all who have responded to Him with giving hearts!
The pledges received to date represent about half of the total number, based on historical patterns.  If you were not at New Consecration Sunday, you will receive a pledge card in the mail, and we should know in about another fifteen days what our financial projection for 2014 will be.  Please consider in prayer how you are called to participate.  If you are unable to do so financially, then let’s discuss the other offerings you can make in the life of the parish, and how your brothers and sisters in Christ can help you.
Each one of us has offerings to give, offerings which have been given to us a blessings to share.  We have received new pledges this year, and of continuing pledges received about two-thirds represent increases, with the average increase exceeding 6%.  Thank you!  We are a part of each other in Christ, and participate in community by and through our Lord’s blessing.  Just as our Lord is always with us to the end of the age, now He appoints us to be with each other by and through Him.  In prayer discern how you will participate.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Barbara Knauf for taking the lead in organizing our stewardship campaign this year.  Please thank Mary Clabots for her work in tabulating the results. In connection with the splendid New Consecration Sunday luncheon, please thank:
§  Bernie Markevitch for preparing the wonderful New Consecration Sunday luncheon, assisted by Mary Snyder.
§  Bill May and Bobbie May for all of the extra set-up and take-down involved.
§  Jessica Ambelang, Ed Clabots, Pat Ford Smith, Mary Snyder, and Jon Whitford for clean-up.

Call for ContributionsIf you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday (noon) each week.

Special stewardship opportunity:  Whichever person has the greatest increase in a 2014 pledge, over their paid 2013 pledge amount (calculated at close of the giving year), or who has the highest new pledge for 2014 (for any person who has not pledged previously), will receive a complimentary stay at a Hyatt-managed timeshare apartment in Key West, Florida (occupancy dates are 2 March to a 9 March check-out.  These dates include Mardi Gras.)  Go To: www.hyattwindwardpointe.hyatt.com  You can find all the amenities and room pictures there.
The unit is on the 3rd level, set way back on the property, with a virtual private lani looking straight out on the grounds, pool and ocean.  Cuba 70 miles straight south.  The unit is about a 2 mile walk to the southern most point in the lower 48, on the east and quiet side of the Key, about 1 ½ mile walk to Duval St.  St. Paul's Episcopal Church is on Duval, a great place for Ash Wednesday services.
This timeshare opportunity is the gift of Bill and Debbie Gagin.

Episcopal Youth Community:   Please Pray
This weekend at St. Thomas, Menasha, Happening #66 in the Diocese of Fond du Lac will take place. There are over 20 candidates, including our own Emily B. and Beth B. and over 20 team leaders including our own Kaleigh K., Bobbi K, and Dcn. Michele W. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to make himself known to the community as they study, discuss, and learn about their faith and God.
ALSO! At Happening there is a closing Eucharist to celebrate the conclusion of Happening, this is a public Eucharist, and all parents, family, and church family are encouraged to support their Happeners by the witness of their attendance. If you are able to go, Mass begins at 2pm.
Save the date!
On November 21st there will be a Game Night at Grace! Specific times to be announced. This is an all ages open invitation event for anyone to come together and play games or socialize with others.
On November 22nd there is a group of people going to the Milwaukee Admirals hockey game. Specifics are available on the signup sheet in the narthex, but transportation is provided. If you are interested in going please sign up by the end of Sunday so that tickets can be purchased!
New Beginnings - December 7-8 - Grace Church, Sheboygan - is for all students grades 6-8 - http://diofdl.org/newbeginnings
Each of these is unique in style, delivery, and experience, and each one is a great way to learn more about God and our faith, as well as connect to the wider community of Christian youth in our diocese; many people have made life-long friends with those around the diocese and have stayed connected through events like these, camp and others.
Please contact me or the office with questions, but remember to sign up!
Grace and peace, Nick

Music this week

Prelude                        Lord Christ, on thee my hope is stayed                       Pachelbel
Entrance Hymn 616    “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”                                                Es flog ein kleins
Waldvögelein
Offertory Hymn 598   “Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth”           Mit Freuden zart
Communion Motet      Lord, make us servants of your peace                         Bristol
Comm. Hymn 615      “Thy kingdom come! On bended knee”                     St. Flavian
Closing Hymn 555      “Lead on, O King eternal”                                          Lancashire
Postlude                      Trumpet Voluntary in D                                             Croft

Parish Notices

§  Fall Clean-Up: Winter is coming and it is time to prepare the church for the new season. Please join us on Saturday November 16 from 8:30 to Noon. We will be clearing the grounds and doing some cleaning inside. Refreshments will be provided. Even if you can only come for a short while, your help is greatly appreciated.

§  Happening Closing Eucharist: The Happening Closing Eucharist is a time of joy, and you're invited. Show your support for our youth by showing up for the Closing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 17th at St. Thomas, Menasha. We hope to see you there! More details at diofdl.org/happening.

§  Study/Discussion Group: This group decided to start with a study of Galatians. They (six people so far) plan to meet after the 10:15 service starting Nov. 17th, hoping to meet every two weeks in the church library.  Contact people are Mary Massey and Fr. John Ambelang.

§  Game Night at Grace: Game Nights are times when people of all ages can come together to play different games that are enjoyed by everyone. There will be board games, card games, and almost any type of game that you’d want to play. Invite your parents or your friends or anyone who you’d want to come. Game Night is open to all: young and old, singles, couples or families. The next Game night will be Thursday, November 21st 6:30-9:00 PM. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. We hope to see you there!

§  New Parish Directory updates: Please find a draft copy of a new parish directory on the table in the Narthex at Grace Church. If you would please look at your entry and make any changes necessary and then initial it so we know it is correct. We are trying to have as many email addresses as possible, it saves postage and much of the communication of the church is done electronically. We never give them out but. Thank you.

§  Christmas Shoe Boxes: Please consider bringing toothpaste and individually wrapped toothbrushes, and mild soap bars and wash cloths to church for the Christmas shoe boxes. We will also be looking for these items in the coming weeks:  pencils, colored pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners, paper to write on. These items must be able to fit into a shoe box. Thank you so much. Pat Ford Smith

§  Operation Christmas Child: Miss Pat's Sunday School class is spearheading the effort to put together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and would like to invite the whole parish to participate by donating small items for the shoe boxes, or if you desire a monetary donation that will be spent to get shoe box gift items. The goal is to have this be a parish outreach lead by the youth and children of the parish. Please participate as you can, including prayers for this to be a successful project. The drop off date is in mid November (before Thanksgiving), and there will be more information in the next couple of weeks.

§  Game Night at Grace: Game Nights are times when people of all ages can come together
§  to play different games that are enjoyed by everyone. There will be board games, card games, and almost any type of game that you’d want to play. Invite your parents or your friends or anyone who you’d want to come. Game Night is open to all: young and old, singles, couples or families. The next Game night will be Thursday, November 21st 6:30-9:00 PM. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. We hope to see you there!

§  Society of Mary:  The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an internationally-recognized named cell.  Focuses will include: (a) Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham protoshrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the fourth Sunday of the month in the church library. Contact person is Mary Kohler.

§  "So many books so little time".  I am interested in starting/being a part of a book club centered at Grace.  My initial thought is a once a month meeting at Grace to discuss the months selection. At this point I am simply throwing out a few ideas I have seen work in the past. All "rules" would be decided by the participants. Since we have made some progress in developing "Faith Alive" small groups revolving around mostly spiritual issues I thought a "literary" small group might be nice.  Any thoughts, suggestions, interest would be welcome. Dale Massey (920) 254-3034, masseydale51@gmail.com

§  Meals On Wheels Christmas Cookies: Meals On Wheels volunteers will be delivering a box of homemade cookies to our clients again this Christmas season. (As many of you know, for some clients, this is the only gift they will receive). So all we need are the cookies.  If you would like to donate some of your goodies to our project please call or email Maureen at Meals On Wheels at 451-7011 or client1@shebmow.org. We have cookie drop off sites in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and we will be packaging cookies on the 17th of December.  Your response in the past has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support.



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