Three Points in Light of Ascension

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

29 May 2014

Today is Ascension Day, on which we commemorate the inauguration of Our Lord’s reign as King over all in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.  We do well to remind ourselves of this reign, for all-too-often we see around us assumptions spoken and unspoken, and actions which indicate a common perception that humankind is in charge.

Three points to consider:  (A)  Does the State create or protect rights?  Are human rights the inheritance of being human, of being created in the image and likeness of God?  Or, are they granted by the fiat of the State acting (in theory) on the basis of shared consent?  The surfeit of litigation and litigiousness in our culture points to a common assumption that many have that the government owes them something in addition to the protection of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

(B)  The anguish of the families whose loved ones were lost on Malaysia Airlines flight 370 is, of course, real, but their explicit demand that Malaysia find the plane is symptomatic of a common assumption that if we just apply enough resources and “science” any problem (like finding one needle in a the million haystacks of the Indian Ocean) can be solved by human beings.  This assumption is implicit, as well, in the reality that 90% of all Medicare costs occur in the last six months of life, as additional medical resources are deployed against the inevitable.  (Death is not optional.)

(C)  The crazed ranting of the mass killer in Santa Barbara focus on a sense of entitlement to pleasure.  This is symptomatic of the reality that our society celebrate desire as an expression of self.  Fulfilling our own wills is what is considered important, with God’s will (even when He is acknowledged) taking a back seat.

These are just three points for consideration, but think about how each “problem” looks different when we recognize and acknowledge that God is in charge—not us—and that His reign is that of loving Father, self-giving Son, and life-giving Spirit.  He is risen, indeed!  He reigns!

Grace Abounds:  Please thank:

§  Steve and Polly Schmeiser and Crawford and Pat Ford Smith for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Nicci Beeck, Jack Britton, Julie Davidson, Mary Kohler, Mary Massey, Jennifer Pawlus, Pat Ford Smith and Danie Wilson for hosting the reception for The Society of Mary this past Friday.

§  Jane Hanson and Pat Ford Smith for help in the office.

Call for Contributions:  If 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 in the week of publication.

A Testimony and Thanksgiving:  On May 20, 1989 Crawford and Pat were married at Grace Episcopal Church by Fr. Andrew Sloane.  Three years earlier Crawford invited me to come to church with him on Palm Sunday.  He said it was the longest gospel of the year and that I was going to love it.  At the time I was actively seeking a church home.  This was the beginning of finding out what it means to have a "church family".  Fr. Mills, Rachel Annis and Val Burg and several others were so welcoming and friendly that first Sunday and it had been a long time since I'd experienced this warmth.  For the next few years I watched and learned that Grace was a very holy and special place filled with wonderful people who loved and served the Lord on a daily basis and that I truly wanted to be a part of this.  We both went to Cursillo shortly before we married, invited by Bill and Deb Gagin.  Faith grew even more.  Fr. Mills left and Fr. Sloane arrived at Grace.  We asked permission to be married in the church, sent letters to the bishop and the date was set.  It has been a marriage consisting of 3 parts, Crawford, God and Pat.  During our marriage counselling it was explained that there would be times when life could be difficult and that our Christian family would be there to help us along the way with the guidance given through the Holy Spirit.  We have found this to be absolutely true through the many good times and tough times too.  Several priests have come and gone through the years, but Christ has steadfastly manifested His love through the members of this parish, young and old alike.  

Twenty-Five years later on May 25th, 2014 we would like to thank Fr. Schaffenburg for officiating as we reaffirmed our marriage covenant before God, our family, and friends.  Thank you to Danie Wilson, Mary Massey, Polly Schmeiser, Julie Davidson, Bobbi and Kaleigh Kraft, Barb MacEwen, Jack Britton, Bill May and the many others who helped cut and serve cake, put out beverages, clean up, take photos and celebrate with us.  Thank you to Bishop Gunter for taking time to join us at the altar so we could have our photo with him.  We are so blessed to be a part of the Family of God here at Grace Episcopal.  

God's peace be with all of you, Crawford and Pat Smith

In Search Of:  When I was young there was a TV show called “In Search Of”.  Leonard Nimoy was the narrator.  I hear his voice in my head whenever I use the words “in search of” in my everyday life.  I share that now because I/we are “In Search Of” the following:

-          We have the opportunity to host one of the Festival Foods Brat Frys held on Saturdays throughout the summer.  We are “in search of” those who would be willing to (first and foremost) man the grills.  Without grillers we have no need of additional workers to sell the brats, or bakers to donate baked goods for selling.  If you’d be willing to grill for a few hours on a Saturday, please let us know and we can choose a date.

o   Update:  One person has signed up to help.  We need more people if this is to go forward.

-          Do you know a thing or two about selling items on Ebay?  We are “in search of” those who may know a thing or two about Ebay.  An idea has been raised that would allow parishioners to donate items that could be sold for the benefit of the parish on Ebay.  It would be nice to get some guidance from those who have already sold items on Ebay.  The church now has a PayPal account that can accept payments and donations.  We also have members with items they’d be willing to donate.  If you know a thing or two about selling on Ebay, please let us know.

o   Update:  For details on what is envisioned for this ministry, please contact Fr. Karl.

-          On Saturday, Sept 20^th, every congregation in the diocese is invited and urged to bring a visioning team to St. Anne’s in DePere.  We are asked to bring a team of 4-6 people who have a passion for young people.  The event is not a one-day workshop but the beginning of an entire new way to address the needs of young people and the need of the church to embrace a whole new vision.  It will be facilitated by Fr. John Palarine…and is not confined to those parishes with youth ministry in place or those who have a large number of youth.  We are “in search of” individuals who feel called to get involved with this aspect of our church.  If God is tapping your heart to do so, please let us know.

o   Update:  For further details talk to Nick Whitford, Bobbi Kraft, or Fr. Karl.

If you can help with any of the above items, please contact let Fr. Karl, Deacon Michele or Bobbi Kraft.

Episcopal Youth Community:  Hello all! The staff for camp has been set, trained, and are praying for those of you who are coming, and that includes those of you who haven't signed up yet!  Please use this link to get your camp application! www.diofdl.org/camp

Kindercamp - June 12-14 - Ages 4-7 with parent or adult family member - Session Director Amy Heimerl

Senior Camp - June 15-21 - Completed Grades 9-12 - Session Director Michele Whitford - Chaplain Fr. Aran Walter

Middler & Junior Camp - June 22-26:

Completed Grades 6-8 - Session Directors Ben & Erin Wolf - Chaplain Mthr. Jane Johnson

Completed Grades 2-5 - Session Directors Matt Peterson & Rachel Mills - Chaplain Fr. Ralph Osborne

We believe in this ministry, and want everyone to go, the cost of camp should never be a reason not to go, if you need assistance of any kind please contact the office to let us know.

Grace and Peace,

Nick

Music this week:  

Music for Ascension Day

Prelude                         Au Soir de l’Ascension du Seigneur                        Dom Paul Benoit

Entrance Hymn 214                  “Hail, the day that sees him rise”                                              Llanfair

Gloria in excelsis S-278          Communion Service                                                 William Mathias  

Offertory Hymn 216                 “Hail thee, festival day”                                    Salve festa dies

Sanctus S-128                                                                                                                         Mathias

Communion Motet                    Above all praise and majesty                               Felix Mendelssohn

Closing Hymn 494                    “Crown him with many crowns”                                          Diademata

Postlude                                   Festal Flourish                                                            Gordon Jacob

Music for Sunday, June 1^st

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

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                                                                Thomas Tallis

Communion 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

§  Ascension Day: We celebrate The Ascension of our Lord on Thursday, May 29^th with a Solemn Mass at 6:00pm. Please come and celebrate with us.

§  Visitation of the Blessed Virgin: We will celebrate the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth on Saturday, May 31 at 9:00am with Mass followed by a brunch in St. Nicholas Hall. Please come and celebrate with the parish family.

§  Coffee Hour: Currently there is no one signed up to host coffee hour for either the 8:00 or the 10:15 services for the entire month of June. Coffee hour generally in the summer are simple light snacks with coffee and juice and can be served from a cart in the Narthex. If you are able and willing to take a Sunday during the summer please sign-up on the sheet in the Schedules binder on the Narthex table.

§  First Communion Instruction: All those who are ready to receive their First Communion are invited to First Communion classes that will be held at Grace Church, in the Sunday School room, Thursday May 22, June 5 and June 12. We will meet at 4:00pm for an hour. Each participant will receive a book entitled This Bread & This Cup. The instructors will be Pat Ford Smith and Nicci Beeck. We will celebrate with First Communion class on Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the 10:15 service. If you have any questions please call the office or one of the instructors.

§  Meet the Gunters: Please join us at one of the following informal events to get to know Bishop Matt and Leslie. It is an opportunity for you to engage in conversation with the Gunters in order to get to know them a little better and for them to get to know you and your congregation better. Beverages and light snacks will be served.

• Saturday  May 31 - Trinity Oshkosh  1-3pm
• Sunday  June 1 - Intercession Stevens Point  3-5pm with Evensong at 5
• Saturday  June 7 – Holy Nativity Jacksonport 10-12noon
• Sunday  June 8 -  St. James  Manitowoc 1-4pm
• Saturday   June 21 -  St. Augustine Rhinelander 2-5pm
• Sunday  June 22 - St. Paul's  Suamico 1-3pm

We look forward to seeing you!

§  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 15 (Sun 3pm) – June 21 (Sat 12noon)
• Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 22 (Sun 3pm) – June 26 (Thu 4pm)
• Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 22 (Sun 3pm) – June 26 (Thu 4pm)
• KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 12 (Thu 5pm) – June 14 (Sat 11:30am)

There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§  Stay Connected! There are many ways to stay connected and find all the latest announcements. Grace Church can be found by “liking” us on Facebook. You can also sign up for the Grace Notes blog at http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/ on the right hand side there is a place to sign up and receive the blog by email. You can find the Grace Church website at www.gracesheboygan.com. At the end of each bulletin there is QR code that you can scan with your smart phone and it will take you directly to the website. If you have questions about any of these things please call the office.

§  Eucharistic Festival: Plan to attend the 55th Annual Diocesan Eucharistic Festival at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. The Homilist will be the Rt. Rev. Matthew A. Gunter, Eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac. Picnic to follow.