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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Investing Value

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
20 November 2014

Six years ago on this date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached its lowest level in the twenty-first century.  Stock market values are now at all time highs, with the reasons offered for this being as numerous as opinions on what is and is not “good taste”.  Fundamental to any investment, however, is that the investor has confidenec in what he or she is investing in.  We invest value in things because we believe them to be valuable and/or to have potential for greater value.
The English word “worship” finds it origins in the Anglo Saxon weorscipe, which means to offer devotion to and invest value in something.  We come before God and offer what?  We offer ourselves.  In the words of the Holy Eucharist Rite I (at BCP 336) “... we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee ...”  An offering of self must involve sacrifice.  It must involve the sacrifice that I recognize that it is God’s will which must prevail, not mine.  My own will I invest in God’s, by giving up my will to His.
As we approach this Sunday’s end of the Church year, the Feast of Christ the King, may we each so “invest value” in God’s reign that as we soon enter the season of Advent it will be as those who look to our Lord’s coming because He reigns in our hearts already.

Grace abounds:  Please thank:
§  Scott Lubbers for the Sunday coffee hour.
§  Paul Aparicio and Scott Lubbers for substituting as servers at the altar.
§  Supplies for The Happening:  Fr. James Barlow, Nicci Beeck, Mary Clabots, Barb Drewry-Zimmerman, Katy Larson, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Pat Ford Smith, Mary Snyder, Emily Williams.
§  Jail ministry items and preparation:  Paul Aparicio, Jim Gardner, Mary Snyder, Kathy Wiegand (a friend), Jeremy Williams.
§  Nicci Beeck, Pat Ford Smith, and MaryAnn Portz, together with all of the Sunday School children, for packing the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.

Episcofacts:  Why do we use incense?  Why do some people make the sign of the Cross at specific times in the Mass?  Do we call it Mass or Holy Eucharist?  These are examples of questions many people have, particularly in a church in which many people did not grow up as Episcopalians.  Questions can relate to the “wy or the origin of a practice, about doctrinal statements, etc.  Staring this Sunday, at announcements we have focus on one brief discussion of an “Episcofact,” as a way to better understand our common identity, and the broad range within this identity.  This Sunday, we will begin with the sign of the Cross.  If you want to suggest topics or questions, please let Fr. Karl know.

Youth EventsHappening Blessing and Future Events

This past weekend the Diocese held Happening #68, with several of our very own in attendance. Kaleigh K. was our Rector (weekend leader), with Bobbi K. as Observing Lay Director ready to take over for the next Happening in March, Dcn. Michele W. was Spiritual Director, Jon W. as a Dad, and Nick W. as Musician. We were very blessed on the weekend, and want to thank everyone who prayed for us, and came to the closing Eucharist.
In the next few weeks there are a couple of diocesan events for the youth. This week, Sunday Nov. 23rd, is Terminator Night at St. Thomas, Menasha. Terminator Night is a fun night to play a game. have a meal, and fantastic fellowship with other youth from the Diocese. 9-12th graders start with dinner at 6:30 and play until 8:30 pm. Those interested must meet at Grace at 5:00pm to travel, and won't get back until nearly 10 pm. It's one of the craziest games we do all year. We will reach out to the other youth groups to offer rides for this event.
Sunday Nov. 30 is both Advent 1 and the Sheboygan Holiday Parade. We will again be selling warm goodies to parade-goers. In years past we have sold hot popcorn, hot dogs, warm apple crisp, hot chocolate, coffee, and brownies. This is a great way to warm up on a cold night, and to jump into the Advent season in anticipation of Christmas! We are looking for volunteers to help setup and tear-down, and to serve food to our customers.The parade starts at 5:00 pm and usually last about an hour. Please stop by and enjoy all of the goodies. We'll be on Grace's corner of Ontario Ave. and 7th St.
Saturday December 6th, at Trinity Church, Oshkosh, will be the first informational meeting for everyone interested in the Diocesan Youth Mission Trip to Washington DC this summer. This will be a one hour meeting for youth and parents to learn about how you can participate. The mission trip dates (including travel dates) are: Saturday July 18 - Sunday July 26, 2015. More information may be found at www.diofdl.org/ymt . Sign-up deadline is set for March 1st, 2015, and there are a limited number of spaces available. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity please let me know so that everyone can get to the meeting.
December 13th, Noon - 4 pm, cookies and caroling at St. Peter's in Ripon. Join us for some lunch-time pizza, and cookie decorating! Then we'll take those cookies to a local nursing home to share and do some caroling. Afterwards we'll wrap it all up with communion back at St. Peter's.
Diocesan Tubing Day, Saturday, January 24th from 11:30 am - 4:30 pm. There is a cost of $15 per person, and this gets you 2 hours unlimited tubing runs, lift ticket, tube, and transportation there and back (from St. Thomas). Each individual student and adult must sign up separately. go to www.styg.com and click on "Sign Up For Stuff".
Please stay tuned for future events, the youth workers of the Diocese are trying to schedule an event each month so that the youth of the diocese can get together in fellowship, and service, and fun. Direct all questions to me, and I'll get the info you need!

Thank you for your support!

Nick Whitford
Youth and Family Ministries
text or call - 920-889-8003

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 in the week of publication.

Yet there is one thing wrong: you don't love me as at first! Think about those times of your first love (how different now!) and turn back to me again and work as you did before; or else I will come and remove your candlestick from its place among the churches.” (Rev. 2: 4-5, The Living Bible)
Ah, I get it now, Lord. At first, I thought you were talking to me, us individually, and upset that I, we, was no longer “in love.” That first breath-taking, mountain-top love & joy experience when I, we, first came to know you.
I said as much to you. 'We can't always be on the mountain top, can we? Sometimes we have to be in the trenches, don't we?' I didn't understand, so I pulled out the NRSV and read the passage there. It wasn't much help, so I went back to TLB and read it again. The light dawned.
You aren't talking just to me, or us (individually) but us as your church, your bride; the collective and individual churches. We, your bride, are not doing your work – ministering to the homeless, poor, sick, imprisoned, lonely, etc. We are not loving each other, in our church or in our community, and thus, not loving you.
Sure, we do somethings the last six weeks or so before your birth. But the rest of the year...well it seems we kinda forget and THAT is what has to change. We have to do your work every day of every week of every month of every year. Everyone of us as individuals and as your churches must be involved. We are your hands and feet, your eyes and ears, your heart and your loving touch. There are so many ways we can and must be you to others. Not just for the sake of their souls but for our own and that of the church.
Sweet Jesus, help us remember to act like you did. Help us step out of our safe, comfortable, circle and be you to those we do not know.                                              ―Martha Shad

Music this week:  Proper 29A, Christ the King

Prelude                         Benedictus                                                                         Karg-Elert
Entrance Hymn 544                  “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”                                   Duke Street
Offertory Hymn 460                 “Alleluia, sing to Jesus”                                             Hyfrydol
Communion Motet                    King of glory, King of peace                                                  Walker
Communion Hymn 383 “Fairest Lord Jesus”                                                        St. Elizabeth
Closing Hymn 494                    “Crown him with many crowns”                                          Diademata
                                   
Parish Notices

§  Salvation Army Adopt a Family Gift tags: We have the tree up, and all the name tags on it, for the Salvation Army Family gifts, please take a name or two and follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. Please return the gifts to Grace Church by December 8th. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Thank you! To all who donated both items and money for the Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes. This a tangible way for us to see gifts given to children around the world and to celebrate a Merry Christ’s Mass through mission.

§  Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Join the Celebration on Wednesday, November 26th at 7:00pm at St. Dominic’s Parish. Pastor Kristin Berglund will preach. Join in the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy fellowship and deserts following the worship. The Thanksgiving Offering will benefit the Salvation Army. We will need two people to serve as ushers and a reader, if you can help please call the office. Thank you.

§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church will be selling cocoa and coffee, brownies, apple crisp and hotdogs, before and during the Holiday Parade Sunday November 30th. The money raised goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade, be sure to bring your friends!

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, 7 December, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered at Grace Episcopal Church, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
§  The festival prepares us for the coming of the Messiah by following the scriptural record through nine lessons, each followed by a seasonal carol offered by choir and congregation.  The choir will also offer seasonal anthems, and music will include Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey on organ. The service is followed immediately by a High Tea reception.

§  Christmas Castle Volunteers! On Thursday, December 18th from 1:00-3:00pm Grace Church will participate in the Salvation Army Christmas Castle. This gives those in need an opportunity to “shop” for Christmas presents for their families. We are in need of at least 5 people to help. Please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions please contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.

§  Raking Leaves Fundraiser:  If raking your yard this year seems like too much of a task, then our Boy Scout Troop is here to help. They will be raking leaves by appointment. If you are interested please contact Paul Aparicio (paac92399@yahoo.com).

§  Youth and Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00pm beginning Wednesday December 3rd, downstairs in the choir room. Additional rehearsals will be on December 10th and 17th these will be just before the Pageant rehearsals.  The final rehearsal will be Sunday, December 21st at 9:00am. The choir is open to 2nd graders through high school, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve.

§  Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: will be on Wednesday December 3rd, December 10th and 17th starting at 6:00p.m. The rehearsals will begin in the church and then go downstairs for costumes. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If your child would like to participate but cannot make rehearsals please note that on the sheet or call the office.


§  Christmas Joy: is scheduled to meet on Monday, December 22 at 11:00 AM in the church kitchen. At that time we will assemble winter greens and flowers and bag cookies, and then make deliveries (there is a sign up sheet in the narthex.) We need helping hands and money (to buy for packaging supplies and flowers.) Can you bake, make a delivery or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our shut-ins. They will appreciate it. If you have questions please call Barb MacEwen at 467-6909. 



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