Grace Notes: April 2015

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Simplest Witness

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

30 April 2015

Just how hard is it to engage in evangelism, to witness to God? In reality, we probably make witnessing far more difficult in our imaginations than it is in life.

I recently was working out in a health center, and while I was working on one apparatus, two women were standing right next to me. The one was speaking about having just lost her mother, and the other was offering sympathy. The story involved the sorts of details one often hears of end-of-life and of the personal loss attendant on this transition. The words of sympathy offered were seemingly genuine, if a bit generic.

The woman who had lost her mother was hurting. I did not know her, but felt a prompt to do something. When I stood up from the apparatus, I said, “I am sorry if I am intruding on your conversation, but I overheard that you have lost your mother. If you will give me her first name, I will pray for her.” The woman looked at me, stared blankly for a couple of seconds, and then said, “Thank you, that is very nice.” She then stared again, showing a little confusion or puzzlement, and now said “Why would you do this?” I replied, “I’m a Christian. It’s what I do.” She looked a little puzzled, but offered thanks again, and gave me her mother’s name. She then walked off, and I said a quick prayer for her mother and for her.

This obviously could have taken a different turn. She could have rebuffed me with a sort of “Who in blazes are you?” response. She could have said something like “I don’t believe in prayer.” What if she had? Would I have been in any way damaged or diminished? Even if she had, would she not have seen that one who professes to be a Christian at least sought to reach out, even if she considered me a busy-body? The “risk” I took was small, and was, in fact, no risk, for what it involved was being willing to notice a prompt (“Offer to pray.”) and to pay attention, to recognize that such prompts come from the Holy Spirit, and that when we pay attention and obey the Spirit will both equip us to witness in the simple way we need to, and will by this witness plant a small seed that will leave someone thinking about God, about belief, about life and death.

The simplest form of witness you can make is to offer prayer. The offer may be declined. It may be welcomed. It may even be received as an occasion in which prayer is shared together. People can say “No”. They can say “No” and be rude about it. So what? If you are listening to God, and offering prayer in His Name you need not worry about what others may think. Disciples are called to be salt and light. Let’s not be afraid to share the spice, share the illumination.

Grace abounds: Please thank:

§ Bill and Deb Gagin, and Ed and Mary Clabots for the Sunday coffee hours.

§ Jessica Ambelang and Julie Davidson for organizing and managing the recent bake, plant and rummage sales.

§ Bill Gagin for help on the floor refinishing project.

§ John Davis for repairing the sink in the sacristy.

§ John Davis and Scot Lubbers for help in cleaning the church during the recuperation from injury of Bill May, our sexton.

§ Elizabeth Schaffenburg for painting exterior trim at the rectory.

Podcasts! Podcasts are found on the website under “Media”. You can also subscribe on ITunes or with RSS full feed at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Follow us on Twitter! @GEC_Sheboygan

Changes in Service Schedule: Effective 1 May the schedule of weekly services will change. On Thursdays, Evening Prayer will no longer be offered by clergy. On Saturdays, Morning Prayer and Mass will no longer be offered. These changes have been decided upon by the Vestry on the bases of: (1) Attendance patterns at each service have generally included clergy only; (2) A seven day a week service schedule was adopted at a time when the parish had three priests. The schedule is not maintainable with one priest.

The full schedule of services is as follows:

Sunday Mass Morning Prayer Evening Prayer*

8:00 a.m. (said service)

10:15 a.m. (solemn service)

Monday 12:10 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 5:10 p.m.

Tuesday 5:30 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 5:10 p.m.

Wednesday 5:30 p.m. 8:45 a.m. 5:10 p.m.

Thursday 9:00 a.m.† 8:45 a.m.

Friday 7:15 a.m. 7:00 a.m. podcast

Saturday No services/church closed.‡

*Evening Prayer is followed each day by intercessory prayers in the chapel of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Mondays, intercessory prayer is offered in a corporate Rosary.

†Mass is followed immediately by bible study.

‡Confessions will no longer be heard on second Saturdays. Confessions will be heard by appointment.

Feast days will be celebrated as announced in the monthly calendar.

Call for Contributions: If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Music this week: The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Prelude Trois Élévations Marcel Dupré

Entrance Hymn 182 “Christ is alive” Truro

Offertory Hymn 477 “All praise to thee, O King divine” Engelberg

Communion Motet The Call R. Vaughan Williams

Comm. Hymn 512 “Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove” Mendon

Closing Hymn 657 “Love divine, all loves excelling” Hyfrydol

Postlude Toccata in F Dietrich Buxtehude

Parish Notices

§ Adult Formation: we will continue to offer a six week course on the nuts-and bolts of the Old Testament and how God’s Word continues to speak to us through this living testimony. Classes will meet on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall, and will be facilitated by Fr. Karl.

§ Spring Cheer: is coming to the parish elderly and shut ins on Thursday, April 30. We will meet in the kitchen at 11:00 to assemble bouquets of daffodils and bags of cookies. Won't you join us and plan on making a delivery or two? Sign up sheet for delivery and cookie baking is on the table in the narthex. Our home bound parishioners and elderly will appreciate you! Thank you for volunteering. Questions?, please call Barb MacEwen at 467-6909.

§ Eve of Ascension Day: We will be celebrating the Eve of Ascension Day May 13^th. We will have a Solemn Eucharist at 6:00pm. This is a principle feast of the year when we celebrate Jesus’ ascension to heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Please plan to attend.

§ Tripartite Ascension Day Service: We will celebrate the Ascension of our Lord with our Covenant Partners May 14^th at 6:00pm. The service will be at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2104 Geele Ave.

§ Gala Reception! Please sign up to bring sweets and savories and to clean up on May 17^th when Bishop Gunter makes his annual visitation. There is a sign-up sheet on the Narthex table. Thank you so much!

§ Bishop’s Visitation: May 17^th we welcome Bishop Matthew Gunter for his first visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both 8 and 10:15 services. We will have a First Communions celebration at 8:00am. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Communions at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception to welcome Bishop Gunter and honor the Confirmed.

§ 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.

o Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 14 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Sat 12noon)

o Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 25 (Thu 2pm) – June 27 (Sat 12noon) There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§ Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Facing Dragons

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

23 April 2015

Today is the feast day of St. George. George was a soldier in the Roman Army, a Greek-speaking Christian from what is now Syria. George was an Tribune (commanding officer) of the guard of the emperor Diocletian, at Nicomedia in Asia Minor. The emperor ordered his death (A.D. 303) when George refused to renounce his faith. Diocletian has ordered all soldiers to publicly renounce Jesus Christ, and to offer sacrifice to the emperor. Not only did George refuse, but he personally approached the emperor to attempt to dissuade him from his order. When the emperor refused, George denounced the order in front of the assembled troops. He was permitted to give his considerable wealth to the poor, and was then decapitated after lengthy torture.

George is that patron saint of England, Georgia (the country), Portugal, of many churches and dioceses, and of soldiers. His red cross on a white field comprises the flag of England (and is incorporated in the Union Jack, and by this in the national flags of Australia and New Zeeland.

George is perhaps best remembered in the legend in which he slays a dragon, rescuing an imprisoned maiden. The details of the legend vary, but they have no real relationship to the actual life of George. The legend probably originated in the tales of returning Crusaders, who sought to increase their own chivalric prestige. They would likely have visited his shrine in Beith Jala, Palestine. (This shrine is a traditional site of veneration by Christians and Muslims, who also venerate George. Jews have a tradition of visiting the shrine, as well, but this relates to their understanding of the location as related to Elijah.) But, George did encounter a dragon, and did inflict a deadly wound upon him. George confronted the most powerful man on earth, Diocletian, and stared him down. This public confrontation, even though it resulted in George’s execution, was important in the death throes of the imperial cult. Nine years after the death of George the Christian faith was declared legal throughout the empire, in part because the witness of those like George resulted in so many imperial officers embracing faith in Jesus Christ.

George reminds us that humility and pacifism must never be confused with “passivism”. Passivism involves being completely passive, and never standing up for the faith. Proclaiming and defending the faith requires real courage. Passivism assumes the character of that postmodern disease, the chief symptom of which is the phrase “Whatever!” George could have said “Whatever!” He could have just complied “with a wink and a nod”. He didn’t. He stood before all the power of the earth and said “No” when called upon to renounce his Lord. May his witness inspire us to face the daily dragons that would seek to make us conform to the world.

Grace abounds: Please thank:

§ Pat and Wayne Sather, and Art and Nancy Imig for the Sunday coffee hours.

§ All who helped on parish clean-up day: Paul Aparicio, Jack Britton, Mike Burg, Ed Clabots, Julie Davidson, John Davis, Bill Gagin, Deb Gagin, Scott Gedemer, Bob Hanlon, Barb MacEwen, Bob MacEwen, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Mary Snyder.

Podcasts! Podcasts are found on the website under “Media”. You can also subscribe on ITunes or with RSS full feed at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

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.

Music this week: The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Prelude Pastorale J. S. Bach

Entrance Hymn 495 “Hail, thou once despised Jesus” In Babilone

Gloria in excelsis S-278 William Mathias

Psalm 23 Chant: R. Benjamin Dobey

Offertory Hymn 645 “The King of love my shepherd is” St. Columba

Sanctus S-128 Mathias

Fraction Anthem Christ our Passover David Hurd

Communion Motet Brother James’s Air arr. Gordon Jacob

Communion Hymn 312 “Strengthen for service, Lord” Malabar

Closing Hymn 208 “The strife is o’er” Victory

Postlude Acclamations sur ‘Christus Vincit’ Jean Langlais

Parish Notices

§ Bake Sale/Plant Sale/Rummage Sale: Friday, April 24^th from 12:00-3:00pm and Saturday, April 25, from 9:00-2:00, in conjunction with St. Luke Methodist rummage sale, Grace will be selling baked goods with proceeds going to Sunday School’s outreach projects. Baked goods will be accepted by anyone who would like to bake: pies, breads, muffins, cookies or anything you would like to donate. Baked goods can be dropped off at the church anytime before Friday at noon. We will be once again selling plants from our cutting garden. Proceeds go to maintain the garden. Grace will also have a small rummage. Please bring your items pre-priced. The proceeds will go to Grace Church fund raising. Please contact Jessica Ambelang if you have questions.

§ Simple Potluck Supper and Compline: Sunday, May 3^rd we will have our first Sunday of the month Simple Potluck Supper at 6:30pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship then stay for Compline at 8:00pm. The Schola Cantorum will be singing Compline which is the night time prayers said or sung just before retiring. It is a wonderful and peaceful way to end the day.

o Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 14 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Sat 12noon)

o Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 25 (Thu 2pm) – June 27 (Sat 12noon) There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§ We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Argument and Image

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

16 April 2015

“Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure!” (Jn. 16.29) Jesus’ disciples at last seem to “get it” when they realize that He “knows all things”. Clearly, He does, and His powerful personal presence has a impact on those gathered at the Last Supper, but the disciples’ statement can also be read as a complaint, i.e., that Jesus has not spoken plainly before.

In John’s gospel Jesus does not use parables the way He does in Matthew, Mark and Luke. He tends to teach propositionally, stating what the truth is. This contrast between gospel accounts may reflect how John heard Jesus, and translated all that He said into teaching founded more in faith statements. But we need both faith statements and parables, for it is in the combination that our lives are affected more powerfully and permanently.

The most common form of Christian teaching many receive in self-study is apologetics and world-view based arguments for the faith. There are benefits, certainly, to being able to state clearly the propositions of faith (“This I believe.”), but one of the downsides is that the Christianity of the apologists can often take on a rather arid quality, in which faith becomes reducible to arguments and defined positions on specific issues. Worse, human beings themselves can become reducible to which set of propositional arguments they affirm. This can raise barriers between people, and can allow us to construct our own mental walls between how the Christian faith is thought of in the life of an individual Christian and how it is lived out in normal, daily life where no one quite fits into ideological boxes quite so well as they do in study.

What Jesus does, however, when He does not “speak plainly,” but teaches in parables, is to hit you with image after image, quip after quip, and you are drawn into the faith. You start to see the world differently, and discover new depths to the faith, turning over ideas or scriptural texts in your mind that Jesus has helped you to see in a new way.

When a reality can be presented in a way that resonates with the listener/reader on a level deeper than his or her mind alone, then reality is experienced in a far more powerful way than if a person is just bludgeoned over the head with arguments. We cannot be reduced down to what we know or what we believe, and in His teaching Jesus focuses very much on who we are. He pulls us in, and helps us to see the faith not simply as a mere fact, but as something to love, as the experience of love of God and of each other.

In this Eastertide may we be so formed by our experience of the faith—by how we have been seduced!—that we will be seen in ways that will challenge any label anyone else wants to put on us. Let our lives the so reflect God’s light that others may come to see faith not as just a set of beliefs and arguments, but as a reality that transcends all worldly ideas and arguments. The Lord is risen, indeed!, and we’re the ones to show this.

Grace abounds: Please thank:

§ Kevan and Traci Revis, and Steve and Mary Gallimore for the Sunday coffee hours.

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

§ John Davis and family, Ed Clabots, Bill and Deb Gagin, Paul Aparicio, and Troop 801 for cleaning and preparing All Saints Chapel for the upcoming season.

Podcasts! Podcasts are found on the website under “Media”. You can also subscribe on ITunes or with RSS full feed at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Postulant Update! To my Grace Family, This past Sunday morning I shared an update of my discernment process at the 10:15 service. Over the past six weeks:

· 4 seminaries visited

· 8,000 miles traveled

· 8 vacation days used

· 12 days away from Grace during Lent

In the end, it has been determined that my formation should take place at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. I interviewed there April 1^st, received an acceptance letter last week, and will start there this August.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I wouldn’t be at this point in the journey without. As I said on Sunday, one answer now opens up a thousand new questions, and your prayers are still needed!! Over the course of the next three months, we’ll need to find renters for our house, decide what items will move with us (or be sold) into a 2-bedroom apartment, celebrate Kaleigh’s high school graduation, take part at General Convention in Salt Lake City for 2 weeks in June, leave my job, pack, move to DC, and then move Kaleigh into the dorms at Milwaukee School of Engineering. We are both so thankful for our Grace and Diocese of Fond du Lac family. Kaleigh is thankful that God has provided a way for her to start college and still have “family” close at hand even though her Mom is not. We are truly blessed by you all!

With thanksgiving,

―Bobbi

Spring cleanup is this Saturday! We will assemble at 8:30 a.m. and be finished by noon. Breakfast snacks will be provided, as will lunch. We will work rain or shine. Bring a rake, trimming tools, etc. for outdoor work, or cleaning supplies for indoor work. Thank you!

Music this week: The Third Sunday of Easter

Prelude Chorale on ‘Haec dies’ Widor

Entrance Hymn 199 “Come, ye faithful, raise the strain” St. Kevin

Gloria S-278 Communion Service Mathias

Offertory Hymn 305 “Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest” Rosedale

Sanctus & Benedictus S-128 Mathias

Fraction Anthem Christ, our Passover Hurd

Communion Motet Most glorious Lord of life Harris

Communion Hymn 343 “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless” St. Agnes

Closing Hymn 194 “Jesus lives! Thy terrors now” St. Albinus

Postlude Prelude & Fugue in G Major Bach

Parish Notices

o Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 14 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Sat 12noon)

o Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 25 (Thu 2pm) – June 27 (Sat 12noon) There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§ We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Thursday, April 9, 2015

He is risen!

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

9 April 2015

Alleluia! The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed! We love to make this proclamation in Eastertide, as well we should. (And as well we should at all times). Against the reality of this one most important fact in all of creation and history all else pales. But Eastertide is always a good time to focus on particulars, on what the reality of resurrection means in my life.

As human beings we are each a person created in the image and likeness of God. Each is composed and comprised of soul, body, and mind. The soul exists by virtue of the grace of God, and the body and mind receive life from the soul. Consequently, in resurrection the soul arises to God from the state to which it has fallen, and it is with this resurrection of the soul that the body and mind rise. It is as a complete and unique person that each arises. In resurrection I will not be absorbed into a great “world soul”, but will remain the “me” created by God, except that all the faults that have accrued to that “me” by virtue of my own disordered will (a will that has allowed me to substitute my own will for God’s) are forgiven when I am so identified with the risen Christ that I am clothed in His righteousness. It is by virtue of Jesus’ resurrection that I may walk in newness of life. It is by Jesus’ resurrection and my participation in His life that I may face judgment.

In Eastertide it is common to sing the hymn “Now the green blade riseth” (No. 204). We sing that the green blade riseth from the buried grain, in other words that new life comes forth from the seed which has been planted. The seed which has been planted in each of us is the image and likeness of God. In Jesus’ resurrection this “green blade”, this eternal newness of Life in God, is revealed. Let the life of each one of us be manifest to others as eternally new in God!

Grace abounds: Please thank:

§ All who have served throughout Holy Week and Easter Week!

Podcasts! Podcasts are found on the website under “Media”. You can also subscribe on ITunes or with RSS full feed at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Music this week: The Second Sunday of Easter, year B

Prelude Fantasy in G Major J. S. Bach

Entrance Hymn 193 “That Easter day with joy was bright” Puer nobis

Gloria in excelsis Communion Service William Mathias

Offertory Hymn 206 “O sons and daughters, let us sing” Filii et filiae

Sanctus Mathias

Communion Motet This joyful Eastertide Dutch melody, harm. Wood

Communion Hymn 209 “We walk by faith, and not by sight” St. Botolph

Closing Hymn 180 “He is risen, He is risen” Neander

Postlude Ofertoire sur le chant O filii et filiae Jean-Francois Dandrieu

Parish Notices

§ Adult Formation: Beginning on Sunday, 12 April, we will offer a six week course on the nuts-and bolts of the Old Testament and how God’s Word continues to speak to us through this living testimony. Classes will meet on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall, and will be facilitated by Fr. Karl.

o Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 14 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Sat 12noon)

o Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)

o KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 25 (Thu 2pm) – June 27 (Sat 12noon) 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 an email address you can receive the Angelus electronically and save the church some printing and postage costs as well as receive any gentle reminders that may pop up between Angelus publications. If you have questions about any of these things please call the office.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Shadows and Light

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

2 April 2015

Shadows and light. This evening, at the end of the celebration of Maundy Thursday, the altar is stripped, the tabernacle emptied, all church decorations are removed, the lights are extinguished, and the people leave in darkness and in silence. This darkness is anticipated, in some places, with a Wednesday service of Tenebrae (Latin for “shadows”), which is comprised of three nocturnes (each with three lessons), plus antiphons (verses recited or sung with the lessons) and psalms. In these lessons, the lamentations over loss, as expressed in Scripture and in meditations from the Church Fathers, are recited. With each lesson a candle is extinguished from a set of fifteen candles, with the service ending in complete darkness, accompanied, as well, by a loud noise (made by slamming a book on the floor) which symbolizes the earthquake which occurred at Jesus’ death.

In this parish we do not hold the service of Tenebrae (which is not in the prayer book), but we should nonetheless pay attention to how darkness and light are prominent throughout Holy Week and Easter. The great triduum of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter begins with the darkness with which Maundy Thursday ended. In the Passion we participate in the descent of darkness, and we keep vigil in this darkness until the new light of Easter is kindled at the Great Vigil of Easter, on Saturday night. When this fire is kindled in the dark church the deacon will light the paschal candle and three times intone “The light of Christ!”, to which the people respond “Thanks be to God!” She will then place the candle before the people and into the ancient prayer Exsultet:

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,

and let your trumpets shout Salvation

for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,

bright with a glorious splendor,

for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,

and let your holy courts, in radiant light,

resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame,

pray with me to God the Almighty

for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light;

through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The deacon goes on for another five minutes of singing, recounting the history of salvation, but notice int he initial prayer that the light of Christ is invoked as triumphing over death, and we rejoice in heaven and on earth as the universal Church, the Church Militant (on earth) and the Church Triumphant (in heaven), that meet in the Holy Eucharist, when we pray “... with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven ...” Light, truth, love triumph over death. Rejoice indeed, and let the drama of the triumph envelop you.

Grace abounds: Please thank:

§ Mary Snyder and Mary Ann Neuses for the Friday simple supper.

§ Anne and Bob Hanlon, and Mary and Terry Kohler for the Sunday coffee hours (with hot cross buns!), assisted by Barb MacEwen and Leslie Kohler..

§ Altar Guild members Beverly Evans, Steve Fischer and Barb MacEwen extra work in preparation for Holy Week services.

§ Acolyte Master Scot Fabbiano and all of the altar servers for all of the extra work in Holy Week.

§ Ben Dobey and the choir for all of the extra work in Holy Week.

§ Jon and Nick Whitford for additions to the website and podcasts.

§ Michele Whitford for 4 extra service bulletins this week!

Podcasts! The parish is blessed with many gifts that allow for more effective communication and outreach. We have a truly superior website (thanks to Jon!), with many useful links; there is a weekly blog; and starting tomorrow we will add podcasts. A podcast is a short audio and video broadcast received over an internet connection, on your smart phone or computer or tablet. We will begin on a Mon—Wed—Fri schedule, with links posted to the blog and website. On Mondays we will simply post the Sunday sermon as an audio file. Wednesdays will feature a brief talk that might involve teaching or discussion of a current issue. Fridays will feature a broadcast of evensong.

Podcasts are found on the website under “Media”.

Youth and Family Ministry: Worn Out, Beat Up, and Tired

As we close out Lent and Holy Week and everyone has their eye on the "prize" (Easter) I sympathize with those who are so very busy during this week. My own tiredness is partly due to a lack of discipline regarding my sleep schedule, but it also is a reflection of the fact that I am trying to do more in the day, and finding it difficult.

For our clergy here at Grace, and most definitely all over Christendom, Holy Week is a frantic chase to make sure everything gets done, on time. On top of a work week thrown into overdrive, is the other work that goes on in the week, daily services.

At Grace, this is not unusual in-and-of itself, we have daily mass and morning and evening prayer, and sometimes more, but the drama of the week is wounding. And no matter your strength, adding wounds will wear you down, and you'll feel more and more beat up.

At Grace we are starting something sort-of new. For years we have been posting recordings of the Sunday sermons on our website ( www.gracesheboygan.com ), and now we are adding to that. We have started posting three audio files to the website per week, now going on two weeks.

There are three separate series running simultaneously; all together these make the GEC podcast. First is the Sunday Sermons. Second is called "Voices of Grace" which will be conversations, articles, parish life, and other news. And Third is called "Sounds of Grace" which will be sung daily offices and musical offerings.

This is a Grace Church ministry, this is not a Fr. Karl or a Nick Whitford ministry. If you have something that you want to discuss, present, or offer. Or if you have ideas or suggestions please let us know; the more voices the better.

If you want to know more about why Holy Week is so tiring, please listen to the newest "Voices of Grace" where I sit down with Fr. Karl and ask him questions about Holy Week. In it you will hear more about the drama of Holy Week and why we are all waiting for dusk on Saturday.

Please check it out, let us know what you think, and enjoy your Holy Week!

―Nick

Music this week:

Maundy Thursday

Prelude Meditation on ‘Ubi caritas’ Maleingreau

Opening Hymn “Zion, praise thy Savior, singing” (Lauda Sion)

Gloria in excelsis Gregorian Mass X adapt. Wildman

At the Foot Washing: Ubi caritas Durufle

God is love, and where true love is Proulx

Offertory Hymn 315 “Thou, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray”

Communion Motet Ave verum Plainsong

Comm. Hymn 204 “Humbly I adore thee”

Procession to the Altar of Repose: Hymn 329 “Now, my tongue the mystery telling”

Good Friday

Sung Passion Gospel Plainsong

Veneration of the Cross Adoramus te, Christe Mozart

Behold the Lamb of God Willan

Cross of Jesus Stainer

God so loved the world Stainer

Easter Vigil

(with Brass Quintet)

Gloria Communion Service Mathias

Offertory Christus vincit (Christ has conquered) Noyon

Communion Motet Most glorious Lord of Life Harris

Comm. Hymn 305 “Come, risen Lord”

Closing Hymn 208 “The strife is o’er”

Postlude Toccata (Symphonie V) Widor

Easter Day

(with String Quartet)

Prelude Organ Concerto in F, op. 4 no. 5 Handel

Entrance Hymn 207 “Jesus Christ is risen today”

Mass Setting Missa in C (‘Organ Solo Mass’) Mozart

Offertory Anthem Regina Coeli Mozart

Communion Motet Jesus, Sun of Life Handel

Communion Hymn 174 “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing”

Closing Hymn 210 “The day of resurrection”

Postlude Prelude & Fugue in A Major Bach

Parish Notices

§ Sacrament of Reconciliation: Lent is a time of self-examination preparing for the death and resurrection of our Lord. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered by appointment. Please contact Fr. Schaffenburg to set up an appointment to make your confession.

§ Maundy Thursday Foot Washing: Everyone will have the opportunity to have their feet washed and to wash someone else’s feet following the example of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. Please wear socks and shoes that are easily removed.

§ Vigil before the Altar of Repose: Please sign up to watch and pray for an hour at the Altar of Repose beginning immediately following the Maundy Thursday Mass April 17^th and concluding Friday, April 18^th as the Good Friday Liturgy begins. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex, more than one person can sign up for any given hour.

§ Good Friday Offering: Every year since 1922 the church has taken a collection for the Church in the Middle East during Holy Week. This year our loose plate offering on Good Friday will go to support the church efforts in Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East. Please be generous as you are able.

§ The Holy Noise: It is an ancient custom that parishioners bring bells from home to make the Holy Noise during the singing of the Gloria in exclesis at the Easter Vigil and to symbolize the waking of the dead in Christ because of His resurrection, as well as the proclamation to the entire world that Christ is risen from the dead.

§ Easter Gala Reception: We will continue our Easter celebration with a Gala Reception after the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 5^th. All are welcome.

§ Christian Formation: there will be no Christian Formation for adults or children on Easter, April 5^th. Christian formation for children will begin on April 12^thfor all ages.

§ Office Closed: The office will be closed Monday and Tuesday, April 6^th & 7^th. There will be no Daily Offices or Mass either of those days.

§ Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2015

§ 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer

§ 9:30 a.m. AA Meeting in St. Mark’s Room

§ 5:10 p.m. Evening Prayer & Shrine Prayers

§ 6:00 p.m. Solemn Mass with Foot Washing,

§ Stripping of the Altar, and Procession to the Altar of Repose

§ 7:00 p.m. Beginning of the Vigil before the Altar of Repose

§ Good Friday, April 3, 2015

§ 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer

§ 1:00 p.m. Liturgy of Good Friday with

§ Veneration of the Sacred Cross and Mass of the Pre-Sanctified

§ 5:10 p.m. Evening Prayer and Shrine Prayers

§ Holy Saturday, April 4, 2015

§ 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer

§ 9:00 a.m. Holy Saturday Liturgy

§ 7:00 p.m. The GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

§ The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter

§ April 5, 2015

§ 8:00 a.m. Mass

§ 8:00 a.m. Nursery Open

§ 10:15 a.m. Solemn Mass

§ followed by the Easter Gala Reception

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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Simplest Witness

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Facing Dragons

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Argument and Image

Thursday, April 9, 2015

He is risen!

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Shadows and Light