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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Transfiguration and Witness

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
6 August 2015

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.”  Writing at 2 Pet. 1.16 the apostle may well be thinking about his witnessing of Jesus’ transfiguration.  Peter speaks of eye witnessing, and in all walks of life the testimony of an eyewitness is of far, far greater value than what we might hear second- or third-hand.  You don’t need to be a lawyer to know that if someone has witnessed something himself, we can rely on his testimony in a way that we don’t for hearsay.  So, let’s look at a few details.  The apostle tells of the transfiguration of Jesus, of God the Father speaking from heaven to testify to the Lordship of Jesus.  Note, however, that he uses the word “we” to describe who heard the Father, and who saw Jesus transfigured.
Do we have the testimony of the other witnesses?  Luke’s Gospel tells us that present with Peter were James and John.  The transfiguration is also described in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, and Biblical scholars will tell you that the Gospel of Mark was written based very much on the first-hand knowledge of Peter, and that Matthew was mentored by James.  What about John?  In his Gospel he does not describe the transfiguration directly, but he leaves little doubt about his knowledge of who Jesus is, when he begins his good news by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
OK.  So we have the consistent testimony of direct witnesses, transmitted to us by both direct and indirect means.  We have a consistency in detail, of a description of supernatural brightness, that is consistent with the description of the brightness associated with direct manifestations of God, descriptions we find in Exodus (e.g., 34.29-34) and in Acts’ account of St. Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (9.1-9).  This is starting to look like a pretty strong case; this is looking like we can say that by relying on Scripture we can gain knowledge of God and of His will for us.
And we can so rely.  As St. Peter says, “You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1.19).  Relying on the testimony of others is the primary means we have of gaining knowledge.  What we know can be divided into two categories:  what we have experienced ourselves (what we call direct knowledge); and what we have learned by being told by others (what we call indirect knowledge), and the reality is that most of our knowledge is indirect (e.g., learning).  So on this day that we give thanks for the revelation of God’s glory let us give thanks, as well, that testimony is something that we can share—that a small ray of the brightness of God may shine through our own lives and words as “a lamp shining in a dark place”.

Grace abounds:  Please thank:
§  The Yang family for the Sunday coffee hour.

Tidings from seminaryGreetings from Alexandria, VA!
Kaleigh and I left on Friday morning. Our ride to VTS was uneventful and, upon arrival, were greeted by nearly fifteen individuals who moved us into our apartment in just under an hour! It was an amazing welcome … just as it was an amazing send off from Grace Sheboygan. I will write more later, but wanted to take a moment to include this “thank you” in this week’s blog.
Prior to our departure, we were blessed by: Tasha & Tom Crouse with moving boxes, Scott Fabiano for painting, John Davis for plumbing repairs, Nick Whitford for mowing, Bryan Stenz, Hannah & Thomas Sanders, and Jon & Michele Whitford for assistance with packing. Additionally, Jennifer Pawlus for hosting the fantastic Ladies Tea. Plus Hannah & Thomas, Jon & Michele, and others who made sure Kaleigh and I ate a meal once in awhile! 
The sending from Grace is something I will always remember! I haven’t yet read the book that was presented that Sunday with all of your notes. It is set aside for a day in the not too distant future when “packing & unpacking” is behind me. “Real” mail is always a blessing and will reach me at: 3737 Seminary Road Alexandria, VA 22304. Stay tuned. Updates from seminary will be posted shortly. “We do ministry together”.
Thank you for your love and prayers!                                   ―Bobbi Kraft

Update on media:  Archdeacon Michele writes in this month’s edition of The Angelus about progress on our web-based ministry programs, Grace Abounds, but we have for some time already been communicating using this blog, podcasts, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.  A few statistics:  As of right now, we have 222 followers at twitter.com/GEC_Sheboygan - Grace Episcopal (WI)
We have 107 followers at twitter.com/GraceAboundsWI - Grace Abounds
We have 242 "likes" or followers at facebook.com/GraceSheboygan - Grace Episcopal Church Sheboygan, WI.
Facebook is updated on most days.  Twitter (which we only began to use in the first quarter) has so far included 233 unique tweets.
In addition, this blog averages 1,000 page views per month (of which 15% originate from a mobile device), from an average of 8 countries.  The visits to our website can relate to content under any menu, including podcasts.  Unique visits average ____. All of these data are for our platforms now, i.e., before we launch an integrated program that is outreach-oriented.
If there are items you wish to share on social media platforms, please contact the parish office, and we will direct you to the appropriate feeds.

Music this Week:  The Feast of the Transfiguration, 6 August.

Prelude                           Chorale Preludes on Lord, all my heart is fixed on thee
                                                                                                    Krebs & Walther
Entrance Hymn 427        “When morning gilds the skies”
Offertory Hymn 137        “O wondrous type, O vision fair”
Communion Hymn 383   “Fairest Lord Jesus”
Closing Hymn 7              “Christ, whose glory fills the skies”
Postlude                          Chorale Prelude on The only Son from heaven                                                                                                                               Pachelbel

Sunday, 9 August, The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14B.

Prelude                           Prelude on Draw nigh and take                    Leo Sowerby
Entrance Hymn 408        “Sing praise to God who reigns above”
Offertory Hymn 523        “Glorious things of thee are spoken”
Communion Hymn 328   “Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord”
Closing Hymn 657           “Love divine, all loves excelling”
Postlude                          Finale on ‘Hyfrydol’                                                     Callahan

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.

Parish Notices

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

§  Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner: This year we will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner open to the public in conjunction with other churches in our community.  On August 26th at 6 PM, we will discuss details of the event.  If you can't make this meeting but are still interested, then please contact Paul Aparicio.

§  Continuing Education: Michele will be out of the office August 3-7 at a Mediation Training class. Ellen Aparicio will be in the office Monday- Thursday. The office will be closed on Friday.

§  Brat Fry and Bake Sale: is August 8, 2015 at Miesfeld’s. Do you have an interest in baking goodies for our bake sale? (This proves to be a major part of a brat fry event and your help is most appreciated!) And/or could you help package the baked items on Friday, August 7th at 1:00 PM? All sign-up sheets including working at the brat fry are in the narthex. Thank you so much for your participation.

§  Bishop’s Night at the Ballpark: August 14, 5:30PM all-you-can-eat picnic on 3rd base picnic deck, 7:05PM first pitch Timber Rattlers vs South Bend Cubs, at Fox Cities Stadium, Grand Chute, WI. Picnic and game tickets: $22,50 ages 11+, $16.50 ages 2-10, no cost under age 2. Game tickets only: $9. Parking: $5 per vehicle. Visit diofdl.org for more info.

§  Women’s Mini-Week: August 13-16 “Surprised by Joy” retreat for adult women offering refuge, friendship, relaxation, fun, and NO dishes! Held at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma, WI Thursday supper through Sunday brunch. Varied lodging or program/meal is available. Visit diofdl.org for more info.

§  St. Mary the Virgin: Monday, August 17th we will celebrate the eve of the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin also known as the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We will celebrate with a Solemn Mass at 6:00 pm. We will continue the celebration with an Ice Cream Social. Please join in the fun. If you can stay and help clean up that would be wonderful.

§  Study Guides for Congregational Use: Bishop Gunter has released two study guides for use by congregations and individuals of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. The King or a Fox: Configuring the Mosaic of Scripture is a 14-page document as a guide to understanding and interpreting Scripture. It was used by clergy during deanery clericus gatherings. In Dialogue With Each Other is a Study Guide created to aid congregations in studying and discussing the topic of same-sex unions. Clergy may want to encourage individuals to make use these resources or use them as a basis for forums or other study series. Downloads are available both as PDF and Word files. Visit diofdl.org.

§  Eucharistic Festival: August 29, 11AM-2PM at Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond du Lac, WI. A traditional celebration of the Sacrament, with an outdoor procession & adoration. Homilist is Archdeacon Michele Whitford. Picnic meal follows. All are welcome to this diocesan family celebration. Sign up online to help or sing in the choir. Visit diofdl.org for more info.

§  Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton: August 29, 2:00-6:30PM at Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond du Lac, WI. An event honoring a former bishop of our diocese. Includes presentation by Nashotah House Dean Steven A. Peay at 2:30PM, Evening Prayer at 3:45PM, Holy Eucharist at 4:15PM, and Garden Party. Visit diofdl.org for more info.

§  Mass in the Grass: Please join us Sunday, September 13, 2015 for an outdoor Mass and All Church Picnic at Deland Community Center, 901 Broughton Dr., Sheboygan, the Mass will begin at 10:15 a.m. with lunch following. There will be games and activities for our children’s enjoyment. Inviting guests is encouraged. There will be ONE MASS only that day. We will be asking for donations of cookies/bars, potato chips, water and monetary donations to defray the cost. Please sign up on the sheet on the Narthex table.


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