Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
25 February 2016
Yesterday’s feast of St. Matthias the Apostle
can be thought of as the feast for a “saint for the rest of us”. Matthias was a figure of whom there is no
record in the gospels, but who is described in Acts 1 as having accompanied
Jesus and His disciples from the time of the baptism of the Lord. The disciples discern the will of God and
name Matthias to replace Judas, and after this mention he disappears from the
canonical record.
Which brings us to ourselves, the “rest of
us”. Each of us has accompanied Jesus
and His disciples (the Church) from the time we were baptized. With very rare exception, each of us serves
in ways that are not reflected in a public record. The point is not who we receive the
recognition of others, but how God recognizes our faith, that we follow. When we do this we bear witness to who God
is; we bear witness in following.
Few people will ever persuaded by any words
we may use. We are called to testify using
words as well as actions, and when we are called to testify using words, when
we are faithful, God will give us the words needed, but we will certainly never
just persuade anyone of the faith. We
may, however, demonstrate the faith. We
may live lives that cause others to notice that there is something different
about those who follow Jesus Christ. For
example, when we can remain thankful to God even in the midst of misfortune,
people will notice.
Consider the “misfortune” of Matthias and his
contemporaries, that the faith they professed was officially proscribed by the
most powerful empire in history; that the eponymous founder of their faith died
the death of a criminal; that their most important first leader was described
as having abandoned his master. These
“facts on the ground” would not be considered favorable in any age, and yet by
their example Matthias and his contemporaries began to open hearts that God
might win them.
We have no record of Matthias ever
considering himself as having earned favor with his fellow disciples in how he
walked along with them in following Jesus.
He probably did, but we do know that he found favor with God, as God
will find favor with each of not in great works and the good opinion of others,
but in how we offer our hearts in following Jesus.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Kevan and Traci Revis, and Paul and Andrea Aparicio for the
Sunday coffee hours.
§ Ben Dobey for organizing the supper prior to Compline, and
for the Compline musical offering.
§ Gary and Elaine Dinstuhl, and Jennifer Pawlus, for providing
the Friday night Lenten meal.
§ Bobbie May for work in the parish library.
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 Third Sunday in Lent
Prelude Chorale
Preludes on Lord, keep us steadfast by
thy Word
Pachelbel and Buxtehude
Introit My eyes are ever looking toward the Lord Plainsong
Mass
Setting Gregorian Mass X
Plainsong, adapt.
Wildman
Offertory Hymn 401 “The God of Abraham praise” Leoni
Communion Motet Like as the hart Willan
Communion Hymn 684 “O, for a closer walk with God” Caithness
Closing Hymn 344 “Lord,
dismiss us with thy blessing” Sicilian Mariners
Postlude Prelude & Fugue in G Minor Fischer
Parish
Notices
§ Dinner Needed: For those participating in the 30 Hour Famine. We need volunteers to provide a lite meal
(e.g. chicken soup and salad/sandwich or rice and beans – nothing heavy or
acidic) to be served on Saturday, February 27th at 5:30 p.m. for 20
people.
§ Adult Education: On Sunday we will continue Discipleship – as Ethics and Evangelism. This
is the last class in a three-week exploration of what Jesus intends for his
followers in these two specific areas, with an intention toward faithful and
imaginative obedience for us today. This
series is presented by our Seminarian, Ryan Pollock.
§ Lenten Meditation
Booklets are available on the table in the Narthex.
§ Stations of the Cross
and Simple Suppers: We will continue this program on Friday,
March 4th meeting at 5:15 p.m. for a prelude of Lenten organ music followed at
5:30 p.m. with Stations of the Cross. Afterwards a simple supper will be hosted
in the parish hall with a presentation and pictures of Jordan, Israel and
Palestine by the pilgrims who went to the Holy Land. Please sign up on the
sheets in the Narthex so we will know how much food needs to be prepared.
§ First Communion
Lessons: Pat Ford Smith will be providing Communion Lessons
during the month of April in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday May
1st, 2016. If you or your child are interested, please contact the office
to sign up. Dates have been set for each Thursday in April (April 7, 14,
21 & 28), times are still being determined.
§ Sunday School Snacks: Ms. Nicci and Ms. Andrea's Sunday school classes are in need of donated
non-perishable snacks. Each class consists of a prayer around our
classroom altar followed by snack and craft time. Having snacks to offer
during this time is a wonderful opportunity for the classmates to serve each
other and come together in fellowship. It would be wonderful if anyone
who is willing could place non-perishable snack options such as applesauce,
goldfish cracker bags, fruit cups, as well as juice boxes, in our craft room to
replenish our supply. Thank you!
§ Lenten Retreat for
Women: Lead by the Rev. Dr. Paula Harris and entitled
“Recognizing God’s Voice”, this retreat will take place on Saturday March 5th
9:30 – 3:30 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Hartford. For more
information, please see the notice board in the Narthex.
§ Horvats in Hrvatska: Their most recent newsletter, which includes their prayer requests, has
been posted on the notice board in the Narthex.
Additional copies can be found on the table in the Narthex.
§ SCIO Program Top 3
In-Kind Needs: SCIO is in need of (1) Spaghetti sauce,
chicken/vegetable broth, (2) Tampons, Conditioner, and (3) Pledge, Windex,
bathroom cleaner. SCIO is a spiritually
based organization of faith communities in Sheboygan County. If you would like
to learn more about SCIO, please see the brochure on the noticed board in the
Narthex.
§ Something Extra for
Grace: Envelopes are available in the pews if you are moved
to give an extra gift, beyond your pledge or regular plate donation, toward the
life of the church. Gifts are tax deductible
if you write your name on the envelope.
§ Like Grace Church on Facebook
§ Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§ We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!
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