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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Grace Abounds!


Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin



Grace Notes

17 March 2016



Grace Abounds here at Grace Church! We have been adding podcasts and video casts to www.graceabounds.online, also found at www.gracesheboygan.com.  

Grace Abounds, a ministry of Grace Church, was created to promote outreach through the use of electronic media. Initially our goal was to provide access to Sunday Sermons for the shut-ins and snow birds of our own parish, but our plans changed when we were blessed with resources that could do so much more. Now the focus of Grace Abounds is to reach outside our doors. We have so much to offer - teachings, music and wonderful Anglican traditions that we want to share. God's GRACE ABOUNDS and we want to share that grace.

Presently we have Sunday sermons, a series on Spiritual Practices, Musical Offerings, Evensong, Compline, and more all available online.

Recently we added a program called Daily Office Basics. This 5-part series teaches you how to simply and accurately pray Morning and Evening prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and Bible. Join Deacon Rodger Patience as he explains in plain language the history, order, and details of these prayers known as the daily office.

Deacon Rodger Patience serves at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Menasha, WI, Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac. He also blogs about the daily office at www.dailyofficeanchorsociety.com

Another program we’ve been working on is the Bible Challenge.  Participation in the Bible Challenge will allow you to read the entire Bible in one year, in a structured fashion. Every Monday we post a video overview discussion of the major themes encountered in the week’s readings, together with insights on the origins of the readings and their overall theological context. A reading schedule and text versions of the weekly summaries are available along with the videos at Grace Abounds

Most recently we have started streaming our Sunday morning 10:15 am service. At this time a program or app is needed to view the live event. Below you will find a link to VLC Media player, a free program which can be downloaded for use with most devices.

If you are using a mobile device, search the App Store for "VLC". Alternatively, you can search the App Store for "rtsp" which will provide more app choices.

Download: VLC Media Player

Once installed, open VLC's main menu, select "Open Network Stream" and enter the following URL: rtsp://sbs.gracesheboygan.com/live.sdp.   Click Here for HELP

If you are having trouble and live in the area, call the church office for help. The office will put you in touch with a tech person. Otherwise, bring your computer to Grace and one of the tech folks can help you get it going.

We are always looking for those who have ideas for new podcasts and for help with the recording.  (Archdeacon Michele Whitford)



Grace abounds:  Please thank:

§  Kevan and Traci Revis, and Gary and Elaine Dinstuhl, for the Sunday coffee hours, and Boy Scout Troop 801 for the pancake breakfasts!

§  Jessica Ambelang for hosting the Lenten Friday supper, with cleanup help from Julie Davidson and Jennifer Pawlus.

§  The crew which helped after the Lenten supper to set up for Deacon School:  Michelle Abrashinsky, Paul Aparicio, Julie Davidson, Scot Gedemer, Judy Goes, and Elizabeth Schaffenburg.

§  Bobbie May and Mary Massey for ongoing work in organizing the parish library.

§  Andrea Aparicio for providing food for the Deacon School



Candidacy for Ordination:  The Ven. Michele Whitford, archdeacon of the diocese, deacon and Associate Minister of this parish, has now, in her tenth year of ordained life been named as a Candidate for Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests.  This follows a multiyear process of personal discernment, which has been complemented and confirmed by the diocesan discernment process (Circles of Light) administered by the Commission on Ministry.  The Circles of Light group have affirmed an unanimous belief that Michele is called to the priesthood, and this has been endorsed by the Rector and the vote of the Vestry of this parish.

Michele will now enter a period of discernment working with a local committee, which will include two representatives of the parish, a member of the broader community, a diocesan priest (not the rector), and a representative of the Commission on Ministry.  The findings of this committee will be reviewed with the Commission on Ministry in the Fall of this year.  In parallel with this, Michele will be directed into specific areas of study intended to reinforce and develop Michele’s existing knowledge and experience derived from her original education and training as a deacon, and her ten years of experience in ordained ministry.  These areas of study will be subject to canonical examinations administered by the Board of Examining Chaplains.  Study will not involve separate schooling, but will proceed under the “reading for orders” model of formation.

What comes next, besides process and further education?  The short answer is that we don’t know.  We do know that Michele’s duties here will not change during the formation process, and we have no information indicating that she will not continue to serve here in her new capacities as a priest.  Please continue to hold Michele in prayer.



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: Palm Sunday:  The Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord



Blessing of the Palms       Hosanna in the highest                                        Dobey

Processional Hymns:        154  “All glory, laud and honor”                         Valet will

                                      156  “Ride on! Ride on in majesty”          Winchester New

Psalm 22:1-11 (responsorial)                                                           Chant: Dobey

Tract: Ps. 22:26-30                                                                               Plainsong

Offertory Hymn               162  “The royal banners forward go”            Vexilla Regis

Communion Motet           Crucifixus                                                   Antonio Lotti

Communion Hymn           168  “O sacred head, sore wounded”        Passion Chorale

Postlude                          Chorale Prelude on ‘O sacred head, now wounded’

       Brahms



Parish Notices



§  Easter Flowers and Music: It is not too late to donate for Easter Flowers and Music. We enjoy the Beauty of Holiness in both the flowers that adorn the church and the special music which includes brass at the Easter Vigil and strings at the Solemn Mass on Easter morning. Please be generous if you are able. Please call the office or fill out a pink slip to indicate your wish for memorials and/or thanksgivings. The deadline is tomorrow, March 21st at noon.

§  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 March 24th and concluding Friday, March 25th 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.

§  Easter Vigil Dinner: The first Mass of the Resurrection is next Saturday, March 26th, at 7:00 p.m. The Easter celebration then continues at Trattoria Stefano, 522 South 8th Street, at 9:30 p.m. The actual cost of the meal is a gift to the parish, so you not only get a delicious meal but you help the church by purchasing a ticket for the dinner. Tickets can be bought in the parish office or in the narthex after mass for $50 a person. Everyone is invited, but seats are limited. There are scholarships for anyone wishing to attend but are unable to donate. The deadline is tomorrow, Monday March 21st.

§  Easter Gala Reception: We will continue our Easter celebration with a Gala Reception after the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday, March 27th. Please sign up to bring sweets or savories and to help clean up afterwards. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.

§  A volunteer is needed: to head up the organization of the Easter Gala Reception.  If you feel moved to serve in this capacity, please call the office for details.

§  First Communion Instruction: 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.  

§  Volunteers needed for Royal Holloway Concert: The Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London will present a concert at Grace Church on April 9th at 7:00 pm.  We need volunteers for: setup and cleanup for the choir supper prior to the concert, homemade sweets for the choir supper, and overnight housing for 25 choir members.  Two separate sign-up sheets for the supper and housing can be found 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.

§  Cursillo: Many of you have heard of Cursillo. It could be that you are looking for such an experience and may not even know it. If the Holy Spirit nudges you, there is one coming up April 21-24, Thursday evening till Sunday afternoon. For many it's a great experience, revitalizing and memorable. Fr. Ambelang will be the spiritual leader of this one with the Bishop assisting, as well as a team of lay people. If you have questions talk to Ed or Mary Clabots, Jennifer Pawlus, or Fr. John Ambelang. 

§  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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