Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
9 March 2016
Spring is in the air! We are definitely not beyond the reach of
Winter weather, but a week in which we have seen temperatures in the 50’s and
60’s is certainly welcome. One of the reactions
common at the first good weather is that we focus on cleaning. The sunlight allows us to see the dust in the
house, and so we start with a once-over.
But then we find that we really need to also clean floors and vacuum, or
to take an opportunity to rearrange storage, or to engage in outdoor cleanup,
or … The list goes on. Once we start cleaning we focus on a visions
of what is good and fresh, and this happens in Spring because we are drawn to
new life, to rebirth.
And so it is in our spiritual lives. As we approach Easter our spirits begin to
further perk up, even if this involves starting just with an anticipation of
celebration. We know that at Easter all
creation may sing “The strife is o’er, the battle done …” But in the meantime in Lent, as in the
meantime of the process of cleanup, we know we must focus on the cleaning
process. We must identify those things
that need to go, those things that need to be removed or renewed. Before the floor can be made clean we must
work on our hands and knees, and suffer sore backs. Before we may sing “Welcome happy morning …”
in Easter joy we must work on our knees, walking with Jesus through the
reliving of His Passion throughout Holy Week.
Spring cleanup involves identifying what
needs to change once we have been motivated to focus on what is new. Our spiritual cleanup is the same. Once we focus on the new life offered in
Jesus Christ we can better focus on what needs to change in our own lives,
remembering that when we do get to the point of recognition God is already
there to meet us. God already knows who
He has created and calls us to be. He
already knows where there is any distance between us and Himself, and He comes
to bridge this gap when we but turn to Him.
Once the heart turns, God begins the cleanup process. May our hearts turn, that the eternal Spring
of God’s light may enter every corner of our hearts and there reveal the work
He accomplishes. May our spiritual eyes
turn, as well, to seek these newly cleaned corners, that we may rejoice and
offer thanks.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Bob and Anne Hanlon, Gary and Elaine Dinstuhl, and Steve and
Katy Larson for the Sunday coffee hours.
§ Steve and Katy Larson for providing Sheboygan brats for the
meeting of the diocesan trustees which was hosted by Grace.
§ Nick and Zach Whitford for video production in support of
the bishop’s education ministry about a Rule of Life for the diocese.
§ The Boland family for hosting the Lenten Friday supper, with
cleanup help from Julie Davidson.
§ Bobbie May and Mary Massey for ongoing work in organizing
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 Fifth Sunday in Lent
Prelude O Lord, turn not thy face from me Parry
Introit Give sentence with me, O God Plainsong
Offertory Hymn 441 “In the cross of Christ I glory”
Communion Motet My spirit longs for thee Dix
Communion Hymn 474 “When I survey the wondrous Cross”
Closing Hymn 598 “Lord
Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth”
Postlude Quasi lento from Six Short Pieces Howells
Parish
Notices
§ Please join us for a Scout Appreciation "Pancake Breakfast": We invite
you to stay a few minutes after the service, to savor a down home Pancake
Breakfast prepared by the Boy Scouts. Maple Syrup will be supplied by the
Drewry Farms of Plymouth. This award winning Maple Syrup is served at all the
major restaurants in the area and beyond. The Scouts will also have available
Maple Syrup gift assortments.
§ Music Ministry
Surveys: Our
beloved music minister, Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, will retire effective August
1st. A Music Committee has been formed to consider how to plan for this
transition. Today, the committee will hold listening and feedback sessions
in St. Nicholas Hall from 9 to 10 am. The purpose of this session
is to hear from you about what is important to you in music ministry, and in
how the music ministry of this church supports the mission of the
church. Please plan to participate, so that we can have the broadest
input.
§ Stations of the Cross and Simple Suppers: We will continue this program on Friday, March 18thth
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 by the pilgrims who went to the Land of the
Holy One. Please sign up on the sheets in the Narthex so we will know how much
food needs to be prepared.
§ Chrism Mass: Will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 19th
at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac.
Those wishing to carpool from Sheboygan, please call the office.
§
Easter Flowers and
Music:
Please 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 as you are able. Please call the office or fill out a slip
to indicate your wish for memorials and/or thanksgivings. The deadline is Monday, 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.
§
Easter Vigil Dinner: The first Mass of the Resurrection is on 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.
§ 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.
§ 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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