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Thursday, March 10, 2016

Spring Cleanup


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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