The Holy Spirit Speaks

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

26 May 2016

The past two weeks, beginning with the run-up to Pentecost, we have spoken about the eternal Persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This week we will focus on Jesus, the Son, and on how we experience the power of God in how each of His Persons reinforces our knowledge of God.

Once we recognize that God send His Holy Spirit to instruct us, the question becomes how do we pay attention?  We can only listen to the Holy Spirit when we recognize His voice:  In order to recognize God’s promptings in our lives, and to respond to them, we must know who it is who speaks to us and calls us.  If a stranger calls to you and tells you to do something, you will likely dismiss what he/she says, even if it might otherwise make some sense.  But if a loved one or trusted friend calls you and counsels action you are much more likely to:  (a) pay attention and listen; and (b) consider what to do and how to respond.  This means that in order the hear God’s voice we need to focus on how He reveals Himself to us, and this revelation is made in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Focusing on Jesus to experience the Holy Spirit sounds counterintuitive.  But consider how Jesus describes the equation:

1. At John 10.1-16 Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd.  He states that His sheep will follow Him because they hear His voice as He calls to each of them by name.

God knows and calls each one of us, but we must recognize His voice, and we can only do this by walking with Him.  To do this we must focus on Jesus, for He is the complete revelation of God:  “He who has seen me has seen the Father ... I am in the Father and the Father in me ...” (Jn. 14.9). 

2. Jesus reveals the truth of His identity with the Father right before He promises that we will receive the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14.15-20), continuing this revelation by teaching, “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (Jn. 14.21).

We need to pay attention to this sequence in revelation, for against it most of modern culture speaks, and much of the Church is silent in her testimony.  It means that who we are and what we do matters.  It is not enough to just be “spiritual” and to seek God; we must also walk in His way.  We must strive for righteousness, to do His will, and the more we do this the more we will recognize His voice that we might respond to it.  (Amos 3.3:  “Do two walk together unless they have made an appointment?”)  This means we cannot consider God to be insurance, and we cannot just be “social Christians”.  It means we have to commit to obeying God; we need to know Jesus not just as our Savior and Redeemer, but obey Him as Lord and expect Him as Judge. 

We do this by focusing on Jesus, seeking always to follow Him, honor Him, and to walk in His way.  The closer we get to know God, the more we will recognize His voice. 

Wandering in mental meadows after Trinity Sunday

The Trinity sometimes seems to me the metaphysical version of  Churchill’s “Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” In a simpler statement, which I pray is not blasphemous,  it is as an ethereal moebius strip.  When I am in the weeds about it I try to quickly get back to my faith and  yet remember the sheer beauty of the Trinity  Itself.

Dale Massey

Grace abounds:  Please thank: Elaine & Gary Dinstuhl and Mary & Ed Clabots for coffee hour.
Thank you to all who participated in the Celebration of Ministries! It was a wonderful example of how we at Grace Church are active and working in the Kingdom of God.

§ 

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 Second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 4)

Prelude   Andante tranquillo     Edward Hopkins    

Entrance Hymn 372  “Praise to the living God”   Leoni

Offertory Hymn 523  “Glorious things of thee are spoken”   Abbot’s Leigh

Communion Motet Tantum ergo R. Benjamin Dobey (based on a sketch by Don Frazee)

Communion Hymn 567  “Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old”   St. Matthew

Closing Hymn 579  “Almighty Father, strong to save”   Melita

Postlude   Toccata in C Major   Johann Pachelbel

Parish Notices

§  The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: We will celebrate the Virgin Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth on Tuesday, May 31^st at 6:00pm with a Solemn Mass. Please come and celebrate with the parish family.

§  Coffee Hour: Currently we have no-one signed up for next Sunday’s coffee hour or for the Sundays on 6/26 through 8/28. If you feel moved to serve in this capacity, please see the sign-up book on the table in the Narthex.

§  Elkhart Lake Chapel: The Chapel will have services every Sunday through Labor Day weekend. We are in need of help for each Sunday. This would include: picking up the box of bulletins at Grace Church, arriving a little early to open the buildings, finding readers for the lessons and the prayers of the people, lighting candles, greeting the visiting priest, various other tasks, locking up at the end and returning the box to Grace Church. There are instructions printed and several people who would be able to help if you have questions. Please sign up for a Sunday or two by calling the office at 452-9659 with dates you are available. Thank you.

§  Parish Life Survey: During this season of Eastertide your parish has been in celebration and examination of the love that God offers to us all. To further the examination, please take a moment to participate in the Parish Life Survey.  In conjunction with the "What's My Gift?" sessions in Adult Formation each week and the Commission on Congregational Vitality event held last week, this survey will continue our efforts to live as members of the Body of Christ. Printed copies of the survey can be found in the Narthex or to complete the survey electronically go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2PT7KF.

§  Parish Music Survey:  We have concluded our open forums and the Music Committee is working towards forming a proposal of what this ministry is called to be after Dr. Dobey's retirement.  An additional aid in that effort is the following survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDMKWB8.  Please take a few minutes and offer your thoughts so that we as a family can best listen to how our Lord is guiding us.  

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like, please call Michele at the office. There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§  Scholarships are available.

§  Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 12 (Sun 3pm) – June 18 (Sat 12noon)

§  Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

§  Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

§  KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) – June 11 (Sat 12noon)

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Love is of God

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

19 May 2016

Last week, in preparation for Pentecost, I wrote about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how these gifts give us the courage to do God’s work and to receive the peace which Jesus promises.  Continuing in this theme of theology about the Persons of the one God, let us focus this week on the Father, and next week on the Son.  This gets the Holy Trinity a little out of the order we are used to reciting (the order used by Jesus at Mt. 28.19, “Father … Son … and … Holy Spirit”), but, after all, we did start this series for Pentecost!

In speaking of the Father there are many, many things that we can say, beginning with the paramount reality that we are by God’s grace invited and empowered to call Him “Father,” to address Him in the familiar tone of a family member as fellow heirs with His Son.  It is conventional, however, in speaking of the Father, to think in broadest terms of the godhead.  This is fine, so long as we never allow this simple focus to allow us to think of the Son or Holy Spirit as lesser than or distinct from the Father. 

We’re talking about God, and cannot encompass God in words except very inexactly, but it is perhaps useful to start with the famous formula, “God is love” (1 Jn. 4.8), the corollary of which precedes it:  “Love is of God” (1 Jn. 4.7).  What is revealed in this formula is that God is the source and summation and end of all love.  To the extent we experience love, we experience a tiny glimpse of God, knowing that now we see “in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (1 Cor. 13.12).  So it is with truth, and beauty, and good, and being.  That which is godly not only endures but prevails, and prevails against all the powers of darkness.

It is into this life which prevails, this triumph of God, that we are invited when Jesus teaches us to pray by beginning “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven …”  Participate in this triumph.  Participate in this new life, life-everlasting.  Participate in God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit

Bible, Doctrine, Experience

Anthony C. Thiselton

A clear and concise guide to an often difficult and mysterious topic that many may find daunting by other scholars and clergy.  Thiselton is an Anglican priest and eminent biblical scholar.  His explanation is reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ deft handling of complex subjects.  He writes an approachable book to the layman, sufficiently sourced for the academic, solid for clergy and student alike.  Quite often books on these topics are muddled by more jargon than is necessary.  He deals quite fairly with divergent views on the placement and emphasis of the Holy Spirit mostly in a Trinitarian context without giving short shrift to other contextual approaches.  The breadth of his coverage and span is quite amazing given it is a relatively short book (200 pages). His book has much to recommend it for brevity and clarity. This clarity has convinced this reader to attempt his longer version on the same topic.

Dale Massey

Anniversary Celebration

As Wayne and I renewed our marriage vows at early mass on Pentecost, we felt the presence of all the people who have worshiped with us over more than 50 years.  Many have died or have moved away, but many remain, including Art and Nancy Imig, who invited us to their home for pizza when we were newcomers.  We started at Grace Church as a young, going-together couple.  Wayne was confirmed and I was received the month before we got married. Then we became a newly married couple, then parents, then empty nesters, and now retirees.  Our niches are reserved in the columbarium.  Wayne’s and my immediate families lived states away, so our Grace Church family has been a very special family to us.  It has been a privilege to grow in our faith here.  In the last few weeks we celebrated our 50^th anniversary with our children and grandchildren and with our friends, but the celebration was not complete until we renewed our vows before God and in the presence of our church family. 

The celebration of our anniversary has been a time of thankfulness to God:  thankfulness that our decision those many years ago turned out to be a good one; thankfulness for the blessing of children, grandchildren, and friends; thankfulness for good health, meaningful work, and wonderful adventures; and thankfulness for the Grace Church family with whom we have shared and will continue to share our spiritual walk.

We always hear from the pulpit and in other settings that, come what may—the joyful times and the hard times—we at Grace Church are on our spiritual journey together.  Wayne and I are thankful that we are together in our marriage and that we are together with everyone in the Body of Christ at Grace Church—in sickness and in health.  We give thanks for the Grace Church family of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Wayne and Pat Sather

Grace abounds:  Please thank: All the volunteers who helped with Evensong. 
Set-up: Mary Snyder, Polly Schmeiser, Grace Zangara  Clean-up: Jennifer Pawlus, Susan McIntosh, Julie Davidson. The sherry was provided by Ben Dobey.

§     Sunday coffee hours. 8:00 Wayne & Pat Sather, 10:15 The Yang Family

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 First Sunday after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday))

Prelude Verses on the Te Deum  Paul de3 Maleingreau

Opening Hymn  Holy holy holy  Reginald Heber

Offertory Hymn Holy God, we praise thy Name   F. Bland Tucker

Communion Motet  From the rising of the sun  Philip Tomblings

Communion Hymn  Thou, whose almighty word  John Marrion

Closing Hymn  Holy Father, great Creator   Alexander Viets Griswold

Parish Notices

§  Fr. Karl at Credo: Fr. Karl will be out of the office for the Credo Conference from May 16-25, 2016 He will be back in the office on May 26^th. If you have a pastoral need please call Deacon Mike Burg 920-918-9944 or Deacon Michele 920-918-1230 cell or 452-9659 office.

§  Adult Education: Following on the pulse-taking exercises undertaken in April (e.g., with the Commission on Congregational Vitality), in May our focus will be on our identity.  This will involve a simple format, an open forum Q & A about the faith, the life of the Church, etc.  Think of these sessions (Sundays at 9 a.m.) as a time to ask any of those questions that have bugged you, like: “Why do we …?”  “What is the origin of …?”  “Do I have to …?”  “What does the Church teach about …?”  “What is a …?”  Think of your questions in advance, but also build questions on what you hear others questioning or wondering about!

§  Elkhart Lake Chapel: The Chapel will have services every Sunday through Labor Day weekend. We are in need of help for each Sunday. This would include: picking up the box of bulletins at Grace Church, arriving a little early to open the buildings, finding readers for the lessons and the prayers of the people, lighting candles, greeting the visiting priest, various other tasks, locking up at the end and returning the box to Grace Church. There are instructions printed and several people who would be able to help if you have questions. Please sign up for a Sunday or two by calling the office at 452-9659 with dates you are available. Thank you.

§  Parish Life Survey: During this season of Eastertide your parish has been in celebration and examination of the love that God offers to us all. To further the examination, please take a moment to participate in the Parish Life Survey.  In conjunction with the "What's My Gift?" sessions in Adult Formation each week and the Commission on Congregational Vitality event held last week, this survey will continue our efforts to live as members of the Body of Christ. Printed copies of the survey can be found in the Narthex or to complete the survey electronically go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2PT7KF.

§  Parish Music Survey:  We have concluded our open forums and the Music Committee is working towards forming a proposal of what this ministry is called to be after Dr. Dobey's retirement.  An additional aid in that effort is the following survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDMKWB8.  Please take a few minutes and offer your thoughts so that we as a family can best listen to how our Lord is guiding us.  

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like, please call Michele at the office. There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Scholarships are available.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 12 (Sun 3pm) – June 18 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) – June 11 (Sat 12noon)

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

§  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Of Good Courage

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

12 May 2016

At Pentecost it is common to speak of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and, indeed, the hymns we will sing include the reference to “seven fold gifts” (Hymn 504).  What are these gifts?  Various lists and categories exist (see Rom. 12.6-8; 1 Cor. 12.8-10; 28; Eph. 4.11; 1 Pet. 4.11), and there are also the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5.22-23).  If we combine lists and categories (of gifts), we identify the gifts as:

1. Wisdom:  to allow us to, and to help us in, our search for God.
2. Understanding:  to lead us to the knowledge of the truth.
3. Counsel:  to help us discern right from wrong.
4. Spiritual strength:  to support us in doing right; in doing God’s will.
5. Knowledge:  to teach us the will of God.
6. True godliness:  to help us to live righteously.
7. Holy fear:  we are granted respect and reverence for God.  We care, and are not indifferent.

What’s not on this list?  What’s missing here is courage, although we can argue that the gifts (particularly strength and godliness) enable courage.  But, pay attention to what Jesus says in the gospel lesson for this coming Sunday (Jn. 14.8-27, at v. 27)), “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Just as Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said “[T]he only thing we have to fear is fear itself …”, Jesus is telling us that when we have the Spirit who reminds us of all that Jesus has taught, and who will continue to teach us and counsel us in God’s will, we need not fear; that we will receive the peace which God gives.  This peace may not look like what we may have had in mind.  It definitely will not look like the wish-fulfillment which is worldly.  ("If only I had $X,000,000, I could be happy by …”)  But it will be a godly peace, the peace which Jesus gives to those who know who is in charge.  When we know who is in charge, and how the story ends, what have we to fear?  Be of good courage!

Thank you to: Thank you to Ben Dobey, Barb Drewry Zimmerman, Jennifer Pawlus, Pat Sather, Mary Kohler, Mary Snyder, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Deb Gagin, Bev  Evans, Jane Hanson, Jessica Ambelang, Katy Larson, Joyce Wessel, Bernie Markevitch and Barb MacEwen the wonderful ministry of providing Spring Joy to those who are home bound and not able to be with us.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Kevan and Traci Revis, and Steve and Polly Schmeiser for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Ben Dobey and Bobbie May for gardening.

§  Pat Ford Smith for help in the parish office.

Call for Contributions:  If you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Music this Week:           The Feast of Pentecost (Whitsunday)

Holy Eucharist (10:15 a.m.)

Prelude                           Prelude on ‘Come down, O Love divine’          R. B. Dobey

Entrance Hymn 225         “Hail thee, festival day”                            Salve festa dies

Mass Setting:                  Deutsche Messe                     Franz Schubert, arr. Proulx

Sequence Hymn 504       “Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire”           Veni Creator

Offertory Hymn 509        “Spirit divine, attend our prayers”              Nun danket all

Communion Motet           Come, Holy Ghost                                  Orlando Gibbons

Communion Hymn 508    “Breathe on me, breath of God”                         Nova vita

Closing Hymn 516           “Come down, O Love divine”                      Down Ampney

Postlude                         Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God                            J. S. Bach

Choral Evensong (4 p.m.)

Prelude                           Veni Creator                                                    M. Duruflé

Introit                             Sicut cervus                                                G. Palestrina

Entrance Hymn 29           “O Trinity of blessed light”                                  Bromley

Psalm 148                                                                             Anglican chant: Monk

Canticles                         Evening Service in C                                    Charles Wood

Anthem                           Listen, sweet Dove                                    Grayston Ives

Closing Hymn 512           “Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove”              Mendon

Marian Antiphon              Regina Coeli                                                      Plainsong

Postlude                         Veni Creator (final)                                          M. Duruflé

Parish Notices

§  Adult Education: Following on the pulse-taking exercises undertaken in April (e.g., with the Commission on Congregational Vitality), in May our focus will be on our identity.  This will involve a simple format, an open forum Q & A about the faith, the life of the Church, etc.  Think of these sessions (Sundays at 9 a.m.) as a time to ask any of those questions that have bugged you, like: “Why do we …?”  “What is the origin of …?”  “Do I have to …?”  “What does the Church teach about …?”  “What is a …?”  Think of your questions in advance, but also build questions on what you hear others questioning or wondering about!

§  Choral Evensong and High Tea: Sunday May 15, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. we will have Choral Evensong followed by High Tea in the Parish Hall. Please plan to attend this beautiful service. There is a sign-up sheet to bring a sweet or savory on the Narthex table.

§  Celebration of Ministries! On May 22, 2016, at the 10:15a.m. service we will be celebrating the ministries of all the baptized of Grace Church. This includes the formalized ministries within Grace, and the ministries that go beyond the church.  Representatives of the many ministries of Grace Church will be invited to bring forth symbols of their ministry to place on and around the Altar. Just as we minister in our world through the Church, we minister to others in our daily lives. To offer to God your gifts and ministries in your daily life, we invite you to bring a symbol of your ministry with you to the 10:15 a.m. service. These symbols will be offered to God and to this community of faith and then placed at the Altar. More information on this celebration will be forthcoming, please watch for email announcements.

§  Parish Life Survey: During this season of Eastertide your parish has been in celebration and examination of the love that God offers to us all. To further the examination, please take a moment to participate in the Parish Life Survey.  In conjunction with the "What's My Gift?" sessions in Adult Formation each week and the Commission on Congregational Vitality event held last week, this survey will continue our efforts to live as members of the Body of Christ. Printed copies of the survey can be found in the Narthex or to complete the survey electronically go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2PT7KF.

§  Parish Music Survey:  We have concluded our open forums and the Music Committee is working towards forming a proposal of what this ministry is called to be after Dr. Dobey's retirement.  An additional aid in that effort is the following survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDMKWB8.  Please take a few minutes and offer your thoughts so that we as a family can best listen to how our Lord is guiding us.  

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like, please call Michele at the office. There are application forms on the Narthex table.

Scholarships are available.

Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 12 (Sun 3pm) – June 18 (Sat 12noon)

Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) – June 11 (Sat 12noon)

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791

Proclamation and Power

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

5 May 2016

Happy Ascension Day!  We gather tonight (7 p.m.) with our brothers and sisters in Christ from our covenant partners, St. Dominic Catholic Church and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, to pray and offer thanksgiving and witness to the reality that Jesus Christ has ascended to His throne from which He rules all creation.  His reign is inaugurated at His ascension, and we witness to this reign both in how we gather and pray, and in the fact that we gather together across denominational and confessional lines.  We seek to testify to the reality that it is Our Lord’s will that all of His Church be one (Jn. 10.16).

Gathering is vital.  “Gathering,” in fact—as a noun also sometimes translated as “assembly”—is the meaning of the biblical term for “church”.  Faith is something we do together (Mtt. 18.20), and in gathering we witness to the reality that Jesus is Lord.

In our culture we are used to argument, in both positive and negative ways.  We think of argument as something we do to persuade others to think and do as we think and do.  But, the scriptural record is much, much more one of testimony, proclamation, witness than about argument.  At Acts 17.16—34 Paul is recorded as engaging in cogent, positive argument, using the methods of Greek philosophy and rhetoric to persuade the Athenians of the truth of new life in Jesus.  The Athenians are polite, but the response to Paul’s argument is very limited.  The response to any argument we can make will be limited, but the response to proclamation is another thing.  The response to proclamation will be shaped by the power of God’s Word.

We are called to proclaim, to testify, to witness.  We are called to proclaim that Jesus is Lord of all, that new life is given by and through Jesus Christ, and we testify powerfully in how we gather, in how we gather together, in how our lives are changed because of who Jesus is.  Join with those of this parish and our covenant partners who will this night gather, who will in gathering say “Jesus is our King!”  May this kingship, this reign, be experienced by all because their hearts are open to receive this reign.  And may these hearts be opened because in God’s grace our own proclamation is made, “Jesus is King!”

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Hospitality (Bishop’s Gala):  Mary Snyder and Polly Schmeiser organized the gala, including food preparation and set-up, assisted by Barb MacEwen and Bernie Markevitch.  The project was greatly aided by:  Steve Schmeiser and Tom Wright (servers); Barb and Bob MacEwen (decoration centerpieces); Michelle Abrashinsky, Randie Barrows, Julie Davidson, Leslie Kohler, Bobbie May (cleanup).  In addition, Bill and Bobbie May came in on Saturday to make sure room setup was changed to switch from the rummage/bake sale to the gala.

§  Rummage and Bake Sale:  Jessica Ambelang and Julie Davidson for organization and conduct, assisted by Mary Ann Neuses.

§  First Communion:  Pat Ford Smith for organizing and leading instruction and recognition.

§  Altar Guild:  Barb MacEwen for extra duty in visitation setup.

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 Seventh Sunday of Easter

                                     

Prelude                           Viri Galilei (Ascension Suite)                           Tournemire

Entrance Hymn 495         “Hail, thou once despised Jesus”                     In Babilone

Gloria & Sanctus                                                                                   W. Mathias

Offertory Hymn 307        “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor”         Bryn Calfaria

Fraction Anthem              Christ our Passover                                              D. Hurd

Communion Motet           If ye love me                                                       T. Tallis

Communion Hymn 603    “When Christ was lifted from the earth”           St. Botolph

Closing Hymn 460           “Alleluia, sing to Jesus”                                      Hyfrydol

Postlude                          Prelude on ‘Bryn Calfaria’                                      Vintner

Parish Notices

§  Ascension Solemn Evensong and Reception: Please join the Tripartite Covenant Parishes in celebrating Ascension Day. Grace Church, will host Solemn Evensong Thursday, May 5^th, at 7:00pm. Evensong is a beautiful service of sung evening prayer. This will be followed by a reception in St. Nicholas Hall. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to bring cookies or bars.

§  Adult Education: Following on the pulse-taking exercises undertaken in April (e.g., with the Commission on Congregational Vitality), in May our focus will be on our identity.  This will involve a simple format, an open forum Q & A about the faith, the life of the Church, etc.  Think of these sessions (Sundays at 9 a.m.) as a time to ask any of those questions that have bugged you, like: “Why do we …?”  “What is the origin of …?”  “Do I have to …?”  “What does the Church teach about …?”  “What is a …?”  Think of your questions in advance, but also build questions on what you hear others questioning or wondering about!

§  Choral Evensong and High Tea: Sunday May 15, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. we will have Choral Evensong followed by High Tea in the Parish Hall. Please plan to attend this beautiful service. There is a sign-up sheet to bring a sweet or savory on the Narthex table.

§  Celebration of Ministries! On May 22, 2016, at the 10:15a.m. service we will be celebrating the ministries of all the baptized of Grace Church. This includes the formalized ministries within Grace, and the ministries that go beyond the church.  Representatives of the many ministries of Grace Church will be invited to bring forth symbols of their ministry to place on and around the Altar. Just as we minister in our world through the Church, we minister to others in our daily lives. To offer to God your gifts and ministries in your daily life, we invite you to bring a symbol of your ministry with you to the 10:15 a.m. service. These symbols will be offered to God and to this community of faith and then placed at the Altar. More information on this celebration will be forthcoming, please watch for email announcements.

§  Love INC: Cadre Ministries is looking for volunteers who are interested in mentoring. “Ministry is Relationship” will take place on Saturday May 14^th 9:00 pm- 1:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls. For further details, see the insert in this mass booklet or go to www.loveincsheboygancountry.org.

§  Parish Life Survey: During this season of Eastertide your parish has been in celebration and examination of the love that God offers to us all. To further the examination, please take a moment to participate in the Parish Life Survey.  In conjunction with the "What's My Gift?" sessions in Adult Formation each week and the Commission on Congregational Vitality event held last week, this survey will continue our efforts to live as members of the Body of Christ. Printed copies of the survey can be found in the Narthex or to complete the survey electronically go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2PT7KF.

§  Parish Music Survey:  We have concluded our open forums and the Music Committee is working towards forming a proposal of what this ministry is called to be after Dr. Dobey's retirement.  An additional aid in that effort is the following survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDMKWB8.  Please take a few minutes and offer your thoughts so that we as a family can best listen to how our Lord is guiding us.  

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like, please call Michele at the office.

§  Scholarships are available.

§  Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 12 (Sun 3pm) – June 18 (Sat 12noon)

§  Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

§  Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

§  KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) – June 11 (Sat 12noon)

§  There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

§  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791