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Thursday, May 19, 2016

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 50th 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 aboundsPlease 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 ContributionsIf 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 26th. 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 12th 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!!!




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