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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

End, not Means

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
9 June 2016

Some things are worth doing for their own sake; they are uniquely invested with value.  The practice of faith (i.e., religion) is an example.  Religion is not a means to an end, except to the extent that it is misunderstood.  The healthy and proper worship of God is not part of a risk: reward equation (“holy fire insurance”).  Worship is itself and end, not a means; the end of greater communion with God.
Other examples of things having intrinsic value as end, not means, include friendship or the experience of beauty.  But the confusion of means and ends has been particularly blurred in our technological age, for technology grants to us an increasing control over means to our goals, while at the same time decreasing our understanding of the reasons for pursuing these goals.  For example, the nature of knowledge (and, dare we say, wisdom?) is changed fundamentally in an age when we worry less about what we need to know so long as we can “google” the answer. 
We cannot google God, and the practice of faith is not a means to an end, but an end in itself.  The practice of faith involves being “in Christ,” a fundamental change in our being.  This change in status is not something to be experienced as an individual only.  We are in Christ together.  I might be able to find knowledge by knowing where to look, by googling the answer.  This is something I can do on my own.  The reason I seek an answer can be utilitarian or just a matter of idle curiosity; I can decide to neither share nor use the information.  But if I ever think that I can be in Christ on my own I am not paying attention to the wealth of information that God gives me about Himself and His will; the wealth of revelation that shows the reality that God calls us into bond with Him, and service of Him, together.
If we are ever tempted to think in terms that God is an answer that can just be accessed, then we will be approaching faith as means to an end, rather than as something worth doing for its own sake, a thing of intrinsic value.  We will be treating God, Himself, as a “thing” that might have some utility but can otherwise be kept to the side when not needed.  We will impoverish our own lives.
In Summer, when there are many distractions—most of which are enjoyable and have utility—let us remind ourselves that worship isn’t about what I need, or what works for me, but about God.  Worship is worth doing, period.

Grace aboundsPlease thank: 
§  Michelle Abrashinsky and Pat Ford Smith for the Sunday coffee hour, with cleanup by Julie Davidson.
§  Bobbie May for ongoing work reorganizing the parish library, and for gardening.
§  Pat Ford Smith for help in the parish office.

Call for ContributionsIf 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 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6C)

Prelude                            What God decrees is always good                  J. Pachelbel
Entrance Hymn 410         “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven”           Lauda anima
Mass Setting                    New English Folk Mass                            Timms & Warrell
Offertory Hymn 460         “Alleluia, sing to Jesus”                                      Hyfrydol
Communion Hymn 691    “My faith looks up to thee”                                     Olivet
Closing Hymn 408           “Sing praise to God, who reigns above”    Mit Freuden zart
Postlude                         Prelude from the Te Deum                    M. A. Charpentier

Parish Notices

§  Fr. Karl on Vacation: Fr. Karl will be away June 13 – 17. If you are in need of pastoral care, please call Deacon Michael Burg at 920-918-9944. Ellen will be in the office Tuesday – Thursday 9:00am – 3:00pm. There are no services scheduled this week until Friday when the normal Morning Prayer at 7:00am and Liturgy of the Word with Reserved Sacrament at 7:15am will be offered.

§  Continuing Education: Deacon Michele will be out of the office June 13 – 17 at a Christian Formation Conference entitled “Take. Bless. Break. Give. Following Jesus in the 21st Century”. The conference is held at the Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC.

§  Elkhart Lake Chapel: 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.

§  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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