Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
29 September 2016
If you’ll recall, it was only a couple of
days ago that air conditioning was needed, and now the heat is running. The weather has changed in a hurry, helped
along by a mighty wind, and this should, perhaps, cause us to pause and note
about winds that sweep through us.
Regardless of how we would like to specify
any overall “program” as a parish, we are in the midst of a lot of change. Our music ministry is in transition (a change
softened by Ben very generously agreeing to serve on Sundays until the end of
the year). Archdeacon Michele will
likely be ordained a priest at the beginning of the new year. We are focusing on outreach, and in doing
this we know that any and all growth involves change. We have been blessed for many years through
the generosity of a donor who has chosen to remain anonymous, and now he has
passed to his heavenly reward. Add all
of these changes together, and we see that—just as a mighty wind has ushered in
the autumn—a greater wind, the Holy Spirit, is abroad, pushing us.
I have actually been asked by a number of
people if I am worried, worried about how the work load will get sorted out and
how the budget will get sorted out. The
truth is that I have not spent one moment in worry, because when we are open to
where the Spirit pushes (and let’s be honest—we like to think that it is only
that the Spirit leads us, but a lot of the time God must push us!) then we can
remove worry with the simple reminder:
God’s in charge. So long as we
are intentional in discerning God’s will, and faithful in seeking to do His
will, we will be blessed, and God will use us as His instrument in bringing
blessing to those around us.
Stewardship matters, of course. We are called to be stewards, to offer to
God’s service gifts He has given us. It
has certainly been a blessing to receive the gifts of a generous donor in our
midst, but this blessing is now one that we must participate in much more
actively. The rest of us—all of
us—“anonymous” in our pledges, must push with the Holy Spirit to press on the
kingdom.
A final note:
Common feedback following the funeral on 27 September was “I didn’t know
there was a worship service like this in Sheboygan.” The best way for people to know of this
worship is to experience it because you have invited them to worship with
you. Give not only of your treasure, but
by your hearts which reach out to others.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Kevan and Traci
Revis, and Ed and Mary Clabots for the Sunday coffee hours.
§ Ellen Aparicio and
Elizabeth Schaffenburg for pastoral care provided to persons in need.
§ Bill May for lots of
extra work attendant on a funeral service.
§ All who helped with
the funeral (ushers, office help, those setting up rooms, AV technicians, Altar
Guild, decoration and flowers, hospitality, prayer ministry, grounds care,
acolytes and altar party): Ellen
Aparicio, Paul Aparicio, Ed and Mary Clabots, Julie Davidson, John Davis, Bev
Evans, Claudia Fischer, Scot Fabiano, Bill and Deb Gagin, Steve Gallimore, Art
and Bob Imig, John Keller, Bobbi Kraft, Bernie Markevitch, Bobbie May, Brian
Munro, Mary Snyder, Bryan Stenz, Nick Whitford, Jon Whitford); plus Ben Dobey
and all of the choir!
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.
Energy
Conservation! Please treat Grace as
your home. If you turn something on,
turn it off! Don’t assume anyone else
will lock or turn off.
Don’t forget
“Something Extra for Grace”: Supplemental
giving envelopes can be found in pews.
If you want to give something extra, please use an envelope to ensure
that you are credited.
Special appeal: Later this Fall we will have a grounds
cleanup day that will include ground cover and shrubbery trimming. We are, however, overdue for major reshaping
of shrubbery, and the arbor vitae which flank the church entrance are
out-of-control. Quotations for shrub
reshaping and removal/replacement of the arbor vitae run into the thousands of
dollars. Major work will not be a 2016 initiative, but we are
appealing for your donations now, to build a fund for work in the Spring of
2017. Keep Grace beautiful! Give
“Something Extra”.
Update: The Processional Cross will be restored. This will begin next Monday, and while the
cross is out for repair (which will take some months) we are blessed with a
cross made by Scot Fabiano. If you wish
to help, please us a “Something Extra for Grace” envelope and mark
“Processional Cross” on the envelope or in a check memo. line.
Music
this Week: The
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22C)
Organist: Ben Dobey.
Entrance
Hymn 408 “Sing
praise to God who reigns above” Mit Freuden zart
Offertory
Hymn 541 “Come, labor on” Ora Labora
Communion
Motet “Cantate Domino” Giuseppe Pitoni
Communion
Hymn 312 “Strengthen
for service, Lord, the hands” Malabar
Closing
Hymn
551 “Rise up, ye saints of God” Festal Song
Parish
Notices
§
Adult
Christian Formation: Began on Sunday, September 25th at 9:00
a.m. A six-week course, The Christian
Worldview Through the Artists’ Eyes, will be taught by Christi Jentz, a
professional artist, illuminator and iconographer resident at St. Josaphat’s
Basilica in Milwaukee. The first class explored the contrast between a
Christian worldview and the secular, followed by a brief overview of Christian
artistic expression from Early Christian times to the present day.
§ Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals: On Saturday,
October 1st at 9:00 a.m. we will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis
(transferred). Following mass there will be the Blessing of the Animals.
§
Catechumenate will begin: Catechumenate is a nine-month course
in the basics of the Faith and its practice. It is a period of training and
instruction in Christian understandings about God, human relationships, and the
meaning of life. It includes the Sacrament of Baptism, if you are not already
baptized, and culminates in Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal
Vows. The Catechumenate will meet on
Tuesday each week starting at 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The class will
begin in late September and will continue until May when Bishop Matthew Gunter
makes his annual visitation. The study is led by Deacon Michele Whitford, the
Parish Catechist. If you would like to be a part of this exciting study and
fellowship or would like more information, please call the office 452-9659 or e
-mail Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com. There is a sign-up sheet on the
table in the Narthex.
§
Sunday School Snacks: One activity that is a
favorite of the children is sharing in a snack together and serving each other
in the Name of Christ. If you are able, we would so appreciate
donated snacks and juice boxes. Snack ideas include crackers, applesauce,
fruit snacks, popcorn or any other non-perishable item you think they might
like. String cheese, fresh fruit and veggies are also welcome, just alert Ms.
Nicci or M. Andrea if you placed something in the refrigerator and we'll be
sure to use them. Thank you!
§ 26th Annual Coats for Kids: is a
community service campaign that over the last 25 years the community has
donated 20,000 coats to those in need. Area residents are asked to donate clean
coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with
the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed
to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off
location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan,
Tuesday, September 6th –
Wednesday, October 19th, Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm.
§ Distribution Location: Salvation
Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan, Friday, October 21st, from
noon to 6:00 p.m.
§ The Art of Neighboring: Love INC
invites you to an evening of Celebration, Inspiration and Transformation with
Dave Runyon, co-author of the book The
Art of Neighboring. The evening will begin with worship and praise for all
God has been doing and will continue to do for our Neighbors-In-Need. Dave
Runyon will share insight from his book to inspire and challenge us all to see
how God’s Love can change you, your Church, and your neighborhood. Discussion
will follow along with prayer focused on transformation in our lives, our
Churches, and ultimately our neighborhoods. This event will take place on
October 3rd, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at City Church, 2313 N. 31st
Street, Sheboygan. To register go to: http://loveincsheboygancounty.org/
Walsingham Pilgrimage Music and Flowers: The Walsingham Pilgrimage is just
around the corner and preparations are being made. Music will include the
Gaudete Brass again this year. As you are able, please donate so we can once
again offer beautiful music that has become so much a part of the pilgrimage
and the flowers that add so much to the beauty of holiness. Please make your
check out to Grace Church with Walsingham music or flowers or both in the memo.
Reservations are required for lunch at a cost of $20 per person and will be
served at noon on Saturday. Please make your reservations by using the sign-up
sheet on the table in the Narthex or by calling Grace office at 452-9659.
§
Walsingham Volunteers Needed: There are many opportunities to help
with hospitality for the Walsingham Pilgrimage. We will need volunteers to
greet pilgrims as they arrive for both the quiet day on Friday as well as
Saturday morning for the Solemn Mass and for the musical offering, healing
prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. We will need help with the
set-up of St. Nicholas Hall for lunch and especially for clean-up after lunch.
Please sign-up on the sheet on the Narthex table.
Walsingham Accommodation: Seven young male choral scholars from
Nashotah House will need accommodation for the night of Friday, October 14th.
For those of you who have available accommodation in your homes please see the
sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.
§
Our Lady of Walsingham Pilgrimage
§ Friday, October 14, 2016
Quiet Day of Prayer and Meditation.
12:00pm Service for Noonday and
Meditation
3:00pm Service of Prayer and Meditation
5:00pm Holy Rosary
6:00pm Solemn Evensong and Meditation
The Meditations will be led by The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Holtzen, Professor
of Historical & Systematic Theology at Nashotah House
Musical
offering by the combined choirs of Nashotah House Seminary and the parish.
§ Saturday, October 15, 2016
Pilgrimage
10:30 am Solemn
Pontifical Mass with procession of Our Lady
Celebrant is The Right Reverend Matthew A. Gunter,
Eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac.
The preacher is The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Holtzen, Professor
of Historical & Systematic Theology at Nashotah House.
Choral and organ music will include Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey Organist
and the Gaudete
Brass Quintet of Chicago.
12:00 pm Harvest
Lunch. The cost is $20.00.
Please make
reservations by October 7, 2016.
2:00pm Anointing
with Walsingham water and Healing Prayer,
musical offering,
and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
To register and for more information: (920)
452-9659 office@gracesheboygan.com www.gracesheboygan.com
§
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