Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
10 November 2016
Was Mary Magdalene ever a prostitute? In the culture she is often depicted as a
former prostitute, and yet the references to her in Scripture nowhere depict
her as such. Where, then, does this
image of Mary Magdalene come from?
The timing of this question relates to our
liturgical calendar, on which today is the feast of St. Leo the Great, Bishop
of Rome (d. 461). In a famous sermon
given by Leo in 451, Mary is referred to as a former prostitute, and this image
of her then entered common understanding.
But, before you blame Leo consider the reality that when he preached no
bible was subdivided into chapters and verses.
The first such subdivision/organization of bibles did not occur before
the 15th century. In Leo’s
day, bibles were written, not printed, and used continuous text. Therefore, what is now “chapter 8” in Luke’s
gospel (in which Mary is referred to, and described as having been rid of seven
demons) flowed directly in the narrative from what is now “Luke 7.36—50,” in
which Jesus’ visit to a Pharisee’s house is described, a visit which includes
Our Lord’s feet being bathed by “a woman of the city, who was a sinner”. Leo equated Mary with the woman who bathed Jesus’
feet, and the phrase which described her as “of the city” and a “sinner” was
understood by him to refer to a woman of the street, i.e., a prostitute.
The timing of the question may relate to the
calendar, but the issue of prostitution raises the question of willfulness in
sin. The careless talk which equates
prostitution to a “victimless crime” assumes free will in the prostitute. This denies reality. Prostitution involves slavery, the opposite
of free will. This slavery may result
from substance abuse, from sexual abuse, from the results of predation, but it
is slavery. The only “free will”
which may be involved is that of the
prostitute’s customer/exploiter.
Just as Mary was rid of demons, those who are
rescued from sexual slavery can experience new life. In Christ they can experience real love, and
this real love can lead to healing. Pray
for those now trapped, voiceless. Pray
for those who work to free them. Pray
that God may convict and convert the hearts of those who exploit them. Pray that as the victims find their voice
they may find true free will and give this will to Jesus.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Gary and Elaine
Dinstuhl, and Wayne and Margaret Knocke for the Sunday coffee hours, with
cleanup by Julie Davidson.
§ Bobbie May for
gardening.
§ Pat Ford Smith and
Bryan Stenz for office help.
§ All who contributed
toward the travel costs of a victim recently rescued from slavery!
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.
Music
this Week: The
Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28C)
Organist: Ben Dobey.
Prelude Chorale Prelude on Lord
Jesus Christ, thou living Bread
Max
Reger
Entrance
Hymn 616 “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” Es flog
Offertory
Anthem How shall I sing
that majesty Ken
Naylor,
arr. R. Benjamin Dobey
Communion
Hymn 615 “Thy kingdom come! On bended knee” St. Flavian
Closing
Hymn 555 “Lead on, O King
eternal” Lancashire
Postlude Prelude in C Major (“9/8”) J. S. Bach
Parish Notices
§ Adult Christian Formation: On Sunday, November 13th, we continue with the final session
of the six-week course, The Christian
Worldview Through the Artists’ Eyes.
§ Fr. Karl Schaffenburg will be
traveling: departing Sunday afternoon, November 13th and
returning Saturday evening, November 19th. In the case of emergency
or pastoral care, please call Dn. Michele Whitford on 918-1230.
§ Fund Raising Forum: Next Sunday,
November 20th, we will conduct an adult forum at 9 a.m. to discuss
ideas for fund raising in 2017. This parish will need to engage in
purposeful and focused fund raising in 2017, and we want to share the wealth of
ideas and experience of all members. This forum will be about ideas, what
might work, what has worked elsewhere, how to …, etc. Come and enjoy
coffee and a lively discussion.
§ Advent Meditations: All
meditations need to be completed and submitted to the parish office no later than Monday, November 14th.
These meditations will be published in print and online, and can be
submitted for attribution or anonymously. In addition, meditations can be
read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series.
§ Christmas Shoeboxes: On Sunday, November 13th,
we plan to assemble the shoe boxes. Feel free to meet in Ms. Nicci’s Sunday
School Classroom at 9:00 a.m. to participate in this unique opportunity for
fellowship with our youngest members.
We still need small toys (stuffed animals, dolls, cars), colored pencils, crayons, pens, coloring books, small water bottles, toothpaste, unscented soap bars, combs, brushes, hair bows or clips. Should you still have items you would like to add to the shoeboxes we will continue to pack these boxes throughout the coming week. Collection dates at Sonlight Books are
November 14th through November 21st.
§ Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: This year Grace
Church will be hosting the joint celebration on Wednesday, November 23rd at
7:00pm. Please come and join in the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy
fellowship and desert following the worship.
§ Thanksgiving Love Feast: On November 24th
The Blind Horse, in partnership with Love INC, and Plymouth Alliance Church
will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00
p.m. in The Blind Horse Winery. Seating begins at 11:00 a.m. and every hour
after. Each group will have 45 minutes of delicious food and fellowship. You
must sign up for your time by calling 920-204-5111. If anyone would like to
assist with volunteering for the event or providing pumpkin pies, please sign
up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a45a4a922abfd0-thanksgiving.
§ Salvation Army Bell Ringing: We still have a 1:00
p.m. slot open on November 26th at the Piggly Wiggly Northside. The
sign-up sheet can be found in the Narthex and remember, more than one person
can sign up for each hourly slot. For any questions please call Nancy Yurk at
453-9948.
§
Missionaries in Croatia: Aaron and Winnie Horvat continue to impact lives in
Croatia. Please pick up a copy of their latest newsletter, available on the
table in the Narthex, and remember to continue to keep them in your prayers,
especially the prayer requests listed in their newsletter.
§ Put
Christ in Christmas in a special way: Love for
the Least, a Christian ministry working with believers displaced by
extremist attacks in the Middle East, is making an appeal for funds food,
clothes, gifts, and children’s toys, as Christmas presents to those who have
nothing. Please make any check payable to L4L ME Advent Challenge,
and bring this to the parish office before 3 December. For more information,
please see the flyer on the notice board 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.
§ Holiday Parade: Grace Church will be selling
hot coffee and cocoa, hot dogs, apple crisp, brownies, and popcorn, before and
during the Holiday Parade, Sunday November 27th. The money raised
goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by the front of the
church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade, and be sure to bring
your friends!
§ Salvation Army Adopt
a Family Gift tags: Please
take a name or two and follow the instructions on the table next to the
tree. Please return all gifts unwrapped, with value attached, to Grace
Church by Monday, December 19th.
Distribution to families will be Thursday, December 22nd. If
you have any questions, please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.
§ 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
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