Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
26 January 2017
Today is the feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus,
companions of the apostle Paul. The
letters written by Paul to these key players in the early days of the Christian
movement are “pastoral letters,” i.e.,
written to specific people or churches to address particular issues. The letters Paul wrote to these believers
include solemn commissions to service and to life in the Church. The letters have a lot to say about what
leadership is to be in the Church.
But what about Timothy and Titus as
individuals? Timothy is referred to in
several different ways in Paul’s letters to churches. He is described as “our brother,” “fellow
worker,” and “beloved and faithful child in the Lord”. Paul probably also includes Timothy within
the appellation “apostles of Christ” (with Paul and Silas)(1 Thess. 2.6). Titus is described as a fellow worker and
trusted emissary. All of this makes
Timothy and Titus sound very special, and there is no doubt that they were
dedicated followers of Jesus Christ. In
remembering them (or any saint), therefore, can we just consider them as
shining examples, or can we relate their examples more specifically to our own
lives as followers of Jesus Christ?
They key word we can focus on is
“follower”. All of us are called by
Jesus Christ, and He promises us that He will not only show us the way, but
that He is the way. He has promised, as
well, to send the Holy Spirit as the One who will lead us into all truth. Note the commonalities in those words: follow, way, lead. Just like Timothy and Titus we don’t have to
figure out who God is calling us to be and what He is calling us to do. He will show us. Our pathway in life is not about navigation,
but about remaining focused on the guidance we are given; guidance which is
accompanied by blessing and comfort. It
is when we follow where God leads that we may be described in the words Paul
used to describe Timothy and Titus. God
will provide us all the direction and all of the spiritual gifts necessary to
accomplish any task He calls us to.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Elizabeth
Schaffenburg and Julie Davidson for the Sunday coffee hours.
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.
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
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Organist: Ben Dobey
Prelude Chorale
Prelude on Let us ever walk with Jesus
Paul Manz
Entrance
Hymn 477 “All
praise to thee, for thou, O King divine”
Engelberg
Offertory
Hymn 593 “Lord,
make us servants of your peace”
Dickinson
College
Communion
Hymn 655
“O Jesus, I have promised” Nyland
Closing
Hymn 657 “Love
divine, all loves excelling” Hyfrydol
Postlude Trumpet Tune in
F David N. Johnson
Parish Notices
§ The
Annual Meeting: On Sunday,
January 29, 2017, we will have one Mass at 9:00 a.m. followed by the
Annual Meeting at 10:15 a.m. in St. Nicholas Hall. During the meeting we
plan to offer continental breakfast. The agenda of the meeting will include
committee reports, new Vestry elections, 2016 financial review and 2017 budget,
review Vestry actions, and an overall review of the 2017 calendar. Please make
every effort to attend and participate.
§ Bible
Challenge: Videos for all 52
weeks of the year are now available on Grace Abounds. If you take this
challenge, you will find that in one year you will read all of the Bible! This
will require less than an hour of your time, six days a week. A schedule of
readings is provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries
and a weekly video summary of the readings. If you need a good study bible for
the challenge, contact the parish office. When we immerse ourselves in
Scripture, the mantle of the Lord does fall upon us. We are equipped to discern
God’s will and to lead others to know and love and serve the Lord.
§ Flower
Schedule for 2017: Giving the
gift of flowers is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to offer
thanksgiving for your blessings. If you wish to sign up for a specific Sunday,
the Flower Schedule is available on the table in the narthex. More than one
person can sign up for each Sunday.
§ Coffee
Hour Schedule: There is a
new sign-up sheet for hosting coffee hour in 2017. If you would like to host,
please sign up for either 8:00 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. If you have any questions,
please see Mary Massey. Thank you so much.
§ 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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