Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
3 August 2017
“A load off of my
mind” is a colloquial expression by which the speaker indicates that something
that has troubled him or her is no longer a worry. The expression is usually evoked when the
speaker learns something—some new information—like “what did, in fact, become of ____ [who I had lost track of]”.
The Body of Christ
in this place—Grace Episcopal Church—can say that a load has been removed from
our collective consciousness. At least
since when I became rector in 2011 a recurrent theme in worry has been “What
are we going to do when we need a new roof?”
This background worry (compounded by a generalized worry about the
passing of generous donors) has conditioned our reflexes to be those of “seeing
the glass half empty”, of preferring to do nothing because something might cost
more.
Quite apart from
the reality that in almost all life situations doing nothing can be much more
costly than doing something, and from the reality that in calling and equipping
us to known and love and serve Him, God calls us to “something” in many ways;
quite apart from these realities, what is now real is that the reasons for
worry associated with replacing the roof are gone. The roof and gutters have been replaced. The bell tower louvers and eaves have been
painted, and the screening secured. And over 90% of the cost of this project
has been paid for by insurance. God has
provided. God has told us not to worry,
but to trust and to serve.
Toward the end of
August we will address a number of smaller projects, and will also some needed
changes in landscaping. Frankly, with a
building more than 147 years old, there will always be some kind of physical
plant issue to attend to, most of which are planned for in an annual
maintenance budget. We need to stop
worrying. We need to first offer thanks,
and then remind ourselves that God always provides for the ministries to which
His people are called. Take a load off,
in joy and with thanksgiving.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Barb and Bob MacEwen
for the Sunday coffee hour.
§ Julie Davidson for
janitorial help.
§ Scott Gedemer for
lawn care.
§ Elaine and Gary
Dinstuhl for pastoral care.
Special “Thank You’ s” : A supply of Thank You note cards can be found
on the table at the back of church nave.
When someone in the parish does something special, take the time to
write them a personal note. Also, from
time to time, think about who you might want to thank for ongoing service, and
let them know you have noticed!
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.
When you think about
giving: When you think about giving, consider that we
are one of the only churches in the downtown area that’s generally open for any
walk-in. Consider this in light of the
information and reflection included in the attached blog post:
Music this Week: The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Organist:
R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude: Chorale Preludes on Lord, all my heart is fixed on thee Krebs & Walther
Entrance 427 – “When morning gilds the skies” Laudes
Domini
Offertory 137 – “O Wondrous type!” Wareham
Communion 383 – “Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature”
St. Elizabeth
Closing 7 – “Christ whose
glory fills the skies,”
Ratisbon
Postlude Chorale Prelude on The only Son from Heaven Johann Pachelbel
Parish Notices
§ Biblical Greek to be offered:
Join us on Thursday evenings, beginning on Thursday, 7 September. (Classes
will meet 7—9 p.m.) This is not a course about learning to speak Greek,
and it is unlikely that you will become fully literate in the biblical language
but, what you will learn is how to really dive deeply into the Bible by using a
myriad of resources (online and in print) that will allow you to study the
words in the original and what the grammar in the original may point to in
meaning. There is a cost: $100—hence, the early notice. There
will be limited scholarships available. We are opening this course to
other churches, and will limit overall class size, so if you are curious
explore your interest with Fr. Karl or Mthr. Michele.
§ Special Ultreya Community Picnic: will
be held Thursday, August 10th at St. Mark,
Waupaca 5-9pm. "Ultreya" means Onward! and was used by Christian
pilgrims to greet and encourage one another. This word is used by the
Cursillo community to signify meetings held after a Cursillo experience;
and friends and family are always welcome. It includes worship, singing,
witnessing, teaching, prayer, and a good time. Bring a dish to share, your own
plates and utensils, chairs and a name tag, if you have one. More information
can be found at monarchcursillo.org.
§ Education for Ministry:
How do I learn to make the Bible stories become my stories? How do I learn how
God wants to bless me with more than I can imagine? Join the EfM (Education for Ministry) group
that is starting on Monday, September 11th. Two groups will meet at St. Peter’s
Church House in Sheboygan Falls. The morning group is from 9:30-11:30 and the
evening group runs from 5:00-7:00pm.
Scholarships are available, so don’t let the cost of $375 for this
college credited class, stop you from joining. Registrations are due by August
1st so materials can be received before the first class. Contact Barb
Drewry-Zimmerman at bzimmy@excel.net or
920-893-5189 for registration materials. The choice is yours—do you want to
learn how to bring God’s mercy & delight into your neighborhood?
§ Starter Kitchen Kits: A
Love INC Ministry sponsored by Bethel OPC in Oostburg is in need of 1-quart and
2-quart sized pots, and bubble wrap to secure the breakables within the
kits. Please place your items in the
Love INC Collection Bin located in the Narthex. This product drive with run
through August 16th.
§ Freedom Cry
would like to ask for your help and support in promoting participation and
fundraising for our new Hope's Hearts Project going on now and through the end
of the summer. They would love everyone to participate in this exciting
art project and consider donating to cover our cost of materials.
§ Many
youth are especially vulnerable to being lured by human traffickers in the
summer. That is where the idea for Hope's Hearts wind chimes was born. It
offers a positive activity for the community, especially youth, to engage in
that will also accomplish the goal of reducing youth vulnerability.
§ The
wind chimes include five words of encouragement on ceramic hearts, information
on trafficking, and a call to encourage others. In the art studio time,
participants will create ceramic hearts, stamp them with the selected words of
encouragement, and put them together into wind chimes. These wind chimes
will be spread throughout our community with special focus on the places known
to be hiding spots or hangouts for runaways or youth who may be vulnerable to
traffickers.
§ When
someone finds one of the Hope's Hearts, they will be encouraged to find someone
else who needs a word of encouragement and pass it on. Together we can make a
difference and change the atmosphere of our entire community! For more
information go to www.freedomcryinc.org/donate
§ Sheboygan Christian Women’s Connection invites
you and a friend to brunch at Pine Hills Country Club August 22nd
9:30 – 11:00 am. Special Feature: Rand Schwoerer of Plymouth Cheese Museum,
Guest Speaker: Terry Rutherford “Do you need a hero?” Cost $12. Call Ann
Keckonen at 457-4318 or at keckonen@charter.net
before August 15th. For more information see the notice board in the
Narthex.
§ Grace Notes is
here: http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/.
You can sign up to receive the blog every Thursday
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Grace Church on Facebook:
@gracesheboygan
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Grace Church on Twitter:
@gracesheboygan
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Grace Church on Instagram:
@gracesheboygan
§ We
Are on Itunes! Check out the
new podcast!!!
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