Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
31 August 2017
The 12 steps of recovery used by Alcoholic
Anonymous (AA) should make sober Christians take notice. The 12 steps
(http://www.recovery.org/topics/alcoholics-anonymous-12-step/) require a level of
honesty and self-examination that we too often ignore. This is not to say that I must figuratively beat
myself up as “unworthy”, that I must “acknowledge and bewail my manifold sins
and wickedness” in all things (as the old prayer book service would have us
do). It is to say, however, that in standing before God, in seeking
spiritual growth, I must first acknowledge that I need help. No matter how smart, gifted, and blessed with
resources I may be, my relationship with God will not be determined on the
basis of what I can add to the equation.
I can add nothing, for God, as the source and summation of all, needs
nothing from me. But I need something, many
things, indeed all things, and admitting this need—this dependence on God—is an
important step in being in right relationship with God and with my fellow human
beings.
At 6:30 this evening a group will gather in
Deland Park. The group is WIRCO
(Wisconsin Recovery Community Organization), and the focus is on recovery for
individuals and for the community from the opioid abuse crisis. WIRCO have received a grant to provide
training for Recovery Coaches, trained volunteers who can meet (for example)
with overdose patients in the hospital
emergency room, to intervene once the victim is medically stabilized, and focus
on what comes next, on how recovery starts now. Recovery Coaching training will take
place on 30 September—1 October, and 7—8 October. (Details can be gained by contacting WIRCO at
wirco.sheboygan@gmail.com .)
A real strength of recovery programs is the
emphasis on how sufferers need not only a “higher power” (God) but also each
other. This is an important witness to
the Church, to remind us that—as revealed throughout Scripture—we need each
other. Each part of the Body of Christ
is a part of all others. “The eye cannot
say to the hand, “I have no need of you.’” (1 Cor. 12.21) God has appointed each of us to be a witness
to each other and to all. An important
part of this witness is that we are seen to gather to offer worship, even if we
do nothing more than just be present to each other.
In substance abuse, a common problem
encountered is a failure of community; the sufferer does not have a real
support network. Even for challenges and
afflictions far less acute and deadly than substance abuse, when community
fails whatever the challenge may be becomes far more daunting and far more
lasting. Let us each commit to one
simple, first step beyond the fundamental reality that we need God: We need each other, which means that each of
us must take the step to show up, to be present to and for each other, that we
may always “coach” each other in following Our Lord.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Brian Heck and Joyce
Wessel for the Sunday coffee hour.
§ All who helped in the
parish project (maintenance and repair) day:
Randie Barrows, Nicci and Carver Beeck, Sutton Cecil, Tom Crouse, Julie
Davidson, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Bryan Stenz, Nick Whitford.
§ Julie Davidson for
janitorial help.
§ Randie Barrows for
extensive maintenance work.
§ Scott Gedemer for
lawn care.
§ Jennifer Pawlus for
pastoral care.
§ Pat Ford Smith and
Cindy Weiss for cleaning the Sunday School classrooms.
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.
Music this Week: The
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17A)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude Prelude
on ‘Rendez à Dieu’ Geoffrey
Vintner
Entrance 477 – “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,” Engelberg
Offertory 450 – “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,” Coronation
Communion 302 – “Father, we thank thee
who hast planted” Rendez `a Dieu
Closing 555 – “Lead on, O King eternal,” Lancashire
Postlude Voluntary
in C William Croft
Parish Notices
§ One Mass only: Sunday,
September 10th there will be at 9:00 a.m. Sung Mass with hymns
followed by a Ministry Fair and picnic style luncheon. A sign-up sheet can be
found on the Narthex table to indicate your choice of sandwich.
§ Choir: Choir rehearsals begin this week, Wednesday, September 6th at 6:00 pm. All
voices are welcome, but we especially need tenors and basses. You don’t need to
be a trained singer, an opera star, or a Broadway sensation – you just need a
desire to share the love of Christ through music! “Sing and make music
from your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19
§ Biblical Greek begins this week: on
Thursday, September 7th 7—9 p.m.
§ Believing God: A
Women’s Bible Study by Beth Moore will be held every Monday in Nicholas Hall
10:00-11:00 a.m., September 11th through November 13th.
Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? Come and find out the power
and promises that are yours. A sign-up
sheet can be found on the table in the Narthex.
§ Sunday
School Begins: We are getting excited about Sunday School! The teachers are
making plans for another wonderful year of learning about the love of Jesus
Christ! Sunday School will begin on September 17th at 9:00am.
§ How
to be Holy! Will be the subject of Adult
Formation beginning September 17th. Come and discover how you can become holy as
we read Peter Kreeft’s How to be Holy: First Steps in Becoming a Saint. Jerry Molitor
will facilitate this course. The book is easy to read, and we will limit the
weekly reading to 20—25 pages. We will gather for seven weeks from 9—10 a.m. in
the fellowship hall, beginning Sunday, September 17th, to discuss this
spiritual guide. Do you wish to be holy? Do you want to see yourself as a
saint? If so, let’s explore this together. We hope to see you here! Bring friends! Please let us know if you wish
to attend by signing up on the sheet in the Narthex so that we can order enough
copies of the book. Copies can be purchased at the discounted price of $10,
from the parish office. (Mark checks “Adult Ed”.) If you need a scholarship for
this, just ask.
§ Catechumenate: will
begin Tuesday, September 26th 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and will continue
until May when Bishop Matthew Gunter makes his annual visitation. 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 study is led by Mother Michele Whitford, the
Parish Catechist. If you would like more information, please call the office
452-9659 or email Mthr. Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
§ Paper
Drive: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Plymouth is having a paper
drive! Please bring in ONLY newspapers (inserts included). We cannot accept
magazines or anything with a binding. A semi-trailer will be in the Plymouth
Furniture parking lot, 2133 Eastern Av, Plymouth, the month of September. Drop
off times are Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 – 6:00pm and Saturdays 9:00 – 4:00pm.
Pickups can be arranged by calling Jesse Cortinaz at 920-464-0303.
§ Walsingham Music and Flowers: The
Walsingham Pilgrimage is just around the corner and preparations are being
made. We will have a quiet day with meditations concluding with Solemn Evensong
on October 13th; and a Solemn Pontifical Mass with the Gaudete Brass
again this year on October 14th. 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 you check out
to Grace Church with Walsingham music or flowers or both in the memo. Thank
you.
§ 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.
§ Love INC Monthly Bulletin is
now available online at:
§ Grace Notes is
here: http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/.
You can sign up to receive the blog every Thursday
§ Like
Grace Church on Facebook:
@gracesheboygan
§ We
Are on Itunes! Check out the
new podcast!!!
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