Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
2 November 2017
Today, All Souls’
Day (Commemoration of all Faithful Departed) and Good Friday are the only two
days in the year when the clergy wear black vestments (e.g., stole) See
https://www.gracesheboygan.com/index.php/resources/faq for types of vestments.) “But
wait!”, you say, “What about funerals?”
While black has been used in past times for funerals (and is still used
in some denominations), when we recognize that a funeral is, properly, a Mass
of Resurrection, in which we participate in the birth of the deceased into new
life, it becomes clearer that the funeral color (white) is the color of Easter,
of celebration. Black is for a requiem,
in which we remember one who has died.
At All Souls’ remember all of the faithful departed. At Good Friday, we seek to make ourselves one
with Our Lord in the depths of His sacrifice.
At the Mass today
we will certainly read out the names of faithful departed, but as we
“commemorate” their witness, let us keep before us the fact that their presence
is not just one “remembered”, but that we live in the presence of the faithful
departed now. We in fact celebrate this
reality at every Mass, when we pray, “Therefore … joining our voices with
Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven …” [we offer praises
in our hymn of glory]. The kingdom of
heaven breaks into this world in the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. Those who have gone before us join with us in
offering praise and thanksgiving to God.
The next time you remember a departed loved one, remind yourself that
he/she is present to you now in the eternity of God’s kingdom. Let All Souls’ Day be an occasion to
celebrate and give thanks for the making-present of those whose witness has
formed us in our own faith.
Don’t forget
stewardship! Our stewardship ingathering, at which we will bless all gifts offered,
will be on Sunday, 12 November. Please
remain in prayer about how you are called to give to further the mission of the
Church!
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Jessica
Ambelang family for the Sunday coffee hour.
§ Tasha
Crouse for lawn care.
§ Ben
Dobey for gardening.
§ All
those who helped during the parish cleanup day on 28 October: Paul Aparicio, Randie Barrows, Dcn. Mike
Burg, Sutton Cecil, John Davis, Bill and Deb Gagin, Jacob Imfeld, Leslie
Kohler, Bobbie May, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Mary Snyder and Tom Wright. (A lot was accomplished!)
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
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 26A)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude Improvisation (Ps. 84, v. 2) George Oldroyd
”My soul hath a desire and longing to
enter into the courts of the Lord.”
Entrance 401
“The God of Abraham praise,” Leoni
Offertory 665
“All my hope on God is founded;” Michael
Communion
Motet Lord,
forever at thy side Orlando Gibbons
Communion
314 “Humbly I adore thee,” Adoro devote
Closing 637
“A firm a foundation,” Lyons
Postlude Trumpet Tune in G David N. Johnson
Parish Notices:
§ Compline: On Sunday, November 5th,
at 8:00pm, the Schola Cantorum will be singing Compline which is the night time
prayers said or sung just before retiring. It is a beautiful restful service
full of candles and music and a peaceful way to end the day.
§ Operation
Christmas Child – Christmas Shoeboxes: It is that time of year again! Our
Sunday School classes will be once again filling Christmas boxes with items for
the Operation Christmas Child ministry. This has been an extremely
rewarding and fun ministry for our Sunday School children to be a part of. We
can use your help to keep this ministry going by donating items to fill the
shoeboxes. Suggestions for donations include toys such as toy cars,
yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra
batteries), small stuffed animals or dolls, craft kits, school supplies of all
kinds, non-liquid hygiene items such toothbrushes, mild soap bars, wash cloths,
combs, and brushes. Items can also include accessories such as socks,
hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, and flashlights with extra
batteries. There is a $7 shipping cost per box which Grace Sunday School
Ministries covers, however, if you’d like to sponsor a box or two, donations
may be submitted to the office to offset this cost. (Note: Toothpaste and
Candy will no longer be accepted in 2017). Please drop off items in Ms. Nicci’s
classroom. DEADLINE for items is before
Sunday School class begins on November
12, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. when the children will be packing the items.
§ Advent
Meditations: Advent,
sometimes called “Little Lent,” begins on December 3rd (First Sunday in Advent)
and concludes at sundown of the Vigil of the Nativity, December 24th. For
each day a scripture lesson will be provided. Those who participate will
offer a brief meditation (up to 400 words) in response to the scripture
reading. 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. If you
wish to participate, please sign up for a day, and have all meditations
completed and submitted to the parish office no later than November 19th. Sign-up sheets and scripture readings can be found
on the table in the Narthex.
§ Stewardship: Sunday, November 12th
marks the ending goal day for the parish stewardship campaign when we
will bless all pledges received. Thank you to all who have pledged thus far.
For those of you who haven’t, please make haste to return your pledge card to the
parish office in order that the Grace leadership may have time to develop and
present a budget which will allow the church to sustain and flourish in the
coming year. Of course, we will welcome any and all pledges and gifts to the
church throughout the coming year. There are extra pledge cards on the table in
the Narthex.
§ Happening: The next Happening
will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton, Wisconsin, November
10-12, 2017. Activities begin with Check-in on Friday at 7:00 pm. Please eat dinner
before you arrive. Participants must attend the entire weekend. If you are
unable to stay on site for the entire weekend, then plan to attend the next
Happening. Happening ends on Sunday, following a celebration service that
starts at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends are encouraged to attend the service.
§ Happening
is a unique Christian experience for youth who are in grades 9 through 12 as
well as the adults who work with them. The weekend is a one-time experience of
God and the way God can be a part of our everyday lives. On the weekend there
will be singing, fellowship, surprises, prayer, fun and friendship. Individuals
are given the chance to discover more about themselves, God, Jesus, the Holy
Spirit, their families and their world. Led by young people and adults who have
attended Happening before, participants hear talks on many subjects and discuss
in small groups.
§ Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: This year St. Dominic
Catholic Church, (corner of N. 21st and Geele Avenue) will be
hosting the joint celebration on Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00
p.m. Please come and join the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy food and
fellowship following the service in the PAC. The collection will underwrite the
Salvation Army Emmaus Meal Program. The Tripartite will be providing the food
and volunteers for the December 2nd Meal.
§ Thanksgiving Love Feast: On November 23rd 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. – 3:00 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 920-400-0402. If anyone would like to assist with
volunteering for the event please call Love INC at 920-783-6701.
§ 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.
§ Horvats in Croatia: Aaron and Winnie, our
missionaries in Hrvatska, Croatia, have sent us their Summer newsletter. Copies
are available in the Narthex.
§ 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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