Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
23 November 2017
On this
Thanksgiving Day each of us may call to mind not only what I have to be
thankful for but also what we are blessed with, we as a people gathered
in community. The gathering, the
community is itself a blessing. In all
human gatherings there are, however, also issues of boundaries, and I want to
address one.
Silence is golden. So goes an old song. And, as phrased by more than one
contemplative, “Silence is God’s first language”. In our modern world it is difficult to
cultivate silence. Silence is
threatening to many who are used to being surrounded by some kind of background
noise, even if the noise is not intended as entertainment. But consider that if you remove the light
pollution in the night sky by going to a remote area you can see many, many
stars you would never otherwise see. The
night sky become alive in a different way.
The same is true of a soundscape.
When we remove the distractions of background noise we can pay better
attention to what might really matter in our aural environment.
Silence is
something we need to be more intentional about here at Grace Episcopal Church,
before and after the Mass. There is
quite a lot of noise in the narthex, and even in the back of the nave, before
and after each service begins. The good
thing about this noise is that it reflects social ministry and
hospitality. So don’t go around
“shushing” people who are being welcoming!
But realize, as well, that there are people in the church who need quiet
in order to better prepare themselves for worship. They may sit quietly in order to better talk
to God, or in order to better listen to the musical offering.
As a general
rule: Before worship, be quiet and talk
to God. During worship, be quiet and
listen to God, as you raise your voice in prayer. After worship, be quiet in the church, but
then be as boisterous as you want in the fellowship hall.
Don’t forget
stewardship! Thank you, to those who have pledged! In order to fully fund the
ministries of Grace Episcopal Church, we need all members to participate. If you do not intend to pledge, for economic
reasons, then let us know. We’ll be able to plan more faithfully, and also
better walk alongside you if you are facing particular difficulties. We
are each part of one Body.
If you do not
intend to pledge for non-economic reasons, then please share your reasoning
with either the clergy or a member of Vestry. We need to know what it is
that we are not doing, or have done, that has caused you to question your
participation.
Stewardship is not
optional. Jesus tells us that where our treasure is their will be or
hearts (Mtt. 6.21; Lk. 12.34). Notice the order? It’s the opposite
of what most of us remember from Scripture. Jesus is making the point
that where we choose to invest ourselves matters; it forms us. Be
formed by what you invest value in.
Plan on giving: Pray
now about the priorities God sets before you, and take the next step up in
giving.
- Giving—offering
to God—is not optional. It is commanded by God that we offer Him our
first fruits. The biblical standard for giving is the tithe.
If you tithe you will never be poor! The offering to God is pleasing
to Him.
- All
things are God’s, not only because He creates them but because He redeems
them. The only thing that creatures can claim as their own is evil.
- Stewardship
extends to every aspect of life and work in the world. Giving money
to the Church is but one aspect of how we relate to our Creator.
- The
giving of alms means literally “to do acts of mercy” (Mtt. 6.2 in the
original Greek). A merciful heart is pleasing to God.
- God
commands His people to express their faith and love in active works of
mercy (Jas. 2.15-17; 1 Jn. 3.17-18).
- The
alternative to giving always involves the words “me” and “mine”.
Substitute the word “God’s”!
Pray! Pray about your own
giving, and pray about the health of the parish. A suggested prayer is:
In the Name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Almighty God, it is by your blessing that we enjoy the ability to
give. All things come of you, and of your own do we give to you. So
open our hearts and fill us with your Spirit, that we may be moved to give to
advance the mission of your Church, to press on the kingdom. So open the
hearts of all in the parish that together we may discern your will and do it,
to be the salt and light in the world that you call and equip us to be; this, I
pray, by and through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, Father, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Nicci
Beeck and Bryan Stenz for the Sunday coffee hour following the 8 a.m. service.
§ Please
than the following for the coffee hour following the 10:15 a.m. service, at
which we enjoyed a reception in celebration of the baptism of Lochlan
Whitford: Jerry and Linda Molitor, Nick
and Jenny Whitford, Bryan Stenz (hosts); Andrea Aparicio and Julie Davidson
(cleanup).
§ Ben
Dobey for gardening.
§ Bobbie
May for janitorial help.
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. Please prayerfully consider a year end
gift.
Music this Week: The
Last Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King)
Organist: R. Benjamin Dobey
Prelude
Benedictus Siegfried Karg-Elert
Entrance 544
“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”
Duke Street
Offertory 460
“Alleluia! sing to Jesus” Hyfrydol
Communion Motet King of glory, King of peace
David Charles Walker
Communion 383 “Fairest Lord Jesus” St. Elizabeth
Closing 494
“Crown him with many crowns”
Diademata
Postlude
Trumpet Tune in D David N. Johnson
Parish Notices:
§ Adult
Christian Formation: has been cancelled for Sunday, November 19th due to
the holidays. On Sunday, December 3rd Jerry Molitor will begin a three week
course on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
§ Holiday
Parade: On Sunday, November 19th, Grace Church will be selling cocoa and
coffee, brownies, apple crisp and hotdogs, before and during the Holiday Parade
which starts at 5:00 p.m. 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, be sure to bring your friends!
§ St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will
visit Grace Church next Sunday, December 3rd at the 10:15 service. We invite
all children to come and receive a treat.
§ Advent
Lessons and Carols:
Next Sunday, December 3rd, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be
offered at Grace Episcopal Church, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The festival prepares
us for the coming of the Messiah by following the scriptural record through
nine lessons, each followed by a seasonal carol offered by choir and
congregation. The choir will also offer seasonal anthems, and music will
include Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey on organ. The service is followed immediately by
a High Tea reception. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex for sweets and
savories.
§ Tripartite Emmaus Meal: Will take place Saturday,
December 2nd at the Salvation Army. We will need 10 volunteers from Grace: 2 people for
Set-Up 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 8
people to serve dressed in holiday colored clothing 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Then the servers eat together and
do clean up. Bakers are also needed –
for holiday desserts, cookies, cakes, bars, cupcakes – 6 plates/trays from Grace Church to be dropped off on the Saturday
in the basement of the Salvation Army by 10:00 a.m. Please sign up on the
sheets in the Narthex by Monday November 27th.
§ Youth
and Children’s Choir:
Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at
5:30-6:00pm beginning Wednesday December 6th, downstairs in the choir room.
Additional rehearsals will be on December 13th and 20th. The choir is open
to 2nd graders through high school, and will sing for the 4pm
service on Christmas Eve. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.
§ Christmas
Pageant Rehearsals: will
be held during Sunday School classes on December 3rd, 10th and 17th.
Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Pageant will take place during
the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass.
§ Ugly Sweater Contest: Sunday, December 10th
at 11:45 a.m. we will hold an ugly sweater contest in St. Nicholas Hall which
will be judged by our Sunday School children. More details coming next week.
§ Salvation
Army Adopt a Family Gift tags: We have the tree up, and all the name
tags on it, for the Salvation Army Family gifts. Many gift tags are still
remaining and we ask you to please take a name or two and follow the
instructions on the table next to the tree. Please return the unwrapped
gifts to Grace Church by December 8th. If you have any questions
please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.
§ Ordination
of Paul Aparicio, Isaiah Brokenleg, and
Bobbie Kraft: At 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 16th, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond-du Lac, God willing and the
people consenting, the Right Reverend Matthew Gunter, Eighth Bishop of Fond du
Lac shall ordain Paul, Isaiah and Bobbie to the Sacred Order of Deacons in
Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
§ Salvation Army Toy Shoppe: We are looking for
volunteers from Grace Church to:
§ December 14th: Greet
parents/guardians and assist with distribution of toys and gifts for local
families. 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
§ December 18th: Organize and sort toy
donations by age, gender and size. 10:00 – noon.
§ December 20th : Shop for each member
of a family using lists provided by the parents. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
§ Sign
up sheets with time slots are on the table 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.
§ 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.
§ 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!!!
§ Love INC Monthly Bulletin is now available
online at:
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