Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
22 March 2018
A recent health problem resulted in my being
unable to celebrate Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph (19 March). This was
after we had already been forced to reschedule from a solemn celebration
to a daily Mass, and so it seems only fitting that we can at least write about
Our Lord’s foster father.
We know nothing about Joseph other than what
is revealed in the Bible, that he was of the house of David, a righteous
man. After the incident of the twelve year-old Jesus being found in the
Temple (Lk. 2.41—49), Joseph never figures as a character in the
narrative. Joseph is referred to as Jesus’ father, in the home synagogue
in Nazareth (Lk. 4.22; Jn. 6.42), but the fact that Mark’s and Matthew’s
accounts of this incident have Jesus’ home town neighbors refer to Jesus as Mary’s
son would indicate either that Joseph is already dead or, perhaps, that the
neighbors remember something about Mary being with child while betrothed, and
are being snide about His parentage. At any rate, we must presume
Joseph’s death, although this is not recorded. Certainly, by the time
Jesus dies on the cross, in commending His mother to the apostle John’s care
(Jn. 19.26—27) He makes clear that she lacks a spouse.
My absence from Joseph’s feast illuminates an
important parallel between Joseph and any parish priest. Perhaps this is
why the Catholic Church has declared Joseph to be the patron saint of the Church
(as well as of workers), for however faithfully Joseph executed his commission
to serve as Jesus’ foster father and Mary’s spouse his role in God’s plan was
secondary. He could not live to see the result of his faithfulness, but
served faithfully in hope, trusting in God’s promises and abiding by His
law. It is God whom we truly address as Father, both as individuals and
as the Church. It is Jesus whom we address as Lord. Some believers
also address Mary, asking that she pray to God in aid of their petitions.
In this economy of grace Joseph looks on. He has been instrumental in the
plan; the results of the plan are out of his hands.
Whatever becomes of the ministry of any
parish priest, he or she can never do more than did Joseph. We can seek
always to serve faithfully, to trust in God’s promises, and to abide by His
law. But we can never determine outcome, the next stage in the
plan. Our vocation is to serve in ways like Joseph, as foster father or
mother, providing care and instruction, counsel and protection. Just as
the baby who came forth from Mary resulted not from Joseph’s seed but from God,
so will the fruit to be born of the Church. May she ever be served by
faithful clergy graced with the wisdom of Joseph—to know that our role is to care
and to let God direct.
Are you called to
leadership? A member of the Vestry has been compelled to resign by reason of
health. The bylaws of the parish provide
for the appointment of another member to serve out this Vestry duty for the
balance of this year, subject to reëlection to a full (3 year) term in
2019. If you wish to explore a call to
leadership, what is involved, and what will be the priorities of the Vestry,
please discuss this with any member of Vestry or the clergy. Names of all Vestry members may be found in
each worship bulletin and in the newsletter.
Stations
of the Cross: If you
were unable to make it this past Sunday to experience the Stations of the Cross
with the youth group, you're in luck! You can view the full program right now.
The link below will take you to a Google Drive folder which includes the
full program video, and the booklet that goes along with it. If you don't use
Google Drive that's okay, they don't require anything of you to use my link.
The program is basically an hour long. For the best experience, try to
give yourself at least an hour of uninterrupted time. I would love to hear your
reactions, you can find me at church, or email me at njwhitford@gmail.com
For any who are unfamiliar: Stations of the Cross is a tradition in some
churches where, essentially, we tell the story of Jesus' arrest, condemnation,
death, and burial through a series of locations, or stations (kind of like the
chapters of a story). This version is special because we are using so-called
secular movies to show how we can find God through our cultural storytelling.
Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday, there were about 30 people.
I appreciated the conversation afterward, and am glad that you found it
worthwhile.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Bill
and Deb Gagin for the Friday Lenten supper.
§ Bob
and Anne Hanlon, Jasmin and Sandie Palmer, and Susan McIntosh for the Sunday
coffee hours.
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.
Lenten
Series: This week: Love in the Name of Christ (LoveINC)
Sheboygan County. LoveINC is supported
on a budget line item basis by this parish, so come and learn more about this
ministry of your church. Stations begin
at 5:30 p.m.; the supper at 6, with the program beginning at 6:30.
Come to pray!
Come enjoy fellowship! Come to learn!
Music this Week: Palm
Sunday (The Passion of Our Lord)
Music
Director: R. Benjamin Dobey
The Liturgy of the
Palms
Processional Hymn 154 “All
glory laud and honor to thee, Redeemer King” Valet
will ich dir geben
The Holy Eucharist
Sequence Hymn 435 “At the name of Jesus” King’s
Weston
Offertory Hymn 162 “The royal banners forward go” Vexilla
Regis prodeunt
Communion Motet Crucifixus Antonio Lotti
Communion Hymn 168 “O sacred head, sore wounded”
Herzlich tut mich verlangen
Postlude Chorale Prelude on O sacred head, sore
wounded
Johannes Brahms
Parish Notices:
§ Sacrament
of Reconciliation: Lent
is a time of self-examination preparing for the death and resurrection of our
Lord. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered by appointment. Please
contact Fr. Schaffenburg to set up an appointment to make your confession.
§ First Communion Instruction: Pat Ford Smith will
be providing Communion Lessons in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday,
22 April. Classes begin Sunday
at 1:30-3:00 p.m. and continue on 8 and
15 April. Children will meet Mrs.
Pat at the Ontario Street entrance.
§ Easter
Vigil Dinner:
The first Mass of the Resurrection is on Saturday, 31 March at 7:00 p.m. The
Easter celebration then continues at Trattoria Stefano, 522 South 8th
Street, at 9:30 p.m. The actual cost of the meal is a gift to the parish, so
you not only get a delicious meal but you help the church by purchasing a
ticket for the dinner. Tickets can be bought in the parish office or in the
narthex after mass for $50 a person. Everyone is invited, but seats are
limited. There are scholarships for anyone wishing to attend but are challenged
by the cost.
*As a courtesy to Trattoria Stefano, please sign up no later than
today so they can have time to prepare the room and seating arrangements.
§ Parish Spring Clean-Up Day: Saturday, 7 April
has been set for clean-up of the Grace Church buildings and grounds. (Rain date is Saturday 14 April) We will
begin at 8:30am and work until noon. Please put this date on your calendar;
many hands will make light work. A subs and chips lunch will be provided. A
sign-up sheet is on the Narthex table.
§ Bishop’s
Visitation: On Sunday, 22 April we welcome Bishop Matthew
Gunter for his annual visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both
8 and 10:15 services. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and First
Communions at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception to
welcome Bishop Gunter and honor those Received and Confirmed. A sign-up sheet
is located on the Narthex table for savories, sweets and clean-up.
§ The Feast of the Annunciation: We celebrate on
Monday, 9 April at 12:10 p.m. the Eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, which
commemorates the annunciation by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she will
bear the Messiah (Luke 1.26-38).
§ Adult
Formation-Sacramental Life (Holy Eucharist): Please join Leslie Kohler on 22, 29 April, AND 6, 13, 20 May as she finishes guiding us
through the sacrament of Holy Eucharist using the book Sacramental Life
by David DeSilva. This book explores spiritual formation through the Book of
Common Prayer. “Those that have participated before know that this is a fairly
freeform guided discussion. I am as interested in learning from you, as I am
teaching you.” -Leslie
§ Good
News Jail & Prison Ministry Banquet: The annual banquet in support of
ministry in the local jail is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 April (Blue Harbor, 6
p.m.)
Fr. Karl; has 8
tickets available. There is no cost, but the cost of the meal to the
ministry is $28.00, and you are encouraged to donate in support. There
will also be a silent auction. Come and learn about how lives can be
changed through the Gospel, behind bars as well as on the outside. For
details contact Fr. Karl.
§ Annual Bake/Plant/Rummage Sale: This annual event
takes place, in conjunction with St. Luke United Methodist Church Rummage Sale,
on Friday, 27 April(noon–3:00 p.m.) and Saturday, 28 April (9:00 a.m.–2:00
p.m.)
We are in need
volunteers to provide baked items (brownies already provided) and help monitor
the tables, set-up and take down. Sign-up sheets will be on the Narthex table
after Easter Sunday.
*Do you have rummage
items to donate? Please price and bring to the lower level room marked “Rummage
Sale items”.
§ Spring Conference 2018: Faithful Innovation in a Disruptive Age,
Saturday,
28 April, 9:00
am-3:00 pm, Liberty Hall in Kimberly. https://www.diofdl.org/eventsblog/spring-conference-apr-28 Registration fee of
$30 per person, includes breakfast, lunch speaker and supplies. If you are interested in attending, but are
challenged by the fee, contact the parish office.
§ Monarch 74 Cursillo Weekend: Thursday, 3 May-
Sunday, 6 May at Spencer Lake Christian Center in Waupaca.
What is Cursillo? It is a movement of the church. Its purpose is to help those in the church
understands their individual callings to be Christian Leaders. The leadership may be exercised in work
situations, in family and social life, in leisure activities and within the
church environment. Leadership, in
Cursillo, does not mean power over others, but influence on others; all of us
need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those around us.
Visit http://www.monarchcursillo.org/ for more information
or to register.
§ Save the Date! Summer Camp: The Diocese of Fond
du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th
graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God,
about community, about themselves and have fun!
Registration forms
will be available soon. *Scholarships are available.
Senior Camp (completed grades
9-12) June 10– June 16
Middler Camp (completed grades
6-8) June 17– June 22
Junior Camp (completed grades
2-5) June 17– June 22
KinderCamp (parent & kids
ages 4-7) June 22 – June 24
§ 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.
§ Ushers Needed: Ushers are often the
first people seen by newcomers, visitors, and even regular parishioners when
coming to Grace Church. People enjoy being greeted by a smile; become a part of
this ministry today!
§ 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.
§ Lost and Found: If you have ever lost
anything while at Grace Church, it may be in the office lost and found box.
Please email the office nbeeck@gracesheboygan.com to identify and
claim.
§ Please
continue to pray for those listed in this Mass booklet. Thank you.
§ 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!!!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-church-sheboygan/id982836791
§ Holy Week: Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday
of the Passion of our Lord.
Services in Holy Week:
Palm Sunday Holy
Eucharist 8 and 10:15 a.m.
Monday in Holy Week Morning
Prayer 8:45 a.m.
Holy Eucharist 12.10
p.m.
Evening Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Corporate Rosary 5:30
p.m.
Tuesday in Holy Week Morning
Prayer 8:45 a.m.
Evening Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Holy Eucharist 5:30
p.m.
Wednesday in Holy Week Morning
Prayer 8:45 a.m.
Evening Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Holy Eucharist 5.30
p.m.
Maundy Thursday Morning
Prayer 8:45 a.m.
Evening Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Mass of Maundy Thursday 6:00
p.m.
[Stripping of the altar.]
Good Friday: Morning
Prayer 7:00 a.m.
Good Friday Liturgy 1:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday: Liturgy
of Holy Saturday 9:00 a.m.
Great Vigil of Easter 7:00 p.m.
Easter Day Holy
Eucharist 8 and 10:15 a.m
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