Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
5 April 2018
Alleluia!
Christ is risen! In saying (let us
hope shouting) these words, how many of us experience this new life? This becomes a little bit of a “chicken and
egg” problem. Do we proclaim the Lord’s
resurrection because of our personal experience of new life, or do we begin to
experience new life because of our proclamation? Just like the classic “chicken and egg”
conundrum, the answer doesn’t matter.
What matters is new life, but to the extent that Easter joy remains for
you a concept rather than an experience, consider the reality that words have
power, and that in proclaiming Our Lord’s victory you can begin to participate
in this victory.
“Numinous” (derived from the Latin numen)
is an adjective describing how spiritual or religious feeling is aroused, how
something becomes awe-inspiring, as an encounter with mystery. We have all had some encounter with something
outside of ourselves that points us to something (Someone) greater. This encounter with the greater can be joyful
or can fill us with dread. Regardless,
such an encounter gets our attention and can be, in fact, life-changing. When we say that words have power, what we
are referring to is when words themselves can be numinous, can lead us into an
encounter. Throughout the Bible, the
naming of a thing or person is an act of power, of sovereignty.
The numinous character of names is a constant
in the biblical worldview. It is also
pretty common in our own day-to-day world.
What we call someone is never accidental, and very much shapes how we
understand and describe our relationship with that person—how he or she affect
our own lives. Addressing an intimate
partner as “Darling” signals something very different from when we might call
him or her just by given name. And when
two of us speak about a third person, if we refer to this person just by
description (e.g., “my brother”) rather than by name (e.g., Mark)
says something about how the two of us relate to each other and to the third
person. Which is why it is important to
proclaim that Christ is risen; that Jesus is Lord. In such proclamation we speak truth, and this
truth affects or participation in this reality.
When we speak of Jesus as Lord, we understand, ourselves, how we relate
to Jesus. When we call God “Father” we
say something very important about who God is, but also about who we are: sons and daughters.
So, say it again: Alleluia!
Christ is risen! Name your
Lord often, both when you speak to Him and when you speak about your own
faith. Such naming is powerful, and
you’ll be the first one to notice this power.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Polly
Schmeiser and Mary Beth Snyder for organizing the Easter reception, with
goodies provided by many.
§ Julie
Davidson and 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.
Music this Week:
The Second
Sunday of Easter Dr.
R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Fantasy
in G major J.S. Bach
Entrance
Hymn 193 “That Easter Day with Joy
was bright” Puer nobis
Offertory
Hymn 206 “O sons and daughters let
us sing” O filii et filiae
Communion
Motet This
joyful Eastertide George Ratcliffe Woodward
Communion
Hymn 209 “We walk by faith and not by
sight” St. Botolph
Closing
Hymn 180 “He is risen, he is
risen” Unser Herrscher
Postlude Offertoire sue le chant
O filii et filiae J.-F.
Dandrieu
Parish Notices:
§ Adult Formation-Rector’s Forum: On Sunday and 15
April the adult formation hour will include Rector’s Forum (questions
about the Church and our ministries) and “stupid church questions”. Come and
share a coffee and questions!
§ First Communion Instruction: Pat Ford Smith is
providing Communion Lessons in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday, 22
April. The class meets on 8 and 15 April from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Children will meet Mrs.
Pat at the Ontario Street entrance.
§ 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 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-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday 30 June: Established in 1960
by Bishop William Brady, the Eucharistic Festival gathers the diocesan family
to be united in its faith in the Presence of our Blessed Lord in the
Bread and Wine of the Altar. In being so devoted, we can be united in
making known God's presence to all people. The Festival includes the Celebration of the
Holy Eucharist, Bishop's Picnic, Evening Prayer and the Adoration and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral
Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. If you are interested in carpooling, contact
the parish office.
§ Summer Camp registration for camp sessions
are now open:
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!
The registration
process is now completely online and includes availability to make online
payments. Visit www.diofdl.org/camp for more
information.
Senior Camp (completed grades
9-12) June 10 at 3:00 p.m.–June 16, noon.
Middler Camp (completed grades
6-8) June 17 at 3:00 p.m.–June 22, noon.
Junior Camp (completed grades
2-5) June 17 at 3:00 p.m.–June 22, noon.
KinderCamp (parent & kids
ages 4-7) June 22 at 4:00 pm–June 24, noon.
|
*Scholarships are
available; inquire at the parish office.
|
§ 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 bible for
the challenge, contact the parish office.
§ 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 office@gracesheboygan.com to identify and
claim.
§ 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
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