New Creation

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

26 July 2018

Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come  (2 Cor. 5.17).

Leave aside the gender-specific pronoun.  Paul is referring to any human being, not just any man.  Unfortunately, the gender neutral translations make this into “there is new creation”, which blurs the reality that in Christ individual lives/beings are changed to be the lives/being intended by God for each of His creatures whom He has made in God’s image and likeness (Gen. 1.26).  Indeed, a fair translation of the original Greek might render “new creation” as “new creature”.  The human person is changed, and for this reason Paul also states that we are to look upon each other as God sees us.

In our Baptismal Covenant each of us vows to “seek and serve Christ in all persons”—to look upon each human being as a new creation, despite the many ways in which God’s image may be blurred or obscured by fallenness.  Whatever the fallenness may be which is manifested in another person, he/she remains a person, a person of such value to God that He paid the ultimate price for her/his salvation, by giving the life of His only Son.

Note, however, that the apostle speaks of new creation for one who is “in Christ”.  The new creation which God brings about arises when hearts are opened and given to God, and how God is working in the life of another will often not be something we can witness or perceive.  So, what do we do, in terms of how we are to relate to the other each as a “new creation”?  We are to relate to every human person as if he/she is, in fact, in Christ, and leave the rest up to God.  To do this we can best begin by treating all persons as persons, never abstractions, never as objects.  Each and every person, by virtue of his/her creation in God’s image and likeness is always and in all things a subject, not an object.  A subject to be known, to be invited to join in Christ’s Body, to be thanked for who she/he is, and to be journeyed with into the new creation into which we are invited together.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  The Aparicio family for the Sunday coffee hour.  Helen Mullison for the coffee hour on 15 July (apologies for last week’s omission!)

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.

Special call!  Clergy discretionary accounts are provided for by church canon.  At Grace Episcopal Church the regular contributions to these funds are the loose plate offering for the first Sunday of each month.  This amount is not, on its own, sufficient to continue to fund things like jail commissary costs for prisoners (including parishioners), medical and housing costs, and work with victims of human trafficking.  Please give generously, with gifts designated “Clergy Discretionary Accounts”.

Please contribute for photocopies:  The photocopier is being subjected to frequent use that relates to parishioner’s needs and not those of the whole parish.  If you need to make copies (and please keep this to a minimum), please inform a member of the parish staff and make a contribution toward the costs of the copies.  A suggested contribution is $0.6/page.  (We are trending above budget on copy costs!)

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 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12B)

                                      Sandie Palmer, Guest Organist

Prelude                                Voluntary                                                   G.J Elvey
Entrance Hymn 377              “All people that on earth do dwell”               Old 100th

Offertory Hymn 690             “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah”        Cwm Rhondda

Communion Hymn 488         “Be thou my vision”                                          Slane  

Closing Hymn 438                “Tell out, my soul”                                    Woodlands

Postlude                               Allegro Maestro from Water Music”           G.F. Handel

Parish Notices:

§  Father Karl’s vacation schedule: Fr. Karl will be out of the office on Tuesday, July 24 through July 31. If you have a pastoral need during his absence, please contact Mthr. Michele at 918-1230. 

§  Sand Bags: As part of the landscaping project which starts 30 July numerous sand bags which had protected the rectory will become redundant.  These will be stacked behind the church, next to the garage, and are free for the taking.  Each bag is a 70 lb. bag of “trunk sand”, i.e., the sand is more coarse than sand box sand.  It is best used in sand bags, not as fill.

§  All Saints’ Chapel in Elkhart Lake: The Chapel offers services at 9:00 a.m., continuing through Labor Day weekend. We are blessed to have Fr. Patrick Twomey serving as Celebrant for the entire season. Services will continue to be a shared ministry, which means volunteers will be needed for Sunday Service ownership.

§  Call the Grace Episcopal Church office at (920) 452-9659 to schedule ownership of a Sunday(s). Thank you for your support of such an important Ministry.

§  Save the Date: Mass in the Grass celebration on Sunday, September 9.

§  St. Paul’s and Grace Episcopal Churches will come together in celebration for outdoor worship with Mass at 10:15 a.m. and a picnic lunch to follow. Location: Deland Community Center, 901 Broughton Drive in Sheboygan. There will be games and activities for children’s enjoyment and inviting guests is encouraged. More details to be shared in the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in participating in the planning committee, please contact the office at (920) 452-9659 or office@gracesheboygan.com.

§  Education for Ministry: Two groups are starting September 10, 2018. The Monday group meets at 9:30 am and the Wednesday group meets at 4 pm.  Sign up by August 1st in order to get your books before the first class.  Cost is $360 and this includes college credits and all your materials.  Scholarships are available, so don’t let the cost keep you from participating.  To get registration materials or if you have questions, contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman at:  bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189.

§  Kairos Outside Weekend Retreat, October 12-14: This is an ecumenical Cursillo-type event for women having been impacted by incarceration. Perhaps they’ve been prisoners, or had/have family members, friends in the Corrections System. The weekend is a time of support and encouragement in a Christian community of women. The cost of the weekend is covered.  If you have questions or would like more information, contact Fr. John Ambelang, (920)453-8983.

§  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; please write your name on the envelope.

§  Bulletin Prayer List and our Grace Church Prayer Team: The Episcopal Church believes in the power of prayer. Grace Church regularly prays for the needs of our own members, as well as the needs of the country, and our world.  We would be honored to pray for your needs, and the needs of your friends and relatives if they or you are in a state of trouble, sorrow, pain, or are experiencing any other adversity. Please call the Parish office at (920) 452-9659 or email a request to office@gracesheboygan.com to have a name(s) put in the bulletin, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and/or out to the email Prayer Team.