Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
30 August 2018
I was riding the Chicago “L” recently, standing in the back of a car.
I’d noticed the man in the seat in front of me, he appeared asleep, strange,
rough, didn't belong. He was struggling to get out of his heavy coat sleeves. I
reached down a couple of times from behind to assist. I’d need to wash my
hands. He moved as if in a daze. He eventually stood up. He moves slowly from
his seat to the emergency door beside me and starts to open it. “No!” I said,
surprised by my vehemence. He glanced at me pulling the door again; I looked
around for help. Was anyone going to alert the authorities? The train needed to
be stopped. He’s out, standing on ‘whatever’ between the cars, the train lurching,
racing down the track. He’s relieving himself. He knew what he was doing. He
staggers back into the car. I expect to see him falling to the floor. I
wondered if I'd help him back to his feet, but he grabs at a pole like in slow
motion and then swings plopping back into his seat. I sit across the aisle
watching him count his money for the third time. I notice the 12-pack beer
carton under his seat. Then he's examining a 20 oz. paper cup which seems
important to him. We reach our stop and at the last moment he follows us off
the train. I look behind to see him waiting for the next train back into the
city. My son, a social worker, explains to me that he has no destination, the
trains are it, his home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, warm in the winter,
cool in the summer. If he gets off and on at the right places he can ride
indefinitely.
****
Was that a Lazarus, the poor man under the table in Jesus' parable? What does it really mean that the last shall be first, and the first, last? Was this the man the Good Samaritan stopped to rescue? Where's Mother Theresa, Dorothy Day? What a waste! What you do to the least of these you do to me? What does Love require; no, rather what does Love offer? Is there really nothing one can do? It all happened so quick. I wasn't prepared. At the very least it keeps alive our hope for the better world to come, lamenting over what still is. And it can, if we allow it, encourage us to do those good things that God has prepared us yet to do. Stop feeling guilty; harness those feelings, use them for God's good.
Was that a Lazarus, the poor man under the table in Jesus' parable? What does it really mean that the last shall be first, and the first, last? Was this the man the Good Samaritan stopped to rescue? Where's Mother Theresa, Dorothy Day? What a waste! What you do to the least of these you do to me? What does Love require; no, rather what does Love offer? Is there really nothing one can do? It all happened so quick. I wasn't prepared. At the very least it keeps alive our hope for the better world to come, lamenting over what still is. And it can, if we allow it, encourage us to do those good things that God has prepared us yet to do. Stop feeling guilty; harness those feelings, use them for God's good.
****
In thinking about this it’s interesting to know my assumption was that I could help him. However, there was no indication at all that he was seeking such. No doubt he would have accepted money, but that wasn't what I was interested in giving. I was also limited by time; the clock was running and the train moving. There was little I could do as far as getting to know him, earning his trust, and becoming a friend. Not going to happen. I’d likely be dismissed as a do-gooder who packed him into a stereotype doing something nice, but of no real help.
In thinking about this it’s interesting to know my assumption was that I could help him. However, there was no indication at all that he was seeking such. No doubt he would have accepted money, but that wasn't what I was interested in giving. I was also limited by time; the clock was running and the train moving. There was little I could do as far as getting to know him, earning his trust, and becoming a friend. Not going to happen. I’d likely be dismissed as a do-gooder who packed him into a stereotype doing something nice, but of no real help.
—Fr. John Ambelang
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Pat
von Rautenkranz for the Sunday coffee hour, with cleanup by Ed & Mary
Clabots, Julie Davidson, Katie Larson, and Pat Ford Smith.
§ Ben
Dobey for gardening.
§ Julie
Davidson for landscape watering.
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
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17B)
Dr.
R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Pastorale Marco Enrico Bossi
Entrance
Hymn 377 “All people that on earth do dwell” Old 100th
Offertory
Hymn 556 “Rejoice, ye pure
heart” Marion
Communion
Hymn 660 “O Master, let me walk with
thee ” Maryton
Closing
Hymn 436 “Lift up your heads ye mighty gates” Truro
Postlude Prelude and Fugue in
A Major Walther
Parish Notices:
§ Deacon
School Resumes on September 8: The diocesan Deacon School courses in
Old Testament (taught by Fr. Glen Kanestrom of St. Paul’s, Marinette) and
Church History (taught by Fr. Karl Schaffenburg of Grace, Sheboygan) are set to
begin. Classes meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month,
September – December.
§ Auditors
are welcome.
If you wish to audit deacon school, contact Fr. Karl to receive details.
§ Note:
Those in formation for the diaconate pay tuition. Auditors are requested
to contribute to the cost of the school, but if the offering of a donation
would restrict your attendance be assured that a donation is voluntary.
§ Mass in the Grass celebration at 10:15
a.m. on Sunday, September 9.
St. Paul’s and Grace
Episcopal Churches will come together in celebration for outdoor worship with
Mass 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. A food sign up can be found on the
Narthex table. Please note: There will be no 8:00 Mass that morning.
§ Thinking Theologically will be offered in Adult Education on Thursday evenings
(7—9 p.m. beginning September 13). This class is intended to allow the
student to understand that the postmodern, Materialist worldview itself is in
opposition to any classical understanding of reason and science, and that
faith—far from being opposed to reason—is founded upon reason.
Thinking
Theologically will
allow the student to know and use the language of formal thought to explore
his/her own faith, and to defend this faith. The first term will focus on
methodology. No prior experience or knowledge in/of philosophy or
theology will is assumed.
§ Sunday School begins: We are excited to
announce that Sunday School will be starting again on September 16, 2018.
Classes meet from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and are open to children ages 3 to 5th
grade. Ms. Andrea and Ms. Nicci have A LOT of fun lessons and activities
planned for this year and would love to share the message of God’s love with
your children. A sign-up is located in the Narthex.
§ Adult Formation begins: Broken
Mirrors–Reflections on Sacramental Healing: No one goes through life unscathed! We
all experience pain and brokenness, ranging from the sting of disrespect to the
tragic death of a loved one, or even the loss of faith! We often hide our pain
and carry it with us throughout our lives.
Our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being becomes impaired,
preventing us from living in the joy that God wishes for us. The Broken Mirrors
series encourages us to reflect on those burdens that we carry and the pain
that we bear. We gather as a humble and faithful community to prayerfully
navigate into the depths of our pain and brokenness through definition,
discovery, acknowledgement, and reflection.
We will pray, consult scripture, share stories, meditate, invite Jesus
to walk with us, and release our burdens to power of His boundless love. This series is based upon the book Be
Healed–A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life by Bob
Schuchts. Our first session will take place on Sunday, September 16th
at 9:00am in St. Nicholas Hall. All future sessions will meet weekly on Sundays
at 9am in the Library. There is no need to prepare. Come as you are. All are
welcome! Invite family, friends,
colleagues, and acquaintances who may be seeking relief and the healing power of
God.
§ Healing Conference: The St. John, New
London's Order of St. Luke healing ministry is hosting a healing
conference, "How to Live in the Power of Christ,"
September 22, 2018 from 8:30-3:00. Subtitles include: Praying in the Power of
Christ's Faith; Living in the Power of Christ's Life; Healing in the Power of
Christ's Love. Opportunity for healing prayer will also be offered. The guest
speaker is the Rev. Josh Acton, North American Director for the Order
of St. Luke International Healing Ministry. He has been a pastor for
27 years at Anglican, Episcopal and Vineyard churches and is the spiritual
leader for OSL. Cost for attendance is $30, includes presentation, lunch and
breaks. For more information about the healing ministry or to register, contact
Jan Peskie 920-716-5757 or joejanpeskie@gmail.com.
§ Celebration
of New Ministry: The
Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac will host this celebration with its new
Dean, the Very Rev. Patrick Perkins on Saturday, September 29 (re-scheduled
from August 25). The Rev. Ezgi Saribay Perkins will be installed as Canon
Precentor. All are welcome and invited to attend. The service marks the
transition of ministry for the congregation and the priest as they live into a
new relationship in serving the Gospel.
§ Catechumenate will begin: Catechumenate is a
nine-month course in the basics of the Faith and its practice. It is a period
of training and instruction in Christian understandings about God, human
relationships, and the meaning of life. It includes the Sacrament of Baptism,
if you are not already baptized, and culminates in Confirmation, Reception, or
Renewal of Baptismal Vows. The class will begin on Tuesday, October 2 from 6:30
p.m. until 8:30 p.m. (room location TBD) and will continue until May when
Bishop Matthew Gunter makes his annual visitation. The study is led by Mother
Michele Whitford, the Parish Catechist. If you would like to be a part of this
exciting study and fellowship or would like more information, please call the
office 452-9659 or email Mother Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com.
There will be a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.
§ 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 office@gracesheboygan.com.
