Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
4 October 2018
“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” This is a quotation often ascribed to St.
Francis of Assisi, whose feast we celebrate this day. The problem is that Francis never said this,
and was himself a gifted preacher. Furthermore the statement is itself
problematic.
If we take these words to mean that we are to live the Gospel, well and good, for too often it is
a fair criticism of Christians that they may talk about the faith without
showing real evidence of living the faith.
The problem with the supposed quotation is that it implies (if I am the
one making the statement to you) that, while I may be happy to receive your
ministrations, I don’t have to examine my own life in the light of truth which
may be imparted to me.
Our own baptismal vows include that we shall “proclaim by
word and example the Good News of God in Christ” (BCP 305). But note the order: word and example. This is because we are to allow God’s word
to convict those who must turn to Him.
Our own actions, however gracious and inspired, will not bring about the
self-examination that another may require in order to open his or her heart to
God, that the Holy Spirit may bring about new creation in the one who turns to
God. What will bring about conviction
and a call to conversion of life is God’s word, the Good News, and we are bound
to proclaim this word.
Again and again Scripture enjoins upon us the duty not
only to live according to God’s word, but to share it. We mainly shy from this duty, for the culture
around us has made faith a private matter.
But we are not living the Gospel if we are not sharing it, and this
requires words. Perhaps the best way to
begin using words is to begin building relationships. It is only when we have established
meaningful relationships with anyone that we can, in fact, share. Real sharing requires trust. We can begin, therefore, with words of
welcome and of enquiry; words which express a desire to learn more about those
whom we encounter, and to learn from them.
Once we have established a level of trust, and an openness to learn, it
is then that words can also be used to testify to who God is in our own lives;
to use the words of the Good News.
Preach the Gospel at all times, indeed. Use words, God’s words, words that are dear
to you in all the ways you live them.
A
Vacation Reflection
Jon
and I had a wonderful vacation. We travelled nearly 5200 miles, through 15
states. We saw the beauty and majesty of our country. Everything from corn
fields literally as far as the eye can see, to the steep mountains and valleys
where there is mystery around every corner. We experienced the high desert with
sage brush growing in the most unlikely places, and the great Virginia Oaks of
the deep south covered in Spanish Moss. We saw balancing stones and the gravity
defying stone arches; and the aptly named Grand Canyon, which neither words or
pictures can do justice. We experience the grandeur of nature and we stood next
to the most powerful manmade object to date the Saturn 5 rocket that propelled
humans to the moon. We experienced the cultures of the First Nations and we got
to spend time with our bestie, Bobbi.
Through
all our travels we saw people. We experienced the wonderful diversity of
nationality and language and culture and the absolute sameness in all the
differences. We found the people of this nation and those who were visiting
from other lands to be patient, kind, generous and polite. Even in the most
crowded tourist places, there was a congeniality among everyone, waiting for a
picture to be taken, giving someone a bit of time to take in the vast beauty
from the best vantage point, knowing that the same curtesy would be granted to
us.
Watching
all those strangers we realized that we really all are the same. If you watch
long enough in the crowd you can pick out familiar personalities and feel as if
you know them. Moms and dads with their children experiencing the awe of
creation. Young lovers seeing beauty around them and in each other. Seniors
ticking things off their bucket list. Everyone has the same wants and desires,
to be seen and loved. When you are on vacation it is easy to relax and let life
flow around you. It is easy to enjoy the differences and wonder of it all.
The
glory of vacation is you get to do just that, vacate, put your life on hold and
clear your mind. I knew our vacation was long enough when I wanted to get back
to all that is familiar, back to my loved ones, back to real life.
In
His Mercy,
Mother
Michele and Jon Whitford
Grace abounds: Please thank:
§ Bobbie May for the Sunday coffee hour.
§ Luke Fitzsimmons for lawn maintenance.
§ Jack Britton for building maintenance.
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
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22B)
Dr. R. Benjamin
Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Adagio from Suite in F Major G.F
Handel
Entrance Hymn 495 “Hail thou once despised Jesus” In Babilone
Offertory Hymn 448 “O
love, how deep, how broad how, high” Deo gracias
Communion Motet O Salutaris Charles Gounod
Communion Hymn 704 “O thou who camest from above” Hereford
Closing Hymn 637 “How
firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord” Lyons
Postlude Prelude
& Fugue in G Major Dietrich
Buxtehude
Parish Notices:
§ Choir rehearsals have begun: All voices are
welcome, but we especially need tenors and basses. You don’t need to be a
trained singer, an opera star, or a Broadway sensation -you just need a desire
to share the love of Christ through music! “Sing and make music from your heart
to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19
§ Catechumenate has begun: 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 meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. until
8:30 p.m. in the Church’s Lower Level. For more information, please call the
office 452-9659 or email Mother Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com.
§ Walsingham Pilgrimage Music and
Flowers: The
Walsingham Pilgrimage is just around the corner and preparations are being
made. Music will once again include the Gaudete Brass. As you are able,
prayerfully consider contributing so that we can once again offer beautiful
music that has become so much a part of the pilgrimage and the flowers that add
to the beauty of holiness. Please make your check out to Grace Church with
“Walsingham music” or “flowers” or both in the memo.
Harvest Lunch will be
served at noon on Saturday, October 13; the cost is $20 per person and
reservations are required by October 10. For more information or to make
reservations, call 920-452-9659 or email office@gracesheboygan.com.
§ Walsingham Volunteers Needed: There are many
opportunities to help with hospitality for the Walsingham Pilgrimage. We will need
volunteers to greet pilgrims as they arrive for both the quiet day on Friday as
well as Saturday morning for the Solemn Mass and for the musical offering,
healing prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. We will also need help
with clean-up after lunch. Please sign up on the sheet on the Narthex table.
There is also a need for a driver for Fr. Brown. He will need to be picked up
and dropped off at the airport as well as driven to Windway House and back to
Church as needed. If you can provide transportation please sign up on the sheet
on the Narthex table.
§ Raffle to benefit Bridgeway: Choose
Your Own Adventure 2018:
The goal of this
raffle is to support Women and Children living at Bridgeway and assist them in
gaining the skills and support that will allow them to become
independent.
The winner can choose
between a $3000 gift certificate to Fox World Travel, or $2500 cash payout.
What is Bridgeway? It is a residential transitional
living program for single women with children who are homeless or living in
vulnerable situations. Upon entry into our residential program, mothers commit
to living at Bridgeway for 3-6 months, and are able to reside at Bridgeway for
up to two years.
§ Coats For Kids: Reinbold-Novak
Funeral Home, in conjunction with The Sheboygan Press, for the past 27 years,
runs from September through November 1st. Area residents are asked to donate
clean coats in good repair. Accepted are: coats of all sizes for people of all
ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats.
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§ 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.
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