Strong Armor

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

29 November 2018

Watch.  That’s what we do in Advent.  We live in the “not yetness” of the season as we live in the “not yetness” of this life, looking for our Lord, awaiting His coming, trying to live each day prepared for that hour the time of which we do not know. 

How then are we to live?  In the collect for Advent 1 we pray that by God’s grace “... we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light ...”, that when that last day does come we may rise to life immortal.  All that we do now is preparation for that last day.  So the question of how we are to live thus becomes:  How do we cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light?

We got pretty clear signals in all those lessons about judgment with which the last year came to an end, lessons which tell us that faith is to be active, that we are to take risks and bear fruit.  Put these teachings together with our prayer to put on the armor of light, and it becomes clear that the armor of light is put on in how we allow God’s light to shine forth in our lives by doing His will, His work.    

When Jesus tells us to watch, to keep awake, He challenges each us:  What will you do?  How will you put on the armor of light?  We can start by recognizing that the works of darkness require darkness.  And what is darkness but the absence of light?  The works of darkness are, therefore, interior; they thrive when we turn inward.  But when we reach out we open up, and in the open shadows cannot abide.  Putting on the armor of light means taking the light which we have been given by God and sharing it to let it shine.

In this season of Advent consider one ministry that we all can do.  Take the prayer list in your bulletin and combine this with the names found in the parish directory.  This will give you a list of people who you may not know and those who you know very well.  Take this list, and every day lift up several names before God in prayer.  Lift them up, whether you are praying for a known need or not.  In doing this you will be rendering service and you will be brought closer together with your fellow disciples.  In doing this you will be lifting up any hurt or ill to be redeemed in our Lord’s Passion, sharing in a ministry of “com-passion” (literally, “passion with”) both with those in need and with Jesus.  In doing this you will be offering the prayer and sacrifice of a penitent heart.  The armor of light will combine the red of martyrdom, the purple of penitence, the green of everyday life, and the black of mourning, to shine with the white of the coming of our Lord at Christmas.  May the works of darkness will be cast out by this active light of expectation, service, and worship.  Strong armor, indeed.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Ed Clabots for procuring emergency coffee hour supplies for the past Sunday; Susan McIntosh and Rachel Boland for setting up coffee hour, and Julie Davidson for cleanup.

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 First Sunday of Advent

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                           Chorale Prelude on Savior of the nations come  Max Reger

Entrance Hymn 58           “Lo! he comes with clouds descending”            St. Thomas

Offertory Hymn 61           “Sleepers wake! A voice astounds us”             Wachet auf

Communion Motet           O Radix Jesse                                    R. Benjamin Dobey

Communion Hymn 615    “Thy kingdom come, on bended knee”             St. Flavian             

Closing Hymn 66             “Come thou long expected Jesus”                      Stuttgart

Postlude                         Chorale Prelude on Sleepers Wake                J G Walther

                                                    

Parish Notices:

·         Thank you!!! To all who helped with the Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes! We sent off 17 shoeboxes to children around the world. We will be monitoring the whereabouts of our boxes as they travel and will keep you posted!

·         Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, December 2, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered here at Grace beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Featured will be Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Organist and the Grace Episcopal Church Choir. The service is followed immediately by an Afternoon Tea reception. If you are willing to volunteers to bring food and/or clean-up, please see the sign-up sheet in Narthex.

·         St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will visit Grace Church on Sunday, December 9 during the 10:15 service. We invite all children to come and receive a special treat.

·         Salvation Army gift tags for 2 families: The tree is up, and gift tags for our two Salvation Army Families are on it. If you are interested in participating, please follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Ambelang at 918-5667.

·         Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: Three (3) practice will take place on Sunday, December 2, 9 and 16 during the Sunday School hour. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Children’s Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

·         2^nd Annual Ugly Sweater Contest: The Sunday School children will once again host and judge the ugly Christmas sweater contest on Sunday, December 9 in St. Nicholas Hall after the 10:15 service. The winner will receive a coveted award and have their picture on display in the Children’s Library.

·         Christmas Joy: On Thursday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m., interested members can meet in the church kitchen to assemble winter greens and flowers, bag cookies and then make deliveries. We need helping hands. Can you bake, make a delivery and/or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our homebound and elderly. They will appreciate it. Call Barb MacEwen (920.912.4505) if you have questions. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

Happy Thanksgiving

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

22 November 2018

Happy Thanksgiving!

When we are tempted as clergy to worry that “this might be the year” (in any given year) that a stewardship campaign will fizzle, may we be reminded of the giving hearts found in those who follow Jesus.  I write this before we know the results of our current stewardship campaign.  Results to date are very positive, but the examples of giving independent of the campaign include:

1     We made an appeal over two weeks for a $750 donation to complete a parish commitment as part of a campaign to establish a sober living facility for women in Sheboygan.  In two weeks you gave a total of $1,168.

2     We made one appeal for funds to aid in disaster relief in The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, following the devastating fire in Paradise, CA, and you gave $930 in one day.

Examples such as these speak to hearts formed in faith, hearts which are open to the Holy Spirit and formed in ways to then reach outward.  And it is in being formed by the Holy Spirit to reach outward that we come to know what thanksgiving truly is, for when we recognize the many ways in which God blesses us we are drawn to share this blessing.

I recently spoke with a parishioner who related how, upon awaking that morning, he had turned to his cat and said “God has given us another beautiful day to enjoy!”  Contrast this statement to what life can look like when we never give thanks.  To never give thanks means that I can focus only on what I don’t have, what I want and what I somehow feel is owed to me.  And whenever I feel I am owed something, the sin of covetousness and envy rears its ugly head.  To take a trivial example:  In a prior career I traveled extensively, and flew First Class with the many privileges of a “Million Mile Club” premier customer.  Or from time to time I flew in a corporate jet.  The contrast between this kind of travel and the awfulness of what now passes for being a customer in most airports, with most airlines, in Coach, could not be greater.  And yet, if I allow the contrast to prevent me from traveling, what is the result?  The result is that I won’t get to see those whom I love, or that I’ll not experience new locations.  To ever act like I am “owed” a premium travel experience is to fail to give thanks that I have people who I want to see and places I want to experience.

It is sometimes said that faith is a posture of the heart.  To pursue this metaphor, if this posture allows us to stand, then it is by this faith that our hearts incline to the other.  We “lean in” to the calling God places before us, offering thanks that we are called and equipped; offering thanks that God has given us another beautiful day to enjoy; offering thanks that it is by God’s grace that we may receive each new day as a gift.

If you wish to make a separate gift to the disaster relief campaign, follow this link:

http://www.norcalepiscopal.org/camp-fire-update3

Parish news!  Effective 20 November Nicci Beeck has been named as a Postulant to Holy Orders for further formation for ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons.  Nicci’s formation is scheduled to continue for another year.  Please continue to support her in her formation for the diaconate!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bob and Anne Hanlon, and Dcn. Paul and Andrea Aparicio for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Jennifer Pawlus.

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 Feast of Christ the King (Proper 29B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude        Benedictus                                                   Alec Rowley

Entrance Hymn 544         “Jesus shall reign where e’er the sun”            Duke Street

Offertory Hymn 483        “The head that once was crowned with thorns”

                                                                                                            St. Magnus

Communion Motet           King of glory, King of peace            David Charles Walker

Communion Hymn 383    “Fairest Lord Jesus”                          Schönster Herr Jesu              

Closing Hymn 494           “Crown him with many crowns”                       Diademata

Postlude                         Allegro from Symphony                             William Boyce

                                                    

Parish Notices:

§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church Youth Group will be selling treats before and during the Sheboygan Holiday Parade this Sunday, November 25. The money raised goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade. Be sure to bring your friends!

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, December 2, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered here at Grace beginning at 4:00 p.m.

§  Featured will be Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Organist and the Grace Episcopal Church Choir. The service is followed immediately by an Afternoon Tea reception. If you are willing to volunteers to bring food and/or clean-up, please see the sign-up sheet in Narthex.

§  St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will visit Grace Church on Sunday, December 9 during the 10:15 service. We invite all children to come and receive a special treat.

§  Salvation Army gift tags for 2 families: The tree is up, and gift tags for our two Salvation Army Families are on it. If you are interested in participating, please follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Ambelang at 918-5667.

§  Emmaus Meal Volunteers Needed: The Tripartite Emmaus Meal will be Saturday, December 1 at the Salvation Army Center. We will need 8 people to serve the meal, greet the guests and clean up from 10:30-1:15. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

§  Advent Meditations: Our book of meditations, written by parishioners, has become a treasured tradition to enter into the Advent season. To participate:

§  Choose from the scripture readings on the Narthex table. All are welcome to choose more than one.

§  Read and reflect on the scripture for the scripture(s) chosen.

§  Write a meditation based on what resonated with you, or you feel called to share based upon the readings. The meditation can be 10 words or 300 words (maximum, please); there are no rules and no right or wrong ways.

§  Submit your meditation to the office, office@gracesheboygan.com by November 26 to allow production time. These meditations will be published in print and online before Advent begins. In addition, meditations can be read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series.

§  Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: Three (3) practice will take place on Sunday, December 2, 9 and 16 during the Sunday School hour. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Children’s Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

§  2^nd Annual Ugly Sweater Contest: It’s back! The Sunday School children will once again host and judge the ugly Christmas sweater contest on Sunday, December 9 in St. Nicholas Hall after the 10:15 service. The winner will receive a coveted award and have their picture on display in the Children’s Library.

§  Christmas Joy: On Thursday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m., interested members can meet in the church kitchen to assemble winter greens and flowers, bag cookies and then make deliveries. We need helping hands. Can you bake, make a delivery and/or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our homebound and elderly. They will appreciate it. Call Barb MacEwen (920.912.4505) if you have questions. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

The Resurrection of the Dead

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

15 November 2018

Do you make the Sign of the Cross upon yourself during our confession of the Creed?  It is a long tradition in the Church to do so at the words, “We look for the resurrection of the dead, …”  But why?  Why do we (many of us) do this?  The answer lies in a gray area between superstition and piety, and looking at the reasoning behind this practice allows us to reject the superstitious elements.

One of the original rationales for crossing ourselves at the reference to the resurrection comes from a time when the belief in Purgatory was mandatory.  Leaving aside any debate over the doctrine of Purgatory, the thinking was that we were to cross ourselves for those who could not; that making the sign of the cross upon ourselves would benefit the soul of a loved one in Purgatory, in which state (so the thinking went) the one undergoing purgation could not himself or herself do so.  We were to help one in purgation along the pathway to purification and blessedness.  The thinking behind this was one which gave rise, as well, to the sale and purchase of Masses for the dead, and of indulgences, and resulted in much corruption in the Church.  Even absent the development of abuses, while the sentiment of helping out a loved one was certainly noble, the “logic” of the practice was highly flawed, for on what bases could it be argued that a soul in Purgatory could not make the sign of the cross?  The very doctrine of Purgatory points to a zeal from those in that state to be purified.

So much for an origin that smacks more of folk belief than of sound doctrine.  Why, then, continue the practice?  To answer this we need to combine the creedal reference to the resurrection of the dead (and, to be clear, this is a reference to all of the dead, past and future) with the prayer made in the Great Thanksgiving of Holy Eucharist, in which we pray “Therefore we praise [God], joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven …” (see, e.g., BCP 362).  In making this prayer we acknowledge that the worship and adoration of God is timeless (that is, eternal), and that at the celebration of Holy Eucharist the kingdom of heaven breaks into this world.  We become one with the kingdom.  We live into our identity and vocation as those saved by Jesus’s sacrifice, marked as Christ’s own forever in our baptism (BCP 308). 

In addressing the Christians at Corinth, St. Paul refers to them as “called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1.2), then referring to these same believers just as “saints” (2 Cor. 1.1).  Paul is reminding the Corinthians that they have been “set aside” in Christ, and that to be set aside is to be holy.  If Paul were to write to those gathered at Grace, he might address us (as he does the Philippians) “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who at Sheboygan …” (Cf. Phil. 1.1).  He might address us this way for each one of us has been set aside, marked as Christ’s own.  Just as in making the sign of the cross with Holy Water we remind ourselves of our baptismal vows, in making the sign of the cross in referring (in the Creed) to the resurrection of the dead, we reaffirm our identity as those gathered with “all the company of heaven”.  We reaffirm that the Church is a universal mystery that transcends time, as the “Church Militant” (here) and the “Church Triumphant” (in heaven).  You have been marked, set aside.  Mark yourself!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bill and Deb Gagin, and Leslie Kohler for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Mary Snyder for pastoral care.

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 Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                            Jesu, dulcis memoria                                Walford Davies

Entrance Hymn 598         “Lord Christ when thou cam’st”               Mit Freuden zart

Offertory Hymn 665        “All my hope on God is founded”                          Michael

Communion Motet           I have longed for thy saving health              William Byrd

Communion Hymn 615    “Thy kingdom come!” on bended knee”            St. Flavian               

Closing Hymn 594           “God of grace and God of glory”                 Cwm Rhondda

Postlude                         Fantasia in C                                               William Byrd

                                                              

Parish Notices:

§  Salvation Army Bell Ringing: There are openings on November 24 at Woodlake Market in Kohler for the 3-5 p.m. shift and the North side Piggy Wiggly for the

5-7 p.m. shift. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table. Thank you!

§  Salvation Army gift tags for 2 families: The tree is up, and gift tags for our two Salvation Army Families are on it. If you are interested in participating, please follow the instructions on the table next to the tree. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Ambelang at 918-5667.

§  Thanksgiving Day Community Meal: A free turkey dinner will be offered on Thanksgiving Day from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 2722 Henry Street in Sheboygan. Take-outs will be available and everyone is welcome.

§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church Youth Group will be selling treats before and during the Sheboygan Holiday Parade this Sunday, November 25. The money raised goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade. Be sure to bring your friends!

§  Emmaus Meal Volunteers Needed: The Tripartite Emmaus Meal will be Saturday, December 1 at the Salvation Army Center. We will need 8 people to serve the meal, greet the guests and clean up from 10:30-1:15. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

§  Advent Meditations: Our book of meditations, written by parishioners, has become a treasured tradition to enter into the Advent season. To participate:

Choose from the scripture readings on the Narthex table. All are welcome to choose more than one.

Read and reflect on the scripture for the scripture(s) chosen.

Write a meditation based on what resonated with you, or you feel called to share based upon the readings. The meditation can be 10 words or 300 words (maximum, please); there are no rules and no right or wrong ways.

Submit your meditation to the office, office@gracesheboygan.com by November 26 to allow production time. These meditations will be published in print and online before Advent begins. In addition, meditations can be read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series.

§  Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: Three (3) practice will take place on Sunday, December 2, 9 and 16 during the Sunday School hour. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Children’s Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

§  St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will visit Grace Church on Sunday, December 2 during the 10:15 service. We invite all children to come and receive a special treat.

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, December 2, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered here at Grace beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Featured will be Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Organist and the Grace Episcopal Church Choir. The service is followed immediately by an Afternoon Tea reception. If you are willing to volunteers to bring food and/or clean-up, please see the sign-up sheet in Narthex.

§  2^nd Annual Ugly Sweater Contest: It’s back! The Sunday School children will once again host and judge the ugly Christmas sweater contest on Sunday, December 9 in St. Nicholas Hall after the 10:15 service. The winner will receive a coveted award and have their picture on display in the Children’s Library.

§  Christmas Joy: On Thursday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m., interested members can meet in the church kitchen to assemble winter greens and flowers, bag cookies and then make deliveries. We need helping hands. Can you bake, make a delivery and/or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our homebound and elderly. They will appreciate it. Call Barb MacEwen (920.912.4505) if you have questions. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

§  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.

God Loves Your Life

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

8 November 2018

God loves Your Life; Shouldn’t You?  This isn’t a question I’ve heard in recent memory. It’s a question the author, Dallas Willard, asks in his book, Life Without Lack.  I wonder if the prisoners with whom I speak love their lives? “Why should they?”, you may ask.  Well, they are a part of God's creation. They have done good in their lives and have the potential to do more.  They’ve experienced love, giving and receiving. They can read of our Lord’s faithfulness in Scripture.  Having claimed his offer of forgiveness, they can experience his joy and innumerable possibilities in this life and the one to come.

How about you? Do you love your life? Surely there are things to hate. No doubt you have a list that quickly comes to mind.  However, can you thank God you are not alone wherever you are? That he is with you; that you can cast all your cares upon him?  That he is in control of this world. That Satan is on a leash.  Surely our lives leave much to be desired, but there is so much for which to be thankful.

Do you think Jesus loved his life? You could think that he didn’t.  How could he? Think about taking your brain, miniaturizing it, and installing it in the head of a grasshopper. You get the idea but it is silly. God is so much better at incarnation than we can fathom. After all, there is Jesus.  And, the image of God somehow did get planted in us.

Think about how you would be if you hated your life. You would likely be a nasty person; angry, bored, cynical, full of self-pity, discontented, irritable, depressed, and the list goes on. That is not the Jesus we know. Remember, too, some of the things he said while on this earth:

I came that you might have life and have it abundantly.  As the Father has loved me so have I loved you; abide in my love.  I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 

This does not sound like someone who hates his life; he is no Pollyanna either. He is emotionally steady and in control. Far superior to anyone I've ever met.

I think that we ought to pray every morning declaring dependency on God, and asking him to remove all our fear and to fill us with his love for all we encounter. At least that’s what the aforementioned author recommends. He also suggested the daily use of the following rendition of the Celtic prayer:

The Opening Door

Enter, Lord Christ—
I have joy in Your coming.
You have given me life;
and I welcome Your coming.

I turn now to face You,
I lift up my eyes.
Be blessing my face, Lord;
be blessing my eyes.

May all my eye looks upon
be blessed and be bright,
my neighbors, my loved ones
be blessed in Your sight.

You have given me life
and I welcome Your coming.
Be with me, Lord,
I have joy, I have joy.

May you love your life as God does and have abundant joy,

Fr. John

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bill and Deb Gagin, and Bobbie May for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Ben Dobey for gardening.

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 Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 27B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude        Lento                                         Charles Villiers Stanford

Entrance Hymn 375         “Give praise and glory unto God”                Du Lebensbrot

Offertory Hymn 388        “O worship the King”                                         Hanover

Commununion Motet       Lead us, O Father                                 Orlando Gibbons                                

Communion Hymn 302    “Father, we thank the who hast planted”    Rendez a Dieu                

Closing Hymn 686           “Come, thou font of every blessing”                   Nettelton

Postlude                         Toccata in D                                          Johann Pachelbel

                                                              

Parish Notices:

§  Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Members are invited to sign up to ring the bells at two locations this season: Woodlake Market in Kohler on November 16, 24, December 18 and 22, and North side Piggy Wiggly on November 24. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table.

§  Operation Christmas Child: Our Annual “Shoebox” Drive:

On Sunday, the Sunday School classes will be filling shoeboxes for the annual Operation Christmas Child program at 9:00 a.m. in St. Nicholas Hall. Please join us!

§  Donations Pick-Up/Delivery Volunteer needed: Jim Gardner has faithfully delivered the offertory Holy Roller wagon food donations to the Salvation Army; however, due to a change in his work schedule, he will no longer be able to participate in this ministry.  Please prayerfully consider if you might be called to deliver food donations from Sunday’s Masses to the Salvation Army on Mondays. 

§  Tripartite Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Join the Celebration on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:00pm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Join in the Tripartite Combined Choir and enjoy fellowship and deserts following the worship. The Thanksgiving Offering will benefit the Salvation Army. We need two people to serve as ushers and a reader; if you feel called to participate, please call the office.

§  Thanksgiving Day Community Meal: A free turkey dinner will be offered on Thanksgiving Day at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 2722 Henry Street in Sheboygan. Take-outs will be available. Everyone welcome.

§  Holiday Parade: Grace Church will be selling treats before and during the Sheboygan Holiday Parade on Sunday November 25. The money raised goes to outreach projects both near and far. Please come by the front of the church and enjoy a warm treat as you enjoy the parade. Be sure to bring your friends!

§  Emmaus Meal Volunteers Needed: The Tripartite Emmaus Meal will be Saturday, December 1 at the Salvation Army Center. We will need 8 people to serve the meal, greet the guests and clean up from 10:30-1:15 There is more information on the sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.

§  St Nicholas’ Visitation: St. Nicholas will visit Grace Church on Sunday, December 2 at the 10:15 service. We invite all children to come and receive a special treat.

§  Advent Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, December 2, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered at Grace Episcopal Church, beginning at 4:00 p.m. and features Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Organist and the Grace Episcopal Church choir. The service is followed by an Afternoon Tea reception. If you are interested in volunteering for food and/or clean-up, a sign-up sheet is in Narthex.

§  Advent Meditations: Our book of meditations, written by parishioners, has become a treasured tradition to enter into the Advent season. To participate:

Choose from the scripture readings on the Narthex table. All are welcome to choose more than one.

Read and reflect on the scripture for the scripture(s) chosen.

Write a meditation based on what resonated with you, or you feel called to share based upon the readings. The meditation can be 10 words or 300 words (maximum, please); there are no rules and no right or wrong ways.

Submit your meditation to the office, office@gracesheboygan.com by November 26 to allow production time. These meditations will be published in print and online before Advent begins. In addition, meditations can be read aloud on Grace Abounds, as part of our podcast series.

§  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.