Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
28 March 2019
Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice
with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult and be filled from
the breasts of your consolation.
In the Western liturgical tradition, the Fourth Sunday in Lent is
known, traditionally, as Laetare Sunday, from the opening word in the Latin
version of the introit founds above. (An
introit is an opening prayer specific to a particular Sunday.) The Latin is laetare, which is the singular imperative. In other words, the rejoicing of Jerusalem
(the Church) that God comes among us is something that we do together. We are addressed as one Body, not as a
collection of individuals, because our rejoicing in salvation is only complete
when it is shared.
In prior times all of Lent was a time of very strict disciplines,
including fasting. On the Fourth Sunday
the disciplines were relaxed to reflect the command to rejoice, and this
relaxation is reflected in the vestments for Laetare Sunday being “liturgical
rose” (a sort of dusky pink) instead of purple (the full color of
penitence). In our own day it has become
more recognized that all Sundays, as feasts of Our Lord, are times of
celebration and rejoicing, and that Lenten disciplines do not strictly apply,
but the tradition of Laetare Sunday remains in a minority of Episcopalian
parishes to remind us that it is because of penitence that we may rejoice.
The paradox of faith is that we may rejoice that we are sinners! As odd as that may appear, it is true, because
if I persist in sin, or if I insist that there is no sin, I cannot recognize my
own sin. I can only recognize my own sin
when I have gained faith. For too long
in post-Reformation theology, the conventional “wisdom” has been that if I am convicted of my sin I
will turn to God. But the biblical
witness is exactly the opposite! It is
because God has sought me out and I have come to know Him that I become
convicted of my sin. Otherwise, I’ll
just wallow in it, as witnessed to by St. Paul at Rom 1.24, where (having
observed how those who do not serve God have exchanged what is true for what is
false), he writes: “Therefore God gave
them up …”. He continues that because those
who do not know Him have “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped
and served the creature rather than the Creator …”, “For this reason God gave
them up …” (Rom. 1.25—26).
At. Rom 1.28 Paul writes of those who have denied Him that “God gave
them up to a base mind and to improper conduct”. He then illustrates this base mind and
improper conduct, listing sins at 1.29—31.
But note throughout that the sins listed are not what provoke God to
judgment, but what judgment looks like. Those who do not know God are
not convicted of their sin because they have rejected Him, and so they persist
in their sin.
When we turn to God we can recognize all of the ways in which we have
alienated ourselves from the bond of love to which we are called. We know we are sinners, and we can rejoice
that we can know this and can trust in the mercy of God.
Rejoice, indeed. Rejoice that in
Lent we can focus more on how we turn to God because we know that we must.
Grace abounds: Please thank:
§ Pat Sather, Ed & Mary Clabots, Doug Hamilton, and
Stuart Schmidt for the Sunday coffee hours, with cleanup by Julie Davidson.
§ Bill and Bobbie May for janitorial help.
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.
Music this Week: The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Three Elevations (from Heures Mystiques)
Léon Boëllman
Entrance Hymn 624 “Jerusalem the golden” Ewing
Sequence Hymn 692 “
I heard the voice of Jesus say” Kingsfold
Offertory Anthem 690
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah Cwm Rhondda
Communion Motet My spirit longs for thee arr. Leopold Dix
Communion Hymn 470 “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy” Beecher
Closing Hymn 411 “O bless the Lord, my soul” St. Thomas
Postlude Prelude & Fugue in G minor J. S. Bach
Parish Notices:
§ Adult
Formation: Growing a Rule of Life: Adult Formation participants will spend two more weeks using a tool
from monastic spirituality and the Society of Saint John the Evangelist to
develop their own personal Rule of Life. All are welcome to join at any time.
§ Sacrament
of Reconciliation: Lent
is a time of self-examination preparing for the death and resurrection of our
Lord. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered by appointment. Please
contact Fr. Schaffenburg to set up an appointment to make your confession.
§ Lenten
Program:
On Friday nights during Lent, we will have Stations of the Cross at 5:30pm,
followed by a simple Lenten supper at 6:00pm. At 6:30 the program will be Entering
the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week, author, professor,
and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding
the Passion story. The six-session DVD features Dr. Amy-Jill Levine offering a
fresh, timely reinterpretation of the Passion of Jesus. The video segments are
approximately 10-12 minutes each. The program will be facilitated by Fr. Karl
and Mother Michele.
§ Cooking
on Friday Evenings in lent: If you are interested in cooking and hosting a dinner on
the Fridays during Lent, there are sign-up on sheets on the Narthex.
§ Easter Flowers and Music: Please prayerfully
consider donating for Easter Flowers and Music. Please be as generous as you
are able and call the office or fill out the slip found in the pews to indicate
your wish for memorials and/or thanksgivings.
The deadline for returning to the Parish Office is
Monday, April 8 at noon.
§ Easter
Vigil Dinner:
The first Mass of the Resurrection is on Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. The
Easter celebration then continues at Trattoria Stefano, 522 South 8th
Street, at 9:30 p.m. The actual cost of the meal is a gift to the parish, so
you not only get a delicious meal but you help the church by purchasing a
ticket for the dinner. Tickets can be bought in the parish office or in the
Narthex after mass for $50 a person. Everyone is invited, but seats are
limited. There are scholarships for anyone wishing to attend but are challenged
by the cost.
§ Easter
Gala Reception: We
will continue our Easter celebration with a Gala Reception after the 10:15 a.m.
Mass on Sunday, April 21. Look for a sign-up sheet on the Narthex table in the
upcoming weeks.
§ 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.
The registration
process is now completely online and includes availability to make payments. www.diofdl.org/camp
*Scholarships
are available; inquire at the Parish Office.
§ Save the Date-Chrism Mass: On Tuesday, April
16, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac.
§ Annual Bake and Plant Sale: This annual event
takes place, in conjunction with St. Luke United Methodist Church Rummage Sale,
on Friday, April 26 (noon–3:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 27 (9:00 a.m.–2:30
p.m.) We need volunteers to provide baked items, staff tables, set-up and take
down. Look for a more detailed list and sign-up sheet in the upcoming weeks.
§ Good
News Jail & Prison Ministry Banquet: The annual banquet in support of
ministry in the local jail is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. (Blue
Harbor Conference Center) Nicci has 8 tickets available. There is no
charge, but the cost of the meal to the ministry is $28.00; donations in
support are accepted. There will also be a silent auction. For more
details, contact the Parish Office.
§ Save the Date-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday June 29: The Festival will be followed by the Bishop’s Picnic; there is no cost for
the Picnic which include hot dogs, brats and ice cream. For more details, visit
www.diofdl.org/ef
§ 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!
§ Meeting of Lectors: Following the 10:15
service and some short time after the start of coffee hour on April 7, Bob
MacEwen will lead an informational 20-minute meeting in St. Mark’s Room, Lower
Level, for current Lectors and those interested in becoming a Lector.
§ Reservations Required: Grace Church has
been blessed with many assets used for hospitality. Parishioners are welcome to
use rooms and these items. This is a gentle reminder that Grace’s policy is to
complete a form listing the items being borrowed and rooms being used. This
form can be obtained from the parish office.
§ 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.
§
Holy Week Services
§ Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday (April 14), the
Sunday of the Passion of our Lord.
§ Palm Sunday Holy
Eucharist 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.
§ Monday in Holy Week Morning
Prayer 8:45 a.m.
Holy
Eucharist 12.10 p.m.
Evening
Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Corporate
Rosary 5:30 p.m.
§ Tuesday in Holy Week Morning Prayer 8:45
a.m.
Evening
Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Holy
Eucharist 5:30 p.m.
§ Wednesday in Holy Week Morning Prayer 8:45
a.m.
Evening
Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Holy
Eucharist 5.30 p.m.
§ Maundy Thursday Morning
Prayer 8:45 a.m.
Evening
Prayer 5:10 p.m.
Mass
of Maundy Thursday 6:00 p.m.
[Stripping
of the altar.]
§ Good Friday Morning
Prayer 7:00 a.m.
Good
Friday Liturgy 1:00 p.m.
§ Holy Saturday Liturgy
of Holy Saturday 9:00 a.m.
Great
Vigil of Easter 7:00 p.m.
§ Easter Day Holy
Eucharist 8 and 10:15 a.m.
