Looking for a Sign?

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

21 March 2019

I will be with you; and this shall be the sign that it is I who sent you:  when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain (Exod. 3.15).

It is easy to pass right by this verse in the middle of the story of God’s call to Moses.  But when we pay attention the sign that God tells Moses he and the people shall receive should strike us as a little odd—that the sign of God’s identity will be given after God accomplishes the mighty work He promises, and that this sign shall be found in how Moses and the people respond, in the offering of worship in the place that God reveals.

In His earthly ministry Jesus often spoke of how those around Him sought signs.  The testimony to this is found in all four gospel accounts.  This reality will be further described by St. Paul at 1 Cor. 1.22 as a desire for signs (by Jews) and wisdom (by non-Jews); a desire met by the testimony of the cross (i.e., a testimony offered after Jesus’ self-identified “hour” of His sacrifice).

How many of us seek signs, or perhaps “wisdom” (what we actually often call knowledge that is no more than human)?  But in seeking signs we expect that proof is to be offered before God reveals His will and His presence to us.  As limned in just the limited examples given above, however, it is generally only after God has already delivered us—after He has carried us through trial—that we come to understand that He has been with us all along, and it is then that the sign to which we can in fact respond is given.  This sign is our own faith, our own experience in trust, in the reality that God always keeps all of the promises He makes.  And as is found in those offering worship on Mt. Horeb after deliverance from slavery in Egypt, it is when we gather in the place God calls us, and offer worship, that we come to experience who God is—the great I AM who reveals to Moses that He has “seen the affliction of [His] people”.

God knows out needs.  God hears our cries, and when we cry out to Him, He responds.  He responds in ways that we can recognize within the reality of blessings received, in ways that are made manifest in how our hearts are opened to be filled; opened to be filled to in turn offer thanks and praise and worship.

Looking for a sign?  Gather in worship and experience it!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  The Boy Scouts, Troop 801, for the Sunday pancake hours.

§  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 Third Sunday in Lent

                              Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                          Chorale Preludes on Lord, keep us steadfast by thy Word   

                                                        Johann Pachelbel & Dietrich Buxtehude

Entrance Hymn 1           “Father we praise thee”                         Christe sanctorum

Sequence Hymn 658      “As longs the deer for cooling streams”             Martyrdom                            

Offertory Hymn 598       “Lord Christ when first thoua cam’st to earth 

                                                                                                 Mit Freuden zart

Communion Motet           Like as the hart                                          Healey Willan

Communion Hymn 684    “O for a closer walk with God”                          Caithness                       

Closing Hymn 344           “Lord dismiss us with they blessing”        Sicilian Mariners                      

Postlude                          Prelude and Fugue in G Minor                   J. K. F. Fischer

Parish Notices:

§  Adult Formation: Growing a Rule of Life: Adult Formation participants will spend three more weeks using a tool from monastic spirituality and the Society of Saint John the Evangelist to develop their own personal Rule of Life. Participants will discover a highly personal, guided way to gently live into who God invites us to be. 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. Thank you to Deb and Bill Gagin for hosting last Friday’s dinner.

§  Easter Flowers and Music: Please prayerfully consider donating for Easter Flowers and Music. We enjoy the Beauty of Holiness in both the flowers that adorn the church and the special music which includes strings at the Solemn Mass on Easter morning. Please be as generous as you are able and call the office or fill out the slip found in this mass booklet 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 8^th 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 12^th 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. In the early church bishops baptized catechumens at the Easter Vigil with blessed oils. Over time this blessing was made earlier so oils could be used at the local level. This tradition includes blessing the oil of catechumens (adults preparing for baptism), oil of the sick (for anointing) and chrism (for baptism, confirmation, ordination of clergy, and consecration of altars).

§  Save the Date-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday June 29: The Eucharistic Festival was the vision of the Fifth Bishop of Fond du Lac, the Rt. Rev. William H. Brady. It is designed to draw people together each year to display unity in Christ and proclaim the Christian faith through recognition of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. A diocesan choir will lead congregational singing. 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; Ushers welcome parishioners and visitors, distribute bulletins, and ensure that the worship service runs smoothly.  They provide directions and answer questions for newcomers as needed, collect the congregation’s offering, and bear the alms to the altar. They also maintain an attendance record for parochial reports. Did you realize that Ushers do so many wonderful things? Become a part of this ministry today!

§  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.