Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
28 July 2016
At Mtt. 5.22 Jesus admonishes that one who
calls another “fool” is liable to judgment, and yet in our gospel lesson for
the coming Sunday He places (at Lk. 12.20) the epithet “fool” in God’s mouth. At first glance this might look like an
example of a different standard being applied to God, that as Judge He is not
subject to judgment. This distinction
would be valid, even if we chose to cloud the argument by pointing out that the
words translated as “fool” are in each case different. In Matthew the word is mōré (stupid person); in Luke, Jesus uses aphrōn (one lacking in perception and moderation). The reality is that God is judged by no one,
except to the extent that He chooses to reveal how He judges Himself.
God does choose to reveal His character, i.e., how He judges Himself. He does this in becoming one of us, in Jesus,
and giving all of Himself. He does this
even in the story which includes last week’s Old Testament lesson (Gen.
18.20—32, the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah).
In the verses which immediately precede what we heard last week, the Lord speaks aloud before Abraham,
saying, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham
shall become a great and mighty nation … No, for I have chosen him, that he may
charge his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord …” (Gen. 18-17—18). In other words, God reveals His way to
Abraham, to us. He reveals His character
and His will, and it is up to us to respond freely to this revelation not only
in how we live but in how we become examples to others.
Abraham participates in God’s soliloquy that
“he may charge his children and his household”.
We experience God’s living Word both in Jesus’ presence and in holy
Scripture in order that we may charge/instruct those whose lives we touch. God uses us to reveal His character and will
to others. To be instruments of this
revelation we must know God as intimately as He was known by Abraham.
Can we know God this intimately? We can and do, even the more so! At Genesis 18 God passes before Abraham, and
Abraham invites God to his table. In the
Holy Eucharist we stand before God, and He invites us to His table. We participate in His very life, enjoying communion
with Him by and through the Body and Blood of His Son. We are formed and made more Christ like in
order that God may use as His instruments to instruct all people of who He is
and what His will is.
With each participation in the Holy Eucharist
we become more Christ like. We each
participation we become more the instrument God intends. Be formed; be formed that God may use you to
reveal Himself to those who do not yet know Him.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§
Bobbie
May for the Sunday coffee hour.
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 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13C)
Prelude Trumpet Concert in D T. Albinoni
Michael
Winkler, trumpet
Entrance Hymn432 “O praise ye the Lord” Laudate Dominum
Offertory Hymn 665 “All my hope on God is founded” Michael
Communion Hymn 564 “Come down, O Love divine”
Down Ampney
Closing Hymn 564 “He who would valiant be” St. Dunstan’s
Postlude Allegro (Trumpet Concerto in E flat)
F.J. Haydn
Parish
Notices
§ Ben Dobey, our Organist & Choirmaster, is retiring: On July 31st
a celebration brunch will be held in honor of Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey and the
ministry of music that he has shared with us. All food will be catered by the
hospitality committee. Please stay and help clean up as you are able.
§ Caleb Klinzing and the Spanish students
from IDEAS Academy: (A
public charter school part of the Sheboygan Area School District) are hosting a brat fry on July 31st to raise funds
for a service learning trip to Costa Rica in the summer of 2017. If you are
unable to attend, please consider making a donation on the gofundme page: https://www.gofundme.com/24jwby5k
§ ESTHER: IT’S TOUGH BEING A WOMAN: Grace Church Women’s
Bible Study will begin on Monday August 29that 10:00am. Join us for a faith journey through the Book
of Esther. Beth Moore will take us
through a very personal examination of this Old Testament story of Esther as
she peels back the layers of history and shows us how very contemporary and
applicable the story is to our lives today. If you’ve ever felt inadequate,
fearful or find yourself in situations that seem overpowering, this is the
study for you. Just as it was tough being a woman in Esther’s time, it is tough
being a woman today. During this nine-week study we will watch a lecture on
DVD’s, use a workbook ($15.99), and talk about Beth’s teachings. The Book of
Esther contains treasures to aid us in our sometimes hurried, harried and
pressured lives.
§ For those of you who
are interested, there is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
§ Love INC - Love In
The Name of Christ:
§ The Guild of Martha & Mary: launched their “Feed
Your Soul” cooking ministry, here at Grace Church, with 3 Neighbors-In-Need
referred through Love Inc. Please pray for the new cooking ministry! If you want
to get involved please call Jenna, Love Inc. Coordinator, at 920-783-6701, ext.
103 or call Paul Aparicio at 920-912-6009.
§ “Freedom Cry Anti-Sex Trafficking: This Coalition is
hosting a lantern walk on August 19th. They are looking for 150
mason jars and 150 battery operated
tea lights to place along the walk. They will need these supplies
to be dropped off at Love INC. by July 31st.
§ For more information
regarding Love INC, items needed and volunteer opportunities please see their
July bulletin in the Narthex.
§ Education for Ministry (EfM): This class was created to help
you find your vocation and ministry with a trusted group of friends. By
studying scripture, history and reading other people’s writings, we discover
more about God’s wonderful plan for our lives. The EfM class will meet on
Tuesday nights starting September 13 at 5:30 pm. at the St Peter’s Church
House, Sheboygan Falls. Interested individuals can contact Barb
Drewry-Zimmerman at: bzimmy@excel.net or call 920-893-5189
for registration materials. Cost is $350 & scholarships are available.
Registrations are due by August 1. They can be mailed to Barb
at: PO Box 67, Boulder Junction, WI 54512.
§ Like Grace Church on Facebook
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Follow Grace
Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§
Follow Grace
Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan
§
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