The Grace Vine. July Rector s Writ

Transcription

1 The Grace Vine July 2018 Rector s Writ In these early Sundays of the Pentecost season, we re hearing stories from Mark s gospel of how Jesus healed, taught, and ministered to people. Even though it s the shortest of the four, Mark s gospel presents an image of Jesus being constantly on the go. The Greek word translated as immediately, at once occurs about 40 times in 16 chapters. On the other hand, Mark records fewer words of Jesus than does any of the other Gospels. (New Oxford Annotated Bible, p. 47) It sounds like Mark wanted to present Jesus as more of a man of action than a man of words. Most of us look to Jesus as the example for living a life of faith and grace in word, deed, and in prayer. We human beings often have a sense of immediacy in our prayers and problems. We want results. We want people to get well, problems to be fixed, uncertainties to become clear NOW, please. The waiting isn t easy, and we don t do it well. Yet the whole process of prayer seems to defy that desire for immediate results, solutions, and explanations. There s a part of us that wants to trust in God s goodness, mercy, and presence even and especially when that presence doesn t seem at all obvious. We want to be faithful and strong now. We want guidance, direction, and help from God now, as we struggle with waiting to receive and/or find that help. Prayer involves persistence and patience; a calm trust in God s will for our lives. I hope some of the following prayers might be helpful while we re in the occasional calm of summer. God s blessings and a peaceful, calm summer to you and yours. --- Carol + What is prayer but a form of thought-transmission? By means of it you can draw upon the power of the Divine Mind where all wisdom reposes. Prayer is actually a line of communication along which come insights, intuitions, fresh understandings. With two calm minds working on a problem God s mind and your mind you re in. (Norman Vincent Peale) Wherever you are, however humble your circumstances, you can join the millions of us who are experiencing the mysterious wonder and adventure of a life under (God s) direction. Are you bold enough to try it? If you do, you will be richly blessed and used by our living Lord in ways past your imagining. The ribbon of your life will thread its way in and through suffering, anguish, depression, misunderstanding, hostility, but also through the miracle of joyous surprise and comfort and grace, because (God) is in the midst of it all with you. (Helen Smith Shoemaker) Lord, we know not what we ought to ask of you; you only know what we need, you love us better than we know how to love ourselves. O Father, give to us, your children, that which we ourselves know not how to ask. We would have no other desire than to accomplish your will. Teach us to pray. Pray yourself in us; for Christ s sake. Amen. (Francois Fenelon, adapted) Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then. Put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me, and I in Him. (St. Francis de Sales, via Midge Myers)

2 Service and Lay Ministry Schedule If you cannot serve when scheduled, please find a substitute and call the parish office with that person s name. Thank you for sharing in the liturgical ministry of Grace Church. Sunday, July 1 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist 6 Pentecost 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist with Baptism Celebrant The Rev. Carol Evans Worship 8:00 Bette Brooks Leader 10:00 Carolyn Englert Greeters Nancy & Fred Lundgren Acolyte TBA Altar Guild Nancy Ervin & Cindy Hoskins Coffee Hosts 8:00 JTBA 10:00 Snyders 4th of July Hotdog Lunch Counters Fred Lundgren & Midge Myers 1 st Reading 2 Samuel 1:1, Nancy Lundgren Psalm nd Reading 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Fred Lundgren Gospel Mark 5:21-43 Sunday, July 8 8:00 & 10:00 AM Morning Prayer 7 Pentecost Celebrant The Rev. William Snyder Worship Ldr 8:00 Sally Dier Greeters David Miller & Alex Wroblewski Acolyte Jeff Marsh Altar Guild Nancy Ervin & Cindy Hoskins Coffee Hosts 8:00 Frank & Joan Seman 10:00 Mary Jean & John McDonald Counters Fred Lundgren & Midge Myers Celebrant The Rev. William Snyder Worship 8:00 Sally Dier Leader 10:00 Charles Parsons Greeters Lisa & Jeff Marsh Acolyte Kevin Splinter Altar Guild Nancy Ervin & Cindy Hoskins Coffee Hosts 8:00 Shirley & Mike Johnson 10:00 Cathy Potisuk & Cindy Ward Counters Fred Lundgren & Midge Myers 1 st Reading 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 Martha Croll Psalm 48 2 nd Reading 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Charles Parsons Gospel Mark 6:1-13 Sunday, July 15 8:00 & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 8 Pentecost Celebrant The Rev. Carol Evans Deacon The Rev. William Snyder Worship 8:00 Bette Brooks Leader 10:00 Nancy Lundgren Greeters Nancy & Jim Ervin Acolyte TBA Altar Guild Nancy Ervin & Cindy Hoskins Coffee Hosts 8:00 Pat Williams 10:00 Carol Marotta, Doris Whipple, Gail Richards Counters Fred Lundgren & Midge Myers 1 st Reading 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Tim Splinter Psalm 24 2 nd Reading Ephesians 1:3-14 Jeff Croll Gospel Mark 6:14-29 Sunday, July 22 8:00 & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 9 Pentecost 1 st Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Carolyn Englert Psalm 89: nd Reading Ephesians 2:11-22 Kathy Summy Gospel Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

3 Sunday, July 29 8:00 & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 10 Pentecost Celebrant The Rev. Carol Evans Deacon The Rev. William Snyder Greeters John & Mary Jean McDonald Acolyte Phillip Crouse Altar Guild Nancy Ervin & Cindy Hoskins Coffee Hosts 8:00 TBA 10:00 Nancy & Fred Lundgren Counters Fred Lundgren & Midge Myers Celebrant The Rev. Carol Evans Worship 8:00 Bette Brooks Leader 10:00 Carolyn Englert Greeters Nancy &Fred Lundgren Acolyte Eric Splinter Altar Guild Cindy Ward & Nancy Ervin Coffee Hosts 8:00 Joan & Frank Seman 10:00 Nancy & Jim Ervin Counters Nancy Lundgren & Dennis Dier 1 st Reading 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Martha Croll Psalm 14 2 nd Reading Ephesians 3:14-21 Phillip George Gospel John 6:1-21 Sunday, August 5 8:00 & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist 11 Pentecost 1 st Reading 2 Samuel 11:26 12:13a Nancy Lundgren Psalm 51: nd Reading Ephesians 4:1-16 Fred Lundgren Gospel John 6:24-35 Volunteers Needed for Sundays We re in need of help on Sunday mornings: --greeters (10am) --coffee hosts (8 & 10am) --acolytes (10am, any age strong enough to carry the cross) If you could help, please let the office know, and we ll arrange a tutoring session and get you added to the list. Acolytes can also learn the ropes by pairing with someone for a few times first. Many thanks to those who serve in all these ways. It s an opportunity to be involved in worship and to provide welcoming and fellowship for our parish family and newcomers. THE CENTER OF HOPE Thanks to Jim Ervin for taking the non-perishable food to the Center of Hope at least every other week and thanks to everyone who donates. Now that children are home from school for the summer the Center is asking for peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, cereal, and Ramen noodles, granola bars, or anything else children may enjoy.

4 Did You Know?... Well, graduations are over, summer is in full swing, and some of our new graduates are taking trips. Kevin Splinter was in Chicago participating in the Academic Challenge and Peoria for Orientation at Bradley. Sarah Beth Audet was off to Brazil. Lisa Marsh took some of her KSU students to Brazil, and this year she included their daughter Sarah Beth. They were there to study autism, a trip Lisa has arranged annually with her students for several years now Debbie Shorts and Rick Lashley just returned from a vacation to England, Ireland and Scotland, and they had a wonderful time. Rick even got to kiss the Blarney Stone! They saw so many battle fields and castles they couldn t count them. The weather was nice and they met some wonderful people on their trip, and we re happy they re back home Amir & Stefanie Amiruzzaman took their son Aleo (who is 13 months old) to Bangladesh to meet his grandparents for the first time. It was a 23 hour plane trip, actually two days, but Aleo did just fine. No doubt, Amir s parents were very happy to see all of them especially their grandson, Aleo he is so cute and he s walking everywhere!... Carolyn & Ken Englert took a train heading for Texas to visit with their daughter and her family Frank & Joan Seman along with 20+ relatives (including children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles you name it and they ll be there) are all bound for an island off the coast of North Carolina for a two week vacation. Now, that s truly a family vacation and sounds like fun!! Dan & Lynn Francois were on a Caribbean cruise where they enjoyed the peace and quiet and just relaxed. They are now fostering a sweet little dog whose owner was placed in a nursing home and can no longer take care of him. They are hoping for a quick adoption Shirley & Mike Johnson enjoyed the visit by their daughter Susan. Susan Kay Wyatt is the author of No Crown Required, which will be in bookstores September third. It s a book about how to raise a confident, courageous, compassionate daughter, and Susan Kay is currently on her book tour. While here in Ravenna she stopped to see her parents where they hosted a Meet the Author get together for 24 friends and family. On June 7th Rick Coe, president of Portage Community Bank, hosted a prelaunch party for Susan at DelCiello s Restaurant in Ravenna. Those attending were Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman and his wife Joan, Ryann Kuchenbecker, President of the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce, Bill Barber, Main Street Ravenna, and Mike and Shirley Johnson. Mike and Monika DelCiello gave Susan a donation to be given to Children s Hospital. Susan also delivered books and stopped by the Bean and The Baker, Girls Outside the Box, visiting with Sheryl (the owner), left two books with Brian Hare at Reed Memorial Library, and had lunch at Susie K s in Ravenna. Susan was Miss Ohio in 1988 and this year she took part in the recent Miss Ohio Pageant in Mansfield as a judge. She then returned to Ravenna so she could be with her dad, Mike, and her mom for Father s Day Barb Popiel was visited by her daughter Michelle, son-in-law Dave, and their baby Hannah Isabelle. Hannah was baptized here at Grace on June 10 th and it was wonderful seeing the whole family together again Marsha & Bill Snyder enjoyed their visit with Marsha s sister Charlotte and brother-in-law Reggie who came in from Las Vegas for a long overdue visit!... Along with summer comes work day here at Grace. Junior Warden Dennis Dier organized a parish work day for June 9th; some jobs were done after that day but it all got done. Those who worked were Nancy & Jim Ervin, Nancy & Fred Lundgren, Dennis & Sally Dier, John McDonald, and Rev. Carol. The flower bed and yard got weeded, stair wells cleaned out, some windows washed, the poison ivy on the west wall was removed, the parish hall air-conditioners were cleaned and trimming was done, although the rain cut short some of the chores. A special thanks to Sally Dier for providing the lunch of sloppy joes, salad, chips and brownies. I m sure they needed the nourishment after that workout!! We are well into vacation season, please continue to keep current on your pledge.

5 BLUEGRASS, GOSPEL, AND 50 s COUNTRY MUSIC CONCERT SATURDAY AUGUST 11, 2018 PLAN TO ATTEND WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS! DOORS OPEN AT 5:30P.M. TICKETS ARE $10.00 PER PERSON CONCERT BEGINS 6:30 P.M. TREASURE CHEST PRIZES RAFFLE 50/50 RAFFLE FOOD AND DRINKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION Birthdays Congratulations! and many happy returns... Anniversaries 8th David & Jennifer Golec 11th Kenneth & Carolyn Englert 13th Jeff & Martha Croll 16th Ralph & Kay Wise 21st Phil & Courtney Rich 24th Dan & Lynn Francois Baptisms 7th Julie Canan 16th Georgia Golec 19th Eric Splinter 29th Midge Myers 1st Lisa Paxton 2nd Emily O Neill 3rd Isaiah Allison 6th Debbie Houchen 7th Kara Simonson 10th Phillip George 11th Michelle Lambert 12th Rev. Lloyd O Keefe Amy Seman 14th Bev Lewis-Mercury 15th Kirsten Seman 16th Noah Allison 20th Bill Snyder Daniel Kearsey 23rd Michael Canan Debbie Shorts 26th Dennis Dier 27th Frank Seman 31st Samuel Rich

6 The Bulletin Board The Mite Box Did you know that Grace Church has a Mite Box? There is a small wooden box that sits on the window sill in back of the church. Money is collected and placed in the Parish Discretionary Fund to be given to help parishioners in need. If you could give a few dollars once in a while, it would be very helpful.

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8 Fathers (and Mothers) and Friends By Bette Brooks They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus' will. Jacob Riis (May 3, 1849-May 26, 1914) July 2 Born in Ribe, Denmark, Jacob Riis was the third of 15 children (one of whom, an orphaned niece, was fostered) of Niels Riis, a local schoolteacher, and his wife Carolina. Only 3 survived into the 20 th century. Although his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps as a teacher, Jacob wanted to be a carpenter and to marry Elisabeth Gjortz. Discouraged by the poor job availability in the region and the threats by her father, Jacob decided to immigrate to the United States. Arriving in the US in 1870, he sought employment but found none and after 5 days was penniless. He traveled to Pittsburgh and found employment as a carpenter at the iron works along the Allegheny River. Hearing that France had declared war on Germany (Franco-Prussian War), he attempted to return to Denmark since he expected his home country to enter the war. However, he was not able to do so. He continued to find odd jobs as a carpenter until at last he began to write for both English and Danish newspapers here in the US. He was finally able to earn a decent living. He wrote about the rich and covered their galas and social events while continuing to live in impoverished immigrant communities. In time, he bought the newspaper and wrote to his beloved Elisabeth to propose. She accepted and he sailed to Denmark for their wedding. After several months in Denmark the couple returned to New York City. And it was then that Jacob began to use photography, especially flash photography at night, as a way to document the suffering of the city s poor. Now as the police reporter for the New York Tribune, Riis was based in a press office across from police headquarters on Mulberry Street. This area was among the most crime-ridden and impoverished slums of the city. Remembering his own experiences as a poor immigrant, Riis began photographing and writing about what he saw. Eventually, these photographs and narratives became the sensational book How the Other Half Lives (1890). This publication was followed quickly by Children of the Poor (1892). In an era of reform, these books became the evidence needed to rally Americans in support of improved living conditions for the urban poor. Riis then turned his attention to the quality of the water used by New Yorkers in the slums. This resulted in the purchase by the city of areas around the New Croton Reservoir and may well have saved New Yorkers from an epidemic of cholera. Riis died in His life s work is honored by the Episcopal Church as that of a Social Reformer and Prophetic Witness.

9 1 July The Grace Vine Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 6 Pentecost 8am HE 9am Coffee 10am HE & Baptism 11:15 Coffee 7 Pentecost 8am MP 9am Coffee 10am MP 11:15 Coffee 8 Pentacost 8am MP 9am Coffee 10am MP 11:15 Coffee 9 Pentecost 8am HE 9am Coffee 10am HE 11:15 Coffee 10 Pentacost 8am HE 9am Coffee 10am HE 11:15 Coffee Sit & Stitch No Vestry 1-3 Sit & Stitch 6pm Summit Area Discernment Committee Mtg Office & Gracie s Closed 10-2 Gracie s Back Door 10-2 Gracie s Back Door Gracie s Back Door am Breakfast Club

10 Grace Episcopal Church of Ravenna The Rev. Carol Evans Rector The Rev. William Snyder Marsha Snyder Secretary Tim Lewicki Organist Martha Croll Choirmaster Phone: Web Site: The Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church Phillip Crouse(2018) Jeff Croll(2018) Dennis Dier(2018) Nancy Lundgren(2019) Carol Marrota(2019) Rick Taylor(2019) Midge Meyers(2020) Fred Lundgren(2020) Barb Popiel(2020) Grace Episcopal Church 250 W. Cedar St. Ravenna OH 44266