Sundays
Holy Eucharist
8am and 10:30am
December 10, Taize` Eucharist, 5 pm
Music in the meditative Taizé tradition with prayers and readings from Scripture. This will conclude our 5 pm services for the year. The 5pm services will resume January 14.
Welcome Father James!
We extend a warm welcome to the Rev. James Hubbard, our Provisional Interim Rector. Father James will be with us through January and possibly longer. He will be in the office 2 days a week and on Sunday mornings. You may contact him by email [email protected] or by calling the parish office.
Advent is a season of waiting, preparation and wonder. The following ideas are shared to encourage you to think about your own devotions and family celebrations to prepare not only for Christmas but for the coming of Christ in your hearts
Christmas Services
December 24, 9:30 am Holy Eucharist
We will observe Advent 4 with Holy Eucharist at 9:30 the morning of December 24.
December 24, 5 pm
Holy Eucharist and Children's Pageant
A family-oriented service, concluding with
lighting of candles on the Courtyard. Children who are visiting are welcome to join the pageant. There's room for all, even if they didn't attend rehearsal.
December 24, 10:30 pm
A musical prelude begins at 10:30, followed by Holy Eucharist at 11.
December 25, 10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
Pageant Rehearsals
Wednesday, December 20, 4:00-4:45
Christmas Eve at 3:30
During the Christmas Eve rehearsal time, the children will practice, have a snack and get their costumes. Out-of-
town guests and those who can't attend rehearsals are still invited to join us on December 24. There will be a place for everyone! Youth and adults are welcome to
help with pageant preparations. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Sharon Massie at [email protected]
Christmas Pageant Choir
For the weeks leading up to Christmas, the kids in Children's Chapel will be working on a simple and fun anthem to sing at the 5 pm Christmas Eve service. This anthem will be part of the Christmas Pageant at that service. Please encourage your children to come and learn this song! For more information please contact Sharon Massie or Ted Bickish.
Parish News
Welcome to our New Administrative Assistant, Lisa McGuire
We welcome our new Administrative Assistant, Lisa McGuire to Grace Episcopal Church. Lisa recently moved here from Newport, Rhode Island. She brings a wealth of experience from her 27 years employment at 3G Broadcasting in Newport. Lisa and her husband Patrick have 3 grown daughters. Patrick is an 1985 graduate of VMI. We are happy to welcome Lisa and Patrick to Lexington! Lisa's email is
[email protected]
Stewardship Campaign Update - Being Called
As the campaign reaches its closing days, if you have not done so already please prayerfully consider your pledge to the work of our church and return your pledge card to the Financial Secretary or place it in the offering plate. Later this month the Vestry will adopt a budget for next year. Your support is important as we move forward together into 2018.
Phase 2 of our Capital Campaign is Underway
With the first phase of our Capital Campaign finished with a new elevator and Canterbury Room, we turn our sights towards our historic Undercroft. We now need to renovate the space and make it again a useful focal point for many of our ministries. Uses of the space will include choir rehearsal and office spaces, refurbished sacristy, new secure community room, handicapped restrooms, and an open space for general use by the congregation and our many ministering committees. Please watch your mail for more information!
Poinsettias for Christmas
In celebration of the nativity of our Lord, we make our church festive with
poinsettias and greenery. To participate in this effort, make your
check payable, for $10.50, to Grace Episcopal Church, mark it "Flower Fund," and drop it in the offering plate or mail it to the Parish Office. If you would like to list a memorial in the Christmas bulletins, sign the pad in the Narthex or on the bridge or call the Parish Office (463-4981) no later than Thursday morning, December 14. Your poinsettia will be available to take home the day after Christmas.
Calling All Angels!
Every Christmas, Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program helps
incarcerated Moms and Dads connect with their children by providing gifts to the children on behalf of their parents in prison. Each gift comes with a personal message from Mom or Dad. Grace Episcopal Church is again participating in this ministry. Our participation this year is
a bit different than in years past.
This year there is a need to purchase gifts for children outside of our area. On Sunday, December 10, between services and after the 10:30 service, a volunteer will be on hand at the front of the sanctuary to assist you in selecting your angel tag. You will pick a child from the Angel Tree and either purchase a gift locally and mail it or you may choose to utilize sites like Amazon, Wal-Mart and Target to mail gifts by purchasing online and using their gift wrapping/messaging services. It is up to you how you get the gifts to these families.
Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) Packaging Event, Sunday, December 10, 2 pm
Our Food Pack needs you on December 10 at 2 pm in the
Parish Hall. We need 30 volunteers who will share about two hours of their time to package, weigh and seal 10,000 dehydrated, high protein, highly nutritious meals. Come be a part of this worthwhile effort!
ECW Budget Brown Bag Meeting, December 12, Noon
Hearty thanks to all the parishioners who helped with the bazaar last month: those who worked, donated items, and came to shop. The bazaar earned approximately $6,500, and profits will be donated to causes in the community, the state, and the wider world. All involved in the production of the bazaar are invited to a brown bag lunch on Tuesday, December 12, at noon, in the conference room to decide how to distribute the proceeds.
Exam Goodie Bags
It's time to organize our exam bags for local college students!
We are preparing bags for 35 students this year. Please consider donating a goody to add to the bags. Past examples have been small baggies of homemade treats (which the students especially appreciate), gum, hot chocolate packets, nabs, granola bars, or trail mix. Items should be ready to add to bags, so homemade treats should be wrapped individually or in plastic bags. Contributions need to be left in the kitchen by Friday, December 8.
Please contact Melissa Cox if you can contribute to the bags or help assemble them on Sunday, December 10 during the 8 am service.
Thanks!
Gifts for Life
This Christmas, empower both individuals and communities all over the world to transform their lives. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Episcopal Relief & Development's Gifts for Life program is a valuable way you can help make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need. Your gift goes beyond giving, helping entire communities receive the essentials they need to pull themselves out of poverty-your gift saves lives. Spread the Word. With each item you purchase, you'll receive a free gift card or E-card announcing that you have made a generous gift in honor of your friend or loved one. Select a gift at
Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm
Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm is open Friday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm until December 23.
The farm is located at 1118 Bear Wallow Flat, West Augusta, VA.
Call 540-939-4106. For more information see
Boys Home Christmas Tree Farm
Congratulations to Rissie and Nick Murphy on the birth of their son, Liam Atticus on November 21. Proud brothers are Colin and Jasper.
Christian Education for Children, Youth and Adults
Classes for Children (ages 3 to 5th grade), 3rd Floor, Parish House, 9:15
Middle and High School Youth, Sweet Treats, 9:30
Christianity and Culture, Parish Hall, 9:15
December 3
The Anglican Church and the Monarchy and an Underappreciated British Literary Form, Elizabeth Harralson
December 10
Boys' Home of Virginia Presentation
Donnie Wheatley, Executive Director, will be here to discuss new
educational and fund raising initiatives and the life changing
opportunities that Boys' Home of Virginia provides to their students.
There will be no Christian Education on December 24 and 31.
It will resume on January 7.
Godly Play, Wednesdays, 3:45 - 4:30
Godly Play provides a time and a space for children to engage with God and with the story of God's people in the Bible. A Godly Play session includes a time to gather in a circle with music and singing, a time to listen to a story, a time of wondering, and a time for children to respond to the story through art or creative play.
Godly Play concludes for the year on December. It will resume on January 10.
Junior Choir
Junior Choir meets on Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:45.
The Junior Choir concludes for the year on December 20. Watch for details about plans for the new year.
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00. They are focused on music for the Christmas Eve service.
Our Music Director, Ted Bickish, has accepted a position at Trinity Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA. His last service with us is Christmas Day at 10 am.
We will be celebrating Ted's ministry with a reception on Sunday, December 17 after the 10:30 service.
Father James Hubbard, our Provisional Interim Rector,
and the diocesan office are working to secure an Interim Music Director by the first Sunday in January.
Advent Morning Prayer
Advent Morning Prayer starts Monday, December 4 and will be read Monday - Friday at 8:30 in the church through December 22.
DEO groups continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays
DEO - Discipling Each Other, is a simple practice that has turned out to be surprisingly refreshing and energizing. We meet weekly for an hour; there is no leader or mentor, and it is completely confidential. This kind of mutual discipling provides practical ways to see Christ working in our daily life and in our church. There is a Tuesday morning group at 9 am and one for women on Thursdays at 7:30 pm.
Men's Prayer Breakfast
Men of our parish will meet in our Parish Hall on Tuesdays at 7 am weekly for breakfast, prayer and fellowship. All are welcome!
Worship schedules, Who's Serving, Parish News. Sermons can be found under the Worship tab.
Email addresses for staff will completely transition over to the new domain on January 1.
December Birthdays
2 Laura Lanier
6 Anna Crockett
Howard Pickett
9 John Knapp
10 Lynn Dent
Abigail Lynch
Sis Warner
12 MJ Mayerchak
13 Anne Lamont
15 Jay Lewis
Tomas McBrayer
Carol Woodcock
16 Kay Glore
James Keane
18 John Forster
Tammi Hellwig
Robert Hull
19 Merce Brooke
Roger Crockett
21 Cosette Rhamey
24 Colleen Carrington
25 Pat Bury
27 Ava Crocker
Joy Harris
29 Avis Waring
30 Maggie Lawrence
Jake MacDonnell
Jay Sailer
31 Jeanne Day
Grace Frascati
Bunny Hansen
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