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Grace La Gracia Church
33 Church Street White Plains, NY 10601
If you are visiting with us for the first time, we welcome you to Grace Church!
Our liturgy is found in the Book of Common Prayer.
Our communion is open to all baptized Christians.
Please take the time to fill out one of our visitor which the ushers have available.
Your presence is a blessing to us may our worship together be a blessing to you.
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The Rev. Dr. Chip Graves, Rector
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The Gospel according to Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
[Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”]
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
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Grace Church Family,
Our Tuesday and Compline Worship can be viewed 9:00 PM on Face Book and 9:30 PM on You Tube (link sent)
Our Wednesday Prayer Worship can be viewed at 9:00 AM on Face Book and 9:30 AM on You Tube (link sent)
Our Sunday Worship can be viewed at 10 AM on You Tube (link sent)
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Thoughts from the Senior Warden (August 5)
Judge Delores Brathwaite and Eileen McClean hosted a pre-event Zoom call this past Monday in preparation for next Tuesday’s “happening”: Courageous (Uncomfortable) Conversations - Racism, Colorism, Social Justice and Our Struggles to Move Forward. This is the 3rd installment of our Trusted Voices Series (which we started back in July). I don’t want to steal anyone’s thunder; so I’ll just suggest that you try to tune in on Tuesday at 7pm (August 11) and prepare to be moved, alarmed, angered and energized by the collective power of the shared stories by an impressive list of participants. I will share that I have been overwhelmed at the consistent quality of each installment of this series (Event I: How the issue of Racial Injustice is being addressed by our elected officials - Event II: A screening of Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13th” and a panel discussion on addressing the issues of police brutality and the prison system) and have been asked by several members of the congregation about what we can do for the next installment (“we need to involve the youth” – “advocacy/activism for health care”). Please bring your ideas – and your willingness to be involved. We’re raising awareness and helping to change our world.
I will mention that at last week’s Vestry meeting, questions about the endowment came up. This would not be the first time – and the questions aren’t just limited to members of the Vestry. I have resolved to try to create a narrative that gives details on: where we’ve been, what has happened and where are we going from here. I’ll be asking the finance committee to help me with this initiative – and will have more to share after we meet on the 19th of August.
As we prepare for the fall; the only consistency is how uncertain the future is. Schools are wrestling with how to conduct classes, corporations are continuing to push out “come-back” dates (Google just moved theirs to July of next year), the administration is suggesting that we may have to delay the November national elections. I will offer that Grace Episcopal Church/La Gracia is gingerly opening our doors. Having the “benefit” of being responsible for creating the virtual services, I have witnessed the progress that we have made – going from pre-recording on Saturday’s to live (to an empty church) on Sunday’s and finally to our re-opening last week. It is a frustratingly slow process. I pray for a vaccine that allows all to return to gathered worship. I would encourage all to err on the side of caution. We’ll get through this.
Praying for your collective safety
Michael Heffner
Grace Episcopal Church/La Gracia
Senior Warden
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How to Pledge to Grace/La Gracia 2020
The church will remain flexible in ways to receive your generosity during this difficult period. Blessings.
Option 1: The standard way of staying current with your pledge still works.
Feel free to put your pledge envelope in the mail (check only) and send it to the Grace Church office (to the attention of the Office Administrator). Bundling for a few weeks is fine.
Grace Episcopal Church/La Gracia
33 Church Street - 2nd Floor
White Plains, New York
10601
Option 2: Please note that we will be constructing a secure drop box on the red front door of the church. The box will be checked regularly for pledge envelopes (which will be recorded) and gifts of cash.
Option 3: The electronic way to pledge or donate to the church is honestly not very complicated and completely secure.
www.gracewhiteplains.org is the link to the Grace/La Gracia website. You’ll see a tab across the top for pledging. Click to bring you to the Pledging/Giving page. The “donate” button will take you to the location for electronic giving. The church uses PayPal, the 2019 Fortune 500 payment company (#204 in last year’s survey). This service can be used for one time or scheduled payments. One is able to use credit cards or send funds from a PayPal account (www.paypal.com ). Michael Heffner is available to help explain or set up your account – michaelheffner08@gmail.com. Please note that a fee is charged to the church for these transactions (which is why a check in the drop box or sent by mail is always preferred).
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DONATE LINK TO GRACE CHURCH
Click the line above to the donation page on the Grace La Gracia website. Please note that the donate button can be used for weekly pledging.
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“SHOPPING SISTERS”
In this very challenging times, we are asked to practice our faith by taking care of our brothers and sisters in Christ. To that end, Grace Church parishioners who are able as well as those in need, have the opportunity by helping those of us who are in need of assistance. For those of you who are willing and able to be a “Shopping Sister” please contact LINDA GALLO who will coordinate this joint effort. We will need volunteers who will shop for those who cannot. Please call her at: 914-582-2596 or email her at: ldg052@aol.com.
Need Groceries? Supplies? If you are in need of these, know you will have someone to help. A coordinated network will be set up as follows:
- 1) Send Linda an email or phone her to let her know your needs. In turn, she will contact a volunteer to assist you who will then contact you (be sure to give Linda your contact information). The volunteer will then speak with you directly.
- 2) The Shopping Sister will then shop your list and deliver to you to an agreed upon location (your home, apartment, etc.) and time.
- 3) Upon completion of your shopping, the Shopping Sister will let you know the bill. You will then leave a check/cash for her in a mailbox or agreed upon location.
- 4) Please note: Since the supply chain of goods has been less than normal, the Shopping Sister may not be able to get all items on your list.
We all need to be mindful that this is a challenging time for all. Since we will all be unable to be community in person, this provides the opportunity to continue putting our faith into action. For those of you able and willing to participate, please contact Linda with your email and/or phone information at your earliest convenience.
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The Spring United Thank Offering (UTO) collection at the church was originally scheduled for Sunday, May 31. However, since we will not be able to convene at that date we ask that those who are able to contribute do so by check. You may count the coins in your box and write check for that amount. Please mail the check to the church, made out to Grace Church and be sure to put UTO in the memo section of your check. If you are unable to contribute now, or prefer to turn in your UTO box of coins, please make you contribution at the Fall UTO collection on November 1st. Please do not send UTO boxes of coins to the church.
Whether you give now or in the fall, please continue your ministry of daily thankfulness for Gods's blessings and continue to place coins your box. We still have so much to be thankful for every day, even in this challenging time. What better time than now to thank God for the blessing we receive everyday! Perhaps you were blessed with the ability to take a walk today, give thanks and put a coin in your box.
Consider listening to the webinar, The Theology of Gratitude : Human Expressions While Living in a Complex world. The live conference is April 24th, it is online and free. Sections of it will also be rebroadcast in case you miss it. Here is a link to information and registration for the conference. You have to register to get a login code for the conference. View this email in your browser
The UTO is a ministry which promotes individual, daily recognition of our blessings from God - small and large. In recognition of these blessings, we put coins into our UTO boxes. These coins are then used to fund grants for projects that enrich the lives of people in the United States and abroad. Many of these people are our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, whose needs do not take a pause because of the Corona virus pandemic. In fact needs among this population will most certainly increase when this is over. Let us keep them in our prayers and do what we can. Thank you, Melanie Jackson
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FALL ANGEULS
The congregation is always encouraged to make contributions to the next Angelus, Views from the Pews Section. Submit before the August 16th deadline to: marygene57@msn.com
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La Bocca Ristorante
8 Church Street
White Plains
914-948-3281
Grace/La Gracia Parishioners-Order a meal to enjoy at home!
Please give a thought to our local businesses. Tony Spiritoso has been an angel to Grace since he opened his restaurant in 1997. La Bocca is open for take-out. Enjoy a great meal at home. Thank you, Michael Heffner
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Join a Committee or become Greeter or Office Volunteer
Grace La Gracia is always looking for more volunteers to serve on our various committees. We rely on our parishioners to help keep our parish going. For more information or to join, contact the parish office or just stop by one of our meetings!
If any of these roles interest you, please contact the parish office.
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Acolytes
The Grace La Gracia Acolyte Ministry is always in search of new members to aid and assist the Clergy and Congregation in prayer, praise and worship. We welcome adults and youth aged 7 and up. Please contact Lauren Reid at Lrrmink@gmail.com if you would like to join this vital ministry.
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Pastoral Care
We are inviting members who have a passion for serving others to join our Pastoral Care team. This ministry means so much to our members and it just might change your life. Please contact Sandy Gadsden at sunaganatag@aol.com for more information.
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Interested in volunteering with our Sunday School?
We have a vacant Assistant Teacher position in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. If you are interested in committing a few Sundays a month to our youth, pray about it & feel free to talk to one of our Grades K-6 Sunday School volunteers (Linda Gallo, Michael Heffner, Cynthia S. Brown & Lyndsey Wall). Thank you.
Altar Flowers Signup sheet is on the bulletin board near the library. Remember those you love by signing up for flowers to adore the altar. Contribution: $100.00
Lectors Are Needed
Volunteers are needed for all services including the Family service, every third Sunday of the month. If you are available for one or both of these services, please provide your contact information to Michael Heffner
Volunteer to be an Usher
Ushers are needed for all services. Please contact Andrea Spencer E: dreaspencer@aol.com if you would like to join.
Names on Prayer List
If you have a family member or loved one on our prayer list, please provide our office with emergency contact information.
Mother Teresa once said to “Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.”
Any person or group of parishioners interested in underwriting a worship service at Grace Church, please contact Fr. Chip for more information.
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Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Downtown Music is canceling all concerts until September. While we believe the decision to cancel is the correct one to safeguard our community and everyone involved in the performance from any potential exposure, we understand that it is also disappointing. We thank all our supporters for their patience and understanding as we look forward to performing for you soon.
Please click here to consult our website for future announcements and updates. |
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Presiding Bishop's Weekly Video
In order to access Presiding Bishop Curry's latest thoughts, please click the link below:
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E:Sortega@gracechurchwhiteplains.org T: 914 949 2874 x1 |
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