Grace: It's Our Way of Life
As Episcopal Christians we
  Worship at home daily and together weekly; Study the scriptures, our tradition, and what it means to be a disciple today; Serve our families, our parish, and our world in the name of  Christ. Everything we do is done with an ethic of Welcome because we are only here by Grace.
  Where have you welcomed,  worshiped, studied or served?

Entertainment or Engagement?
by Kathy Will, Music & Worship Director
As I sat in a pew recently for worship, I had a thought about the difference between attending worship and attending a sporting event or other type of entertainment.  We treasure tickets on the fifty yard line or at center court, so that we can be close to the action, yet the front pews in church are almost always empty. We think nothing about adding our voices to the cheers and chants for our teams, some of which can be rather silly, yet we recoil at the idea of singing  or praying out loud.  And the next day, we discuss and describe the highlights of the game in great detail.  How often have we shared the highlights of a great sermon around the water cooler?
But worship is not a spectator sport...The Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kennebrew in an article entitled What is True Worship writes "Worship is not the slow song that the choir sings. Worship is not the amount you place in the offering basket. Worship is not volunteering in children's church. Yes, these may be acts or expressions of worship, but they do not define what true worship really is."..." True worship, in other words, is defined by the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where God is on our list of priorities. True worship is a matter of the heart expressed through a lifestyle of holiness."  She goes on to say "We worship God because he is God. Period."
 
Wow!

Thomas Cranmer, in creating the Book of Common Prayer, emphasized this idea of holistic worship - worship that involves our entire lives.  Weekly worship was not something to check off your list of things to do, but was an opportunity to unite the people of God in the Eucharist, and it drew its strength from those who were united together in prayer during the week. The liturgy of worship demonstrated the fullness of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and what God was doing invisibly in the hearts and minds of all who took part.

Writer and Music Director Jonathan Aigner adds, "When we worship together, we aren't only part of one community, but we're identifying ourselves with the incredible story of the Gospel and joining the radical political movement begun by Christ himself. As we meet as God's covenant people, the centuries of time collapse, and we find ourselves alongside the saints who have come before.  In fact, we are joining the song of the angels, and twinkling along with the light of the morning stars, begun even before creation.  And we are rehearsing for the unending hymn, the heavenly liturgy, which we will join one day."

So the next time you are in the pew, don't expect to be entertained, but expect to find God - in the stillness, in the music, in the ancient prayers and rhythms of liturgy, in the Word and Sacrament, and  in the people sitting around you.  We are the Body of Christ, and God's story has become our story. Alleluia!
Jubilee House Needs Your HELP!

The summer months are finding a great need for volunteers
(disciples).  Do you have a few hours a week or month you can give to this very  rewarding ministry?  Now is a good time to see how we practice the  Faith we proclaim as Christians, the core of our faith.  When we give to  those in need we are also giving them God's love and in turn  ourselves as well.  Please think about volunteering and give Glenda a call.  She will talk you through what to expect. Glenda Andrews 231-275-0036, or gkandrews@earthlink.net  

PARKING UPDATE
Lot off alley no longer available
The fencing has gone up to close off the parking lot across the alley from our parking lot behind the church.  Parking is getting more scarce on our busiest weekdays; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Please seek parking on the street, in the parking deck, or metered parking in the lot across Washington St. from the church (this lot is free on Sundays).

Per Fr. Carlton's request, w e ask that on Sundays,  the main Grace parking lot (directly behind the church) be used only by those who have difficulty managing steps and other obstacles. We need to begin to practice this hospitality to our fellow parishioners and our visitors, in order to insure that we are able to worship God together in our spiritual home.  Thank you!


PoWeR! Book Bags Work Bee
June 27 10 am to 2 pm in Parish Hall
We have been in Grace Pantry for 5 weeks. We've given away 39 bags and 72 books with the writing booklets and crayons to go with them! Thank you to all who have donated money, crayons, books, and as you can see in the picture, bags!!! Nancy Johnson is holding just a few of the bags she has made for us (53 at last count).

We are having a work bee here at Grace on Tuesday, June 27, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. You are welcome to come help during  that time. If you have a portable sewing machine, bring it. If you can iron and cut fabric, come with your scissors (or without). If you can count and fold paper, come. If you can pick up crayons and put them in a bag, Please Come!!! Kara Gregory, Founder and Executive Director, gave out over 2,000 books and accompanying supplies for programs in the Migrant Camps and summer park programs just this week. You can help get supplies stocked up again.

Please contact Penny Campo-Pierce at 231-590-1320 with any questions you may have. We are always grateful for donations of material, paper, crayons, mo ney, and help. If you would be interested in helping during the Pantry times on Monday and Friday, please call m e :-)

LOVE, Inc Fundraiser July 1
Thunderbird Airshow and Cookout
Enjoy the THUNDERBIRDS air show along with a Maxbauer handmade hot dog fresh from the grill to support the shared ministry of Love In the Name of Christ.  Traverse Bay United Methodist Church 1200 Ramsdell Road has a great view of the airshow on their shaded lawn and free parking in their lot too!  Join friends and bring family to enjoy a cookout and a cherry cobbler dessert on Saturday July 1, 2017 11 am to 3 pm.  


Walk in the Heritage Parade July 4th!
Celebrate our 150th!
Seeking parade walkers! Grace Church will kick off its 150th anniversary celebration by participating in the Heritage Parade on July 4 at 7pm. Never walked in a parade before? Now you have an opportunity! This walking unit (currently #17 in the line up) will feature banners and balloons and end with root beer floats back at the church. Sue Kelly, coordinator of the event, has all the details about the meeting spot, what to wear, transportation at the end of the route, etc. House guests and grandchildren are welcome to walk with us! Contact Sue directly at
 231-223-8876.  Be sure to sign up in the Commons - the more, the merrier!

Staff needed for Middle and Junior Camps
The Episcopal Youth Camp has well over 110 campers, and the registration deadline for the younger camps are still over a month away (due July 24). However, we are short on staff! Male cabin counselors are needed for sessions in August (5-12 for Middle Camp; 112-13 for Junior Camp). Without these counselors, we won't be able to run the LiT - Leaders in Training - portion of camp. Find out more by visiting episcopalyouthcamp.org

Outreach Project for Campers & Staff
Each year we ask that campers and staff participate in Outreach. This year we will be supporting the Baby Pantries in western Michigan, and collecting diapers and other supplies that babies need. For our activity we will also need remnants of cotton and flannel fabric (scraps larger than 8 inch square).  Get your parish and community on board and spread the word.


Habitat for Humanity Needs  Volunteers 
On Thursday, July 13 Grace Church has been asked to furnish a crew to work on two houses being built in the Depot Neighborhood. If you are able to help, or have questions, please contact Dan Bush at bushds@gmail.com, or call the church office so we will know we can count on you. The work day is 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. You need not be skilled in building trades. All that you need is a willingness to lend a helping hand. Lunch will be provided. If you are not able to help, but would like to see what we are doing, please stop by for a tour.






Pilgrimage to Holy Land 
with Bishop Hougland - April 2018
In cooperation with EO Travel and Dr. Douglas Mohrmann, Bishop Hougland and his wife Dana are planning a pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine April 10-19, 2018, with an optional extension April 19-22), with room for 45 pilgrims on the journey.  The pilgrimage starts at a cost of $2,598.00. Airfare is additional, but airfare for all pilgrims will be arranged by Dr. Mohrmann.  Interested persons can find details and a link to registration via the web by clicking here.   The tour company will handle all registrations and issue billing statements.
  
  
Regular Weekly Worship Schedule
Monday
Women's Prayer Circle 8:30 am
Tuesday
Morning Prayer, 8:15 am
Wednesday
Men's Prayer Group 7:30 am
Simple Eucharist, 10 am
Centering Prayer, 11 am
Saturday
Holy Eucharist, 5 pm
Sunday
Holy Eucharist, 8 am & 10 am


Lectionary Readings
& Daily Prayer


       This Weekend's Readings
Third Sunday After Pentecost
Genesis 21:8-21
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

open bible 

       Next Weekend's Readings
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 22:1-14
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
Psalm 13

  The Lectionary Readings

The Daily Office

Birthdays
Dick Campbell
Roberta Deuker
Bill Julian
Harry Wiberg
Kathy Woods
Nancy Johnson
Al Quick
Nolan Joynt
Keith Marcus
Stephanie Hanson
Greta Lyons
Barb Marsh

Happy Anniversary

Jeff & Amy Brinson
Bob & Mary Merrill
Charles & Judy Stuart
Don & Donna Olendorf
Harry & Susan Wiberg
 
Prayer Lists
Did you know Grace has 2 prayer lists?  
* To be added to the prayer list found in the bulletin contact

** If you would like to be added to the Daughters of the King (DOK) prayer list and be prayed for daily,contact Penny Campo-Pierce at 231-946-1224 or pcampopierce@charter.net

                   Contact Us 
341 Washington St.,
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone 947-2330;  Fax 947-3011
Website www.gracetc.org

For Pastoral Emergencies
Call the church office 231-947-2330

   Staff Contact Information

Clergy:
Interim Rector: 

Office:
Parish Administrator: 

Administrative Assistant & Outreach Coordinator:

Music:
Music & Worship Director: 

Children's Ministry:
Director of Children and Youth Formation: 


What's Happening at Grace?



What's Happening in our Diocese?



Turn in your Oleson's receipts to benefit the Grace Food Pantry!



Oleson's Community Share Program

Here's how it works:
  1. You shop at Oleson's for groceries (liquor sales do not qualify for points)
  2. Turn in your receipts to the church.  Look for the envelope on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, and place your receipts inside it.
  3. We submit receipts back to Oleson's
  4. We are granted cash rewards for the food pantry ($1 spent on groceries = 1 cent in Community Share points)

For every $5000 in receipts we submit, we receive $50 in cash for our food pantry.  Every little bit helps!

 

Thank you for participating!

 

Click here to learn more... 

 



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