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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 20:1-16
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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Grace Church Family,
Our Tuesday Compline Worship can be viewed 9:00 PM on Face Book and 9:30 PM on You Tube (link sent)
Our Sunday Worship can be viewed at 10 AM on Face Book (link sent)
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Thoughts from the Senior Warden
(September 7, 2020)
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I was sitting on my front porch today trying to enjoy the last minutes of the morning sun when something green hopped beside me. A praying mantis. Not something that I’ve seen in our garden before. A welcome visitor. I put down my paper and studied the movements of my new friend and realized that this probably wasn’t a coincidence. In the Eastern cultures, the mantis is elevated above other insects for its spirituality. Out of curiosity, I did a little research:
Spiritually, the praying mantis represents the power of introspection, meditation, and investigation into your Higher Self and Purpose. The praying mantis represents clear sight or clear knowing of psychic energies that shape your reality.
I captured this picture of the mantis in perfect praying pose. The encounter is something that I’ll likely revisit to further reflect on.
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During the 2 weeks since my knee operation I’ve received many notes of encouragement and a few treats. I am grateful for the kind thoughts and want to share that any prayers have been answered in the absolute affirmative. One gift that was waiting for me on discharge day was from my younger sister who now lives in Seattle. It seems that she had inherited our father’s prayer book when he passed away in 1986. She wrote a very gracious note suggesting that it now belongs in my hands. When I unwrapped the box I immediately was drawn to the worn silk bookmarks that my father had placed through the book. One bookmark in particular gave me tremendous comfort in the knowledge that my father is, indeed, watching over me. It was on page 833. The prayer attributed to St. Francis. I have been drawn to this prayer for some time and actually began our 3rd installment with the Discernment Committee by reading it to the collective gathering. I’ve included it here and a picture of my father’s book. The light in the distance is shining brighter for me.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
~Book of Common Prayer 1979, page 833
Blessings to you all
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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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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Weekly Bible Study
https://episcopalchurch.org/library/bible-study/bible-study-pentecost-16-september-20-2020
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**Episcopal Charities Sunday, Now More Than Ever**
Episcopal Charities would greatly appreciate you clicking on the 2 links below for more information regarding how to help with their feeding programs.
You can also read more about EC Sunday, access materials, and view Episcopal Charities feeding programs in action by visiting Episcopal Charities website here.
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E:Sortega@gracechurchwhiteplains.org T: 914 949 2874 x1 |
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