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PARISH HOUSE CELEBRATION AND DEDICATION
At Last! The Parish House awaits! Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 28
when we will celebrate the completion of the new parish house.
T
he celebration will begin in the church at the end of
worship, moving to the new kitchen/ fellowship area for a dedication and lunch. The entree will be provided. Please bring a salad, beverage, or dessert to share. People and churches from Galena will join us for dessert following the luncheon, so, if you're bringing dessert, include a bit extra!
Red Bag Giving
Red Bags
with paper and personal hygiene products for the
United Churches of Galena Food Pantr
y
are due on Sunday, October 28th!
If you prefer to donate money, that is also greatly appreciated. Simply place your check in the red bag. Thank you for your generosity.
All Saints Day
is almost here. Please put names of those you want remembered on the sheet in the Narthex, any photos of loved ones can be left at that time as well for display on All Saint's Sunday. You can also email the information to Frani at gracesec@gracegalena.org
no later than Thursday, November 1st.
All Saints Chili Lunch
On Sunday, November 4th, we will have our Annual All Saints Chili Lunch instead of the usual coffee hour. Please bring a small container of chili for the common pot. There will be two choices: meat and vegetarian. We also need a couple people to bring cornbread and tossed salad. A dessert or two would be nice. If you plan to bring something other than chili, please let Lynn Giles know
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Resurrection Garden Recommital 
As the All Saints Sunday liturgy comes to a close on Sunday, November 4, we will process to the new Resurrection Garden for a brief service of Recommital for the urns that have been placed in their new resting spots. As usual, on that day, we will remember those loved ones who have gone before us with chimes and lighting of candl
es. If you have a loved one who died within the past twelve months, please provide the name of the loved one and date of death to the church office.
Rides to Vote
If anyone one needs a ride to the court house for either early voting or their polling place on November 6th, election day, please contact one of the following: Al or Cathie Elsbree 815-777-2469, Georgia Hansen 312-771-4946, or Bonnielynn Kreiser 815-777-1468.
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| I am so very grateful--and rather awed--at this week's move into our new Parish House. One year ago, who would have believed that we
would be at this spot today! After months and months of hearings and communications, we finally got all of the approvals and permits, and In October 2017, the urns from the Resurrection Garden were being moved inside the church to their temporary resting places in order that excavation of the site could begin as soon as weather would allow. Those urns are now in their final spots where the recommital will take place on All Saints Sunday.
Meanwhile, we watched as large machines removed tons of rocks, we found and sealed a long cave, and, little by little, a building began to emerge from the limestone. Just about seven months since the first bucketful of dirt was dug, we have light and heat and wifi, furniture and appliances, beautiful and accessible space to gather and carry out our ministries!
Much gratitude to all who have taken a part in shepherding this dream. And "Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." --Ephesians 3: 20-21, NRSV
See you in church,
Gloria+
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READINGS:
Jeremiah 31:7-9: God's promise to restore all of Israel's people, including the weak and marginalised, and bring them into a life of peace and well-being.
Psalm 126: When God restored the fortunes of God's people, they were so joyful, and now they continue to pray that God will bring them prosperity and joy.
Hebrews 7:23-28: Jesus is an eternal priest who constantly prays for God's people. He doesn't need to offer sacrifices every day because he offered himself once and for all.
Mark 10:46-52: As Jesus enters Jericho a blind man named Bartimaeus shouts out asking for Jesus to have mercy on him. Then Jesus calls the blind man, and asks him what he wants. When he answers that he wants to see, Jesus heals him, and he follows Jesus.
Every reading this week speaks about God's restoring, saving work in some way. God's people are assured of God's restoration by Jeremiah, who includes the weakest and most marginalised people in this promise. The Psalm reflects celebration at God's restoration from trouble or from exile. In Hebrews Jesus is portrayed as the one who intercedes for God's people and who offered himself as the only necessary sacrifice. Finally, Bartimaeus receives his sight, which not only restores his vision, but also his life. The key to these stories, though, is that they are not just about restoration of circumstances, but are about restoration of relationships, especially with God. Ultimately this is the truth in all restoration stories. It can be comforting to have our outward circumstances restored, but it is when our hearts are restored, when we are delivered from the fear, self-protection, defensiveness, and isolation our brokenness or suffering has brought on us that we are truly saved....
As we seek healing and restoration for ourselves, we must also recognise that our restoration is linked to that of others who are hurting, of our society, and even of those who have hurt or offended us. If we seek justice and restoration for ourselves, we can do well by asking who, in our communities and in our lives, need restoration and justice. As we seek to bring God's justice to others, we often find it for ourselves. And as we allow God's restoration to lead us back into relationships with others, we find the healing we need.
The thumbnails
and reflections come from sacredise.com,
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Rector's Study |
Days 1 and 2 of the great move across the street went well. Copier is in place, Mike Kennedy has the computers up and humming, Frani's office and Gloria's office are functional. Book cases are in conference room and books are loaded into them (not in the right order but they are there). Kitchen is in good shape. Lots more to move from the old parish house but this is a controlled move - as things get put away in the new spaces,
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Administrator's Office |
more will be moved over.
There are tables in the main room - a reuse of what we have. New round tables are still a couple weeks out.
Chairs are set up.
A mis-ship of the
tables in the conference room has been remedied
and the correct tables are set up.
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| Conference Room/ Library Inaugurated by EfM on Thursday |
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Now, the most important item - The COFFEE MAKER has been moved, cleaned, and is ready to serve.
Pete Stryker
Cell 312 504 8268
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Fellowship area ready for a celebration! |
Keys for new parish hall door are available from Frani. If you need one, no problem. Keys to the church front door will remain the same.
Keys to the sacristy can be tossed - this door is now closed off from the inside. Space to be used for coats and candle sticks.
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In the midst of all of the activity around moving into the new Parish House and celebrating that wonderful happening, we may be excused if we have lost track of another event that takes place each fall--the annual pledge campaign! The commitment of pledges from members is the primary way that we assure the funding of Grace's ministries for the upcoming year.
We are following the same process as in recent years, using resources from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS). This year the theme is "Transforming Generosity." All Grace members should have received a letter from the rector along with a brochure explaining the theological underpinnings of making pledges to the church. In addition, there has been a TENS essay in each Sunday bulletin addressing a different aspect of generosity. And, we have had one member present a "Moment for Ministry" expressing the importance of Grace Church in her life. There will be two more of these "Moments"--on October 28 and on November 11. There will also be a second letter, this one from the Senior Warden containing a pledge card. We ask that the pledge cards be prayerfully completed and returned for dedication at the Sunday Eucharist on November 18.
Here is an introductory excerpt from the TENS Executive Director: How would "generosity" be transformed if we remembered what Jesus is always calling us to do? We are indeed called to establish new priorities for ourselves and our communities of faith.
Too often the annual pledge drive is limited to funding the church's budget instead of transforming how we look at our calling as Christians. Too often we worry about surviving instead of taking up Jesus' challenge to us to thrive.
When we establish new priorities for ourselves and for our churches, we transform how we think about generosity. That transformation will call us to look for generosity in every aspect of our work, in every aspect of our lives. Remember the tenth chapter of Mark's Gospel, "Jesus, looking at the man, loved him and said, 'You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'"
Once again, Jesus calls us to look at "the long view." Once again, Jesus challenges us to give all of ourselves to God's righteousness and trust in God's care.
What a challenge! What transformation!
Richard Felton
Executive Director/CEO
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Formations Ministries News
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THEOLOGICAL THRILLERS
November's Theological Thrillers will be led by Bill Boehler on Saturday, November 3rd. If interested please see Bill for a book or call him at 563-581-2749..
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Buildings and Grounds News
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OVERWINTERING--MEDITATION GARDEN POND
Good day all! Just wanted to let you know our plans for the meditation garden pond over winter . . . we will be putting out a minnow trap (hopefully in the next few days) to gather as many goldfish as we can and bring them to our pond (we have a de-icer). The frogs will be quite happy in the muck in the bottom. We'll leave the lily to over-winter in the pond. Once most of the leaves are down we will clean out the shelves a bit. Although we understand it's been closed up in past years, we've always left our ponds open so we'd like to do the same here. And, we will be keeping an eye on the pond over the winter.
Best regards,
Don & Crystal Mason
815.777.3792
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Vestry Liaisons
V
estry Liaisons' primary purpose is to assure two-way communications between the various groups and the
Vestry,
to represent the groups for resources
or
policy issues, and to
support
their
events
an
d activities.
Worship:
Rector
Building and Grounds:
Pete Stryker (Sr. Warden 2017-2019)
Worship Committee: Pam Malik
(class of 2019)
Formation and Spirituality:
Greg Serwich (Jr. Warden 2018-2019)
Fellowship &
Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)
Pastoral Care/
LEMs: Bonnielynn Kreiser
(class of 2020)
Outreach:
Tony Packard (class of 2021)
Deb Pausz (class of 2019)
Communications: Larry Poston (class of 2020)
Governance: Wardens & Rector
Officers:
Pete Stryker, Senior Warden
Greg Serwich, Junior Warden
R
ichard Luther, Treasurer
Elizabeth Ludescher, Clerk
Rect
or
: The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
Ad
ministrative Asst.: Fräni Beadle
O
rganist/Pianist: Robin French, Nancy Cook
Choir Director: Pat Terry
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Grace Galena Sermon Gloria Hopewell |
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Grace Galena Sermon
Gloria Hopewell |
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October 28, 2018
Sunday Morning Eucharist
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
10:30am
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Lector:
Steve Coates
1st Chalicist:
Elizabeth Ludescher
Lynn Giles
Acolyte:
Donna Davis
Vestry Coordinator:
Greg Serwich
Greeter:
Karen Serwich
Altar Guild:
Pat Golden & Charlotte Stryker
Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
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24th Sunday after Pentecost
November 4, 2018
Eucharistic readings
Psalm 119:1-8
Hebrews 9:11-14
Mark 12:28-34
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For a current prayer list, click on the following link:
Grace Prayer List
The
Request For Prayers notebook is in the Narthex/ Entrance area of the Church. Please feel free to request prayers for yourself or others at any time by filling out a form or contacting the office by either phone or email. May we first and always be "a people of prayer."
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7:30 am
Midweek Morning Eucharist
8:10 am
Community Breakfast at Victory Café
Cursillo Reunion
St. Francis Room
Morning Bible Study Parish House
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| Wednesdays at 7pm
Saturdays at 10am
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For current and
upcoming events, download a copy of the calendar with this link:
October OR check out the goog
le
calendar on the new website
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Copies of sermons and e-Blasts are available on the Narthex table.
Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here
Sermons are
often posted as audio files on the rector's Facebook page.
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**
If you put out trash, please put in a secure trash can.
Thanks to all for your cooperation. **
10/28 -New Parish House Celebration
11/4 - All Saints
11/11 - Hardwicke/Malik
11/18 - Choir-St. Andrews
11/25 - Thanksgiving Leftover Potluck
R
eminder for hosts:
Napkins and plates
are provided. Use
what you need from
our pantry to the right
of the coffee maker.
Remember: Keep it simple. We usually have about 20-25 attending.
**Coffee schedule sign up is in the Parish House kitchen.**
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You can now get information on Formation Ministries directly from the new Grace website at the following links: Children and Youth Adults
Spiritual Practices
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If you are in need of assistance while ill or recovering: meals, transportation, visits, please contact the
Ministry of Care
facilitators:
o Carol Poston
o Charlotte Kennedy who can assist you and connect you with parishioners who have trained and commited to this ministry that includes Parish Visitors, Meals, Rides, as well as the ongoing Servants through Prayer, LEMs, and the Greeting Card ministry.
Ministry of Care Leadership
Team:
Facilitators : Carol Poston, Charlotte Kennedy
Clergy Advisors: Gloria Hopewell, Linda Packard
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DEADLINES !
News and prayer requests:
Sunday
Bulletin --
Wed. end of day.
e-Blast:
Thursday noon.
Anniversaries and Birthdays
Have your celebrations been missed in our bulletins?
Send to Frani.
Thank y
ou!
News and Photos
f
or e-Blast!
People
want to know
what's going on at Grace! T
here are places
here for your
event,
program, or
interesting tidbit.
Audio files, along with recent archived sermons may be found in the "Worship" tab of the Grace Church website or at this link:
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