News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California

October 5, 2017
Scripture of the Week 


"Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the 
Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'"?
Matthew 21:42
Anglican primates offer prayers for Las Vegas as Episcopal leaders mobilize after massacre (courtesy of Episcopal News Service)


Leaders of the Anglican Communion called the weekend massacre in Las Vegas "truly shocking" in a  statement released from Canterbury, England, by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, as faith leaders mobilize outreach efforts in the wake of the shooting, which killed at least 58 and injured hundreds more.
Clergy members in the Las Vegas area are providing pastoral care for victims and emergency personnel, memorial worship services are planned for this week, and a group of Episcopal bishops is organizing a nationwide effort to toll church bells Oct. 3 in memory of the dead.
"We are praying for the families and friends of those who have died and for the many people who have been wounded," Curry said Oct. 2 in a video delivering the statement released by the primates,  who are gathered in Canterbury. "We remember, too, everyone else caught up in this tragedy - including the emergency services (first responders). We pray that the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ will be with the people of Las Vegas as they endure this trauma."
Curry prayed during Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral: "We come to you tonight, Lord, with sorrow in our hearts for 58 of your children are no longer with us. And some 500 of your children are hurting physically and emotionally. And, one of your children took their life. They are all our sisters. They are all our brothers. They're all your children."
Thank you, thank you, thank you!


Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard at our Buildings and Grounds work party this past Saturday.  We had a great time sprucing up the former deck area.  If you haven't seen it yet, take a look out back!
Blessing of the Animals (and people too)!

On October 1, we celebrated the Feast of St. Francis by blessing our beloved animals at the 10 a.m. service. A bark-tastic time was had by all!
At Grace, Christian education for children ( Sunday  School) is called "Godly Play" and is held during the first part of the  10 a.m.  service after which children join their families for Holy Communion. 
Godly Play Sunday School            

We have moved into the foundational stories of the Hebrew Scriptures. These are known as the stories of the "People of God", which is a term we often use to refer to the Jews of the Hebrew Scriptures. We will tell the stories of Creation and the Great Flood. After that the stories will be set in a box of sand known as the desert box which signifies that the People of God are wandering, nomadic, and often in a foreign land. These stories are The Great Family (beginning with Abraham and Sarah), Exodus, the Ten Best Ways (Ten Commandments), The Ark and the Tent, and the Ark and the Temple. You might ask yourself what happened to the Garden of Eden, or Moses in a reed basket, or Jonah and the whale, or a dozen other stories. The reality is that there are more stories to be told than Sundays in which to tell them. But, there is always next year.

This Sunday:

Th e Great Family  tells the story of the matriarchs and patriarchs who are the foundation of the great religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, beginning with Abram and Sarai. First, we follow
their search through the desert to find a permanent home, Hebron. Following their journey, God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah and promises Abraham that he will be the father of a great family. The story continues with Isaac and his wife Rebekah and their children and their children's children. Our children discover that they too are members of God's great faithful family, which has become as many as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand in the desert.
Faith-full Forums     
We recently added a new adult education offering at Grace, monthly speaker forums. In June we welcomed the Rev. Sidnie White Crawford,
PhD, who spoke about "What the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us about the Bible." July brought a visit from the chair of the Martinez Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). August included a fantastic presentation from Holocaust survivor and author Bernie Rosner and in September Rev. Deb presented "Episcopal Church 101."   
                     
Upcoming Forums
  
On October 22, Amanda Martin, the Diocesan Legacy Officer will be here to share information about estate planning and memorials.
  
And on November 19, we will present  Screenagers, a film presentation that explores the impact of screen time on our children, followed by a discussion about the struggle to raise children in our social media-driven era. For more information, click here:  Screenagers at Grace
Minute for Mission
A few weeks ago we started including a "Minute for Mission" during the announcement time at Grace at both our 8 and 10 a.m. services.

We are looking for parishioners willing to step up and talk about their membership in the community of Grace.  What groups/activities are you involved in? What drew you to Grace? What do you love about it?

Take a minute and tell your brothers and sisters what inspires you as a member of this community of Christ and why others might be fulfilled by it too. 

Please let Rev. Deb ( revdeb@gracechurchmtz.org) know what you'd like to share and we will schedule you for your 1 minute of fame!
Oktoberfest 2017!    
Oktoberfest celebration design with Bavarian hat and autumn leaves.
It's time again for our ever-popular Oktoberfest Dinner! In addition to delicious food there will be a Raffle and German Karaoke and Sing-along! Dust off the Lederhosen, iron the Dirndl, and reserve your tickets now! 

Date: Saturday, October 14
Time: 5:30pm Social Hour; 6:30pm Dinner
Tickets: $20 (general); $10 (12 and under)
Contact: Stan Applegate  
Phone: 925-957-0315   

  Speisekarte (Menu)
Assorted Sausages, German Potato Salad,  
Choucroute Garnie a l'Alsacienne (Sauerkraut & Pork),  
Königsberger Klopse (East Prussian Meatballs),  
Blaukraut (Seasoned Red Cabbage), Apple Strudel.  


Please join us for

  A Celebration of New Ministry

as the Rev. Dr. Deborah White

is officially installed as

Rector of Grace Episcopal Church 


Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 11 a.m. 

 Reception to follow.

  
trick_or_treat.jpg


  Happy Halloween!

All children and the young at heart are invited to celebrate All Hallow's Eve at Grace's annual Halloween Party. Wear a costume and be prepared to play games, enjoy treats and have fun! 


Sunday, October 29, 2017, 

2-4 p.m. 

  

St. Christopher's Guild

The next meeting of St. Christopher's will be Sunday, October 29, at 9:00 a.m. (between services) for planning the Christmas Luncheon and Bazaar. No meeting in September.
Stay in touch!

We haven't gone anywhere but we have changed our address.  We are no longer receiving mail at our P.O. Box.  Please send all mail to:

Grace Episcopal Church
130 Muir Station Rd.
Martinez, CA 945558

Thanks!
Get the inside scoop!
Subscribe to the on-line diocesan newsletter, Diobytes. You will receive an email every Tuesday telling you what's going on in the Diocese of California (and sometimes Grace Church Martinez).  This is a great way to be in touch with the greater church.  To subscribe, go to Subscribe to diobytes here
Educate yourself!
We have started a Grace Church Theological Library.  It is located in the corner next to the conference table in the Sunday School wing and is a treasure trove of material for you to browse or check-out. There is room for more on the shelves, so if you have books you would like to donate to this collection, please feel free to drop them off (please attach a note with your name and phone number) or contact Les Marks at lestermarks@hotmail.com.
Employment opportunity
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Danville has an immediate opening for a Part-time Office Assistant. For more information, talk to Rev. Deb or call St. Tim's at 925-837-4993.

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Serving the community of Martinez
and Contra Costa County since 1868.

 
Our Mission:
Working together to welcome,
support, and serve all God's people.
 
 
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