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Canapes & Conversation - Tonight!
Al & Cathie Elsbree will host Canapes & Conversation
tonight, Friday, February 21st, from 5-7pm, here at the Parish House. We're getting a schedule together for this coming year. Email Cathie at elsbreecaal@yahoo.com if you're interested.
Black History Month
We have set Sunday February 23rd to celebrate Black History month, with a Soul Food coffee hour (there will be a sign-up sheet),
and we will be singing hymn #599 (Lift Every Voice) as the recessional. Please mark your calendar.
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES--February 26
Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes:
7:30 am in the Chapel
7:00 pm in the Church
LENTEN SOUP AND STUDY BEGINS MARCH 3
Our five churches will hold this program again on Tuesdays evenings at the Galena United Methodist Church beginning with a supper of soup followed by study.
This year, the book and video series will be
The Walk by Adam Hamilton who says:
"I wrote this book to be a simple guide for the Christian life written for ordinary people whose faith is sometimes messy. It is written for those who wish to follow Jesus, to experience more of God in their lives, and to grow to become the people God wants them to be.
It is this idea of walking with Jesus that ...is a simple way of thinking about our Christian life. We are followers of Jesus. We are seeking to learn from him, to emulate him, to go where he wants us to go, to do what he wants us to do, and to walk on the journey of life with him.
Adam Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country.
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Choeur d'hommes de l'Auvignon |
In fall, 2018, I was privileged to join a group of Galenians, including several Grace Church members, on a visit to the south of France, to visit people from the city of Agen. Many of those had come to Galena the year before, using our Parish House as a place to have morning English lessons before going on excursions in the Galena area. Both of these were rich experiences as we learned of many common interests and concerns and basically delighted in learning more about each others' ways of life, languages, and histories.
In between these visits, Joan Klaus and Susan Barg lead an effort to develop a partnership between our two cities and have worked with Rotary International to make that happen.
Below, you will see an article from Bonnielynn Kreiser about the upcoming visit of a men's chorus from France. They will perform as part of the the Galena Festival of Performing Arts. In talking about this at some Grace ministry meetings this week, it became clear that not everyone is aware of these connections and what it all has to do with Grace.
Well...in 2018, as we took many outings through the south of France with our hosts, one of the most engaging was to attend a concert in an ancient church. It was Choeur d'hommes de l'Auvignon. And we were knocked off our feet by their sound and the music they sang....and the fellowship we shared following the concert! (Let's just say that there was a lot more singing and a lot of wine involved!) So, the idea hatched...what if we could bring them to Galena? Well, fundraising took--and is taking place--housing and transportation are being lined up and other details arranged for this great treat for those of us who experienced the choir and, we trust, for all who are able to hear them in July.
And, just as special, in between GFPA performances, the Grace congregation will have the treat of having them be part of worship with us on Sunday, July 12! Our own choir will be on holiday during the summer months, so the Choeur will offer an anthem, most likely an amazing sung procession, and who knows what else?
See you in church,
Gloria+
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This week , as we are about to enter into the season of Lent, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, that mystical event where three of the disciples witnessed Jesus in a new way. Here at Grace, we are also observing Black History Month. On the surface, these two events may seem to be very different. But, perhaps, we will see not just Jesus in a different way, but also the history and experiences of our brothers and sisters of color--in ways that will transfigure us and our relationships with one another.
READINGS:
Exodus 24:12-18: God calls Moses to come up the mountain to receive God's commands, and he obeys and spends 40 days and nights with God on the mountain.
Psalm 99: A celebration of God as Israel's king, who loves justice, who answered the calls of God's people for help, and who speaks from the pillar of cloud.
2 Peter 1:16-21: Peter affirms the reliability of his teaching, and that of the other apostles, reminding his readers of his experience with Jesus on the mountain, and confirming his trust in the message of the prophets.
Matthew 17:1-9: Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain, where he is transfigured and talks to Moses and Elijah who appear with him. God proclaims Jesus to be God's beloved son, and afterward, Jesus instructs the disciples not to tell anyone what they have seen until after the resurrection.
God's affirmation of Christ can and must inform the work we do as Christ-followers in the world. [One implication] is the powerful role that affirmation can play in bringing justice into the world. It is easy to criticise, easy to break down and easy to oppose. But, real life and justice are found when we seek and find common ground, even with our antagonists. This approach was what got Nelson Mandela into dialogue with F.W. De Klerk in the process which ended apartheid. This was the approach that was embraced by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. In addition, when we take the time and energy to affirm the creativity and resilience of the poor, when we affirm the courage of peacemakers, when we affirm the servanthood of those who work with the homeless and those on the fringes of society, we strengthen the efforts of these faithful people, and support the work of justice in the world. When we affirm the efforts, the good intentions and the positive work that is done by those we disagree with, we build bridges which can lead to peace and justice. And when we affirm one another, we give ourselves the courage and strength to persevere even in the face of great hardship. The Transfiguration, then, is not just an amazing event of the past. As we follow Christ's way, we embrace God's affirmation of Christ, and as we follow God's example of affirmation, we allow the light of Christ to shine brighter in our world.
Thumbprints and commentaries from:
sacredise.com
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Glory Parish in the Diocese of Renk
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| Drawing of Future Glory Parish Church |
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In our
effort to assist Glory Parish to build a new church for its congregation, we have sent the first installment of the $50,000 set aside for this project to Bp.
Joseph. We look forward to status
updates and estimates for the church's completion and will share those as they are recei
ved.
Outreach Lunch for Dubuque Rescue Mission
As part of our Outreach ministry, we are again going to prepare and serve a noon meal at the Dubuque Rescue Mission. The date will be Tuesday, February 25th. Would you like to help? It is a very rewarding endeavor and we have a good time doing it. The Grace Church Outreach Ministries will also take a contribution of $1,000 to the mission as part of the disbursement of money set aside by the church for our local, regional, and international outreach.
Magdalene House Chicago is a new recipient of outreach funds this year. $1,000 has been given to assist in the establishment of this first Chicago/Illinois area site that is part of a Nashville, Tennessee ministry founded and lead by The Rev. Becca Stevens, an Episcopal priest. These homes work to transition women who have been trafficked into stable and sustainable lives. Please watch this spot for a more detailed description of this ministry by Diane Luther.
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Vestry News--Park Unto Others
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Park unto others as you would have them park unto you.
We've posted notices before about staying within the lines when parking. Thanks to all who observe that courtesy! This notice is about saving spots in the parking lot for the handicapped and physically challenged.
Regretfully some such parish members have had difficulty finding suitable parking on Sundays. Therefore, starting February 23rd, for the Sunday Eucharist we intend to reserve four (4) spots in the parking lot for those having a condition that would warrant issuance of a handicap parking pass. Obviously, fit people should avoid using those reserved spots; but we would like to take it a step further. If you are totally fit and capable of walking from one of the parking spots on the street, please leave the non-reserved spots in the parking lot for others experiencing some limitation, be it a temporary condition or the infirmities of age. Think of it like giving up your seat for such a person on the bus! Only do it in the parking lot.
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Grace Movie Night, is 6 p.m. Sunday March 1st,
La Vie En Rose
Our next feature is a biopic about the legendary singer Edith Piaf, the "Little Sparrow", whose voice is synonymous with Paris and France. The adult Piaf is played by Marion Cotillard who won the 2007 Golden Globe and Academy Award for best actress. Her spell binding acting was made all the more mesmerizing by the make-up, which also earned that year's Academy Award.
and Roger Ebert's four star review.
(Spoiler alert: Ebert reveals the major plot developments; but it will prepare you for the emotional challenge of witnessing Piaf's life.):
As usual, showtime will 6 p.m. at
the Grace Church Parish Hall, 107 S. Prospect St. in Galena. All are welcome, including guests, and guests of guests. Feel free to bring a beverage, snack or popcorn to munch during the movie. A discussion will follow.
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FORMATION MINISTRIES
The
Wednesday Morning Study Group meets on Wednesdays at 10:30am upstairs in the Parish Hall. The group has begun a study of the book of Job, which will continue over the next several weeks. All are welcome to join the group.
Next Theological Thriller
The Next Theological Thriller Does God consign sinners to hell, or do we choose hell ourselves? That question is one of many raised by Charles Williams's dark theological thriller, Descent into Hell, arguably his most accomplished work of fiction.
Williams (18 86-1945), along with C. S. Lewis and J. R. Tolkien, was one of the Oxford group known as the Inklings. Like Lewis in particular, Williams' fiction skirts the boundaries of realism, in an amalgam of theology, myth, and a recognizable English landscape with human characters like ourselves. Our group read the first of his novels, War in Heaven, over a year ago, and with this one we will, if interest is sufficient, turn to the last as a Lenten "read."
Rather than schedule an event and hoping someone will come, I am asking this time that those of you who would like to participate signify your interest to me, either in person at church or coffee hour, or by e-mail (
lsposton@uic.edu
). I will then survey your available dates and times, and check back with you once more before ordering copies. Please let me hear from you no later than Saturday, February 22.
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| Beyond Our Doors--French Choir is Coming! |
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It's all the buzz.
Choeur d'hommes de l"Auvignon, a men's choir from southwest France, is coming to perform at the Galena Festival of the Performing Arts on July 10, 2020. This delightful group, some traveling with family members, will arrive in Galena the afternoon of July 8th and depart the morning of July 13th. The organizing committee is looking for host families to house our guests for their 5 night stay. We are hoping to find housing for them in homes that are within walking distance of downtown Galena. This will give our travelers some freedom to explore on their own and alleviates the host family's responsibility of driving their guests everywhere. They will be kept entertained as lots of activities are being planned that you as hosts may or may not want to join into. Don't speak French? No worries, there are great translators on smart phones that do the work for you! And sign language works wonders. Ask Bonnielynn Kreiser for more information and for the Host Family Inventory/ Application to fill out if you have any interest. Fill one out anyway even if you have to drive into town from your home - we may need you! Contact information is: 815-291-9005 (cell), 815-777-1468 (home), or skreiser@aol.com.
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Vestry Liaisons
V
estry Liaisons' primary purpose is to assure two-way communications between the various ministries and the
Vestry,
to represent the ministries for resources
or
policy issues, and to
support
their
events
an
d activities.
Worship:
Rector
Building and Grounds: Greg Serwich (Sr. Warden 2019-2021)
Worship Committee: Charlotte Stryker (class of 2022)
Formation and Spirituality: Elizabeth Ludescher (class of 2022)
Fellowship & Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)
Ministry of Care/LEMs: Nancy Cook (class of 2023)
Outreach:
Tony Packard (class of 2021)
Communications: Eric Kallback(class of 2023)
Governance: Wardens & Rector
Officers: Greg Serwich, Senior Warden
Lynn Giles, Junior Warden,
Richard Luther, Treasurer
Diann Marsh, Clerk
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Staff: Robin French, Director of Music
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
Chris Ludescher, Nursery Attendant
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Sunday Morning
Last Sunday after Epiphany
10:30am
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Presider:
Lector:
Greg Serwich
First Chalicist:
Bill Foltz
2nd Chalicist:
Vestry Coordinator:
Lynn Giles
Altar Guild:
Pat Golden &
Charlotte Stryker
ROTA: December 2019-May 31,2020 |
First Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Matthew 4:1-11
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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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Events This Week:
Community Breakfast at Victory Café
9:30am
Outreach Committee
9:30am
Cursillo Group
10:30am
Morning Study Group
1:30pm
Knitting Ministry
6:30pm
EfM
Friday
9:00am
Centering Prayer
Saturday
10:00am
Choir Practice
All are welcome!
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For current and
upcoming events,
check out the goog
le
calendar on the website
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2/23- Soul Food
3/1-
3/8-
3/15- Jackman's
Irish Feast
R
eminder for hosts:
Napkins and plates
are provided. Use
what you need from
our pantry
.
Remember: Keep it simple. We usually have about 35-40 attending.
**Coffee schedule sign up is on the bulletin board in the Parish House.**
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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 who can assist you and connect you with parishioners who have trained and committed 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 :
Bonnielynn Kreiser TBA
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 yours been missed in our bulletins?
Send to Nancy.
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.
Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here.
Audio files of sermons are posted on the Grace Church website as well as in the next week's e-Blast.
Paper copies are available upon re
quest.
Older recent sermons
Newest sermons:
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Grace Galena 6th after Epiphany A Sermon
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Grace Galena Sermon 5th after Epiphany
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| Grace Galena Presentation/Candlemas Sermon |
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| Grace Galena 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Sermon |
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| Grace Galena 2nd after Epiphany Sermon |
The Rev. Linda Packard 12 /29/19 Sermon
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