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SUNDAYS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82421783266
WEDNESDAYS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85320626039
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PLEASE PRAY for these four candidates, for our delegates, and for our Diocese as the new bishop is elected. You may watch the live stream on the Diocese of Chicago YouTube channel. A service of Morning Prayer with sermon by Bp. Lee will be streamed beginning at 9:30 am.
Voting delegates from Grace are: Lynn Giles, Elizabeth Ludescher, and Georgia Hansen as well as our clergy. Tony Packard is our alternate. Essays, videos, and resumes of each of the four candidates may be found NOMINEES
The Longest Night Service --
Sunday, December 20 at 7 pm
Not all people are feeling joyful during this holiday season. They may be experiencing loss or loneliness, pain, confusion, or fear. As the Full Cold Moon rises on this Winter Solstice, this service of prayer, reflection and lighting of candles acknowledges such feelings. It offers a safe space where warmth and light might bring hope and peace. Diane Luther and the Rector will preside.
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Sundays , December 13 & 20
Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Longest Night 7 pm
Thursday, December 24
Candlelight Christ Mass 5:30 pm
ALL EVENTS ON ZOOM
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The Third Sunday of Advent,Laudete Sunday,is named for the the first word of the introit antiphon used in the medieval church: "Rejoice in the Lord always." The theme of the day expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration. Instead of the Advent colors of blue or purple, rose is often used--in vestments and for the color of the Advent candle lighted on this day. Though we do not have a set of rose vestments and paraments, a friend of Linda Packard's has loaned her beautiful rose chasuble. It is a pleasure to wear it!
READINGS:Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11: God's Spirit is on God's servant to proclaim freedom, healing and liberation. God's loves justice, and God's servant is filled with joy, like a bridegroom dressed in his suit, for God will reward God's people and make a covenant with them. Psalm 126: Joy at God's restoration of God's people to Jerusalem, and a plea for God to prosper God's people, with hope for the joy that will come. John 1:6-8, 19-28: John, the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy of the voice in the wilderness, promises that he is not the Messiah, but that the Messiah is right there and about to appear.
Restoration is a huge concern in our world right now. In so many of these conversations, the nature of restoration is polarised between internal and external facets. Those who work for restoration may even be categorised or stereotyped in terms of the whether their focus is on changing hearts and people or changing systems and structures. But these are false dichotomies. We cannot hope to address the great challenges of our time without a deep, revolutionary change of our hearts, minds and attitudes. But, equally, we cannot hope to find answers if we keep the same systems and structures and actions that have created our crises in the first place. As followers of Christ we are called to deal with both realities - the internal and the external. As John the Baptiser challenged people to live differently, to change not just themselves but their world, so too did he invite people to prepare for a "Baptism in the Spirit" which would radically change them from the inside out. And so as we work for peace and justice, may we also embrace the call to work for love, compassion and connectedness with God for those with whom we work. And may we continue to pray that God will continue to come to us and bring God's reign into visible manifestation among us and through us.
Thumbprints and commentaries from:
sacredise.com
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GIVING CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of December 10, 37 households have submitted pledges. This is 67% of last year's households. The total pledged so far is 82% of the 
2020 total.
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If you have not yet turned in your pledge card, please either mail it or drop it off at the church so that we can assure that the ministries of Grace Church continue to make a difference!
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COMMUNION FOR ZOOM CONGREGATION
 There is always time to sign up for Communion as part of our Zoom worship! You may wish to participate in communion on Christmas Eve or sign up for every Sunday. Simply call the church office or contact Deacon Diane Luther.
FLOWER CHART FOR 2021
The Flower Chart for 2021 is on the bulletin board in the Parish House. Please contact Ann Berry for available dates. The flowers are $30 and will come from the Blooming Basket at the Pig.
Regarding poinsettias for Christmas, we are not asking for donations, as we will only have 6 plants for Christmas this year.
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HEIFER PROJECT
It's been a tradition here at Grace Church to collect funds duri ng the Advent season for Heifer International that provides animals to people in developing countries. When you make a
 donation in honor of friends or family, you can send them an honor Christmas card. It's a bit more complicated this year but the need continues.
Please mail or drop off donation checks to Grace Church with "Heifer Project " on the memo line. Then contact Lynn Giles (815-757-2011) to make card pickup or delivery arrangements.
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Wednesday Morning Study Group
Join us to study, ponder, and discuss scripture.
Current topic: St. Mark's Gospel. We gather safely on Zoom,
10:30 - 11:30 Wednesday mornings.
Contact Greg Serwich for a Zoom invitation.
Meditative Prayer 9:00am Fridays
Looking for a way to improve your prayer life, to open your heart, mind and soul to the Holy Spirit? Consider joining the Centering Prayer Group Friday mornings for about forty minutes of meditative prayer: twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina. Contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com) for a Zoom invitation which includes a description of these types of prayer.
ZOOM POETRY GROUP
A Zoom Poetry meeting from Grace Church has been organized and meets online on Mondays at 2:00pm. This is not specifically a Grace ministry, but a number of Grace members and friends are part of it If you are interested, write Carol Poston at poston@sxu.edu
or call her at 815-777-0220.
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Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19!
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Advent Season Worship
Sunday services will begin at our usual 10:30 time on Zoom. They will also be recorded and uploaded as quickly as possible for those unable to participate on Zoom. The uploads will appear on the church's Facebook page, @FullyGrace and on the Grace website.
Wednesday morning services are also now only on Zoom. Bible Study and Centering Prayer are also on Zoom each week. If you would like to add your name to any of these participant lists, please e-mail the church office.
Ministry of Care
Here at Grace, The Ministry of Care has organized regular phone and e-mail contact with our most vulnerable members. If you are in need of assistance, or pick-up and delivery of prescriptions or emergency supplies, please contact Bonnielynn Kreiser. Also contact her if you are able to help out. And, of course, your clergy are available by phone, text, and e-mail to provide pastoral care,
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Vestry Liaisons
Vestry 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 and activities.
Worship: The Very Rev.Gloria Hopewell, 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
The Rev. Linda Packard, Priest Associate
The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP CONTINUES TO BE SUSPENDED. We will still lead worship on Zoom from the church, with only the Altar Party, musician, and Zoom operator present in the building. Regular services are 10:30 am on Sundays; 7:30 am on Wednesdays.
ANYONE SCHEDULED TO SERVE WHO IS NOT COMFORTABLE BEING IN THE CHURCH, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE.
PARISH HOUSE
Regular hours will continue. Nancy is available on Tuesday - Friday mornings. I am available Monday by appointment and Tuesday-Thursday. In-person meetings are suspended (except for the 12-step programs that are part of our community outreach). please contact us ahead of time if you need to come by.
And masks are essential!
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Third Sunday in Advent
December 13, 2020
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
2 Thessalonians 5:15-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Ministers of the Service:
Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
Deacon: Rev. Diane Luther
Lector: Steve Coates
Intercessor: Debbie Kallback
Vestry Coordinator: Lynn Giles
Music Director: Robin French
Greeter & Altar Guild:
Charlotte Stryker
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Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 20, 2020
Romans 16:25-27
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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:
Sunday
Third Sunday in Advent
Holy Eucharist 10:30am
ONLINE ONLY on Zoom
Monday
Zoom Poetry Meeting
2:00pm online
Tuesday
Vestry Meeting 9:00am
on Zoom
Holy Eucharist* 7:30am on Zoom
Bible Study** on Zoom 10:30am
Thursday
Friday
Meditative Prayer** online 9:00am
Saturday
To receive an invitation with the link to online events, please contact Gloria at
gracerector@
gracegalena.org
or **Greg Serwich at gserwich@gmail.com All are welcome! |
For current and upcoming events, check out the Google
calendar on the website
Calendar
Link to most current directory here:
Link to August - December 2020
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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
Terri Jackman
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 you!
News and Photos
for e-Blast!
People want to know what's going on at Grace! There 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 request.
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| | Grace Galena Wednesday Eucharist 12:9:2020 |
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| | Grace Episcopal Church, Galena IL, 2 Advent 2020 |
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| | Grace Episcopal church, Galena IL, Morning Prayer 12 2 2020 |
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| | Grace Episcopal Church, Galena IL, Advent 1 11-29-2020 |
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| Grace Entry Video with Music
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| | Virtual Chapel with Compline |
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| | More Advent Musings from Grace Episcopal Church in Galena |
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