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News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California
July 12, 2018
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Scripture of the Week
"
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.
"
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"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."
Jesus
At Grace, we have Godly Play (Sunday School) during the school year, but children and youth share in the ministry of the church year-round, serving as acolytes, readers, and oblation bearers.
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THIS SUNDAY: Godly Play is out for the summer but young people are
always welcome to join us in the sanctuary for worship. There is a children's area near the piano at the rear of the sanctuary with toys, books, and coloring materials for children who do not enjoy sitting in the pews. There is Nursery Care for babies and young toddlers in the education building.
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Bible Study for Everyone!
On Wednesday mornings at Grace at 10 a.m. we celebrate the Eucharist followed by Bible study. We are currently studying the letters of Paul, which make up about two-thirds of our New Testament. We are using Church
of England bishop and theologian N.T. Wright's series, "Paul for Everyone." For this Wednesday, please read Galatians 2:15-21 and consider the questions: What does it mean to be "in" Christ? and "Who are we if we claim to be 'Christian'"? All are welcome!
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Batter Up!
The Men's Group invites everyone to an outing to a Martinez Clippers baseball game THIS
Sunday, July 15.
Gates open at 12 noon; Game starts at 1 pm
at Joe DiMaggio Fields, at Waterfront Park Martinez
Ticket Prices
Adult (13 and up) $12; Child (3-12) $5; Senior and Veteran (65 and up) $10; Infants (0-2) Free; Group Rate (10 or more) $8.
Get tickets through the website mtzclippers.com or at the gate. All tickets are General Admission. There is free parking.
It would be nice to get a rough count on how many people will be attending, so if you plan on going, please contact Don Dyer in person, by phone (925) 957-9059 or email
donald.c.dyer@att.net
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The Martinez Clippers is a new expansion team in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, and they play at the newly rebuilt Joe DiMaggio Field at Waterfront Park in Martinez.
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| Amazon Prime Day is on July 17th!
Grace Episcopal Church Martinez is on Amazon Smile and Amazon Prime Day is an excellent opportunity to increase your giving to Grace. If you are shopping at Amazon, simply go to the Grace Martinez Amazon Smile link and we will receive a portion of their sale to you. Spread the word! |
| Furniture available!
Katie and John Reich have a bunk bed, refrigerator and couch that they would like to give away. If you are interested, please let Katie know. |
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Grace Book Group
Read any good books lately? Want to participate in a book discussion group? Like to eat out? Come drop in on the Grace Book Group! We'd love to see you!
When: 3rd Wednesday of the month, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Smooth Season restaurant at Muir Station Shopping Center.
Our next get-together is July 18, when we will discuss Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance.
Happy reading!
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Faithful FILM Forum!
St. Paul seems to be undergoing a period of popularity right now, including being the topic of our Wednesday Bible Study at Grace. We are finding him so fascinating that we have decided to screen the recent film "Paul: Apostle of Christ" at Grace on Sunday, July 22, following the 10 a.m. service. Everyone is welcome to come and watch the film, which is approximately two hours long. Rev. Deb will be there to answer any questions that may come up. Please be advised that the film is unrated, but has some violent and upsetting content (much like the Bible).
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Backpacks for Schools
Ready, Set, Go! Grace's Annual School Backpack/Supplies Drive is underway! 60 backpacks will need to be filled, so let the shopping begin! Click here to download a pdf of the Suggested School Supplies List (by grade level) from Martinez Junior High. Hard copies are also available in the Narthex and Parish Hall. Please leave your donations in the labeled box in the Narthex. Information on the date when we will stuff the backpacks will come later in the summer.
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Supporting C.O.R.E. Homeless Outreach
Grace Church is partnering with the C.O.R.E. Homeless Outreach team to assist our homeless brothers and sisters. C.O.R.E stands for Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement. It is a program of the Housing and Homeless Services Division of Contra Costa County Health Services. Grace will be providing the C.O.R.E. team with needed items to distribute to individuals suffering from homelessness. Requested items are:
- Backpacks - ideally large capacity, durability is less important as they are frequently lost or stolen after a few weeks/months
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Healthy food - preferably non-perishable items that don't require cooking, a can opener, or good teeth. Pull-top cans are good.
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Bottles of water
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Hygiene items including (but not limited to) soap, shampoo, oral care, shower wipes, shaving supplies, feminine hygiene items
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Socks
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Sunscreen
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Pet food (in particular, wet food in pull-top cans). Other pet goodies would be appreciated too!
We also encourage parishioners to consider developing the habit of thinking of our homeless neighbors when shopping (i.e. picking up an extra item or two) and traveling (bringing home the hotel soaps/shampoo).
Parishioners are invited to make donations of items by leaving them in the bin in the Narthex (labeled "C.O.R.E. Outreach"), and the members of the C.O.R.E. team will pick them up and distribute them while doing their mobile outreach work in the local community.
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Interfaith Disaster Preparedness Effort looking for volunteers
The Contra Costa Interfaith Emergency Preparedness Group Meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 2, from
11:30am to 1pm
at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. They are
aiming to have representatives from all area churches, including Grace. If you'd like to know more, please contact The Rev. Will McGarvey
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Come to the LUAU!
Saturday, August 18
Share Aloha with this FUNdraiser dinner event, including Hawaiian music and dancers, hosted by Saint Christopher's Guild.
Tickets now on sale!
$25
(General); $10 (age 6-12); Free age 5 and under
Contact Sandy Taylor at (925) 458-5040 or email
Tell your family and friends!
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Youth Representatives sought
Each year the Diocese of California holds its Annual Convention to address the business of the church, including election of lay and clergy officials, consideration of resolutions, and approval of the diocesan budget. In September, the Contra Costa Deanery, of which Grace is a member, will select two youth appointees to the Convention. This individual will be able to observe and offer feedback on the work of the Convention. We would be delighted if one of this year's CCD youth delegates came from Grace, Martinez. If you are interested or would like to nominate one of our youth members for this role, please let
Rev. Deb know.
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Nominees for Diocesan positions sought
The Diocesan Committee on Nominations is seeking individuals interested in running for diocesan offices. There are open positions on the Standing Committee, which serves as the Bishop's Council of Advice and has broad responsibilities for oversight of diocesan affairs, and the Executive Council, which is the vestry of the diocese. Elections are held at the Annual Diocesan Convention in the fall. More information can be found at
the
Diocesan website. If you are interested in seeking election, contact
Rev. Deb.
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Your Community of Christ Needs You!
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Just like the early Christians, we are a community of many different people with many talents and we need everyone to provide for the community.
The Altar Guild ministry is currently in need of additional volunteers. Members of the Altar Guild work in teams and help prepare the church for worship
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Please consider thoughtfully and prayerfully if this is a ministry that you could do for the good of the church. Contact
Rev. Deb
revdeb@gracechurchmtz.org
or Altar Guild Director Elaine Quigley.
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