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News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California
June 21, 2018
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Scripture of the Week
"[Jesus] woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
"
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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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EM/Acolyte Training
THIS SUNDAY, June 24, there will be a joint training of Eucharistic Ministers and Acolytes at 9 a.m. If you serve at the altar, even if you are an experienced server, please plan to attend this important training.
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St. Christopher's Guild
There will be a meeting of the St. Christopher's Guild
THIS SUNDAY, June 24, between services, at 9 am. All women of the parish are considered members of the guild and are cordially invited to attend. Planning is underway for the Hawaiian-themed event scheduled for Saturday, August 18 and your input is welcomed!
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Last Confirmation meeting this Sunday!
This Sunday, June 24, following the 10 a.m. service, the Confirmation class will meet for a final time. This meeting is
very important and you are REQUIRED to attend if you wish to be confirmed. We will look at the service and anticipate our meeting with Bishop Marc. Please complete all of the on-line training that you may have missed prior to this meeting. You can find it at
Confirmation Class . Questions? Let
Rev. Deb know.
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The Bishop's Visit and Confirmations on July 1
The Bishop is coming!
Next Sunday, July 1, The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus will be at Grace for his bi-annual Episcopal visit. He will preside at both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. At the 10 a.m. service, Bishop Marc will also confirm six people from our Grace family. Following that service there will be a festive reception in the Parish Hall, hosted by St. Christopher's Guild. Please join us in welcoming Bishop Marc!
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Poor People's Campaign Rally
There will be a rally, sponsored by the Multi-faith Action Coalition, FAME, Social Justice Alliance and the Interfaith Coalition of Contra Costa County to demonstrate solidarity with poor
everywhere, promising to keep the work going, holding our
elected leaders accountable to dismantle the systems that make p
eople poor & keep people poor.
Come hear the stories of real people as we address poverty together.
Date: Saturday, June 23
Time: 4pm-6pm (arrive 15 minutes early)
Admission for Volunteers: FREE
Address: Antioch Church Family, 55 E. 18th Street, Antioch
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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." This week, we will discuss Galatians 2:6-10 and consider the following questions: Who do you think of as the "pillars" of the church? What is the true work of the church? Who has the power/will/right to do it? Please join us!
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Make a Joyful Noise: Singers needed!
Special Rehearsal June 28, 7pm
While our Music Director Search continues, we are enjoying a wonderful group of substitute organists. This week we welcome Ferris Gluck to the organ console. On Sunday, July 1, Bishop Marc Andrus will be at Grace for his bi-annual Episcopal visit. We would like to serenade him with beautiful music while he is here, so we are calling all choir members - past, present and future - who would like to be an important part of that special event to come to a rehearsal on Thursday, June 28 at 7 p.m. Many thanks!
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Prayers of the People by the people
The Prayers of the People are a regular part of our worship. At Grace, these prayers have long been offered by one of our Eucharistic Ministers on behalf of the entire congregation. Recently, however, the Worship and Liturgy Committee has been in discussion about the beauty and grace of hearing prayers offered in many voices, so we are looking for volunteers to read the Prayers of the People on Sundays. This an extension of the job of Lectors, who read the lessons. You will receive a brief training in how to hold a microphone and where to go for help with pronunciations, but no other experience is necessary. This opportunity is open to anyone who feels moved to offer prayer on behalf of the people of Grace. If you are interested, please let John Lee know.
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Batter Up!
The Men's Group invites everyone to an outing to a Martinez Clippers baseball game on
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
.
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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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. For more information and to RSVP that you're coming, please email the church office. Happy reading!
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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
.
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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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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A Message from Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
Summer Camp Support Needed
: We are currently putting together summer programming for kids (toddler through middle school), and we need your help. Many of these kids are formerly homeless or very low-income. In the past, volunteers (teens and adults) have organized small groups to host different "camps". These activities take place at our housing sites (Pittsburg & Concord) for a couple hours/day for 4-5 days during the week. Each week has a theme and FUN is always on the agenda. Feel free to call and discuss ideas or just offer general help to an already formed camp week. All camps are supervised by on-site CCIH staff. Email
gloria@ccinterfaithhousing.org for more information. Ages: 13+. Use this link to sign up to help:
http://tinyurl.com/y8cdcj2l
Spanish Translator: We are looking for a fluent, Spanish-speaking volunteer to assist a CCIH Housing Navigator at Monument Crisis Center in Concord. The Center offers drop-in services (including Housing Navigation services) weekday mornings between 9am and noon, and we are hoping for a volunteer to make a regular commitment at least one morning per week - preferably Wednesday morning, but Monday through Thursday mornings would be possibilities depending on the volunteer's needs and schedule. Email
gloria@ccinterfaithhousing.org for more information.
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Healing prayer
We offer Healing Prayer during both our 8 and 10 a.m. services. If you wish to have someone pray with you for yourself or others, you may go to the prie dieu (kneeler) at the right rear corner of the sanctuary after receiving communion. This is a ministry of the people of Grace to one another -no clergy required! We are looking for more volunteers for this important ministry, so if you are willing to pray with others, please let
Rev. Deb know. No experience is necessary; we will train you!
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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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| An easy way to contribute to Grace
Grace Episcopal Church Martinez is now on Amazon Smile. 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! |
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