Do you have things for which you are thankful? Do you wish to take some time out with others to give thanks to God?  This year, there will be two opportunities at Grace Church.

 

Sunday, November 24: 

It is our turn to host the community at the annual United Churches of Galena Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service. We will do so at 4 pm on Sunday afternoon with a Thanksgiving vesper service of candlelight, hymns, and prayers. Bring a donation of breakfast cereal--

a current need of our Food Pantry.   

 

Thanksgiving Day : Our usual informal morning chapel service of prayer, reflection, Thanksgiving hymns, and communion at 9:30 am. Come while the turkey is cooking or before you head out over the river and through the woods....   

 

Advent

begins on Sunday, December 1 with the lighting of the first candle of the Advent Wreath. 

 

United Churches Christmas Concert: December 4, 7 pm  

One of the great traditions of God's people is to sing His praises. We invite you to join in singing the praises of God as we look forward to the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas. Please mark your calendars for attending the United Churches of Galena Community Christmas Concert at 7pm on Wednesday, December 4th, at St. Michael Catholic Church. A freewill offering will be collected to benefit the UCG Food Pantry.  

 

ADVENT QUIET DAY--DECEMBER 7

 

On Saturday, December 7, from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Carol Poston will lead a quiet day based on the writings of Anglican theologian Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), the first woman to lecture on theology at Oxford and the author of two major works on mysticism and worship, as well as other writings. As some of you already know, Carol is the editor of

The Making of a Mystic: New and Selected Letters of Evelyn Underhill (University of Illinois Press, 2010).

 

No advance reading is required, but art materials, rosaries and other prayer aids will be available; and if you are in the habit of journaling, you may wish to bring your journal with you since there will be ample time for personal reflection. There is no charge, but freewill offerings are welcome to help cover the cost of lunch, which is provided. For this reason, we do request advance registration. Please call the church office at 815-777-2590 no later than Friday, November 29 to reserve your spot.

A preliminary report: On Sunday, November 17, our in-gathering of pledge cards resulted in 42 returned pledges (of 58 expected for the year.) The total amount of those 42 pledges is $117,328. Three are first time pledgers, and more than half increased over the current year.  

    Many, many thanks to those who have made this commitment to Grace ministries in 2020. If you have not done so, there is still time. You may drop it off or mail it to the church office. Extra pledge packets are available in the Narthex. Pledging is not required to be a member of Grace. It is encouraged as a practice of faith and as a way of helping the church's leaders plan for the next year's ministry expenses. 

Off to Diocesan Convention!  A full contingent of delegates, alternates, and guests from Grace. (Photo is from last year.)

See you in church,

Gloria+

As Year C closes this week, we are invited, once again, to celebrate the reign of Christ. The readings, though, make it impossible to get too triumphalist about it. The message is clear: this King is no power-monger, no tyrant, no self-aggrandising leader. Rather, Christ embodies what the Scriptures call the Good Shepherd to God's people, the servant leader, the self-giving Messiah. This vision of God's reign is both challenging and inspiring in a world where religions try to claim God's kingdom for themselves, while warring on each other, and where power is all too often abused and hoarded.

May we be challenged to live under the authority of the Servant King as we worship together this week.

READINGS

Jeremiah 23:1-6: A prophecy of judgement on the unrighteous rulers of God's people, and a promise of a new, righteous leader from David's line.

Colossians 1:11-20: In Christ, who is supreme over all, and the visible image of God, we have been transferred from the realm of darkness into the realm of God's reign.

Luke 23:33-43: While dying on the cross, Jesus assures the penitent thief that he will be with him in paradise that day.

The celebration of the rulership of Christ is a significant one for our interaction with the world and its power systems. On the one hand it reminds us that no human power, however it may pride itself on military might, wealth or global influence, is truly in control of the world. All human empires ultimately fall. On the other hand, it reminds us that we are called to work within - and also in opposition to - the systems of this world to bring the values and justice of God's reign into being in our human reality. Every interaction, every decision, every moment and every place we find ourselves in must be submitted to the influence of Christ, and must be received as an opportunity to experience God's reign in our lives, and to share the blessing of God's reign with others. This is not about evangelism in the "tell them about Jesus" sense. It's about turning our faith into a life-transforming practice, rather than just an intellectual assent to some ideas about God. Ultimately, for Christ to truly be Monarch in our world, Christ must be Monarch in individual lives in such a way that God's peace and justice, God's love and grace, constantly flow through God's people into the world - one moment, one interaction and one step at a time.  

Thumbnails and commentary from sacredise.com

Grace Movie Night - Joyeux Noel

Sunday December 1st , 6:00pm

 

For the month of Christmas, what better movie than one about war interrupted by peace. Film critic Roger Ebert aptly encapsulated Joyeux Noel in this 2006 review:

 

"On Christmas Eve of 1914, a remarkable event took place in the trenches where the Germans faced the British and the French. There was a spontaneous cease-fire, as the troops on both sides laid down their weapons and observed the birth of the savior in whose name they were killing each other. The irony of this gesture is made clear in the opening scenes of "Joyeux Noel," in which schoolchildren of the three nations sing with angelic fervor, each in their own language, about the necessity of wiping the enemy from the face of the earth."

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfahreJd1fs

 

All who enjoy a good movie are welcome, including guests, and guests of guests. Anyone may bring a beverage, snack or popcorn to munch during the movie.