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PARISH HOUSE
Regular hours have resumed. Nancy is available on Tuesday - Friday mornings. I am available Monday by appointment and Tuesday-Thursday. Since the building is still somewhat restricted, please contact us ahead of time if you need to come by.
And masks are essential.
Any ministries that wish to resume meetings or events at the Parish House must contact the rector before scheduling. There are attendance limits to each of the meeting places as well as expectations for masking, maintaining physical distancing and sanitizing the areas following their use. The 1st floor Parish Hall is limited to 15 individuals. The 2nd floor Conference Room and the Chapel each can accommodate no more than 9 people.
The AA groups have resumed their meetings. There are four: Mondays at 10 am; Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm; and Wednesday at noon.
SUNDAY WORSHIP
Worship continues each Sunday both in-person and online on Zoom. reservations are being received. In-person worship requires advance reservations as we are limited to 25% of our capacity in order to maintain the 6 foot physical distancing.
If you have not yet reserved your spot for Sunday, you will find the link in the sidebar to the right of this article. When you arrive on Sunday at the Parish House door, a Greeter will check your name(s) off on a list and admit you to the building where you will proceed into the nave to find an empty seat that is designated by a bulletin. Pews that are not to be used will be closed off by lengths of ribbon. There will be hand sanitizer stations at the entrance and also at the back of the nave.
For those worshiping at home on Zoom, here is the link to the bulletin that you may download and/or print: BULLETIN . When you log in on Sunday morning, y ou will be muted except for during the sharing of the peace, birthday and anniversary blessings, and a time of greeting at the end of the service. As usual, the Zoom will be ready for you at 10:20 am.
Here once again are our "Ten 'Commandments'" for re-opening TEN. The full plan that was submitted to the Bishop's office for approval may be found here.
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For those of you who were unable to attend Diane Luther's ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons last Saturday due to our COVID-19 restrictions, please know that a video will soon be available. It was a lovely service, with Bishop Lee presiding. As always, I love these liturgies--certainly the celebration with a newly ordained person who has completed a lengthy and sometimes arduous time of formation and preparation. And the promise of the new ministry to come. But also because it is an opportunity to reflect once again on the vows that are taken--slightly different for deacon, priest, and bishop--but all a continuous thread of commitment that begins in each of our baptismal vows.
I do not have all of the paperwork with me at this moment, but am recalling a line from the booklet of expectations for deacons. It included a quote that said something like the deacon being the model of our baptismal ministries. We talked about that with the bishop the other day--about how those of us who are ordained are not so much "set apart" in our roles but "set within" the community to encourage and bring out the gifts that each of us bring to ministry. Sometimes that is forgotten or skewed. The ordained assumes an authority that should be shared. Or the church expects the clergy to be the religious experts and do the ministry for them.
While we wait for the video, I will share a few still shots and a short video taken on Saturday.
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|  | Ordinand affirming call and declaring readiness.
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| | Diaconal Ordination Retiring Procession |
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| Normally, the new deacon would serve at the table. During COVID, only the presider serves.
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And, it is so! Thanks be to God!
See you in church--in-person or on Zoom,
Gloria+
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READINGS:
Genesis 45:1-15: Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers and forgives them, explaining that it was God who had sent him to Egypt to save them and others from the famine. Then he instructs them to bring his father to Egypt to be with him. reveals his identity to his brothers and forgives them, explaining that it was God who had sent him to Egypt to save them and others from the famine. Then he instructs them to bring his father to Egypt to be with him.
Psalm 133: A celebration of unity among God's people which brings the blessing of life.
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32: God has not abandoned Israel, but offers God's mercy to all - both Jew and Gentile.
Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28: Jesus explains that it is not what we eat that defiles us but the evil that is in our hearts. Then he is approached by a Canaanite woman who convinces him, in spite of his initial reluctance, to heal her daughter who is being tormented by a demon.
Mercy, blessing and salvation are three words that belong together, that are often associated with Gospel, and yet, that are sometimes viewed completely separately as we wrestle with God's grace and justice. However, to really understand them, and to really grasp the power of God's work in and through them, these words need to be placed together and allowed to inform, define and influence each other. When that happens, we discover that God's gift of salvation, justice and wholeness is offered to all people. Mercy is available to all. And the motivation to participate in God's work, and the result of God's work in our lives and our world, is celebration. It is easy, when wrestling with brokenness and injustice to forget this, but the gift of celebration - blessing - is integral to the Gospel.
Thumbprints and commentaries from:
sacredise.com
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Heartfelt Thanks
The last few weeks have been a time of reflection, joy, and a deep sense of gratitude, as I prepared to take the vows at my ordination. I have been blessed by your prayers, support, encouragement, and validation as I have moved through the process of discernment, formation, and ordination to the diaconate. Thank you. For those of you who were with me in person and those present in spirit and prayer at my ordination, thank you. For the beautiful green deacon's stole from the Grace congregation, thank you. What drew Richard and me to Grace initially was the welcome and hospitality extended us from the moment we arrived. What kept us coming back, excited about being a part of this community, was the ministry provided in Galena, the diocese and the world, both by Grace and by individuals living out their baptismal promises. I look forward to continuing our ministry together.
Many blessings,
Deacon Diane
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Wednesday Morning Study Group
Communal Bible Study affords an enjoyable and fulfilling way to grow spiritually and exchange insights with fellow parishioners, especially during the pandemic. We currently are studying the Gospel of Matthew. All are welcome Wednesday mornings, 10:30 - 11:30. 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.
Education for Ministry (EfM) Update Registration will soon begin for EfM for this coming academic year. Due to the uncertainty of the times, the Grace-Galena EfM group will have an informational Zoom session on Thursday, August 20 at 1 pm. Whether you are a current EfM student, a possibly returning student for the year of your choice or a new student, please join the conversation to see if a seminar is possible this year. The Zoom Meeting ID: 281 794 0720 with the Passcode: graceful.
Lynn Giles, Grace EfM Mentor
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Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19!
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Pentecost Season Worship
Sunday services will begin at our usual 10:30 time at church and 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 in-person in the church and 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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Members of Grace Church are responsible for a serious problem here in Galena!
What could we have
done, you ask? Out of gratitude for our many blessings, we have filled our UTO boxes with so much change that our community has seen a significant shortage in coinage! We can solve this problem!
Starting this Sunday, please bring your full and overflowing UTO boxes to church. There will be a box in the Parish House in which to put them! There will also be a new UTO box for you to take.
But wait, you say, some of us are not coming to church,
how can we turn in our boxes? Call Teri Jackman at
815-281-0485 to make arrangements for her to come
to your house and pick up your box. Be sure to thank her for her service to Grace and Galena!
Current list of needs for needy in Galena:
(although money can always be used)
cleaning supplies
baby wipes
feminine products
size 6 diapers
laundry detergent
outdoor toys for kids (all ages)
toilet paper
paper towels
cleaning sponges
fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, grapes are popular)
Anything can be dropped off on the porch of
704 Park Avenue, Galena . Thank you!
Women and Friends Make a Difference
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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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Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 16, 2020
Zoom Worship-10:30 am
Meeting ID: 824 2178 3266
Reservation for in-person worship:
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
Ministers of the Service:
Presider: Rev. Linda Packard
Deacon: Rev. Diane Luther
Lector: Lynn Giles
Intercessor: Deb Pausz
Vestry Coordinator: Nancy Cook
Pianist: Robin French
Greeter: Charlotte Stryker
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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 23, 2020
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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
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist 10:30am
both in-person in the church
and online on Zoom
Monday
Tuesday
Vestry Committee online 9:00am
Holy Eucharist* 7:30am both in-person in the church and on Zoom
Bible Study** online 10:30am
Thursday
Friday Meditative Prayer** online 9:00am
To be 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 p
osted 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 Eucharist August 2, 2020 |
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| | Grace Episcopal Church Sunday Service 7 26 2020--our first hybrid in-person/Zoom service. The first part of the service lost in cyberspace. |
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| Grace Episcopal Church Worship
7 19 2020--our trial run, the first broadcast from the church. With sound problems that we are working on. |
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| Grace Entry Video with Music
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| | Virtual Chapel with Compline |
MORE ORDINATION PHOTOS
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| | Presentation of deacon stole from Grace |
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