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Automatic Bill Pay for Pledge
If you have this set up to send to the church, this is a reminder to change the mailing address to:
107 S. Prospect St.
Thank you.
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Poinsettias-- SIGN UP SOON!!
A sign-up sheet for the Christmas poinsettias will be in the Narthex through December 2nd. The cost will be $15. Donations for the greens on the altar would also be appreciated. Also, the 2019 Flower Chart is on the bulletin board. Please choose a date to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or a loved one.
Advent Series: Journeying the Way of Love:
Await the coming of Christ with the Rector on Advent Sunday mornings at 8:45 am. These four sessions use excerpts from the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke as a pattern for understanding how we can live our Presiding Bishop's Way of Love
practices as individuals, as families and friends, as a community, and out in the world.
Dec. 2: The Annunciation: Saying "Yes" to the Journey
Dec. 9: Mary and Elizabeth: Journeying with Family and Friends
Dec. 16: The Birth of John the Baptist: Journeying with Community
Dec. 23: The Birth of Jesus: Journeying with the World
Advent Quiet Day--SIGN UP SOON!
Advent begins the first Sunday in December. Grace Church will prepare for that holy season of preparation for Christmas with an Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 8 from 10 am to 3:00 pm. Our leader will be Sr. Bobbi Bussan, the Director of Benet House Retreat Center at St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island. A native of Galena, she says "My roots will always be in Galena. . .where I first knew God was going to be a centerpiece of my life." An experienced retreat leader with all ages (from elementary students to adults), she works with homeless women and children and has a passion for Benedictine spirituality. In addition to the opportunity to learn about Centering Prayer, the day will include: brief talks, discussion, and plenty of opportunity for journaling or quiet. Lunch in the new parish hall is included. The church is located at 107 S Prospect St., Galena IL. There is a $10 suggested donation. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Christmas Family
Grace's annual Christmas family adoption features a family with four children: 10 months and 2, 8, and 10 years old. Ornaments will be displayed with suggested items for the children. For the family as a whole, household items such as Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, etc. are also welcome. If you can help, please contact Teresa Burke, 608-732-8628 or
tburke@galgazette.com
. Items can be left in the Narthex at church
by December 12
, or delivered to Teresa at the Galena Gazette office.
Steve Dowe's humorous and informative bulletin insert reminds us "It's Advent; it must be HEIFER time." Grace Church has raised funds for Heifer International every Christmas since 2002. Heifer International provides people all over the world with animals and instruction in the proper care of the animals. The recipients are expected to give the first off-spring of their animal to a needy friend or relative. Donations of any amount made in honor of someone make great Christmas gifts. This year we have three styles of honor cards with envelopes. See Lynn Giles for details and to make a donation between now and December 23rd.
Canapés & Conversations
Pete & Charlotte Stryker will host the December event on Friday, the 14th at their home at 3 Arcadia Court in the Galena Territory from 5-7 pm. Please bring friends, nibbles and beverages to share. All are welcome!
Worship Schedule
December 2, 9, 16: Advent Worship with Eucharist, 10:30 am
December 23: Advent Lessons and Carols, 10:30 am
December 24: Christmas Eve Festival of the Nativity, 5 pm.
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I am especially eager for the beginning of Advent this year! First, occupying our new Parish House and seeing the large number of people who stay after worship to enjoy refreshments and conversation has been thrilling! So, that will add a special joy to this sacred season.
Second, is the opportunity to begin to roll out our Presiding Bishop's "Way of Love" initiative of practices that assist us in deepening our faith and our relationship with God. The program for the four Advent Sunday mornings is described above. This short series provides a taste of how these practices might enrich our lives. In January, Diane Luther will be leading a longer series meant to engage us in making the practice a part of our devotional lives. I hope you will consider attending.
As is always true, I welcome the counter-cultural nature of Advent that offers a time for quiet reflection in the midst of the shopping and decorating frenzy elsewhere. The colors and candles, the music, the scriptural stories add a richness and dimension to our spiritual lives. It is partly the anticipation of the coming celebration of the Incarnation. And there is another anticipation, too--that of the coming of the Reign of Christ--the world as God wanted it to be--one of peace, love, joy, and hope for all people. So, it is not an entirely passive time, but one in which we think of and care for others, being aware of the need and misery in our world and community, and opening our hearts to doing what we can to relieve it.
I was reminded in my reading of church growth/vitality literature that many non-denominational churches do not observe Advent or the liturgical calendar. What surprised me was the sentiment that the cycle and calendar of the church year are not important or desired. And that a new and exciting idea being suggested is to feature the twelve days of Christmas leading up to Christmas Day! (My sense from reading this was that the writer was not aware of the existing tradition and of the Epiphany.) For me, the shaping of our stories within a yearly cycle, the use of liturgical colors and practices that go with each season, is a powerful way to experience our faith with all of our senses and to reinforce the foundations that frame our faith. Of course, it is possible for this to become too important--more about the traditions than ways to embody the story itself. (That would be a form of idolatry.) But I am ever grateful for these reminders and their beauty that shape me, my faith, and my life. I hope you will take the time in this season to wait, to wonder, and to experience its promise of peace, joy, love, and hope.
See you in church,
Gloria+
I was asked to explain "Our Rector's New Status" mentioned in the Vestry Highlights below. I have been appointed by Bishop Lee to a two year term as Dean of the Rockford Deanery. In addition to the Deanery meetings I also attend, I shall meet with the other 9 deans and the Bishop three or four times each year. Here is an excerpt from my appointment letter about the expectations:
A deanery is a geographically defined subset of the Diocese which exists to promote collegiality among the leadership of the parishes/missions/chaplaincies/institutions within it and to provide pastoral attention for its resident clergy. The Diocese currently has 10 deaneries. A dean is a lead clergy person within each deanery.
Selection Process
Deans are appointed by the Bishop of Chicago and confirmed at Convention. Appointments are for two year terms, renewable up to two times.
Four Functions of a Dean, understanding the ministry will be locally adapted:
A dean seeks to form pastoral relationships with clergy in his or her deanery.
A dean serves, with the other deans, as a council of advice for the Bishop.
A dean convenes the leadership of his or her deanery at least twice a year, seeking to both build relationships and to educate/inform about Diocesan priorities.
A dean is responsible for providing updates for Diocesan Council meetings.
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READINGS:
Jeremiah 33:14-16: God promises to raise up a descendant of David to reign over God's people and to bring goodness, rightness, justice, and security to Israel and Judah.
Psalm 25:1-10: A prayer for God's compassion and forgiveness, for God to make God's ways known to the Psalmist, and to lead him in God's truth. For God is good and righteousness, guiding the weak to justice and leading those who keep God's covenant in paths of love and faithfulness.
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13: The apostle gives thanks for the Thessalonian church, praying to see them and help them grow in faith. He also prays that they may grow in love, and have strong and holy hearts when Jesus comes.
Luke 21:25-36: Jesus teaches the disciples to be watchful for the signs of the coming destruction, using the apocalyptic language of signs in the heavens, dismay among the nations, and unusual behaviour in the natural world. After these signs, people will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud in splendour. So, his disciples must be watchful, ready to read the signs and keep their hearts faithful.
Advent reminds us that in the midst of our daily struggles and victories, there is another reality at work, one that, if we remain aware and connected to it, will fill every detail of our lives with greater meaning & purpose. As we enter this season, we are called to watch, and to look for the signs of God's reign around us, and then to co-operate with those signs, calling them into the light, and offering our love and strength to make God's reign even more visible in our families, churches, and communities. This means living as those who submit to Christ as the embodiment of God's Reign as promised to David. It means constantly seeking for God's grace, strength, guidance, and love to empower us to stay faithful. It means supporting and strengthening one another in the community of faith. And it means keeping our hearts faithful and pure as we watch for the constant signs of God's coming within our daily routines. A key feature of this Advent hope is to release the dream that we will be evacuated from the earth's suffering, but recognise that God's desire is to work in and through us in the midst of turmoil and struggle. Then, as we respond to this call, we become a sign of God's Advent to others, leading them into the hope we have in Christ.
The thumbnails
and reflections excerpted from sacredise.com
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Vestry Highlights --November 2018
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Frani Beadle named Church Administrator; contract for columbarium occupancy approved
At its monthly meeting on November 20, the Vestry voted to change the hours and job title of Frani Beadle. Under the amended contract, her average hours per week will be increased from 15 to 20, and her present title of Church Secretary replaced by that of Church Administrator.
"Frani's present status does not adequately reflect either her contributions to the parish or her range of responsibilities, which she has undertaken so competently," said Senior Warden Pete Stryker. "This move is, if anything, overdue."
Junior Warden Greg Serwish presented a finalized version of an application and terms and conditions of occupying columbarium and Resurrection Garden spaces. Both the contract and the revision of Frani's contract were unanimously approved by voice vote.
Our Rector's new status
From the Diocesan Convention held in Lombard on November 16-17 comes the news that Gloria Hopewell has been elected dean of the Rockford Deanery in the Diocese of Chicago, thereby becoming the Very Reverend Gloria Hopewell during her term in that position. Elsewhere in this issue she describes this new responsibility, including the function of deaneries within the diocesan structure.
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Formation Ministries News
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Theological Thrillers
The session of Theological Thrillers scheduled for December 1 has been cancelled. The possibility of rescheduling will be considered at a later date.
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There are now two flat screen TVs in the Parish House--a 65" in the downstairs fellowship area, and a 42" in the Conference Room. Thanks to Len Banas and Frani Beadle for installation and set-up!
With some luck, Hulscher Fencing should be able to install the posts and handrail this week along the church side of the parking lot. They will drill into the stone, install posts, grout posts, add handrail, tack weld hand rail. It will be painted black but not until spring. Do not think we will get parking spots striped until spring either. Seems winter got here a bit too soon.
All the pictures / artwork from the parish house is in the conference room. A group is working to determine what we should use, what we should save, what we should toss.
Am looking at adding one more stair railing up to second floor - opposite side of the current one. There are a lot of stairs and some folks like to do the stairs but need a bit more railing for their right hand.
Pete Stryker
Cell 312 504 8268
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Cooking with God's Bounty
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Pfeffernusse (Peppernuts)
Ingredients:
Directions
- In a mixer mix all ingredients until blended.
- Add water a few drops at a time until mixture forms a ball.
- Knead the dough ball for a few minutes.
- Roll out a walnut sized ball of dough into a long rope of dough (little finger width). Cut pieces of the rope and put on baking sheet.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes.
- Let cookies cool on sheets.
- Makes dozens of cookies - nice and crunchy.
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Vestry Liaisons
V
estry Liaisons' primary purpose is to assure two-way communications between the various groups and the
Vestry,
to represent the groups for resources
or
policy issues, and to
support
their
events
an
d activities.
Worship:
Rector
Building and Grounds:
Pete Stryker (Sr. Warden 2017-2019)
Worship Committee: Pam Malik
(class of 2019)
Formation and Spirituality:
Greg Serwich (Jr. Warden 2018-2019)
Fellowship &
Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)
Pastoral Care/
LEMs: Bonnielynn Kreiser
(class of 2020)
Outreach:
Tony Packard (class of 2021)
Deb Pausz (class of 2019)
Communications: Larry Poston (class of 2020)
Governance: Wardens & Rector
Officers:
Pete Stryker, Senior Warden
Greg Serwich, Junior Warden
R
ichard Luther, Treasurer
Elizabeth Ludescher, Clerk
Rect
or
: The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
Ad
ministrative Asst.: Fräni Beadle
O
rganist/Pianist: Robin French, Nancy Cook
Choir Director: Pat Terry
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December 2, 2018
Sunday Morning Eucharist
First Advent
10:30am
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Lector:
Terri Jackman
1st Chalicist:
Cathie Elsbree
Lynn Giles
Acolyte:
Richard Luther
Vestry Coordinator:
Greg Serwich
Greeter:
Karen Serwich
Altar Guild:
Ann Berry & Amy Hardwicke
Presider:
Very Rev. Gloria Hopewell,D.Min.
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Advent 1
December 2, 2018
Eucharistic readings
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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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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7:30 am
Midweek Morning Eucharist
8:10 am
Community Breakfast at Victory Café
Cursillo Reunion
St. Francis Room
Morning Bible Study Parish House
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| Wednesdays at 7pm
Saturdays at 10am
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For current and
upcoming events, download a copy of the calendar with this link:
December OR check out the goog
le
calendar on the new website
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Copies of sermons and e-Blasts are available on the Narthex table.
Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here
Sermons are
often posted as audio files on the rector's Facebook page.
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**
If you put out trash, please put in a secure trash can.
Thanks to all for your cooperation. **
12/2 - Mikelson
12/9 - Serwich/Kennedy
R
eminder for hosts:
Napkins and plates
are provided. Use
what you need from
our pantry to the right
of the coffee maker.
Remember: Keep it simple. We usually have about 20-25 attending.
**Coffee schedule sign up is in the Parish House kitchen.**
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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:
o Carol Poston
o Charlotte Kennedy who can assist you and connect you with parishioners who have trained and commited 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 : Carol Poston, Charlotte Kennedy
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 your celebrations been missed in our bulletins?
Send to Frani.
Thank y
ou!
News and Photos
f
or e-Blast!
People
want to know
what's going on at Grace! T
here are places
here for your
event,
program, or
interesting tidbit.
Audio files, along with recent archived sermons may be found in the "Worship" tab of the Grace Church website or at this link:
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| Grace Galena Sermon 26th after Pentecost |
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| Grace Galena Sermon Christ the King 2018 |
FROM THE UNITED CHURCHES 2018 CHRISTMAS CONCERT
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