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The Way of Love: An Epiphany Opportunity
Please consider joining during the Epiphany season, this study of the "Way of Love." Even if you were unable to attend previous sessions, you are welcome to join in at any time. In each of our meetings, there will be prayer, check-in, discussion, practicing the Way of L
ove, check-out, and worship.
We meet on Tuesday afternoons, from 2:00 - 3:30, concluding March 5.
Lenten Meditation Booklets
The Lenten Meditation booklet is being prepared and everyone has a chance to participate. You can receive an envelope with instructions and assigned readings after church on Sunday or you could phone if you're not planning on being in church. The deadline for submissions is February 22nd by email or February 24th in church. Carmen Ferguson and Diann Marsh are editing this years' booklet and you can phone either one to request an assignment. Carmen 815 777 2309 or Diann 815 777 8984.
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This is for those of you who were unable to be in church for the Annual Meeting last Sunday, though we did have an excellent turn-out in spite of the weather. Inside, it was "always sunny in Philad--oh, whoops--Grace Church!"
We had a very encouraging report from the Parish Treasurer, Richard Luther. In a year directly following the successful capital campaign, we had an amazing increase of more than 11% in pledges for 2019! At the end of 2018, a year with a budgeted deficit, we still had a deficit, but it was much lower than budgeted--and in 2019, a year when we anticipate seeing some necessary increases in expenses--the budget approved by the Vestry has just a small deficit (just over $600).
We elected two new Vestry members, Elizabeth Lud escher and Charlotte Stryker and thanked outgoing members Pam Malik and Deb Pausz for their service. We elected new wardens--Greg Serwich and Lynn Giles, and honored outgoing Senior Warden, Pete Stryker for his service and his leadership in the building of the new Parish House. In his presentation, Greg made a wry allusion to our Capital Campaign theme, "Upon This Rock" and on Simon Peter, the rock on which the church was built: the gift, a Lynn Giles original photo of the church and parish house, is entitled, "The House That Pete Built."
I was privileged to present the findings of our "Vision and Values"  project at the conclusion of the meeting. It is a visual presentation that I will make available online as well as offering additional presentations for any who wish to see and discuss the portrait of Grace Church that emerged through the 75 one-to-one conversations with parishioners over the past months. And, if you think it is a finished product that will be filed away or archived, think again.
The Vision and Values team* very much desires feedback. "What of these findings rang true? Was there something you expected to see that was not there? Do these findings provide a foundation for defining shared values and 'the story we want to tell' about Grace and its ministries?" We hope that the effort we put into this enjoyable project will result in blessings and benefits to each of us, to our parish, and to the community and world we serve. As with the parish house, this is not an end but a beginning. A beginning for a new time built upon rock of our heritage and tradition.
See you in church,
Gloria+
*The cross-ministry team who joined me in making this happen included Lynn Giles, Elizabeth Ludescher, Greg Serwich, Mary Lou Smith from Formation; Pam Malik and Diane Luther from Worship; and Deb Pauz, from Outreach. Ann Williams also contributed.
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READINGS:
Jeremiah 1:4-10: Jeremiah is called to be a prophet, and God explains God's knowledge of Jeremiah from his conception, and God's message for Jeremiah to preach. Note both the "yes" and the "no" in the message Jeremiah is given.
Psalm 71:1-6: A prayer for God to protect and be a refuge from one who has trusted and praised God since the womb.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13: A celebration of the noble and godly characteristics of love, which lasts forever and is the greatest of all things. Again note the "yes" (love is...) and the "no" (love is not...).
Luke 4:21-30
:
After reading the "yes" in Isaiah's scroll (last week) and claiming the prophecy for himself, Jesus confronts the people of Nazareth with a "no" because, like their ancestors, they are offended by the idea that God can work in and through "outsiders" and Gentiles, and they refuse to accept the teachings of the prophets.
This offends the people, and so they attempt to kill
Jesus.
As preachers, worship leaders and even Christ-followers, it is all too easy to seek to bring Jesus and his Gospel into service of our own desires and agendas. It is easy to accept grace for ourselves, but deny it to others - even in Jesus' name. It is easy to remain silent when Jesus is used as justification for abuse, oppression, greed, hatred or arrogance. But, grace does not call us to silence, or to compliance with that which hurts and destroys. The strength of grace is to resist what keeps others from grace - defending the powerless, speaking for the voiceless and lifting up the downtrodden - all while still seeking to love those against whom we stand. Inevitably, this just (justice-focused) grace, will bring us into situations of confrontation and conflict, but they can be navigated with both strength and compassion, if we will learn from Jesus. Who, in your community, needs just grace to defend and heal them (the "yes")? Who needs just grace to confront and disturb them (the "no")? And where, in our own hearts, do we need grace to confront and disturb us?
The thumbnails
and reflections excerpted from sacredise.com
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OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE--GRACE CHURCH CLERK
Prior to being elected to the Vestry, Elizabeth Ludescher served two years as Clerk for the Parish. The Vestry members are deeply indebted to her; because it freed us all up from taking minutes during the Vestry meetings. Having been elected to the Vestry now, she is stepping down from being Clerk, hoping she too will be free to engage thoughtfully in meeting discussions. As an Officer of the Parish (along with the Treasurer), this position is an official one, filled through election by the Vestry.
According to our diocesan canons:
It shall be the duty of the Clerk to attend all meetings of the Vestry, to ta
ke minutes
of the proceedings, and when approved to enter and attest the same in the minute book;
to preserve the
Parish records; to attest the public acts
of the Vestry; and to perform such other duties as
may be assigned
to him or her.
Besides, you'll have an inside track on the doings of the Vestry! Please contact the Rector or Senior Warden if you are willing to undertake this crucial ministry or have questions about it
.
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CANAPES AND CONVERSATION-Feb. 15
Steve & Maren Coates will be hosting at their home at 304 Elk St. on Friday, February 15th from 5-7pm. Bring a friend, a nibble and a beverage to share. All are welcome!
If you are interested in hosting this year, please e-mail Cathie Elsbree to see which months are available at
elsbreecaal@yahoo.com
.
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ALTAR GUILD
There are many openings on the flower chart for the coming year. Don't forget to sign-up for your special date.
SAVE THE DATES!
CURRENT AND POTENTIAL LECTORS
Ronn Toebaas will lead a Lector Workshop on March 9 at 2:00 pm. This will be for all current lectors and those wishing to become lectors. If you are unavailable on that date, a make-up date of March 18 at 7:00 pm has been set. Please let Terri Jackman know which date you will attend by e-mailing her at
terri.jackman@gmail.com
.
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Formation & Spirituality Notes
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Grace Movie Night, beginning February 22nd
Christ encouraged his disciples and, through them, us to look for the Kingdom of God in our earthly kingdoms, principalities, communities and lives. (Thankfully, nobody said the search can't be entertaining!)
Starting February 22nd, each 4th Friday of the month we'll be having a movie night in the Parish Hall, beginning at 6 p.m., to be followed by a discussion. For our "premier event", we'll be going back to the 1962 movie production of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning book: "To Kill a Mockingbird", starring Gregory Peck in an Oscar winning performance as Atticus Finch. Here are some insightful excerpts from a film review by Ed McNulty (writing for "Read the Spirit"):
Both the book and the film deserve all the praise and respect that they have garnered through the years. What a wonderful opportunity the film offers people of faith to explore such topics as racism, courage, nonviolence and most of all, integrity. And I should also add, they present us with one of the most admirable Christ figures of all time."
We'll put on the coffee and hot water for tea. Bring your own snacks and/or evening meal. Movie Nights are free and open to all. Bring your family and friends!
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Columbarium Reservations Now Available
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In November, 2018, a service of Committal for Robert Klaus and  Richard Babcock took place in the Grace Chapel as they were laid to rest in the new Columbarium. At the same time, the Columbarium was dedicated.
Following Vestry approval of the Terms and Conditions of columbarium use, they announce that there are thirty-five niches in the Chapel Columbarium, including the two mentioned above. Each niche accommodates up to two urns. Specific niches are assigned by the Church at the time of urn placement. Congregants may secure an opportunity to use a niche (for themselves, spouses or partners, and children) by completing and signing a reservation form and submitting the reservation fee of $250 per niche. An additional payment for each nameplate (currently about $20) will be required after placement of the urn(s).
A downloadable copy of the reservation form along with the Terms and Conditions can be found on the Grace website at Columbarium,
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Cooking with God's Bounty
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Toffee Pecan Banana Bread
Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1/2cupvegetable oil
2eggs beaten
3medium bananas. mashed
2cupsflour
1tspbaking powder
1/2tspbaking soda
1/2tspsalt
1/4cuporange juice
1cuptoasted pecans
3/4cuptoffee chips like Heath bits
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Toast the pecans on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Turn them after 5 minutes.
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Allow them to cool to room temperature while you prepare the rest of the recipe
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Beat sugar and oil in a bowl. Add eggs and mashed banana.
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Sift together dry ingredients and fold into banana mixture alternately with orange juice.
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Give the cooled pecans a rough chop with a knife and then fold them into the batter along with the toffee chips.
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Pour batter into 1 large or two small greased and parchment lined loaf pans.
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Bake for 45 minutes to an hour depending upon pan size. A toothpick inserted in the center which comes out clean is the best indicator that the loaf is fully baked.
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Cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely
Recipe Notes
Don't worry if this banana bread does not bake in one hour in your pans or oven. It will tolerate more time. Just keep checking it and let the toothpick test be your guide.
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Vestry Liaisons
V
estry 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
an
d activities.
Worship:
Rector
Building and Grounds:
Greg Serwish (Sr. Warden 2018-2020)
Worship Committee: TBA
Formation and Spirituality:
Elizabeth Ludescher (class of 2022)
Fellowship &
Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)
Pastoral Care/
LEMs: Bonnielynn Kreiser
(class of 2020)
Outreach:
Tony Packard (class of
2021)
Communications: Larry Poston (class of 2020)
Governance: Wardens & Rector
Officers:
Greg Serwich, Senior Warden
Junior Warden, Lynn Giles
R
ichard Luther, Treasurer
Open, Clerk
Rect
or
: The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
Parish Ad
ministrator: Fräni Beadle
O
rganist/Pianist: Robin French, Nancy Cook
Choir Director: Pat Terry
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February 3, 2019
Sunday Morning
Epiphany 4
10:30am
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Lector:
Carol Poston
1st Chalicist:
Bill Boehler
Lynn Giles
Acolyte:
Donna Davis
Vestry Coordinator:
Larry Poston
Greeter:
Altar Guild:
Amy Hardwicke & Ann Berry
Presider:
The Very Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
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Epiphany 5
February 10, 2019
Eucharistic readings
for your own study:
Isaiah 6:1-8(9-13)
Psalm 138
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
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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:
February OR check out the goog
le
calendar on the new website
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**
If you put out trash, please put in a secure trash can.
Thanks to all for your cooperation. **
2/3 - Foltz
2/10 - Kallback/Stryker
2/17 - Black History
2/24 - Van Gelder/Elsbree
R
eminder for hosts:
Napkins and plates
are provided. Use
what you need from
our pantry under
the coffee maker.
Remember: Keep it simple. We usually have about 35-40 attending.
**Coffee schedule sign up is on the bulletin board in the Parish House.**
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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.
Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here.
Audio files of sermons are posted on the Grace Church website as well as in the next week's e-Blast. They also may be found on the church's FB page.
Paper copies are available upon request.
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| Grace Galena Sermon Baptism of Christ 2019 |
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| Feast of the Epiphany 2019 |
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Grace Galena, "Water to Wine," 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 2019
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Grace Galena Sermon
4th after the Epiphany 2019 |
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