Sunday, January 31st, 2021 |
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In response to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Church is open for limited in-person worship and visiting hours. Most events will remain virtual for the time being. |
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11 am Holy Eucharist
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger, preaching
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Music:
The Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
THIS WEEK:
Outdoor
Children's Chapel
with Father Thomas!
You’ll find videos of past services and events on Vimeo and YouTube.
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Click on the image above to read about the 2021 Annual Campaign |
All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to make a pledge to the Annual Campaign.
By making an annual pledge we not only support the work of the church, but we show our thanks to God for all the blessings of life.
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Please see below for weekday worship opportunities, both virtual, and in the church on open days!
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Dear Friends,
Just about a year ago I had lunch at the United Nations with parishioner Ayaka Suzuki. Ayaka has enjoyed a long and distinguished career at the UN, and has been a member of Grace Church for about the same length of time. Our purpose was to talk about the possibility of her speaking at an upcoming Sunday Forum. The theme would be how the Christian faith informs the important work she does. We were all set to go, and even selected a date in the near future when she would speak in the Reception Room. (Do you remember those thrilling days of yesteryear, when the Sunday Forum met in person, between the 9 and 11 am Sunday services?) Of course, what loomed on the horizon was not anyone’s Sunday Forum presentation, but the pandemic which quickly laid waste to our plans and life as we knew it.
Shortly after Easter last year we resurrected the Sunday Forum on Zoom. It’s actually been a great thing. Parishioners who were sheltering far away joined in, and former members who had moved to other parts of the country were able to renew their connection to Grace Church. Thus, we rescheduled some of our presenters and forged ahead. Our second try with Ayaka was to be in mid-May. Once again we were all set to go, and then that very morning Zoom came crashing down. The Sunday Forum went dark for a week. Strike two with Ayaka.
Nevertheless, as the old English proverb goes: the third time’s the charm. This coming Sunday at 10 am on Zoom, Ayaka will be our Forum presenter. It’s been a year in the making, and I am looking forward to hearing her. You can read more about the Forum and Ayaka below, and also find instructions for joining us on Zoom.
Finally, on another note, I was tremendously sad earlier this week to read about the death of George McDonald. George was the founder of the Doe Fund, which sponsors the “Ready, Willing & Able” program that helps homeless men, often with long histories of incarceration, reclaim productive roles in society. You can spot the Doe Fund trainees by their signature royal blue uniforms tidying up the streets throughout the city. Oftentimes they are in front of Grace Church. I am always glad to see them there and try to support them with an encouraging word. I remember meeting with George in my office not long ago, and being in awe of his great passion for helping people reach for a better life. I like to think that when George passed from this life to the next he heard the words of Jesus (Matthew 25:23): “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your master.”
See you in church, and on Zoom, and on the livestream.
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The Vestry Has Accepted the Nominating Committee’s Report and is pleased to announce the following slate of persons to be voted on at our Annual Meeting (Feb 7, see details below, under “Coming Soon.”) For a second two-year term as a Churchwarden: OWEN BOGER. For a first three-year term as a Vestry member: GINGER BLAKE, PETER GILMAN, JESSE LAWRENCE, SARA QUEEN. Many thanks to the committee and to those who have agreed to stand for election. |
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Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception |
Are you interested in learning more about membership in the church through baptism (available to anyone of any age), confirmation (a mature affirmation of one’s baptism for anyone in 7th grade or older), or reception (formally becoming Episcopalian from another Christian tradition)? Email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger by Wednesday, February 10 to learn more about preparation this Spring.
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9:45 am Children's Chapel
(over Zoom)
Join Mother Julia and Father Thomas from 9:45-10:10 am to say hello, read the story of the day from our Spark Children's Bible, talk about it, and then say our prayers together.
Meeting ID: 618 396 533
Password: praisegod
One tap mobile
+19294362866, 618396533# US (New York)
NOTE TO PARENTS:
This week during the 11 am service, we will hold an outdoor Children's Chapel with masks and social distancing. Details below.
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10:00 am Sunday Forum
Walking in Faith at the United Nations
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Parishioner Ayaka Suzuki discusses her almost 30-year career in peacekeeping and international relations through the lens of her Christian faith. Most of her career has been with the UN in different capacities. Ms. Suzuki holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a BA in Political Science magna cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University. For Zoom access, please see this link.
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist
The Third Sunday After The Epiphany
CHURCH IS OPEN
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger, preaching
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
The Adult Choir, The Choir of Men and Boys, The Girl's Choir; Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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Service will continue to be video streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels. If you experience buffering, you can simply switch to another channel.
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45 minutes of your favorite hymns, solos, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ. Requests taken!
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Church is Open
Four Days per Week
Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 3 pm
with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 pm
Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
with Evening Prayer at 6 pm
Sunday, 11 am to 12:30 pm
with Worship Service at 11 am
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Grace Parish Showcase Sponsored by the Grace Church Women - Online Now! |
We have had a great response to this project, which attempts to display how the creative spirit of our people was at work during the lockdown. Many have submitted, photography, videos, art, stories, and photos of themselves and their families and more!
The show is live! Find it here. Don't miss it! |
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The Weekly Pledge Envelopes have arrived for our Pledging households. If you would like to have your box of Pledge Envelopes set out in the Nave on Sunday, please email Matthew Kopp
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Lenten Calendars Available |
For the suggested minimum donation of $7.00, join the journey through Lent 2021 with GCW! The poster invites spiritual reflection, is a wonderful companion for the Lenten season, and is great for children to color. Share these with fellow parishioners, friends and family!
Only 20 Calendars available! SIZE: 17" X 22" Folded: 8.5" X 11" Available February 8th.
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Monday - Centering Prayer (over Zoom)
12:15-12:45 pm Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence. Led by Currie Estreich, MA, Spiritual Direction, the General Theological Seminary.
Meeting ID: 337 800 858
Password: 058288
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,337800858# US (New York)
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Tuesday, noon–3 pm, Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 pm, and Thursday, noon–3 pm. Tuesday and Thursday Noonday Prayer at 12:05 pm. Wednesday Evening Prayer at 6 pm. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
Tuesday, Thursday – Bach at Noon
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
Wednesday 6 pm Evening Prayer In-Person or on Zoom – Evening Prayer will no longer be livestreamed on YouTube, Facebook, and our website. Join us on Zoom or in person. For Zoom access, please see this link.
Wednesday - Women’s Bible Study (over Zoom) – 10:30 am-noon – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.
Meeting ID: 896 065 849
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,896065849# US (New York)
Men’s Bible Study – February 3rd from 6:30pm-7:15pm (over Zoom) - The men of Grace Church are invited to join us via Zoom for a bible study on the lectionary for the coming Sunday. This bible study will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month and will run until June. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
4 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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The Sunday Forum – February 7th: Ethical Issues and the COVID-19 Vaccine |
Join the Adult Education Committee for a discussion about the ethical issues that are arising from the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Who should be first and last? For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
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The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the church on Sunday, February 7th immediately following the 11:00 am service. Members of the parish may participate in-person or watch the proceedings via the livestream. We will hear reports by the Nominating Committee, the Treasurer, the Head of Grace Church School, the Senior Warden, and the Rector.
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Men’s Bible Study – February 17th from 6:30pm-7:15pm (over Zoom) - The men of Grace Church are invited to join us via Zoom for a bible study on the lectionary for the coming Sunday. This bible study will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month and will run until June. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
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Our food ministry partner, now called The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, is one of the few pantry/soup kitchens remaining open to serve those in need during the Covid-19 crisis. Donations are desperately needed. Non-perishable food item(s) may be dropped off in the collection baskets in the narthex when you visit Grace Church during open hours.
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We pray for those who suffer
Jordan Cave
The Correll Family
Russell Browning
Julia and Gogo Suklevski
Betty Forsman
Susan McLean
Frances Givhan
Lois Queen
Linda and Tom Hall
John Berringer
Claudia Paoloni
Josephine
all those who suffer due to the coronavirus
and for those who have died
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Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Matthew Kopp, Membership and Development Manager.
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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