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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Christmas 1
Carol Sing
December 26, 2021 10:30 am
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December 26, 2021
The State of Illinois has officially issued a directive for masking at indoor gatherings for all who are two years old or older regardless of inoculation status. Out of concern for those who cannot yet be vaccinated or whose immune systems are compromised, we respectfully request that you comply and wear a mask indoors that covers your nose and mouth.
Our diocese has requested that each church regularly review the CDC map that has four stages of COVID risk and make decisions accordingly about safety precautions.
Jo Daviess County's risk factor (and that of the entire state of Illinois) is now in the highest category.
The only other precaution reinstated at this time is to suspend contact during the Peace.
Please be cautious and also be prepared for changes at any time.
Social hour is suspended.
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Ministers of the Service
Christmas Eve
Members & Guests, Celebrants
Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Terri Jackman, Lector
Richard Luther, Intercessor
Amy Hardwicke, Greeter
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Lynn Giles, Vestry Coordinator
Ann Berry, Amy Hardwicke, Debbie Kallback
& Alice Maffit Altar Guild
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HOW TO WATCH GRACE CHURCH ON YouTube:
If you plan to attend a Grace Sunday service online, it’s now available as a live-stream on YouTube. Click on either the red or the green link (buttons) at the top of this eBlast.
(You may have to wait a minute or two for your computer to open its browser and make the connection.)
The RED link gives you a choice of services. You will also see when the next scheduled live-stream will start.
The GREEN link only connects after the streaming has started at the church.
All you need to remember is Red link: go to anytime
Green link: go to when the service starts.
For “early birds” we’ll start the live-streaming at 10:25 am CST.
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CAROL SING ON SUNDAY, 12/26
This new service will be all music, an opportunity to sing many favorite Christmas carols as well as listen to a variety of instrumental holiday pieces.
GRACE JANUARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
1/2/22 Morning Prayer - Rev. Diane Luther, Leader; Cathie Elsbree, Homilist
1/9/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Thomas Rogers, Presider and Preacher
1/16/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Thomas Scott, Presider and Preacher
1/23/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Carolyn Keck, Presider and Preacher
1/30/22 Morning Prayer - Debbie Kallback, Leader; Bill Foltz, Homilist
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MEMBER MOMENT
We appreciate Christmas time for many reasons: the joys and blessings of the arrival of Christ our Savior, joys and blessings of our families and friends, of the fond memories of favorite Christmases past, of the hope of such Christmases to come, and, as much as possible, peace on earth. At the same time, we are mindful of how much greater are mourned our lost loved ones at Christmas time. Indeed, the Season magnifies our emotions.
The image of peace on earth brings to mind the necessity of peacekeepers. They take many forms; but by virtue of personal experience, I naturally think of our deployed military men and women serving around the world, separated from spouses and young children, keeping vigil on that peace. The Christmas season indeed magnifies the loneliness of separation from immediate family, and the anxiety of spouses at home for their loved ones in harm’s way. The engaging performance of duty can take your mind off it for a while, but then comes the quiet time off watch, or away from your ship or duty station. For example, I will never forget the depth of the loneliness I experienced, while on liberty of all things, walking the streets of Naples, Italy during Christmas week, while my beloved Karen, Shannon and Michael were far away, back in the States. Consider this: Each such missed childhood Christmas is unique and irretrievable. It’s not the so-called “ultimate sacrifice”. Nonetheless, the lost opportunity is deeply felt.
By custom we honor our service people on certain days each year, such as, Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. Consider also remembering them and their families, when separated by military service this time of year. Say a prayer of gratitude for their sacrifices and the resulting peace that you enjoy here at home. Pray that their yearning and loneliness might be lessened.
Greg Serwich
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Events this Week:
Sunday 12/26
Carol Sing 10:30am online (YouTube)
and in-person
Social Hour is suspended at this time.
Monday 12/27
Poetry Group 2:00pm (on vacation til 1/10)
Tuesday 12/28
Outreach Meeting 10:00am
Compline online 8:30pm
Wednesday 12/29
Midweek Worship online and in-person 7:30am
Morning Study Group on Zoom 10:00am
Thursday 12/30
Friday 12/31 New Year's Eve
Centering Prayer online 9:00 am
Saturday 1/1
Important Links:
Office Hours
9:00am-Noon, Tuesday through Friday
Sr. Warden Office Hours
The Sr. Warden will have office hours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am until 2pm.
ROTA (11-7-21 to 4-24-22)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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MINISTRY OF CARE
Because of the many volunteers willing to help out with calls, rides, errands, meals, etc., the Ministry of Care won’t miss a beat while our search for a new rector is ongoing.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Bonnielynn Kreiser at 815-777-1468 or 815-291-9005 if you are in need. Also know that our clergy are available to meet your spiritual needs as well.
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FLOWERS for 2022
The 2022 Flower Chart is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
The Altar Guild would like to thank all who donated flowers and plants throughout the year!
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UNITED CHURCHES OF GALENA
R.I.P. Medical Debt
Several of our UCG Churches will participate in raising funds for this not-for-profit called R.I.P.Medical Debt that buys debt to assist families overwhelmed and crippled by medical bills for serious diseases. In the seven years since its inception, more than $5 billion in debt has been forgiven. To learn how this works, please see the article that Jim McCrae has written for his congregation. R.I.P. Info
As an Advent project, moneys will be raised by our churches to donate to R.I.P. We already have one $5,000 gift from a member of 1st Presbyterian Church that will turn into $500,000 of debt forgiveness. This may seem too good to be true, but the evidence is clear and compelling.
Our Grace Outreach Ministries have committed to a donation. If you wish to donate,
a tax-deductible contribution can be made to Grace with "R.I.P. Medical Debt" in the memo line.
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HEIFER PROJECT
Did you know that 821 million people go to bed hungry every night? That is around 1 of every 9 people in the world, and 45% of children under age 5 die each year due to malnutrition. There’s a saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Heifer International provides healthy animals and teaches people how to care for them.
One of the most important aspects of the Heifer Program is the “Passing of the Gift.” Each person who receives an animal or pair of animals promises to breed the animal and give the first offspring to another family in their village. In this way, an entire village can become self-sufficient food wise by people sharing the gift of what they received.
And Heifer International knows no boundaries, providing animals to people all over the world, including the USA. What better way to give a gift of an animal - and a better life for people - than to give it as a gift to someone who has “everything”! When you think about the abundance in your life, please prayerfully consider making a donation to Heifer International this Christmas.
Please make your check out to Grace Church and put the notation "Heifer” at the bottom.
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DONATION TO EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH
The most recent gift that the Outreach Committee made was to the education program at the largest refugee camp in the world at Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh.
It is meant to help the Rohinga refugees from Myanamar teach the children of the camp. Faisal Justin, a young Rohinga poet is our contact.
Upon receipt of our $500, plus expenses of sending money far away, he informed us that the money was used to buy carpets, chairs, blackboards, chalk, pens, pencils, and
geometry boxes.
Faisal Justin commented in his thank you letter,
"We could make very much happy to the students by your support. You brought light to their faces and you're a candle of their lives. I think there is no better honour in the world than bringing light in the faces of hopeless children or needy people by the dynamic supports. We all extend our heartfelt gratitude towards you, even this is not enough."
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FELLOWSHIP NEWS
SOCIAL HOUR SUSPENDED
Coffee and conversation has been suspended due to COVID.
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FORMATION NEWS
We are a group that studies spiritual subjects, including the Bible. All are welcome to join us to enhance their knowledge of spirituality and explore how to apply it to their lives. Lately we’ve been studying the Gospel of Luke. Anyone needing a Zoom invitation can contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com).
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COMPLINE on Zoom 8:30pm on Tuesdays
On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles leads a service of Compline. She has been participating in the service that has previously been offered to the Diocese of Chicago by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. This service of the Daily Office in our Book of Common Prayer is a brief, contemplative service that is ideal for prayerful letting go of the cares of the day and preparing for a restful night. Find the link button above.
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MEDITATIVE PRAYER 9:00am on 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.
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CAROL SING
Christmas Collect from the New Zealand Prayer Book p. 556.
Psalm 8
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ZOOM POETRY GROUP 2:00pm on Mondays
A Zoom Poetry meeting from Grace Church has been organized and meets Mondays at 2:00pm. This is not specifically a Grace ministry, but a number of Grace members and friends are part of it If you are interested, write Carol Poston at poston@sxu.edu or call her at 815-777-0220.
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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Jim Berry, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
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Staff:
The Rev. Linda Packard, Priest Associate
The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
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Charlotte Stryker: Worship
Elizabeth Ludescher: Communications
Nancy Cook: Outreach
Eric Kallback: Building & Grounds
Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care
Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life
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Grace Episcopal Church Office
107 S. Prospect Street
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-2590
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