WEEKLY UPDATE  
 This First Sunday After the Epiphany/
The Baptism of our Lord 
January 12, 2020   
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS  
Bob & Donna Weber, Mickey Federico, Peter Federico, Yasso Herath, Peter Lubeck, Catherine Lubeck, John and Shirley Federico, Dr. John Finn, Bill Weber, Ian,  Jean, Al and Carol Lalli,  Peter Zakrepine, Phyllis Richey, Russell Fernando, Rislyn Joseph, Ria Meade, Cindy O'Gorman, Suzanne, Phyllis, Ann Shusterman, Dolores Lentz, Jim Craig, Thomas Wolfe, Peter Foley, Mary Riffle, Elaine MacPhee, Mary Serena Gwertzman, Allyison, The Reverend Art Rushlow, Kim Hewlett, Lia Wanamaker, The Rev. Debra Given, Sissi Loftin, Bill Clarke, Craig Gordon, Pat,  Veronica Lane-Walsh, Rosmarie Buri, Laura, Isaiah, Eleanor Devlin, Elliot Kloehn,Geraldine Riley, Ellie Hafstad, B.J. Close, Kate Scarmato and family, Vickie Frelow, Audrey Washington, Stephanie, Charlotte, Elaine  
READINGS 

THIS SUNDAY AND BEYOND    
Collect of the Day
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

Prayer for Prophetic Witness in Society 
Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor: By the guidance of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer for Social Justice
Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.    
 
God, our Creator, we are held in your everlasting arms,
Jesus, our Savior, we are healed by your wounded hands,
Holy Spirit, be present as we reach out to one another in love.

 KEEPING UP WITH THE CHURCH
Episcopal News Service
Episcopal New Yorker
Episcopal Cafe
Sojourners
Bishops United Against Gun Violence
Everytown Again Gun Violence

Reflection

Strangely, all of life's problems, dilemmas, and difficulties are now resolved not by negativity, attack, criticism, force, or logical resolution, but always by falling into a larger "brightness"-by falling into the good, the true, and the beautiful-by falling into God. All you have to do is meet one such shining person and you know that he or she is surely the goal of humanity and the delight of God.
 

This Week

Are you on the worship ministry schedule for this week?    CLICK HERE to find out.

 
Saturday, January 11 
10:00am Midnight Run - Memorial Hall 

Sunday, January 12
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:30am Family Eucharist 
Church School Classes, Refreshments, Bible Study
11:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II
6:30pm Senior Youth Group - Fenton Room 
 
Wednesday, January 15
11:00am Rockland Clericus - Patterson Hall
6:00pm Healing & Wellness Service - Bradley Chapel
 
Thursday, January 16 
7:00am Grace's Kitchen (Team 4)  - Memorial Hall
12:00pm Brown Bag and a Bible - Patterson Hall
7:00pm Hymn Sing  
7:30pm Choir
 
Saturday, January 18 
Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby - Memorial Hall  
 
Sunday, January 19
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:30am Family Eucharist
Refreshments/Bible Study  
11:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II
 
Monday, January 20 - Office is Closed for the holiday 
 
Coming Events
 
GraceMusic Miniature: HYMN-SING
Thursday, January 16 at 7:00pm
 
Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned hymn-sing? If it's in the blue Hymnal 1982 and you call it out, we'll sing it! What about spirituals and gospel hymns? We'll have some of the old chestnuts ready to go as well. If you've got a favorite, bring along a copy and we'll make sure it gets sung!

About the Miniatures: Beyond concerts, GraceMusic is a community. For our 50th season we are pleased to offer three "miniatures" where you are both audience and performer. The events are free of charge and family-friendly, offering a great way to connect with other music-lovers in our community. Any donations go towards the Casavant Organ Restoration Fund.
 
 
 
Announcements
  
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL
for all of the worship ministers, choir members, altar guild members, and other volunteers who helped in making our Christmas celebrations special, and to the generous parishioners who made music and flower memorial donations, supported the Giving Tree, and donated gift cards. A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU.
  

 
2020 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Sunday, February 23  
(NOTE THE NEW DATE)
As the focus of the Annual Meeting
is on the entire parish-body
and our life together,
 there will be ONE service at 10:00 am.
 
 
 
WHY WE MEET:
According to Canon Law of the Episcopal Church and the by-laws of Grace Episcopal Church, the parish must hold an Annual Meeting to discuss the business of the church or state of the parish as well as to elect new persons to the vestry. The Annual Meeting provides the parish community a wonderful opportunity to gather in fellowship and talk and learn about the parish affairs, mission, vision, ministry, etc. It is also a time for members of the parish to ask questions; share their concerns, hopes, etc.; as such there will be a question and answer session on the agenda. Parishioners are encouraged to take this opportunity to ask questions about any of the topics discussed.
The meeting will consist of the rector's address, a report from the wardens, treasurer, and other selected committees/ministries, as well as small group discussions. Reports are designed to provide an informative overview of the previous year and should also touch on the future (i.e. projects, ministries, challenges, etc.).
 
ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS/ELECTIONS:
CHOOSING OUR LEADERSHIP, WHY YOU HELP APPOINT NEW MINISTERS (VOTE): 
In accordance with Canon Law of the Episcopal Church and the by-laws of Grace Episcopal Church, each year the parish is to choose members from within the congregation to serve on the vestry, which is the governing board of the church, charged with fiduciary and campus oversight, as well as supporting the rector and mission of the parish. A proposed slate of nominees is put forth by a nominating committee comprised of vestry members whose term is completed as well as elected lay leaders. Candidates can also be nominated from the floor.  
IF YOU ARE NOT A PLEDGING MEMBER OF THE PARISH AND DID NOT SUBMIT A PLEDGE CARD YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ACCORDING TO CANON LAW. A new list of eligible voters will be available next week.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PLEDGE!  
You'll find pledge materials available at the entry to the church, or you can go to our website: www.gracechurchnyack.org to complete a 2020 pledge card. Pledge what you can - no amount in too small!
 
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY MADE A 2020 PLEDGE
For information on paying your pledge, go to our website page: http://www.gracechurchnyack.org/paying-your-pledge.html. If you've been making recurring payments using a credit card on our Giving Fire page, you will need to update your credit payments to 2020 - instructions are found on the "Paying your Pledge" page.  
 
Please note that those who pay their pledge via recurring payments through the diocesan E-Pledge program or Giving Fire should complete a new pledge card annually for our records, indicating your wish to continue giving at the same rate or modify your pledge. If we don't have a 2020 pledge card on file, we cannot record you as a pledging member and you will not be eligible to vote.
 

NOMINATING FORMS AVAILABLE
Forms to nominate individuals for open parish leadership positions are now available.   
You'll find them at the entry to the church on Sundays, or download HERE. 
Completed forms must be returned by January 14, 2020.
 
If you are have questions or are interested in serving in one of the open positions, please speak with Fr. Owen, warden Pat Cose, or a member of the Nominating Committee: Theresa Bergen, Mike Growney, Jacob Nevill, Beth Paskowski, Terence Rock,  Lynn-Marie Schnalzer, Jan Valentine. 
 
 
 Epiphany 2020:  The Gospel of John


About
In the beginning was the Word...

Start 2020 with a renewed commitment to the Word of God. The Good Book Club returns for a third year with the Gospel of John. We'll read the compelling account-inspired by "the disciple whom Jesus loved"-during the time from Epiphany through Shrove Tuesday.

Of course, we are familiar with the most famous verse of John 3:16, but our Good Book Club focus gives us an opportunity to read the extraordinary gospel from start to finish. We'll hear stories only heard in John: Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding of Cana, encounters the woman at the well, and raises Lazarus from the dead.
The spiritual Gospel of John uses beautiful poetry: Jesus as the bread of life and as the vine. And it's in John that we hear the great I AM statements.

We're excited for this journey through John. Make plans now to join Forward Movement and more than a dozen partner organizations from across the Episcopal Church to encounter the risen Lord through the signs and wonders, the beauty and revelation of John's Gospel.

The Good Book Club is an invitation to all Episcopalians to join in reading the Gospel of John during Epiphany 2020. Episcopalians will read a section every day through the Epiphany season. In surveys taken before and after the first Good Book Club project in 2018 (reading the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts), participants reported growth in their understanding of scripture and a deepening of their prayer life. Perhaps most significantly, the percentage of people who reported reading the Bible on a daily basis increased to 73 percent at the end of the first Good Book Club reading, from 45 percent when it began.

Sign up to receive updates on the Gospel of John.

Lots of interesting resources are available here:


 
 
Parting Thought

NTO THE DARKEST HOUR
by Madeleine L'Engle

It was a time like this,
War & tumult of war,
a horror in the air.
Hungry yawned the abyss-
and yet there came the star
and the child most wonderfully there.

It was time like this
of fear & lust for power,
license & greed and blight-
and yet the Prince of bliss
came into the darkest hour
in quiet & silent light.

And in a time like this
how celebrate his birth
when all things fall apart?
Ah! Wonderful it is
with no room on the earth
the stable is our heart.

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHUR CH
  130 First Avenue, Nyack, New York 10960

845-358-1297