Grace Episcopal Church
17th after Pentecost
 
 
World Communion Sunday
Celebrated at the  
Galena Center for the Arts 
October 6, 2019
10:30 a m

Birthdays
Carmen Ferguson
Bill Foltz
David Robertson
Geri Shafer
Debbie Kallback   
 
Regular office hours: 9am -12 noon Tuesday through Friday  
"Rector's" Ramblings    
I'm no doubt a hopeless romantic, expecting our shift to autumn to be a seamless trip from the fullness of summer to the clear and crisp days of autumn. Right. We live in the awesome Midwest where it is no way that simple. And this year "crisp" is hardly the word for most anything in our world. This morning's (Thursday) TH headline said that in the first two days of October, Dubuque received rain well exceeding the average monthly total for all of October. And what rains in Dubuque doesn't stay in Dubuque. I annually refuse to remember the up and down temperatures and humidity levels and our veering from fog and rain to sun but quickly veering back again.
 
Well, transitions are never easy. Ask me. I'm "still" moving from a big house to a much smaller apartment. Ask someone else, they may have become ill in all this changeable weather. Ask any farmer. She or he will tell you a booming summer of flourishing growth has become a field of mud from which the crops may not ever leave the fields.
 
Let's widen our focus. A young girl from Sweden is speaking to all of us regarding the urgency of the climate crisis we human beings have done much to accelerate. She is not alone, of course, many scientists as well as we in other walks of life pay attention to what may be needed from us in heightened careful stewardship of the land we live on for the good of all who live on this beautiful earth, "our island home" as one of our Eucharistic prayers refers to earth.
 
In the Church Year, it is the green season of Pentecost, called Ordinary Time by many. In this time between the major, hair raising really, festivals like Easter and Christmas, these Sundays give us time to hear rich details of Jesus' earthly ministries, his teaching, his healings. There is much to ponder in our repeated hearings of all that he did, the persons whose lives he changed and "usual" practices he turned upside down.
 
When we widen our focus on these readings we're reminded they all take part in the context of his moving to Jerusalem and to his death at the hands of Roman power. The gospel writer Luke is at pains to tell us all that he can about the details of Jesus working even as he purposefully moves to Jerusalem, the site of his death. I am trying to take time to listen closely to the readings of this season to come to better know Jesus. I commend that to you too in this "simpler" time in our year.
 
See you in church.
 
Linda+
Preparation for Sunday  
READINGS
Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26: While Jerusalem has been devastated and the people of Judah have been conquered - their former glory and pride lost in their humiliation, God remains compassionate, God's mercies are new every day, and those who remain can continue to wait for God's salvation.
OR Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4: Habakkuk complains about the corruption and injustice in the land, but is assured by God that God's purposes - a vision of restoration for God's people - will come to pass.
Psalm 137: A Psalm of grief for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of God's people.
OR Psalm 37:1-9: A warning not to envy or be angry at the success of evil doers, but to remain faithful and trusting of God, who will act on behalf of those who wait for God.
2 Timothy 1:1-14: Paul celebrates Timothy's ancestry in the faith, and encourages him to stay true to Paul's teachings about Christ and the way of Christ, even to the point of being prepared to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
Luke 17:5-10: Jesus explains the immense impact that even small measures of faith can have, and encourages his followers not to expect reward for simply doing what should be considered their duty as they seek to serve God and follow Christ.

The Old Testament and Psalm readings all explore the pain and humiliation of God's people when they are defeated, conquered and exiled, and as they long for forgiveness restoration and salvation.The New Testament readings, on the other hand, explore the impact that a life of simple, ordinary faith can have, and the attitude of humble servanthood which expects no undue reward for simply living faithfully. In essence, both Testaments are saying the same thing this week.
In a world where bad things happen to good people, and where it often appears that the lawless and 'godless' get the best, it can be tough to live in faith and faithfulness. Justice can take a long time to come, and it can be tempting to use any means - however undesirable - to achieve what we long for. This applies even when our goal is to manifest God's reign. However, as we live in faithfulness, and pass our faith on to others who come after us, the small, ordinary acts of goodness and justice that we do each day, the small faithful commitments to our convictions that we renew each day, really do 'move mountains' and change the world, little by little, into a place where God's salvation is visibly revealed.
 
The thumbnails and reflections excerpted from sacredise.com
UTO Box Collection
UTO Box Collection will be on Sunday, October 20th!
Grace Movie Night
Movie Night, October 6th, 6:00pm   Places in the Heart
 
Filmed in 1984, Places in the Heart was conceived by writer/director Robert Benton (who won Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay) during a trip to his Texas hometown. Out of his imagination and memories of real people, Benton fashioned an affecting story about a courageous woman (Sally Field, who won Academy Award for Best Actress), her extended family and their struggle for survival and redemption in 1935 during the Great Depression. It takes place in Waxahachie, a rural southern community consisting mostly of fine people, but also some who dabble surreptitiously in bigotry, fraud, greed and infidelity. (Remember last Sunday's lesson from Revelations: Michael and his angels drove the great dragon, the ancient serpent known as Satan, and his angels down to earth where we living mortals still must contend with them.) Notable co-stars include Danny Glover, John Malkovich, Ed Harris and Amy Madigan. Story and cast aside, the poignant scenes in this movie are as evocative and mesmerizing as Norman Rockwell paintings.

All who enjoy a good movie and discussion afterward are welcome, including guests and, guests of guests. This showing is the same night as World Communion Sunday; so invite others there that morning to join us at 6 p.m. in our Parish Hall. Anyone may bring a snack or popcorn to munch during the movie.

Note: A link to the trailer was intentionally omitted so as to not dull a single precious facet of this gem of a movie. If you haven't already seen it, or if it has faded from your memory over these thirty five years, just come without checking it out. Your experience will be more vivid.
Canapes & Conversation 
The next Canapes & Conversation will be on Friday, October 18th from 5-7pm, at the home of Pete & Charlotte Stryker, 3 Arcadia Court, Galena.
 
All Saints Chili Luncheon 
This year we will observe All Saints' Day on Sunday, November 3 during the Eucharist followed by our traditional All Saints Chili Luncheon.
 
For the luncheon, we'll have three varieties of chili: 1. Vegetarian, 2, regular/meated chili and 3. Spicy/hot chili. In addition there'll be a tossed salad, cornbread/bread and dessert.
 
Here's the magic of the chili and the salad; Everyone's chili will be added to one of the three pots. The salads will be tossed together. Always interesting!
 
There's a sign-up sheet on the shelf in the Parish Hall entry. Please let Lynn Giles know if you can help serve or clean up.
 
Worship Ministries News  
Sound System Opportunity   
You may not be aware of this ministry--except when things go wrong and we hear squawks or silence through the speakers in the midst of the readings or sermon--or some random instructions meant for the Altar Party are broadcast from the sacristy or altar.
POWER at your fingertips! 
 
Most of the time all goes well because we have had devoted individuals who stand at the sound console in the rear of the nave with a bulletin in one hand and a finger poised to adjust a control for the lecturn or one of the body mics worn by the clergy and chalicist. Phil Jackman and his back-up Joe Terry have done this for many years. Then, as Phil's travel schedule increased in retirement, Michael Kennedy stepped up to the plate.
 
We have received a very reasonable request from Michael to see if we can develop a team to rotate this responsibility on Sundays. It is not terribly complicated, but is a very important part of assuring that our liturgy is as smooth as can be.  
 
Could you help, maybe once a month?  
If so, please contact the Rector.  
 
Richard Babcock Memorial Yarn Ministry
 
On Thursday, Oct. 10th, there will be a workshop to construct fleece blankets for Shelter Care Ministries in Rockford. We will meet from 9:30-12:30 and 2:30-3:30 in the 2nd floor Parish Hall Conference Room. 
12:30-2:30 will be a lunch break and regular meeting of the Richard Babcock Memorial Yarn Ministry (usually held at the home of Kathy Shannon).  All are invited.  If you plan to help with blankets, please let Kathy Shannon (708-651-1891) or Meg Gibbs (708-421-1512) know what time you will attend so we can coordinate work teams, as space allows for construction of only one blanket at a time.
 
BISHOP SEARCH SURVEY 
Search & Nomination Committee seeks input  
from diocese.
 
The Search & Nomination Committee has launched an online survey to collect data about what qualities and characteristics the people of the diocese seek in the next bishop.  Take the survey online. 
 
Data from the survey will supplement the input the committee is receiving during a series of listening sessions that will continue through early October. Once the data collection is complete, the committee will use what it has collected to prepare the diocesan profile, a detailed description of the Diocese of Chicago that will help those who may be discerning a call to be bishop learn more about the diocese and its people.
 
The survey will take about ten minutes to complete and asks questions about the diocese and characteristics to seek in the next bishop. The survey is anonymous, and demographic questions are optional.
 
Take the survey online by October 13. Contact the Search & Nomination Committee with questions  via email and learn more on the  bishop search and transition website.

Electing Convention Scheduled for June 20 
St. James Cathedral in Chicago
The Special Convention for the Election of the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago is scheduled to take place on June 20, 2020 at St. James Cathedral in Chicago. At the convention, clergy and lay delegates will cast ballots in accordance with the constitution and canons of the diocese.
       
A slate of candidates for bishop will be presented to the diocese in April. After the slate is announced, additional candidates may be added to the slate by petition. Before the electing convention, people across the diocese will have the opportunity to meet the candidates in forums called walkabouts.
 
The Standing Committee will announce more information about the electing convention, including the delegate certification process, soon.
 
Community Events 

TWO COUNTRY FAIR OPPORTUNITIES
You can volunteer at Country Fair and help raise some money for the church at the same time. 
 
1) Fräni is managing the Grab & Go stand again this year.  She is hoping there are some volunteers from Grace that would be willing to help her out on Saturday, October 14th.  If you volunteer you get in for free and you get $10/hour that will be donated to Grace Church. Added bonus is the stand is right next to the music and the wine garden!
       Five volunteers are needed for each of the two shifts. First shift is 10:30-1:30; second shift is 1:30-4:30. Please let Fräni know if you are able to help out and which shift you prefer. galenabeadle@gmail.com 
 
2) The Galena Chamber of Commerce  
The Chamber is looking for volunteers to serve in the Chamber's funnel cake booth at Country Fair in exchange for a share of the profits.
Please contact Jerry Howard at < jerryhow2014@gmail.com>.
Leadership  
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 Serwich (Sr. Warden 2019-2021)   
Worship Committee:            Charlotte Stryker (class of 2022)        
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             
                      Lynn Giles, Junior Warden,
                      Richard Luther, Treasurer                    
                                      Diann Marsh, Clerk      
                                      The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector 

Staff:                              Robin French, Director of Music
                                      Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
                                      Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
                      Chris Ludescher, Nursery Attendant      
This Sunday 
October 6, 2019
World Communion 
Sunday    
   Pentecost 17    
10:30am
Galena Center
for the Arts 
 
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary

Ministers of the
Service:
Rev. Linda Packard
Grace Episcopal Church

 
Next Sunday's
Readings: 
Pentecost 18
10:30am
October 13, 2019
Eucharistic readings
for your own study:  
 
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
OR
2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c

Psalm 66:1-11
OR
  
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
Grace's Prayer List
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."
Meetings this Week 
Wednesday Events   
7:30 am
Midweek Eucharist
8:10 am
Community Breakfast at Victory Café  
9:30 am
Cursillo Group 
10:30 am
Study Group  
Thursday Events 
Knitting Ministry
9:30-12:30 &  
2:30-3:30 pm
EfM 6:30 pm
Friday Events 
Centering Prayer
9:00 am
 
All are welcome!
Grace's Choir Practice
Choir rehearsals are at
10am on Saturdays
Looking Ahead 
For current and upcoming events, check out the goog le 
calendar on the website
Sunday Social Hour Hosts


10/13-
   Terri & Phil Jackman
10/20 -
   JoAnn & Dave  
       Mikelson
10/27 -
    Mary F.,  P. Malik,
    N. Cook 

R eminder for hosts:
Napkins and plates are provided. Use what you need from our pantry Remember: Keep it simple. We usually have about 35-40 attending.

  **Coffee schedule sign up is on the bulletin board in the Parish House.**
Formation Schedule  
You can now get information on Formation Ministries directly from the new Grace website at the following links: Children and Youth Adults
Spiritual Practices

Ministry of Care 
If you are in need of assistance while ill or recovering: meals, transportation, visits, please contact the
Ministry of Care
facilitators:
-Carol Poston
-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

Sermons and e-Blasts 

DEADLINES !
News and prayer requests: 
Sunday
Bulletin:  
    Weds. end of day.
e-Blast:
    Thursday noon. 

Anniversaries and Birthdays
Have yours been missed in our bulletins?   Send to Nancy.   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 re
quest. 
 
 NEW:
 
 
Grace Galena 9th after Pentecost 2019 Sermon 
Grace Galena Sermon 9th after Pentecost 2019  
   
Grace Galena P15C Sermon 2019 
Grace Galena Sermon 10th after Pentecost 2019
 
   The Rev Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Cell Phone:  773-988-3497

Grace Episcopal Church Office:
107 S. Prospect Street
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-2590