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Formation Ministries
Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m:
THE BEST DEATH EVER
Led by the Rev. Judith Doran
Join us for honest and deep conversation about death, including confronting our own mortality. We will explore the medical, ethical, and theological aspects of what is meant by "sanctity of life," and how what we believe about death affects us and will affect those we love. There will be time for discussion, quiet, and worship.
Annual Meeting
The meeting Annual Meeting will be called to order at the conclusion of the Eucharist on Sunday, January 26th. A financial report will be received and the 2020 budget presented. Two new Vestry members will be elected to replace two who are completing their terms. Lunch will be served in the Parish Hall at the conclusion of the meeting.
Lenten Meditation Booklet
It's that time of year again when we write our meditations for our Lenten season. Assignments are available after church as well as guidelines for writing meditations. Please let me know if you would be willing to do more than one, although usually all 40 days of Lent are taken by our parishioners.
Please get your assignment and guidelines after church with Carmen or by phone or email: carmen@humus.com or 815-777-2309. Meditations must be returned by Sunday, February 9th. Consider making the writing of
a Lenten meditation part of your Lent this year.
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 This feels like a snow day kind of day. Though there are not mountains of the white stuff, and people are coming and going normally, it still reminds me of the winters when I was a girl in small town Illinois--a much smaller town than Galena, if you can believe that! A large number of our students in the schools lived on farms. Though we were not in the hilly country of Galena, we did have fields where the wind would roar and the snow would drift onto the rural roads and lanes. So, the school buses could not get through and we would get a snow day. One of my dad's side gigs was as a school bus driver, so we always got early notice!
On those days, you would usually find me sitting on a warm radiator reading one of my pile of library books or curled up on a window seat daydreaming. Sort of like I am today (minus the radiator and the window seat!).
Yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Care held its first meeting of 2 020. After nearly six years since it was formally established as the lay group that would provide and oversee the day-to-day pastoral care at Grace, this ministry is undergoing a leadership change. Carol Poston and Char Kennedy who have been the Facilitators on the Leadership Team have stepped down. Bonnielynn Kreiser and a yet to be named partner are taking on those roles. We are grateful for all that Carol and Char h ave done--and are delighted that they will continue to be part of the ministry.
If it seems that I made an awkward segue from "snow day" to "ministry," I did have a reason. You see, the thirteen of us yesterday spent 1-1/2 hours reviewing the status of each of the components of this ministry, their tasks and additional needs; the individuals in the parish who have received care through meals, transportation, visits, home communion, prayers, and greeting cards; the plans for regular meetings for oversight, mutual support, and additional training.
At the end of the meeting, in the discussion about additional training, the topic of self care was raised as an ongoing need. All the rest of the agenda had been about what we do. And, indeed, that is our purpose as care givers. And yet, we need to take a "snow day" now and then to refuel, refresh, and renew. This is not limited to the Ministry of Care, of course. So many at Grace Church are actively involved in the doing. And sometimes that doing threatens to become a burden and an obligation rather than loving service to God and God's creation.
As i look out my window here on High Street, I see that the snow is falling in earnest. So, take a snow day--even if, like me, that means working at the computer with a lighted candle, a cup of hot chocolate, and some favorite music in the background,
See you in church,
Gloria+
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This weekend we celebrate the birth of The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., a follower of Christ, a prophet, and a seeker of justice.
READINGS
Isaiah 49:1-7: Isaiah's second servant song seems to refer to both an individual and to the nation of Israel. Either way the message is clear - the work is hard and leads to mockery and rejection, but God will make God's servant a light to the nations and will ultimately bring the servant praise and recognition.
Psalm 40:1-11: Praise for God's grace and rescue, and a commitment to serve God and proclaim God's justice.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9: God has gifted God's church with all they need to serve in partnership with God, and to remain strong until the return of Christ.
John 1:29-42: John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit, and two of John's disciples follow Jesus. One of them, Andrew, calls his brother Simon to meet Jesus, and Jesus names him Peter.
Following on from Jesus' baptism, his mission is now proclaimed and affirmed in the readings this week. The prophetic song of Isaiah's servant holds challenging foreshadows of Christ's sacrificial life. The psalmist's commitment to serve God is echoed in Jesus' own ministry, as is God's gifting of followers of Christ in God's church. Finally, as John testifies, Jesus is the one who leads people into transforming encounters with God (baptism in the Holy Spirit) and who is the "Lamb of God" who will be sacrificed for all people. The Scriptures this week hold Christ up for us as the example of one who is called, and one who has responded to that call, and is committed enough to make profound sacrifices in service of God's reign. Like the first disciples, we also find ourselves called, and needing to respond and commit. Along with the call is God's equipping - the hope of God's ultimate glory (as reflected in the Psalm and Isaiah), the Baptism of the Holy Spirit given by Christ and the gifts God has given to God's church, spoken of by Paul. If God's reign of justice and love is to find a place on the earth, it will be through faithful, sacrificial followers of Christ who have responded willingly to God's call.
thumb nails and commentary
from sacredise.com
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Worship
From Robyn, Just a Note
You've probably noticed that we've been singing some new songs during Communion, and some of you may be wondering why they do seem to go on and on. Welcome to Taiz
é. I wish. Taiz
é is actually a small village in France and wouldn't it be great to be transported there? In addition, Taiz
é is a Christian community in that small village which has been in existence since the end of World War II. It currently has more than a hundred religious brothers in residence, both Protestant and Catholic, living in community and welcoming thousands of visitors each year from around the world. They come to worship, learn, sing, pray, and be quiet. Most of those visitors are young people, an amazing thing, but adults are equally welcome. I have had the joy of spending part of a week there and it was a wonderful, transforming, few days. It was the music that drew me in, as it has millions of others, because of its simplicity, its complexity, its beauty, but most of all because it is sung prayer. By its repetitive nature, Taiz
é music moves very quickly from a "head" experience to one of "heart". The songs are written, and sung, in various languages because to sing in a foreign language is an expansive experience.
I invite you to pray with us next time we sing a Taiz
é song at Communion. Let it sink into your heart. Relax into it. Let it move you.
Black History Month
We have set Sunday February 23rd to celebrate Black History month, with a Soul Food coffee hour (there will be a sign-up sheet),
and we will be singing hymn #599 (Lift Every Voice) as the recessional. Please mark your calendar.
Outreach
Heifer Project: Thanks to the generosity of many Grace parishioners, $1595 will be sent to Heifer International to support their efforts to help people everywhere. Some two dozen honor cards were given as Christmas gifts.
Administration
Park unto others as you would have them park unto you
Parking is a precious commodity around the church. Please show the love by consistently parking well within the lines. Also, there are just three spots marked on Sunday mornings for handicapped. One of these, with the "zebra" is the "official" spot, that was required by city ordinance. Still, if you are able to walk, please park on the street. We have a number of parishioners with canes and walkers who would appreciate a shorter path to the entrance. This becomes even more important when snow and ice materialize!
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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 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
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Sunday Morning
Second
Sunday After Epiphany
10:30am
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Presider:
Rev. Linda Packard
Preacher:
Lector:
Steve Coates
First Chalicist:
Diane Luther
2nd Chalicist:
Cathie Elsbree
Acolyte:
Elizabeth Ludescher
Vestry Coordinator:
Charlotte Stryker
Altar Guild:
Pam Malik &
Debbie Kallback
ROTA: December 2019-May 31,2020 |
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
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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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Events This Week:
Community Breakfast at Victory Café
9:30 am
Cursillo Group
Outreach
10:00am
Altar Guild
10:30am
Morning Study Group
1:30pm
Knitting Ministry
6:30pm
EfM
Friday
9:00am
Centering Prayer
Saturday
10:00am
Choir Practice
All are welcome!
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For current and
upcoming events,
check out the goog
le
calendar on the website
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1/19-Tom&Karlyn
Van Gelder
1/26- Maren & Steve
Coates
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.**
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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 who can assist you and connect you with parishioners who have trained and committed 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 :
Bonnielynn Kreiser TBA
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 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.
Paper copies are available upon re
quest.
Older recent sermons
Newest sermons:
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| Grace Church Galena Baptism of Christ Sermon |
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| Grace Galena Feast of the Epiphany A |
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