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Grace Episcopal Church
Christmas 1
December 29th, 2019
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Week of 12/29
Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday & Friday
9am-12pm
Closed New Year's Day
The Rector will be away from Christmas Day through January 4. For urgent needs, please call Junior Warden, Lynn Giles
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Holiday Worship Schedule
- Christmas 1, December 29, 10:30am
-
Feast of the Epiphany (transferred), January 5, 10:30 am
Wassail Returns to Grace
The traditional celebration has returned to Grace Church on a new date and time: Sunday, December 29th after the Eucharist. Our wassail is a hot mulled apple cider served from two punch bowls (one with rum and one without). This is an occasion when we use our little glass cups. We also share our Christmas goodies. Please bring a sampling of your holiday cookies, candies or other holiday treats such as a cheese ball and crackers. You could say this is coffee hour with a little pizazz.
Epiphany Celebration
Continuing our morning worship celebration of the Epiphany, we will gather at 5 pm at the home of Robert and Diann Marsh for a Twelfth Night party. Please bring your favorite dish beverage to share and come for the annual "Chalking of the Doors," good company, and conversation. 309 Park Avenue, Galena.
Grace Movie Night - Darkest Hour, 1/12/20 6:00pm
Movie Night will be delayed one week, to Sunday January 12th, due to the Parish Epiphany Party being on the first Sunday of the month. Our movie will be Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman in his Academy Award winning role as Winston Churchill. This aptly named movie fully explores the depths of the word "dire", portraying Prime Minister Churchill's early days as Hitler's
Wehrmacht swept across Western Europe and
threatened to defeat the United Kingdom.
All who enjoy a good movie are welcome, including guests, and guests of guests. Anyone may bring a beverage, snack or popcorn to munch during the movie.
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I am very grateful to the Congregation for your thoughtful generosity. Your gift will enhance my celebration in Texas with my family.
Thanks,
Robin
Also: No Choir practice on Saturday 12/28!!
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Thank you all for your generous holiday gift. I really enjoy working with all of you each week here at Grace.
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To my dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
After almost three years in discernment and
 then formation, Bishop Lee, the Standing Committee, and the Commission on Ministry have determined that I am ready for ordination as a deacon, and I am now a Candidate rather than a Postulant.
I have been given a tentative date ordination date of May 9th at St. James Cathedral.
Throughout this journey, your prayers, support, and encouragement have given me strength, courage, and an increasing awareness that this is God's calling for me. I am so thankful for each of you!
In Christ,
Diane Luther
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Outreach Ministries
Episcopal Relief and Development
The Million Dollar Match:
We have an opportunity to benefit the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) Global Needs Fund, enabling work around the world with local partners, helping communities overcome poverty, hunger, disaster and disease. Contributions will support programs that empower women and promote gender equality, enable children to reach their full potential, help build resilience to the effects of a changing climate and promote disaster preparedness.
Donations made to ERD before the end of the year are eligible for matching, including contributions online, over the phone, by mail or through Gifts for Life, the organization's alternative giving catalog. Gifts of stock or from an IRA are also included in the Million Dollar Match.
Here at Grace we annually give $2,500 to ERD which will be doubled to mean we support ERD with $5,000. We can also give individually by writing a check to Grace including ERD on the notation line. You can do this until the last Sunday in December. To learn more about the wonderful work that is being done by ERD, check out their website episcopalrelief.org.
Heifer Project
So far this Advent, members of Grace Church have donated $600 for Heifer International. There is a box in the narthex for donations in the form of cash or checks. Donations of any amount made in honor of friends or family make great Christmas gifts. This year we have two styles of honor cards with envelopes. See Lynn Giles for cards. Renee Dowe's poster in the Parish House shows happy children and adults from every continent with their new animals from Heifer International. They receive instruction in the proper care of their animals and are expected to give the first off-spring of their animal to a needy friend or relative. Please make checks payable to Grace Church with the notation "Heifer."
Formation Ministries
Mark your calendars for this
Epiphany Retreat on
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.
To register, contact Grace Church by phone (815.777.2590) or email. Lunch is included. A free will offering will be collected.
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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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December 29, 2019
Sunday Morning
Christmas 1
10:30am
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Presider:
Lector:
Steve Coates
First Chalicist:
Bill Foltz
2nd Chalicist:
Vestry Coordinator:
Tony Packard
Altar Guild:
Ann Berry &
Amy Hardwicke
ROTA: December 2019-May 31,2020
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Epiphany
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 84 or 84:1-8
Ephesians 1:3-6,
15-19a
Matthew 2:13-15,
19-23 OR
Luke 2:41-52 OR
Matthew 2:1-12
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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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Wednesday and other regular weekly events will resume the week of January 5.
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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12/29-
Wassail Party,
Lynn Giles
1/5-
Epiphany Party
at 5pm
1/12-
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:
o Carol Poston
o 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
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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 Galena Advent 3A Sermon |
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| Grace Galena Advent 2A Sermon |
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| Grace Galena Advent 1A Sermon |
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| Grace Galena Reign of Christ 2019 Sermon |
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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
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