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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Mass in the Grass
LinMar Gardens
Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost
Holy Eucharist, 10:30 am
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August 8, 2021
Mark your calendars:
THIS Sunday, 8/8
Mass in the Grass at LinMar Gardens
RESERVATIONS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED AT GRACE
Most COVID restrictions are lifted and
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING RESUMES WITH MASKS!
Otherwise, masks are optional for those who are vaccinated.
An area is reserved for those who prefer distance.
Communion--wafers only--will be offered at the altar rail.
Social time will be held after worship with beverages and light refreshments.
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Ministers of the Service
Members & Guests, Celebrants
Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider
Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Steve Coates, Lector
Deb Pausz, Intercessor
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Crystal Mason,Vestry Coord.
Ann Berry & Kim Kreiser,
Altar Guild
Cathie Elsbree, Greeter
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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RUTH H. BEEGLE
On Thursday, September 2nd, at 3:00pm a memorial service will be held outdoors (under a tent) at the Beegle farm, 5490 West Beegle lane in Hanover.
The Rev. Linda Packard will officiate. Please RSVP by August 20 to
Ruth's daughter, Lucretia, at Lucretia@mypurefreedom. com or 512-423-4381.
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OUTREACH MINISTRY NEWS
FOOD PANTRY ANNOUNCES EXTENDED HOURS
Beginning August 12, 2021: 12:30pm to 6:00pm
They are open the 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month at their new location:
219 Summit St., Galena
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Rector's Ramblings
One of the things I love most about visiting my son's home in Edwards CO is the sound of the Eagle River flowing nearby. You can see and hear it in the little video clip above where grandson Miles tries to skip a rock.
Now, I said love "the sound." For from the rear deck of the house, its deep roar is audible, but I can't see it. There are trees and other houses blocking my view. I know it is there, even though I can't see it, because of the roar of the water rushing over rocks and branches. It is lively, yet soothing in its steady roar.
Often, though, because I can't see it, because I can't run my fingers or dip my toes into its icy depths, the sound becomes back-ground music. Or, worse yet, I don't even notice it. It gets lost in the chirping of birds and the traffic noise from the highway above on the other side of the neighborhood. I must take a moment to listen for it. To tune my ears to its music.
It makes me wonder what other things I don't notice and miss when I am not attentive. Like the workings of the Spirit. I know She is there. I trust She is present rushing through the air, churning it to offer refreshment, renewal, and new vision. But I must pause to listen. To acknowledge that presence. To tune my ears to her joyous and encouraging sound. For the Spirit is always with us--inviting, leading in surprising ways.
Let us listen together at Mass in the Grass on the Sunday!
Gloria+
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Events this Week:
Sunday 8/8
Holy Eucharist 10:30 am online and in-person
Mass in the Grass
*Social Hour following the service
Monday 8/9
Poetry Group 2:00pm
EfM in person in PH Conference Room 6:30pm
Tuesday 8/10
Compline online 8:30pm
Wednesday 8/11
Midweek Worship online and in-person 7:30 am
Taking a Break for the Summer:
Morning Study Group
Barb Hooper's Birthday
Thursday 8/12
Pat & Joe Terry's Anniversary
Friday 8/13
Centering Prayer online 9:00am
Saturday 8/14
Mary Foltz's Birthday
Important Links:
Office Hours
9:00am-Noon, Tuesday through Friday
Rector Office Hours
10:30am-3:00pm Tuesday through Thursday
Mondays and other times by appointment
ROTA (6-6-21 to 10-31-21)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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SOCIAL HOUR IS BACK
Coffee and conversation returns after the service on Sundays. Simple refreshments like finger foods are preferred. Sign up to
host an upcoming Sunday. The signup sheet has been posted by the coffeemaker.
Upcoming Hosts:
August 8 -- Mass in the Grass
August 15 -- EfM
August 22 -- Phil Jackman - Ice Cream!
August 29 -- Ann Berry, Amy Hardwicke & Charlotte Stryker
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MORE NEWS FROM
THE DIOCESE OF CHICAGO
Bishop Chilton Knudsen called to be Assisting Bishop
The Standing Committee has announced that, with the support of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop-elect Paula Clark, we have called Bishop Chilton Knudsen back to our diocese to serve as assisting bishop. During her ministry with us, which will begin in early October, she will visit congregations and provide support for the Standing Committee, the bishop’s staff, and other diocesan leadership bodies.
Bishop Chilton began her ordained ministry in the Diocese of Chicago. She graduated from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and was ordained a deacon by Bishop James Montgomery in 1980. In 1981, she was ordained a priest by Bishop Quintin Primo Jr. She served both St. Benedict’s, Bolingbrook and Church of Our Saviour, Elmhurst before joining Bishop Frank Griswold’s staff in 1987. In 1997, she was elected bishop of Maine, where she served from 1998-2008.
Since Bishop Chilton’s retirement, she has served as interim or assisting bishop in six additional dioceses, including the Diocese of Washington, where she worked closely with our bishop-elect. She will maintain her residence in Maryland while spending the majority of each month in Chicago. While she serves with us, the Standing Committee will remain the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. She feels called to be with us as long as we need to have a successful transition, and the Standing Committee is grateful she has answered the call to serve as assisting bishop.
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FORMATION AND SPIRITUALITY MINISTRY NEWS
REGISTRATION FOR EfM 2021-2022
The next year of EfM at Grace Church will begin the week of October 17, 2021. There is room for a few more students.
Registration will begin soon. Please let Lynn Giles know if you plan to join the group so she can send you a registration link.
Her email is lynngiles@lynngilesphotography, phone/text is
815-757-2011 or simply talk with her at church.
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Compline on Zoom
On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles will lead 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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ADULT INQUIRER'S CLASS
An Adult Inquirers Class will be offered sometime this summer (dates will be determined by the
schedules of those interested in attending). We will be talking about our identity as Episcopalians, the Book of Common Prayer, a brief history of the Anglican/Episcopal church, our creeds, prayer, Baptism,
Eucharist, the Trinity (don’t come looking for an explanation!), and the Jesus Movement as described by
Presiding Bishop Curry. Attending qualifies you to being received or confirmed in the Episcopal Church, if you choose.
This is open to anyone in the church or community. Those considering reception will be given priority
(this is an in-person class). The time commitment is about eight hours. If you are interested in this or
would like more information, please contact Rev. Diane Luther at dm20luther@gmail.com, or
call (815) 281-2301.
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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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The Study Group is taking a break for the summer and will reconvene in September.
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WORSHIP:
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
1 Kings 19:4-8: A despondent Elijah is hiding out in the desert, but God provides food for him, and then instructs him to get up and he travels to Horeb the mountain of God.
Psalm 34:1-8: A Psalm of thanksgiving and praise in which the psalmist encourages others to join him in praising God for God’s redemption and salvation, and in which worshippers are encouraged to “taste and see” that God is good.
Ephesians 4:25-5:2: The apostle instructs the Ephesians believers on how to live as true followers of Christ. He encourages them to be honest with one another, to speak to one another in edifying ways, and to avoid anger, shouting and slander, choosing instead the way of forgiveness and compassion.
John 6:35, 41-51: Jesus proclaims himself as the bread of life, and responds to his critics by comparing the life that he gives to the manna that their ancestors ate in the wilderness – which could not keep them from death. Rather, Jesus, says, he gives life that does not end, and he reveals God to those who are drawn to him.
In this week's Gospel we find Jesus being challenged for saying that he is the bread of life, and claiming that he reveals God, that he offers eternal life to those who come to him, and that his followers will be raised by him at the last day. There is a tremendous strength in Jesus’ response to his critics, even as he proclaims a deeply invitational message. In Paul’s words to the Ephesian Church, some simple, practical guidelines are offered for living together as Christ followers. How we speak to one another and treat one another is significant, because it builds our life together, and reflects the life and grace of God. In the light of this, it may seem impossible to find a common thread for this week’s worship. However, what stands out is a call to Christlike behaviour that is lived in the daily routines of our lives. As we celebrate God’s goodness, we are called to reflect and imitate that goodness in Christlike grace, compassion, gentleness, and honesty. We are called to resist evil, but love those who oppose us, even to the point of grieving their demise. This is not just living “what comes naturally,” but is a challenge to embrace forgiveness, love and honesty in a radical, counter-cultural way, and in so doing, allowing God’s life to flow through us to touch and restore our neighbours, our communities and our world. The simple challenge of this week is to believe that choosing to live like Christ – the Bread of Life – each day can have positive consequences for our world. As someone once suggested, we need to think globally and act locally – even in considering our daily interactions and choices.
thumbnails and commentary from sacredise.com
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HELP WANTED!:
An apprentice to work with Zoom at Grace Church.
This is an important part of our Worship Ministry, and more people are needed to keep our live online services coming! It may seem very complicated, but those of us who have been handling it for nearly a year now all had to start from very basic computer skills and learn "on the job." If we have a small team, the responsibilities can be rotated, making it easier for all of us--and making it possible to explore better ways to assure the best audio and visual experience for those worshiping in person and those online.
Please contact Lynn Giles if interested and for more information.
lynngiles@lynngilesphotography.com
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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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An Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist 8/4/21: The Rev. Linda Packard, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Crystal Mason, Lector; Lynn Giles, Zoom Host.
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An Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist 8/1/21: The Rev. Linda Packard, Presider; The Rev. Deacon Diane Luther, Preacher; Richard Luther, Intercessor; Terri Jackman, Lector; Robin French, Music Director; Nancy Cook, Erben Organist; Lynn Giles, Zoom Host. |
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An Episcopal Service of Holy Eucharist 7/25/21: The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Deb Pausz, Intercessor; Nancy Cook, Lector/Erben Organist; Robin French, Music Director; Lynn Giles, Zoom Host. |
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Hybrid worship has resumed for both in-person and Zoom congregations in line with Diocesan guidelines and Phase 5 of the State of Illinois COVID recovery.
For those present in the Church:
Please put your smartphone or other device in airplane mode so that our
internet capacity is reserved for our online streaming.
Don't forget to wear your mask if you intend to sing!
For those on Zoom:
Please mute yourselves before the Prelude begins and immediately after the Peace. This prevents other participants on Zoom from being distracted by conversation
and background noise.
Those who will join us on Zoom will receive the usual e-mail invitation with a link to the day's bulletin.
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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Jim Berry, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
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Staff:
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
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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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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