Sunday, October 10th, 2021 |
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9 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Morning Prayer and Sermon
in-person worship
and live-stream
on
6 pm Holy Eucharist
in person worship
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
The Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
Sunday School returns to the Sunday School rooms between the morning services. 10:15-10:45 am.
Children's Chapel returns to the Chantry during the sermon at the 11:00 am service.
Nursery Care returns to the new Nursery next to Sunday School classroom.
Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of their time in the nursery.
You’ll find videos of past services and events on Vimeo and YouTube.
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Please see below for weekday worship opportunities, both in-person and virtual. |
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Dear Friends,
Business text books are replete with stories about companies that did not change with the times and thus folded. Perhaps the most famous of these is the lesson of “the buggy whip.” Well into the late 19th century the manufacturing of horse-drawn carriages and all their accessories was big business. Many companies devoted themselves exclusively to the production of buggy-whips, a specific type of stick that a carriage driver would use to prod the horse. As the 20th century dawned, the advent of the automobile appeared on the horizon. The horseless carriage used a gas pedal, not a buggy whip to get it moving. Most of the buggy whip makers gambled that automobiles would be a passing fancy. Cars were too noisy and dangerous ever to catch on, and the world would always need high-quality buggy whips. Alas, they were wrong, and today very few buggy whip manufacturers are in business. The lesson, obviously, is to recognize change and adapt to it.
It’s no secret that the pandemic has produced enormous change in society. Everything from the way we dress, gather, shop, travel, communicate, and work is different from the way it was as recently as early March of 2020. Now that the vaccines have arrived and will soon be available for children, we can anticipate living in a post-pandemic reality in the near future. But what will it be like? What will be the buggy whips that the new reality renders arcane? No one really knows but many are speculating.
As the church we ignore these conversations to our peril. I read recently that our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, preached a sermon about how we are currently in “a narthex moment.” As you likely know, the narthex is an architectural space in a church that most others simply call “a foyer.” It is an in-between space. If you’re in the narthex, you’ve left the outside world and you are about to enter the church. But right now we aren’t quite sure if church will be the same as it was. Will people ever again feel safe drinking from the common cup? Are hybrid meetings here to stay, or is digital presence as passing necessity of the pandemic? What about nursery care during worship services? This fall we have not had a single taker of our professionally staffed nursery, so beginning this week we have made a change that you can read about below. The change will help us direct our limited resources to other areas of children’s ministry. Is it the right move?
I have no easy answers to these questions, but I do have great confidence in you, the people of Grace Church. Over the past nineteen months we have adapted and risked and largely held together as a parish family. God has a new reality in store for us, and I am looking forward to living into it.
See you in church.
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Vaccines to be Required – Vaccines against Covid-19 are free and available to anyone 12 years of age and older who wants to be inoculated. Receiving the vaccine protects not only you, but those you love and everyone around you, especially the children among us who are not yet eligible. Beginning next Sunday, September 12, we ask of our adult worshippers that only those who have been fully vaccinated attend in-person services. Please have your vaccine card or Excelsior Pass handy. If you haven’t been vaccinated, speak with your doctor or go to the NYC Vaccine Finder to make an appointment.
Masks On – Unfortunately we are back to a place in the pandemic where masks are strongly recommended for large, indoor gatherings. Please wear your mask beginning today. Until further notice, masks will be required for everyone in attendance, regardless of vaccination status. The mask must cover your nose and mouth at all times. Masks are available for those who don’t bring their own. If you need a mask, please see an usher.
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9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Sermon, and Hymns
Church is open
for in-person worship!
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr., preaching
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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Sunday Forum on Break: Today the forum will be on break for the holiday weekend but will resume next week when we welcome Susan Heath who will help conclude our conversation on discernment. Susan, helps train discernment committees of the Diocese of New York through a program called, “Listening Hearts.”
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11:00 am Morning Prayer and Sermon
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr., preaching
Music:
The Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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Service will continue to be video streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels. If you experience buffering, you can simply switch to another channel.
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6:00 pm Holy Eucharist
In the Chantry
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Clergy:
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders, preaching
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
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Coffee Hour: Coffee and fellowship will be available today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 am service and the 11 am service.
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Nursery Care - For children ages 1-4 is available from 9 am – 12 pm in the NEW Nursery next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Follow the signs! Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of their time in the nursery. Babysitters will no longer be present.
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Activity Corner for Children In the north aisle of the church you will find coloring supplies, and books for children to use during the service. Please return all materials before you leave. We want to keep the area clean for all future families.
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Wednesday Evening Eucharist & Bible Study at 6 pm in the Chantry we have restarted our Wednesday evening service in the chantry. After the service, all are invited to the reception room for a lectionary-based bible study that will conclude at 7:30 pm. If you are interested in helping with the service, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
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Please Get Fully Vaccinated |
Vaccines against Covid-19 are now available for anyone 12 years of age and older who wants to be inoculated. Receiving the vaccine protects not only you, but those you love and everyone around you. It is the best way to help speed along the reopening of society. Please speak with your doctor or go to the NYC Vaccine Finder to make an appointment.
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The Church is Open
Everyday, noon to 5 pm
with Worship Service at 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm on Sundays
as well as 6 pm on Wednesdays
All are required to observe posted guidelines during in-person worship and events to adhere to CDC Covid-19 safety protocols. We ask visitors to wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and sanitize your hands when inside Grace Church.
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Monday - Centering Prayer (over Zoom)
12:15-12:45 pm Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence. Led by Currie Estreich, MA, Spiritual Direction, the General Theological Seminary.
Meeting ID: 337 800 858
Password: 058288
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,337800858# US (New York)
Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Grace Church is open to the public daily from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
Tuesday and Wednesday – Bach at Noon (Held in the church during open hours and on Facebook Live) 12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
Wednesday - Women’s Bible Study (over Zoom) – 10:30 am-noon – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.
Meeting ID: 896 065 849
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,896065849# US (New York)
Wednesday Evening Eucharist and Bible Study at 6 pm in the Chantry.
Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation (on Facebook Live) 4pm - 45-minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ
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Grace Church Community Nights - Inspired by the success of our summer cookouts, this fall we are launching a series of Community Nights. Mark your calendars for Wednesday 10/20, and 11/17 at 7 pm. Following the 6 pm service, food and drink will be available in Tuttle Hall. Parishioner, Brad Anderson, who teaches English at Trinity School, will lead us in a discussion series entitled, “Hamlet: Language, Self, and Spirit.” Can Hamlet help us understand the currents blowing through society today? Come and see, whether or not you are a Shakespeare scholar. Readings and materials will be provided. If you plan on attending, email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba so we know how much food to prepare.
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20s and 30s at Grace Church – We have a very active group of parishioners in their twenties and thirties here at Grace Church who meet twice a month for programs such as Pub Theology and Christ in Pop Culture. If you are interested in participating, please email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba and he will add you to our mailing list.
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Youth Group on October 17th, from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm all 6th - 12th-grade children are invited to join Father Thomas in the reception room for pizza and conversation on spirituality. Youth Group will happen on the first and third Sunday of every month. We are looking for adult volunteers to be a part of this exciting new offering for the youth of the parish. Email Father Thomas if you are interested.
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2022 Annual Campaign:
Let the doors be open! - This is the theme of the Annual Campaign for 2022 that we will launch on Sunday, October 24. Now is the time to begin thinking and praying about a financial pledge to thank God for all the blessings of this life, and to support the work of the Lord through Grace Church. Watch your mail for details.
Annual Campaign Party! Oct 28, 6:30 pm - All those who call Grace Church their spiritual home are cordially invited to a festive gathering celebrating the 2022 Annual Campaign. Whether you have already made a gift, or intend to do so in the coming weeks, do plan on attending a bountiful reception with food and drink for all. The party will take place in the church itself!
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Trick or Treat at Grace Church – On October 31st, stop by Grace Church to show off your costume to Mother Julia & Father Thomas from 1:30 pm – 3 pm. They will be in front of the church on Broadway giving out COVID safe candy to all who stop by to say hello. We are looking for families to donate bags of candy that can be given to the kids in the neighborhood. If you have any questions or want to donate, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
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Nov 7th - All Saints’ Sunday During the services we’ll light candles and remember all those connected with Grace Church who have died but still remain on the hearts and minds of their loved ones. To include a name on this year’s list, please send the name to Mickey Hawley at mhawley@gracechurchnyc.org by Thursday, Oct 28th.
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Nov 13, 14 - Grace Christmas Fair - Saturday, Nov 13 from 11am - 7pm. Sunday, Nov 14 from 10am - 4pm. Art / Crafts / Silent Auction / Refreshments at Catharine's Cafe! Wine & Cheese Reception - Saturday from 5 - 7 pm. Bring your Christmas gift list! Contact Elana for more info (elanafoundos@gmail.com), and Lethe (eletheblack@gmail.com) if you would like to volunteer!
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October is Tuna Month for the Grace Church Food Collection – Everyone is encouraged to contribute a can (or cans) of tuna - a very important staple item for the Red Door Place ministry which receives our donations. Watch for sales at your local grocery, and let’s see how many cans we can collect this month! Collection baskets are near the doors of the main church and the Chantry.
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In our immediate prayers:
Elizabeth Wroten
Adelaide
Faye McMicken
Ralph Douglas
The Rt. Rev. Andrew St. John
Theresa Snyder
Kimberly Snyder
Jim Ferraiuolo
Mary Ann Owens
In our Continuing Prayers:
William Dobi
Claudia Paoloni
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
For those who have died:
Dave Doyle
Lewis Zachary Cohen
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Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Matthew Kopp, Membership and Development Manager.
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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