GRACE NOTES
Grace Episcopal Church                             February 2022
Abstract religious Lent symbols on purple watercolor background - cross and a candle_ with thorns and palm branch

A Note from our Rector...

Beloved. Don't we all need that reminder? You are a beloved child of God and there is nothing that can take that truth from you. Yet, we are all faced with challenges that make us question God's love, God's purpose, and God's will for our lives. In many ways, the Lenten journey allows us to explore our relationship with our belovedness and with God, especially when we feel defeated. And, like Jesus, it asks us to travel a journey into those places that have hurt us so that we may be broken open and remember that in all things, Christ is with us. The wilderness that we enter during Lent calls us to center our lives on God's promise for our redemption. It reminds us that God loves us even in the midst of our brokenness. And above all it reminds us that God's love is greater than any darkness that we may face.

Hope. Courage. Strength. Love. Light. May you be blessed this Lenten season and may your belovedness shine through as we travel together.

Emily
Beloved Is Where We Begin
by Jan Richardson

If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.

Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.

Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.

I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.

But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be help.

I can tell you
that on this way
there will be rest.

I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:

Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
WORSHIP
SPECIAL SERVICES

Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 2nd at Noon


Palm Sunday Services
Sunday, April 10th
Facebook Live at 8:00 am
In Person Worship Services at
9:00 am and 11:00 am
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 pm

Good Friday Liturgy
Friday, April 15 at Noon

A Stations of the Cross bulletin will be provided in the Narthex for an individual walking meditation. Markers will be set up on the church grounds for your guidance.

Easter
Sunday, April 17
Sunrise Service at 6:30 am
Facebook Live at 8:00 am
In Person Worship at
9:00 am and 11:00 am
GROW
LENTEN LUNCH SERIES

Life Without Lack:
Living the Fullness of Psalm 23
by Dallas Willard

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23 is one of the Bible’s most familiar passages, yet it makes some of Scripture’s most extraordinary claims: “I shall not want…I will fear no evil.” Are we aware of those claims? Do we believe them so deeply that we are ready to live as if they are true? How might they change our lives?

Dallas Willard, author of the book, challenges us to not just say we believe these promises but to live these promises; to not just talk about God but to experience God. Let us together open our hearts and our minds to Psalm 23 and consider how it may guide our lives into a new fullness of faith and a more abundant life.

Thursdays during Lent at 11:30 am
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 & April 7
In the Parish Hall

Lunch is provided.

RSVP to Emily no later than February 25th if you plan to attend. And…please purchase a copy of Life without Lack by Dallas Willard and read chapters 1 & 2 BEFORE our first gathering.
LEARN
Book of Genesis of the Holy Bible_ Old Testament
BIBLE STUDY:
The Book of Genesis
A Conversation on Beginnings
 
The first book of the Bible tells of the creation of the world, of humanity, and of the lineage of Abraham. Genesis, which means “origin” in Greek, contains deep, layered, archetypal stories that are at once familiar and strange. Over the course of six Sundays, we will explore portions of this formative text. Drawing upon literary, historical, and theological scholarship we will see something of what the book has meant to the Jewish and Christian traditions and what the book means to us.
 
March 6         
Creation Narrative or Narratives? The Hebrew Bible and the Four Source Theory
Read Genesis 1-2
 
March 13       
The Garden of Eden and Adam & Eve
Read Genesis 3
 
March 20       
Cain & Abel and the Origin of Ethics 
Read Genesis 4
 
March 27       
 The Call of Abraham: Pilgrimage and Covenant
Read Genesis 12 and 17 verses 1-13

April 3            
What Kind of a God Are You, Anyway? The Testing of Abraham
Read Genesis 22 verses 1-14

April 10
Jacob & Esau
Read Genesis 27 and 32 verse 22 - 33 verse 11
REFLECT
Here are a few Lenten offerings to help guide your reflection as you journey to Easter.




MUSIC
Religious church music hymn book graphic design_ watercolor style abstract artistic choir illustration for spiritual concert or songs.
The choir is working on some new pieces to share with our congregation during Lent and Holy Week. This would be an excellent time to join the choir. There’s always an open chair in the choir room, waiting for you. You do not need to read music. All that is required is a love for singing.

We practice at 10 am in the choir room Sunday mornings and again after the 11 am service. Come join us in making “a joyful noise unto the Lord”.
KIDS CORNER
Easter Cookie Activity

If you are looking for a fun way to explain the Resurrection story to your younger kids, you might want to consider the Easter Cookie activity. Click the link here and get the recipe of how to make the cookies and tell the story of Jesus as you prepare them.
Grace Episcopal Church
2955 River Road West
Goochland VA 23063
804-556-3051