Sunday, September 19th, 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 Combined Choirs of Grace Church
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.
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,
Much is being written today about Covid fatigue. At the beginning of the summer the promise was before us that the pandemic was a defeated foe. We took off our masks and looked forward to a rapid reopening of society. By September, for sure, all would be back to normal.
Now here we are in September, but thanks to the delta variant we are still needing to abide by strict pandemic precautions. Here at Grace Church we are back in masks for all worship services, and even requiring that adults who attend in-person events be vaccinated. In the corporate world many firms are postponing the date of their full reopening until January, and office towers throughout the city remain sparsely populated. Fear of re-engaging seems to rule the day. It’s enough to make you turn off the alarm, pull the covers over your head, and go back to sleep.
Please don’t turn off the alarm. It is time to wake up and re-engage, even as we redouble our precautions against the pandemic. The best and holiest thing you can possibly do for yourself and others is to roll up your sleeve and be vaccinated. Then find ways to participate in and stimulate the recovery of New York City. To that end, this week we have opened the doors of Grace Church to their pre-pandemic schedule. Our beautiful, sacred space is available again to the public every day of the week from noon to 5 pm at least. The Sunday and Wednesday 6 pm worship services in the chantry are back. Come and see!
A new initiative we are trying out this fall is called “Community Nights.” This coming Wednesday, September 22nd is the first. At 7 pm everyone in the parish – whether you are an exploring, a new, or a continuing member – is invited to Tuttle Hall for a light supper and presentation. If the weather permits, we will make use of the outdoor courtyard called Seymour Close. After food, drink, and fellowship, we’ll hear parishioner Brad Anderson, who teaches English at Trinity School, talk about how Shakespeare’s great play, Hamlet, can be window to help us understand and navigate the controversies that are roiling society today. Brad assures us that you don’t need to be a Shakespeare scholar to enjoy the presentation. You can just sit back and listen if you like. Parts two and three of the presentation are Wednesdays, October 20th and November 17th. Make plans to join us, and if possible, start the evening with the 6 pm service in the chantry.
Note below the Ministry Fair this Sunday, and the Parish Showcase the week following – an exhibition of parishioner art and photography with desserts, beverages, performances. Lots of fun! 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, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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11:00 am Morning Prayer and Sermon
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
The Choir of Men and Boys
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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Join us today from 10:15AM-10:45AM in the reception room or over Zoom for a presentation from The Rev. Julia Offinger on Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak, a short book about finding one’s true calling in life. This will be the first part in a series on “discernment,” or how we understand who God is calling us to be.
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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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Grace Ministry Fair, Sunday, September 19th:
Immediately following the 9AM and 11AM services. During Coffee Hour, meet volunteers from the many ministries of Grace Church and learn how you can be a part of making Grace Church go. Hear more from the Altar Guild, the Usher Guild, readers, acolytes, and the Hospitality Ministry and pick one (or two!) to sign up for.
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Coffee Hour: Coffee and fellowship will be available today in Tuttle Hall following the 9 am service and in Huntington Close following 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.
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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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Grace Church Community Night
Following the Wednesday 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 three-part 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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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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Youth Group is back! On September 19th All 6th - 12th-grade children are invited to join Father Thomas in the new youth room located at the bottom floor of the parish house for fellowship and discussion. 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. Please email Father Thomas if you are interested.
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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, Wednesday, and Friday – 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 & Community Night 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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Coming Soon - Welcome Back September |
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20s & 30s Pub Theology on September 23rd from 6:30pm-8pm All parishioners in their 20s and 30s are invited to join us at Reservoir, 70 University Pl A, New York, NY 10003 (Sister Jane Tavern closed down) to catch up with one another and talk about Universal Christ by Richard Rohr. This will be our new book for Pub Theology, copies of this book can be found anywhere books are sold. Email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba if you plan on attending.
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Grace Parish Showcase Art Exhibition & Fundraiser, Sunday, September 26th, immediately following the 11AM service. A physical display of the creativity and talent of Grace Church Parishioners as featured on the digital Showcase that kept us connected during COVID. Food, festivities, and guaranteed fun as we gather together once again! Creative works for display and sale, with proceeds benefiting Saving Grace NYC. Sponsored by the Grace Church Women (GCW).
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Peter Benet Funeral – We will give thanks to God for Peter’s life on Monday, September 27, 4 pm in the church with a reception following in Tuttle Hall. Peter died in April of 2020. He was a longtime parishioner of Grace Church, member of the vestry, warden, usher, and most especially, husband of Diana. All members of the parish are invited to attend.
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Wednesday Evening Eucharist & Bible Study at 6 pm in the Chantry we are restarting 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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Food Donations for The Red Door Place Our food ministry partner, now called The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, is one of the few pantry/soup kitchens remaining open to serve those in need during the Covid-19 crisis. Donations are desperately needed. Non-perishable food item(s) may be dropped off in the collection baskets in the narthex when you visit Grace Church during open hours.
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In our immediate prayers:
Jim Ferraiuolo
Lois Queen
Mary Ann Owens
In our Continuing Prayers:
William Dobi
Claudia Paoloni
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
For those who have died:
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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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