Sunday, December 19, 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 Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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,
It is Friday morning as I write this. In just a few hours it will be my delight to pronounce the blessing over the Grace Church School Christmas pageant. Also, rehearsals are well underway for the church’s pageant that will take place on Christmas Eve. It’s beginning to look and sound a bit like Christmas!
In many Christmas pageants across the land the role of the cold-hearted innkeeper is often inflated beyond all Scriptural warrant. In truth, the existence of such a person is barely implied only in the Gospel of Luke, who writes that Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes because there was no room for them in the inn. That’s it! You don’t need an actor-singer to play the role of the innkeeper. But seeing the dramatic possibilities of a minor villain operating in the shadows of Bethlehem, everyone tasked with telling the Christmas story – whether through pageants, carols, or sermons – feels the temptation to make a cautionary tale out of this callous individual. The message? Make room in your heart for Jesus, which, by the way, involves making room for people today who find themselves on the streets. You just never know who it might be who shows up on your doorstep.
Although neither of the pageants that will take place under our roof highlight the innkeeper, the message is always one we need to hear. How are we making room at the inn for the homeless and hungry in the city? For many years now we have been devoting our entire Christmas offering to the work of outreach. When the offering plates pass through the pews on Christmas Eve at 4, 8, and 11 pm, and then again on Christmas morning at 11 am, every dollar you give (except those in pledge envelopes) goes to help alleviate the misery caused by poverty.
How do we spend it? Sadly, it is possible to respond to the homeless in such a way that perpetuates their life on the street. I don’t mean to sound like Scrooge, but every dollar that goes into the tin can of the homeless person with the cardboard sign actually encourages that person to stay on the street, rather than take the difficult steps to get off it. Our goal should be to respect the dignity of these folks and truly help them reach for a better life. At Grace Church the Christmas offering goes into what is called “The Vestry Fund for Outreach,” and from this fund we make grants to the agencies of mercy throughout the city that help the hungry and homeless reclaim their lives. Every year the fund is becoming a stronger instrument, able to do more and more good.
Christmas Eve is one week from today. When the offering plates come by I hope you will generously support the Vestry Fund for Outreach. What is more, you don’t need to wait until Christmas. You can make a donation any time by clicking here. Remember, you just never know who it might be who receives your blessing.
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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Christmas Flowers & Greens – Donate "in Honor of" or "in Memory of" a Loved One.
Every year at Christmas time it is the generous donations from our parishioners and friends that enhance the beauty of Grace Church. We recommend donation amounts beginning at $50, but are grateful for any amount. You may use a flower envelope to offer your cash or check (made payable to Grace Church), and place it in the collection plate or the wooden box in the Parish House hallway. You may also donate online. Mark your dedication in the comments box when placing your online order. Your dedication “in honor of” or “in memory of” will be listed in the Christmas service bulletins if received by Monday, Dec 20th.
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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. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss, preaching
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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10:00 am The Sunday Forum - On Recess until January 9th. |
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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. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss, 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. Megan E. Sanders, preaching
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
Followed by Canterbury Downtown dinner and fellowship. All college students welcome!
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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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Advent Collections – Thanks To All Who Gave “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11.) Our community at Grace Church has contributed 184 hats, gloves, and scarves, 291 undergarments and socks, and 982 toiletries, to help provide basic comfort to some of our neediest neighbors in New York City. With special thanks to the Stevenson-Minuse family and Jason Slibeck for coordinating, sorting, counting and delivering the donations to our recipient organizations.
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2022 Annual Campaign:
Let the Doors be Open! – On October 24th, we launched the 2022 Annual Pledge Campaign at all three services. All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to support the work of Grace Church by making an annual pledge, or promise of financial support for God’s work in the coming year. Some will turn in the pledge cards we’ve received by mail or find in the pews. Others will begin a time of prayerful reflection to consider what God is calling them to do.
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Remember, the annual campaign not only supports the church, but gives thanks to God for all the blessings of life. To make your pledge, please fill out the pledge envelope, place it in the offering plate today, or return it to the parish office as soon as you can. You may also make your pledge online. (You have all of 2022 to make your payments!) Questions about pledging? Contact Matthew Kopp at mkopp@gracechurchnyc.org or 212-254-2005.
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Vestry Nominations – Normally, every year on the Second Sunday of Advent we put out the call for Vestry Nominations, building towards the Annual Meeting of the Parish on the first Sunday in February. The Vestry consists of 12 elected lay leaders (plus two Wardens) who serve three-year terms with the possibility of being nominated for a second term. This year all four members in their third year of service (Douglas Armer, Mary Cannon, Shingmin Lai, and Cathy Minuse) are eligible to serve a second term, and they have agreed to do so. Thus, the work of the Nominating Committee was brief. With no Vestry vacancies to fill we do not need to call for names this year.
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CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24
4:00 pm Christmas Pageant
Featuring our cast of friendly beasts, angels, shepherds, and villagers.
7:30 pm Festive Music for the Organ
Patrick Allen, organ.
8:00 pm A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
10:30 pm Festive Music for the Organ
Patrick Allen, organ.
11:00 pm Candlelight Choral Eucharist
The Adult Choir. Sermon by the Rector.
CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25
11:00 am Holy Eucharist with Carols
The Adult Choir. Sermon by the Rector.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, December 26
9:00 am Holy Eucharist
6:00 pm Holy Eucharist in the Chantry
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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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Dec 23 – Greening of the Church – A few good souls are needed to help dress the church on Monday, Dec 23, for the joyous celebration of Christmas. If you would like to sign up, kindly contact Ellen McElduff at ellenmcelduff@aol.com.
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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, (approximately 6:45 pm) 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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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 resumes on Wednesday, September 15th. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.
Meeting ID: 839 2240 7333
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,83922407333# US (New York)
Wednesday Evening Eucharist 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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Dec 24, 25, and 26 – Sunday School and Child Care – Please note that there will be no Sunday School or child care during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, but coloring sheets and other activities will be available at the back of the church on the children’s bookshelf. Sunday school will not meet on Dec. 26 or Jan. 2.
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Dec 24, 25 - The Offerings at all Christmas Services will go to support the Vestry Fund for Outreach, which makes grants to address hunger, homelessness, and poverty in our city. In 2021, grants from the Fund supported the Episcopal Charities of New York (which supports 100 parish-based mission programs in our diocese), Habitat for Humanity NYC (a seed grant for our fourth year of partnership for affordable housing), Hope for Our Neighbors in Need food program (which we volunteer at quarterly), Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison (which boasts an amazing success rate in keeping released graduates from going back to prison or to the streets), and the Seamen’s Church Institute (which provides hospitality, education, legal support, and pastoral care to mariners, who are often economically vulnerable and isolated). Please give generously this Christmas!
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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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Grace Cares - Would you like a visit at home or at the hospital? Do you need assistance in getting to church or an appointment? Are you struggling and in need of a friendly phone call? Would you like the Sunday lessons read to you or the service bulletin brought to you? Would you like to receive communion in your home? Grace has a pastoral care team that provides these services and more. Contact The Rev. J. Donald Waring.
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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:
Ronnye Brickous
William Yates
Rachel Kuhns
Suzanne Frances
Veronica Miller
In our Continuing Prayers:
Mary Ann Owens
William Dobi
Claudia Paoloni
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
Adelaide
The Rt. Rev. Andrew St. John
For those who have died:
Sue Cohen
Francisco Rivera
Tara Atluri
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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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