The Second Sunday

in Advent

Morning Prayer

December 4, 2022

10:30 am CST

Photo by Richard Luther

Due to fluctuations in the level of COVID infections in Jo Daviess County,

masks are suggested, but still optional,

Masks and hand sanitizer are at each entrance for your use.

Should you become ill after attending worship, please notify the church so that others present may be contacted.

Social hour follows the service.

Ministers of the Service

Celebrants - Members and Guests

Officiant - Richard Luther

Homilist - Greg Anderson

Lector - Terri Jackman

Vestry Coordinator - Lynn Giles

Music Director - Robin French

Erben Organist - Nancy Cook

Altar Guild - Alice Maffit & Amy Hardwicke

Greeter - Karen Serwich

UPCOMING GRACE WORSHIP SCHEDULE

12/04/22 Morning Prayer - Richard Luther & Greg Anderson

12/11/22 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Peggy Lee

12/18/22 Lessons and Carols

12/24/22 Christmas Eve - Rev. Linda Packard

12/25/22 Carol Sing

01/01/23 Morning Prayer - Thom Dennis & Debbie Pausz

COMMITMENT SUNDAY



This Sunday, December 4, is Commitment Sunday. Please bring your pledge cards to church (unless you have already submitted yours.). If you need another card, cards and envelopes are available at both entrances to the church. During the service all pledges will be brought to the altar and blessed.

GLITZ FOR GIFTS



Mary Nelson has passed along an assortment of her jewelry to Debbie Pausz to offer to her friends at Grace. Debbie will have these items on display during coffee hour on this Sunday, December 4. You may take any piece you fancy for a donation. All funds collected will go toward gifts for the family Grace adopts each Christmas.

It's time to think about poinsettias for Christmas at Grace.

There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall entrance.

The plants cost $15/apiece.

 Let's make our church beautiful for Christmas!

LIVING WELL THROUGH ADVENT 2022 is available for anyone who wants a copy. This Living Compass 52-page devotional provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Advent, an experience that will prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas.

FREE COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT BOTH ENTRANCES TO THE CHURCH.

MINISTRY OF CARE

Grace Church continues to offer pastoral care to its community. Many volunteers are available for rides to doctor appointments (or elsewhere), providing meals, picking up prescriptions, or providing other small services when someone is unwell or unable to do so for themselves.

Call Bonnielynn Kreiser at 815-291-9005 to coordinate the helping hands when needed. Our clergy are also available for spiritual aid.

SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE

The opening for the position of Rector at Grace Church is posted on the Diocesan website. We will be notified by the Diocese of candidates whose interest and background they think will be a good match for Grace.

By clicking on this  link , you will see the text of an ad currently running in the Episcopal News Service. Please feel free to send it to any clergy person you know who might be interested or to anyone who knows anyone who might be interested.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS

COMPLINE ON ZOOM 8:30pm on Tuesdays

On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles leads an interactive service of Compline. 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.

WEDNESDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP 10:00am on Wednesdays

We are a group that studies spiritual subjects, including the Bible. Everyone is welcome to join us to enhance your knowledge of spirituality and explore how to apply it to their life. We’re currently studying the Gospel of Luke. Meetings (in the Parish Hall conference room and on Zoom) begin at 10:00 a.m.

The Zoom link is active when the group is in session.

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 the Zoom password and a description of these types of prayer. The Zoom link button is near the top of this eblast.

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.

To the Members of Grace Church

In accordance with the accepted practice of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Chicago, the Vestry is recommending that the Senior and Junior Wardens continue to serve until such time as a new Rector has been called, installed, and has a few months in to get acclimated to our congregation. They have both agreed to do so. This will be formally recommended at the next annual meeting, unless there are objections from the congregation. Vestry members will continue to rotate out as their terms of service expire. We urge anyone having thoughts, questions or concerns about this recommendation should speak to any Vestry member. Grace Vestry

Contributed by our Parish Administrator, Kris Egan. Photo by Lynn Giles

The Third Sunday in Advent

    December 11, 2022

Isaiah 35:1-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 15 122

Vestry:

Lynn Giles, Senior Warden

Richard Luther, Jr. Warden

Jim Berry, Treasurer

Crystal Mason, Clerk

Nancy Cook: Outreach

Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life

Eric Kallbac: Building & Grounds

Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care

Carl Davis: Finance

Amy Hardwicke: Worship

Staff:

The Rev. Linda Packard, Priest Associate

The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon

Kris Egan, Parish Administrator

Robin French, Music Director

Nancy Cook, Erben Organist