PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Our vestry, lay leaders, and congregation as we journey together on the search process for a new rector; Lainie Murrell, our postulant to the diaconate; Rick & JoAnn Stone, Jean B., Lynn, Vicki Hudson, Caroline Tucker, Maura McGrath, Victims of gun violence everywhere.

FLOWER MEMORIALS Eleanor Hafstad, Douglas H. Doller, Marion C. Bittig, Garnet & Joseph Leone, J. Beverly & Faith Harvie, Edna Simmons, Anne Love Wiegand, and Clara Wesel Moore

PLEASE NOTE: We are beginning a new prayer list this month. If there are names you would like to add back, please let me know.

St. Francis passed on to us only prayers of praise. He went simply through his life finding new things for which to praise God at every turn: the little things, nature, the creatures, the animals, situations, his brothers - for whatever is happening, he praises God.

Francis is never achieving God's love; he is celebrating it! He continually celebrates God's love in everything he sees and experiences. Mature prayer always breaks into gratitude.

Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful, and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise.

Richard Rohr, from The Great Themes of Scripture

Sunday, October 2 – The Feast of St. Francis

ARE YOU ON THE WORSHIP MINISTRY SCHEDULE? CLICK HERE to check.

Readings available HERE

Collect of the Day

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:30am Family Eucharist, followed by church school

11:00am Holy Eucharist Rite II Also available via live-stream

Order of service for 11:00am service available HERE

4:00pm Choral Evensong

CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES BEGIN

Church school calendar through end of the year is available HERE.

We have lots of exciting things happening this year, and can’t wait to welcome you all back! In honor of the Feast of St. Francis we’re collecting donations for the Hi Tor Animal Care Center in Pomona - they are always in need of paper towels, old blankets, towels, and pet food! Looking forward to seeing you—and your pets – this weekend! 

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Love and Peace, Sandy Rodriguez, church school director

DISCOVERY GROUP: Bible Study

Our weekly informal Bible study of the day’s readings, led by Roy Kepler, takes place from 10:15 -10:55am in Patterson Hall each Sunday. All are welcome – join us!

"First Sundays" Choral Evensong

This Sunday at 4:00pm

Join us for this 45 minute service of choral music, prayers, and readings, rooted in the Anglican tradition and bringing respite and inspiration to busy and challenging lives. 

Out of an abundance of caution for our neighbors, we recommend that our visitors continue to mask inside. In Rockland County, New York, community level is Low.

Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines

Get tested if you have symptoms

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test,

or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

LABYRINTH OUTING – OCTOBER 16 at 3:00pm

Please join us for a guided labyrinth walk led by a trained facilitator at Church of the Presentation, 271 West Saddle River Rd. in Upper Saddle River, NJ. The church has installed a full-sized outdoor labyrinth that follows the same pattern as the one at Chartres Cathedral in France. For centuries labyrinths have been used as a tool for meditation, reflection, prayer, guidance, and personal pilgrimage. Some Grace parishioners may recall the temporary labyrinth set up in Memorial Garden in 2018. As the Adult Spiritual Formation Commission ponders the possibility of some kind of labyrinth at Grace in the future, we felt it would be valuable to experience a nearby installation.

On the 16th, you may choose to meet us at the labyrinth (directions to follow), or if you want to carpool, meet at Grace Church for a 2:30 pm departure. Watch for sign up & details next week.

REMEMBER YOUR PEOPLE TO PEOPLE DONATIONS - THE NEED IS GREAT

When you come to church please bring non-perishable food items to leave in the basket in the narthex. Peanut butter, tuna fish and cereal are greatly appreciated. If you don’t make it to church, you can always drop items off during office hours.

GIFT CARDS & LAUNDRY SUPPORT NEEDED

Occasionally individuals and families come to us with very basic immediate needs, like food and diapers for their children. When possible we try to help with small gift cards for stores like ShopRite, Target, or Walgreen’s. We’ve also found that help with laundry needs is appreciated, and have put together bags with quarters/soap pods/dryer sheets.We welcome donations of gift cards or materials/change laundry packages so we are prepared when the need arises — just bring them to the office or drop cards in the plate on Sundays. 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THESE EFFORTS IN THE PAST

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has given throughout 2022.

As we move forward your willingness to support our church is more important than ever.

Click here to estimate your annual gift (Pledge) for 2023 by completing a pledge card online.

We are so grateful for your support.

Our Virtual Offering Plate

Please keep your pledge current!

To help ensure continuity for the church and our outreach programs to the community, please keep your pledge current if you are able, or make one-time donations as you would on Sunday. You can mail a check to us at 130 First Avenue, Nyack, NY 10960 or use our Virtual Offeering Plate to make an online gift. Use the drop down menu under "FUND" to choose "Other Gifts" or "Pledge Payments".

Lost

David Wagoner

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you

Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask permission to know it and be known.

The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,

I have made this place around you.

If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches are the same to Wren.

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows

Where you are. You must let it find you.

David Wagoner

From Traveling Light: Collected and New Poems