THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Sunday, December 11

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Our vestry, lay leaders, and congregation as we prepare to welcome our new rector; Lainie Murrell, our postulant to the diaconate; Robert and Donna Weber, Gerald and Marjorie Federico, Theresa Weber, John and Shirley Federico, Yasso HerathRick & JoAnn Stone, Jean B., Lin, Vicki Hudson, Caroline Tucker, Maura McGrath, Pastor Tyler, Phyllis & Bob Holgerson, Sean Murdock, Peter Ng, Mureedullah Hashimi, Robert and Eunice Ruffin, Peter Zakrepine. Victims of gun violence everywhere.

If there are names you would like to add to the prayer list, please contact the church office: parishoffice@gracechurchnyack.org/845-358-1297

REFLECTION

Remember, silence is more than non-talking. It’s a complete change in the way we use our minds. We lead very active lives. Our mental machinery is made so the more active work, the more incessant the whirr of the wheels, the harder it is to be quiet in the Divine Presence. Yet nothing so improves that active work as such quietude, the sense of Eternity and restful reception of the Holy Spirit, ceasing introspection and altruistic fidgets. Only in such silence can we look out of our workshop window and see the horizons of the spiritual world.

Our deepest contacts with God are so gentle because they’re all we can bear. We need quiet to experience them. They don’t come in an earthquake of mental upheaval or in the scorching fire or rushing wind of emotion. In the silence, there’s nothing devastating or sensational, but only a still, small voice. To be silent with nature is to witness to God.

Evelyn Underhill

THIS WEEKEND

Sunday, December 11 – The Third Sunday of Advent

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

Readings available HERE

Collect of the Day

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite1)

9:30am Family Eucharist/10:15am Church School

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

Newcomers and visitors are always welcome

10:15-10:55am  Weekly informal Bible study of the day’s readings,

led by Roy Kepler, in Patterson Hall each Sunday. All are welcome – join us

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

Order of service for 11:00am service available HERE

On Sunday we welcome back The Rev. Judy Ferguson as guest celebrant.

The Rev. Judy Ferguson recently retired from 26 years of active, full-time ministry, most recently as rector at the Church of the Holy Innocents, Highland Falls/St. Mark’s Chapel, Fort Montgomery (21 years). Rev. Ferguson continues to serve as the Episcopal Civilian Chaplain to USMA, West Point (21 years), which is the campus/alumni ministry for Holy Innocents’/St. Mark’s parish. We’re grateful that Mo. Judy can be with us on Sundays through the end of the year as we await our new rector in January.

Rockland County COVID risk has returned to LOW. For recommended precautions, CLICK HERE.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS

Each year as we gather for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, our worship is enhanced by festive flowers and decorations. Your generosity makes this possible. Please join in the time-honored tradition of making a donation for our Christmas celebrations in memory of loved ones or thanksgiving for God’s blessings. Offering envelopes are available at the church entry, or use THIS LINK to make an online donation and leave names in the comments section. Memorial Names must be received by Sunday, December 18 for inclusion in Christmas bulletins.

ANNUAL GIVING TREE

We’re once again collecting gifts to be distributed to children served through programs at the Nyack Center, and others associated with Grace.

Thank you to everyone who has already picked up a tag and brought back gifts! Gifts are due back this Sunday, December 11 so they can be sorted, wrapped, and distributed at the Nyack Center in time for Christmas.

THERE ARE LOTS OF TAGS LEFT! If you haven't yet had a chance to pick one up, you can still participate. Just select a gift(s) or gift card for a boy or girl ages 5-11, and drop UNWRAPPED gifts off on Sunday. If you don't make it to church on Sunday, we'll accept gifts at the office on Monday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. After Monday, they'll have to be dropped off directly at the Nyack Center. Thank you!

CLICK HERE to register for Blessed on Wednesday, December 14

To register for Light/Mystery on Saturday, December 17, CLICK HERE

We hope you'll join us - All Are Welcome!

PARISH WIDE CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Nominations are open for various positions for 2023. We need people to serve as: Vestry Member (3), Convention Delegate (2), Alternate Delegate (2), Nominating Committee Lay (4). Nomination forms may be found in back of the church, at the office or HERE. They are due in the office or to Kickie Fulmor by January 15, 2023.

To be considered for vestry, the nominee must meet the following criteria: Be a confirmed member in good standing, that is, one who regularly attends the worship services, pledges to the parish and is a member of the Episcopal Church either by confirmation or reception. Nominees should also be able to make time commitments for vestry meetings and committee work; vestry retreat(s); congregational events; annual Parish Meeting; and diocesan meetings and workshops, as necessary.

Please prayerfully consider these positions before submitting your name to the committee. Folks cannot nominate another person without their signature! The nominating committee will report its nominations to the vestry and then to the parish.

Kickie Fulmor, Chair of Nominating Committee

STEWARDSHIP & VIRTUAL PLATE

PLEDGE UPDATE

Thank you to all who pledged! We have not yet reached our goal of $340,000 or matched our total pledges from last year so if you would like to pledge, please take a pledge card from the back of the church or CLICK HERE to complete a pledge card online. The 2023 budget that we create based on your pledges — which represent 74% of our income— will determine the resources our new rector has available to lead us into the future.

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 Offering Plate to make an online gift. Use the drop down menu under "FUND" to choose "Other Gifts" or "Pledge Payments".

PARTING THOUGHT

MOTHERS OF GOD

Here’s a quote I’m pondering on these post-Christmas days:

"We are all meant to be mothers of God" …

What good is it to me

if this eternal birth of the divine Son

takes place unceasingly,

but does not take place

within myself?

And,

what good is it to me

if Mary is full of grace

and if I am not also full of grace?

What good is it to me

for the Creator to give birth to his/her Son

if I do not also give birth to him

in my time and my culture?

This, then,

is the fullness of time:

When the Son of God

is begotten

in us.

Matthew Fox, Meditations with Meister Eckhart