Sunday, February 28th, 2021 |
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In response to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Church is open for limited in-person worship and visiting hours. Most events will remain virtual for the time being. |
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11 am Morning Prayer
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Music:
The Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
THIS WEEK:
Outdoor
Children's Chapel
with Father Thomas!
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 virtual, and in the church on open days!
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Dear Friends,
The year is moving along, and here we are with the Second Sunday in Lent and the last day of February already upon us. We are counting down to Easter and in the blink of an eye the greatest day of the Christian year will arrive. As I look out on the rectory yard I see that the snow has largely melted. Could it be that winter’s icy grip is loosening? What is more, we hear reports from scientists who cautiously suggest that even the pandemic is beginning to fade. Right now it is a race between the vaccines and the virus, including its variants, and it is not the time to slacken our pace. If anything, with early signs of the finish line in sight, Lent is a call to lengthen our stride and press on toward the prize. It is a hopeful time.
Before we reach Easter we have another major milestone as a parish to celebrate. Next Sunday, March 7th, will be the 175th anniversary of our building here at 10th and Broadway. We’ve been having some fun on the Zoom Sunday Forum showing historical photos of the church and neighborhood, and last week played a new game called “Stump the Rector.” The rules were simple: members of the Archives Committee would screen-share early images of the church and its people, and my challenge was to identify what or whom we were all seeing. I confess that I was indeed stumped on numerous occasions – but not all of them. In fact, I was correct with enough of my answers that the committee wants to take another crack at me! So this Sunday at 10 am we will play “Stump the Rector, Part 2.” See below for more details and instructions to join the Zoom Sunday Forum.
Finally, although the news cycle has moved on from the humanitarian crisis caused by the winter storm in Texas, a number of parishioners have wondered what we can and should do to help. One of the blessings of being part of a larger network of Christians is that we are not in this alone. We have partners in ministry that are already present offering aid and recovery on behalf of the Episcopal Church. The most recognizable of these is Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Whenever and wherever a crisis occurs – be it in in Texas, New Orleans, or New York City (remember Hurricane Sandy?) – ERD is there. If you are inclined to reach out to the folks in Texas, a contribution to ERD would be a meaningful and effective way to do so. See below for more information.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday – for in-person worship at 11 am, and/or on the Sunday Forum at 10 am.
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Liturgical Changes for Lent |
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Our Sunday worship takes on a different tone for the five weeks of Lent. We will begin each service with a Penitential Order, which includes a recitation of the Ten Commandments. The word “Alleluia” is omitted from all hymns, versicles, and responses, and you will see no flowers on the altar. The goal of the scarcity is to highlight the abundant life that will be ours to claim at Easter. |
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9:45 am Children's Chapel
(over Zoom)
Join Mother Julia and Father Thomas from 9:45-10:10 am to say hello, read the story of the day from our Spark Children's Bible, talk about it, and then say our prayers together.
Meeting ID: 618 396 533
Password: praisegod
One tap mobile
+19294362866, 618396533# US (New York)
NOTE TO PARENTS:
This week during the 11 am service, we will hold an outdoor Children's Chapel with masks and social distancing. Details below.
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10:00 am Sunday Forum:
"Stump the Rector" Part Two
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Join Saving Grace NYC in celebrating the 175th Anniversary of our building with a fun game of historic trivia. A collection of period photos and illustrations will put the Rector’s knowledge of NYC history to the test! If you are interested in participating please see this link.
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11:00 am Morning Prayer
The Second Sunday In Lent
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 Adult Choir, The Choir of Men and Boys, The Girl's 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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Devotions will be offered every Sunday in Lent at 4:00pm. The event is live streamed only. The program features organ music with hymns for you to sing along with at home, mostly drawn from The Hymnal 1982 and the Lift Every Voice and Sing II: African American Hymnal, with a few other old favorites to enjoy. During Lent the Meditations will feature guest artists and choir. Tune in and sing along during this special time of musical prayer. These offerings will be livestreamed over all the Grace Church channels during Lent. More detailed information can be found at this link.
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Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal dioceses of Dallas, Texas and West Texas as they provide emergency relief to individuals and families impacted by the unprecedented ice storm, low temperatures and power outages last week. We invite you to give directly to their US Disaster Response Fund by clicking here.
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Church is Open
Four Days per Week
Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 3 pm
with Noonday Prayer at 12:15 pm
Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
with Evening Prayer at 6 pm
Sunday, 11 am to 12:30 pm
with Worship Service at 11 am
All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
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Grace Parish Showcase Sponsored by the Grace Church Women - Online Now! |
We have had a great response to this project, which attempts to display how the creative spirit of our people was at work during the lockdown. Many have submitted, photography, videos, art, stories, and photos of themselves and their families and more!
The show is live! Find it here. Don't miss it! |
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The Weekly Pledge Envelopes have arrived for our Pledging households. If you would like to have your box of Pledge Envelopes set out in the Nave on Sunday, please email Matthew Kopp
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No Ordinary Time: 2021 Annual Campaign |
All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to support our mission by pledging -- or promising -- a financial gift for the coming year. To make your pledge, please fill out the pledge envelope you received in the mail at home (and find in the pews today). You can place it in the offering plate any Sunday, or mail it to the parish office as soon as you can.
You may also make your pledge at the link below (You have all of 2021 to make your payments!)
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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)
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Tuesday, noon–3 pm, Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 pm, and Thursday, noon–3 pm. Tuesday and Thursday Noonday Prayer at 12:05 pm. Wednesday Evening Prayer at 6 pm. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
Tuesday, Thursday – Bach at Noon
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
The Great Litany: Wednesday 6 pm In-Person or on Zoom during Lent – During the season of Lent we will be doing The Great Litany. For Zoom access, please see this link.
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)
Men’s Bible Study – March 3rd from 6:30pm-7:15pm (over Zoom) - The men of Grace Church are invited to join us via Zoom for a bible study on the lectionary for the coming Sunday. This bible study will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month and will run until June. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
4 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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March 7th: Celebrating 175 Years at Broadway & 10th
10 am: The Sunday Forum – Join Saving Grace NYC and the Archives Committee in celebrating the 175th Anniversary of our building with a presentation on the construction of our historic church. A history illustrated through period photos and documents will detail the work of the Building Committee in 1846. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
11 am: The Holy Eucharist and Sermon – It will be 175 years ago to the minute when our predecessors gathered for the first worship service in our current building: the Consecration of Grace Church on Broadway at 10th. Hymns, Scripture readings, and choral anthems appropriate for the anniversary will be part of the liturgy, and the Rector will preach about the spirituality of the architecture and our ministry of presence all these years.
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Men’s Bible Study – March 17th from 6:30pm-7:15pm (over Zoom)
The men of Grace Church are invited to join us via Zoom for a bible study on the lectionary for the coming Sunday. This bible study will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month and will run until June. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
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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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We pray for those who suffer
Beryl McLeod Wheaton
Walton E. McLeod
Linda Flood
Frances Givhan
Lois Queen
Bridgette Newman
Cheryl Kelly
Carol Hollander
Leon Leader
Betty Forsman
Maria Montoya
Luis
Kathleen Curry
Linda and Tom Hall
John Berringer
Josephine
all those who suffer due to the coronavirus
and 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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