This Sunday, the Adult Class welcomes Jim Milburn, who will review Wonder Drug – 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself by Stephen Trzeciak, M.D. and Anthony Mazzarelli, M.D. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m., and coffee will be available in the kitchen before the class starts.

Students of all ages, teachers, tutors and others who are educationally-oriented are invited to take part in the annual Blessing of the Backpacks, through which Grace sends those focused on learning back to class with a special blessing for the renewed quest for enlightenment and edification. The blessing will take place on Sunday, August 14, after the 10:45 a.m. service; because of still-lively COVID activity in our area, the ceremony will take place in the Pavilion. All involved in educational pursuits are welcome!

As you have doubtless seen above, Grace returns this week to its traditional pattern of two services, one at 8 a.m. and the other at 10:45 a.m. Those who are not able to join us in the flesh are invited to take part in either the live-stream feed or the recording of the service, both available through our Facebook page. You can find the bulletin for the service HERE.

Apparently inhabitants of Hamilton County celebrated last week's lessening of COVID transmission levels from red to yellow by going out and breathing on everyone in their paths, thus sending the level back up to RED this week. Hospitalizations are up, though not yet to the point of overload. The use of masks for indoor public gatherings is encouraged, especially for those with pre-existing conditions and immune deficiencies.

Grace is not currently requiring masks, but we want everyone to be aware of the current situation and thus be equipped to make informed decisions.

Family Promise is almost ready to begin hosting families in the facilities they’ve built on their campus; they plan to open on September 11. Grace’s assigned week, however, is the week BEFORE that, September 4-10. They suggest either monetary gifts or channeling the money that would have been spent preparing or purchasing dinner for the families into gift cards to Walmart and Big Lots; either of these options will help with stocking the shelves at the shelter and day center, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. You may write checks to Grace with “Family Promise” in the subject line or place gift cards in the alms-bags during the offertory. 

After languishing in lameness for several weeks, the front door keypad has received treatment and is once again working properly (insert fervent prayers of thanksgiving). You may now come into our courts with praise and also without having to troupe around the building seeking an active keypad. Hallelujah!

Amphibious volunteers Vivian Dodds and Dixie Riall put on their water-wings and fielded 25 pantry visitors last Wednesday and sent them home with food for 105 -- 55 adults and 50 children. Amazingly, there are still a few things on the pantry shelves; however, we of course still need a good number of things. Of course!

They are:

* canned fruit (15 oz. preferred) (2 cans left)

* soups (chicken, beef) -- very low supply

* beanie weenies (dispirited huddle of cans left)

* Vienna sausages (less dispirited than the beanie weenies but sinking)

* Spam or similar

* canned chicken

* spaghetti sauce and spaghetti noodles

Thanks in copious measures to Grace parishioners and to the good Belvoir folks for all their support. We are very grateful for your generous and constant support -- few churches are lucky enough to have such folks at their backs.

The results of the Green Grace Chattanooga Environmental Action Team supply and uniform drive are in video posted earlier this week on both our church and GreenGrace Chattanooga Facebook pages: Grace Episcopal Public Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/saygrace, and GreenGrace Chattanooga private group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322239923203733. We recieved an astonishing amount of supplies from both out church and our Belvoir neighbors.

We think we can get other neighborhood associations involved next year, and ramp this drive up. Because, as I told the workers at each school, "Please, please tell these children that people they do not know and will never meet love them from afar."

HERE : https://us04web.zoom.us/j/780772724

& the password is: compline 

Please use Grace's P.O. Box for dispatches containing money or other valuables: hard times persist for some of our neighbors, and checks have disappeared from our mailbox more than once. The address is Grace Episcopal Church,

The directory can be accessed via the church's webpage (www.saygrace.net). Find the menu item “BREEZE” at the right end of the menu options that sprawl across the screen near the top, click and log in; user name is ‘saygrace’ and the password is ‘Chattanooga.’

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Pray for schools and colleges (BCP p. 824).

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Extra-Provincial Churches. The Anglican Communion has adopted a cycle of prayer called "From Aba to Zululand," praying its way alphabetically through its members on a daily basis between January 1, 2021 and September 2023. The newsletter and, in the future, the printed bulletin, will include the prayers for Sunday; if you would like to see the daily prayer requests, you can find them at ACoP.

At the 8:00 a.m. service: Lector, George Reed, III;

Crucifer, Stephen Jones

At the 10:45 a.m. service: Lectors, Paul Thomas, Jim Harris; Intercessor, Judy Burnett; Crucifer, Jim Harris;

Jeremiah 23:23-29, Psalm 82, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-56