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SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY WORSHIP--UPDATE
Our region of Illinois is subject to more rigorous mitigation rules that limit gatherings to no more than 10 people.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP IS NOW SUSPENDED until further notice. We will still lead worship from the church, with only the Altar Party, musician, and Zoom operator present in the building.
For those worshiping at home on Zoom, here is the link to the bulletin that you may download and/or print: BULLETIN. When you log in on Sunday morning, you will be muted except for during the sharing of the peace, birthday and anniversary blessings, and a time of greeting at the end of the service. As usual, the Zoom will be ready for you at 10:20 am.
A note to those using Zoom: if you have downloaded the Zoom app, you should check the version number. There have been some recent updates that will not work for you in an older version. The newest version is 5.4.1.
PARISH HOUSE
Regular hours will continue. Nancy is available on Tuesday - Friday mornings. I am available Monday by appointment and Tuesday-Thursday. Since the building is still somewhat restricted, please contact us ahead of time if you need to come by. And masks are essential.
Here once again are our "Ten 'Commandments'" for re-opening TEN. The full plan that was submitted to the Bishop's office for approval may be found here.
URGENT MESSAGE FROM
THE CHRISTIAN FORMATION MINISTRY!
As of today, we have only a handful of responses to the questionnaire sent out to those participating in Steve Barg's program. The Christian Formation Ministry needs a solid information base to make recommendations about future programs and their mode of delivery. Click here for a link to the questionnaire. Please send your response by e-mail to gracesec@gracegalena.org or, if you wish, drop them at the church office or in the church mailbox. Snail mail is also an option:
Grace Episcopal Church
107 S. Prospect St.
Galena IL 61036.
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Message from Bp. Lee: "All Our Hope"
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At our bi-weekly clergy Zoom meeting with Bishop Lee this week, the primary topic was the presidential election. Here is an excerpt from the Bishop's message to us:
In an article in The Living Church posted this morning, a priest in the Diocese of Kentucky wrote profoundly about the Christian response to the election and everything it represents. He quoted the motto of the monastic order of Carthusians: Stat crux dum volvitur orbit, "the cross is steady while the world is turning." I, too, want to remind us all today that our ultimate allegiance, our trust, our hope is not in a president, not in a particular political outcome, not even in the nation. To paraphrase a favorite hymn of mine, "All our hope on God is founded." All our trust, all our hope, first, last and eternal is found in Christ himself. Personally, I am appalled that this presidential election is even within range of being a close one. What do I do with that? Well, I am trying to practice putting my feelings and convictions about this into the service of my prayer. This is a bracing reminder that at the center of the universe, the heart of reality there stands a cross, not a flag, not a president, not any system of government. In its promise of a new heaven and new earth, the Book of Revelation tells us that at the center of it all is the Lamb slain from all eternity. In other words, the cross of Christ is the ground of reality and the foundation of any real and ultimate healing. We are signed with that cross in baptism, and the cross makes clear how we are to live, and how we are to make our baptismal identity real. In the face of any election outcome, we are called to walk with our eyes wide open to any injustice, any lies and any self-serving manipulations. Regardless of the outcome, we are called to minister with open hearts to the suffering of this world.
The entire message can be found here: Bishop's Address
Celebrate Bishop Lee!
Zoom send-off on Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm
Episcopal Diocese of Chicago to join in a celebratory send-off for Bishop Jeff Lee and Lisa Lee on Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm via Zoom.
The event will include video greetings from parishioners, clergy and bishops; remarks from Bishop Jeff and Lisa; reflections on his episcopacy; and a festive toast. All are invited to join the virtual farewell celebration using the Zoom link below.
At the end of the celebration, Standing Committee president Anne Jolly will present the Lees with a retirement purse, a longstanding Episcopal tradition and expression of appreciation for his ministry. Those who wish to contribute to the purse are invited to donate by December 1. Gifts made be made online or by check (memo: Bishop's purse) and are tax deductible.
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the gathering.
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READINGS: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25: Joshua challenges the people to turn from their idols and serve only God, and they commit to doing so. Psalm 78:1-7: A call for people to hear a message of God's greatness and goodness, remembering how God gave the people laws and instructions so that they and their children could remember God's deeds and hope in God. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: A word of encouragement to remind the believers that death is not the end, but that believers, both dead and alive, will enjoy life eternal in union with Christ, which is our Christian hope. Matthew 25:1-13: Jesus tells a story about bridesmaids who are waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom at a wedding. Some have extra oil and are able to wait for as long as it takes, while others, who do not have extra, have to leave to find more and so miss the groom's arrival. Then, when they return, they are shut out and not allowed in. Then Jesus encourages his hearers to be alert.
It is unfortunate that Christianity has become an 'evacuation' faith (to borrow Brian McLaren's word). Instead of engaging our communities and getting involved in the struggles of people, we have offered an escape and a lame hope that may promise bliss in eternity but has nothing to contribute to our world now. This is tragic and misguided. But, when we allow the hope that the Scriptures offer us (as in the Lectionary readings this week) to capture us, our engagement with the world changes dramatically. As we embrace our hope for the future we live differently now. We gain the wisdom of God's perspective and the faith to work as agents of inspiration and possibility in our communities. We begin to be alert and watchful for the signs of God's coming in the lives of those we serve and we become more committed to live out our hope now. In this way we are able to contribute to the manifestation of God's reign where we are. And when our lives and ministries reflect Christ in this way, we can't help but be agents of grace, healing, and salvation to hurting, hopeless people.
Thumbprints and commentaries from:
sacredise.com
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BISHOP NOMINEE CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE:
Thursday evening, November 12 at 6 pm; Friday November 13 at 10 am; Saturday November 14 at noon on Zoom, the last of six conversations with the four nominees will take place. Links to each may be found here: Conversations
All people are invited to watch any--or all--as they will be in different formats and different questions will be asked. DELEGATES ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.
All sessions are being recorded and will be available at the same link. You may also access candidate videos, essays, and resumes here: Bishop Nominees.
The electing convention will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 5 pm. All are invited to participate in any or all of these sessions. The voting delegates from Grace are: Lynn Giles, Elizabeth Ludescher, and Georgia Hansen as well as our clergy.
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This week's giving campaign reflection:
By The Rev. Matthew Woodward
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins brings back
so many rector wedding memories. I have to say, virgins trimming wicks are few and far between in early 21st century Bay Area weddings; you are more likely to find mason jars liberally strewn around the barn venue and handwritten chalkboards offering tri-tip, which you can eat perched on a bale of hay. But the frenetic last-minute energy of things needing to be fixed is just the same today as in scripture.
If you get stuck in the anxiety, keeping company with the wedding planner and their staff, you are going to miss the point of the event.
Weddings confer the blessing of companionship. We can get stuck in the mechanics of delivery and all of the anxiety it generates. Or we can acknowledge that love is a great gift, and we should be grateful for it.
I once oversaw a wedding in which the couple forgot to get a license. I took a deep breath, made sure they had a wonderful day, and secretly remarried them a month or two later. Their love for each other was a gift. We found a way to fix the paperwork.
Faith is a gift, Christian community is a gift; worship, children's choirs and that moment when teenagers suddenly make a profound connection with their faith:
These are all gifts. We could get caught up in the anxiety of paying for it all, or we could just say thank you and write the pledge that shows how grateful we are for all we have received.
The Rev. Matthew Woodward is an Englishman on the West Coast of America and the Rector of Transfiguration Episcopal Church in San Mateo California. He is a recent puppy parent, and loves comics. He has also found stewardship ministry to be a real joy, rather than the other thing, in recent years.
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Wednesday Morning Study Group
An insult that cannot be forgiven, not even for eternity?!!
You're gonna want to avoid that one! Join us to study, ponder and discuss St. Mark's Gospel. We gather safely Wednesday mornings on Zoom, 10:30 - 11:30. Contact Greg Serwich for an invitation.
Meditative Prayer 9:00am 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 a Zoom invitation which includes a description of these types of prayer.
ZOOM POETRY GROUP
A Zoom Poetry meeting from Grace Church has been organized and meets online on 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.
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The Latest from Bishop Joseph
Dear Donna M David,
Grace and peace, thank you for asking the progress of parish building. The work was stopped almost for a Month because of flooding, but now its resumed with some challenges the Windows and doors will finish this week and we will send the full report of building including expenditures and what remains to be finish.
We thank God and friends of Grace Church for great work they did in Renk diocese.
I am attaching some church's new photos.
Blessing
+ Joseph
Outreach - Opening Doors
Would you like to know a little more about one of the recipients of your Outreach funds? In November, $1000.00 will be donated to Opening Doors. It is a nonprofit organization in Dubuque that helps homeless women and children. Opening Doors has three "doorways": Teresa Shelter, which offers emergency and extended stay, Maria House offers transitional housing for up to two years, and Francis Apartments offers income-based affordable housing with support services. The women living there also receive goal setting and life training skills. They are provided with opportunities for education, jobs, child care and the ability to become independent. It can bring bring tears to your eyes to see and hear the success stories of so many of these women.
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Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19!
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Pentecost Season Worship
Sunday services will begin at our usual 10:30 time on Zoom. They will also be recorded and uploaded as quickly as possible for those unable to participate on Zoom. The uploads will appear on the church's Facebook page, @FullyGrace and on the Grace website.
Wednesday morning services are also now only on Zoom. Bible Study and Centering Prayer are also on Zoom each week. If you would like to add your name to any of these participant lists, please e-mail the church office.
Ministry of Care
Here at Grace, The Ministry of Care has organized regular phone and e-mail contact with our most vulnerable members. If you are in need of assistance, or pick-up and delivery of prescriptions or emergency supplies, please contact Bonnielynn Kreiser. Also contact her if you are able to help out. And, of course, your clergy are available by phone, text, and e-mail to provide pastoral care,
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Vestry Liaisons
Vestry Liaisons' primary purpose is to assure two-way communications between the various ministries and the Vestry, to represent the ministries for resources or policy issues, and to support their events and activities.
Worship: The Very Rev.Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Building and Grounds: Greg Serwich (Sr. Warden 2019-2021)
Worship Committee: Charlotte Stryker (class of 2022)
Formation and Spirituality: Elizabeth Ludescher (class of 2022)
Fellowship & Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)
Ministry of Care/LEMs: Nancy Cook (class of 2023)
Outreach: Tony Packard (class of 2021)
Communications: Eric Kallback(class of 2023) Governance: Wardens & Rector
Officers: Greg Serwich, Senior Warden
Lynn Giles, Junior Warden,
Richard Luther, Treasurer
Diann Marsh, Clerk The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Staff: Robin French, Director of Music Nancy Cook, Erben Organist Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
Chris Ludescher, Nursery Attendant
The Rev. Linda Packard, Priest Associate
The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
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Twenty-third Sunday
after Pentecost
November 8, 2020
Zoom Worship-10:30 am
Meeting ID: 824 2178 3266
For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
Joshua 24:1-3a,14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
Ministers of the Service:
Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
Deacon: Rev. Diane Luther
Lector: PhilJackman
Intercessor: Bill Foltz
Vestry Coordinator: Nancy Cook
Music Director: Robin French
Greeter: Amy Hardwick
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Twenty-Fourth Sunday
After Pentecost
November 15, 2020
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For a current prayer list, click on the following link:
Grace Prayer List
The Request For Prayers notebook is in the Narthex/ Entrance area of the Church. Please feel free to request prayers for yourself or others at any time by filling out a form or contacting the office by either phone or email. May we first and always be "a people of prayer."
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Events This Week:
Sunday
Twenty-third Sunday
after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist 10:30am
ONLINE ONLY on Zoom
Monday
Executive Committee Meeting
9:00am online
Zoom Poetry Meeting
2:00pm online
Tuesday
Holy Eucharist* 7:30am on Zoom
Bible Study** online 10:30am
Thursday
Friday
Meditative Prayer** online 9:00am
Saturday
To receive an invitation with the link to online events, please contact Gloria at
gracerector@
gracegalena.org
or **Greg Serwich at gserwich@gmail.com All are welcome! |
For current and upcoming events, check out the Google
calendar on the website
Calendar
Link to most current directory here:
Link to August - December 2020
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You can now get information on Formation Ministries directly from the new Grace website at the following links:
Children and Youth Adults
Spiritual Practices
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If you are in need of assistance while ill or recovering: meals, transportation, visits, please contact the Ministry of Care Facilitators who can assist you
and connect you with parishioners who have trained and committed to this ministry that includes Parish Visitors, Meals, Rides, as well as the ongoing Servants through Prayer, LEMs, and the Greeting Card ministry.
Ministry of Care Leadership Team: Facilitators : Bonnielynn Kreiser
Terri Jackman
Clergy Advisors:
Gloria Hopewell,
Linda Packard
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DEADLINES!
News and prayer requests:
Sunday Bulletin:
Wed. end of day.
e-Blast:
Thursday noon.
Anniversaries and Birthdays
Have yours been missed in our bulletins? Send to Nancy. Thank you!
News and Photos
for e-Blast!
People want to know what's going on at Grace! There are places here for your event, program, or interesting tidbit. Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here.
Audio files of sermons are posted on the Grace Church website as well as in the next week's e-Blast. Paper copies are available upon request.
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| | Grace Episcopal Church, Galena IL, Wednesday 11-04-20 |
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| | Grace Church Galena All Saints 2020 |
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| | Grace Galena Sunday Eucharist 10 25 2020 |
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| | Grace Galena Wednesday Eucharist 10 21 2020 |
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| | Grace Galena Sunday Eucharist 10 18 2020 |
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| | Grace Episcopal Church, Galena IL Morning Prayer 10-14-20 |
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| Grace Galena Sunday Eucharist
10 11 20 |
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| Grace Entry Video with Music
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| | Virtual Chapel with Compline |
2020-21 Giving Campaign
NOVENA SERVICES
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| | Season of Prayer: For an Election Novena #2 10-28-2020 |
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| | Grace Church Galena IL, A Season of Prayer: For an Election 11-3-2020 |
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| | Grace Episcopal Church Galena IL, A Season of Prayer: For an Election, 11-4- 2020 |
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