Grace Happenings: The Week of August 2, 2020

Grace

Episcopal

Church

Ninth Sunda y after Pentecost

Au gust 2, 2020

Birthdays

Tim Johnstad

Anniversary

Jim and Ann Berry

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

PARISH HOUSE

Regular hours have resumed. 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.

Any ministries that wish to resume meetings or events at the Parish House must contact the rector before scheduling. There are attendance limits to each of the meeting places as well as expectations for masking, maintaining physical distancing and sanitizing the areas following their use. The 1st floor Parish Hall is limited to 15 individuals. The 2nd floor Conference Room and the Chapel each can accommodate no more than 9 people.

The AA groups have resumed their meetings. There are four: Mondays at 10 am; Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm; and Wednesday at noon.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Worship continues each Sunday both in-person and online on Zoom. reservations are being received. In-person worship requires advance reservations as we are limited to 25% of our capacity in order to maintain the 6 foot physical distancing.

If you have not yet reserved your spot for Sunday, you will find the link in the sidebar to the right of this article. When you arrive on Sunday at the Parish House door, a Greeter will check your name(s) off on a list and admit you to the building where you will proceed into the nave to find an empty seat that is designated by a bulletin. Pews that are not to be used will be closed off by lengths of ribbon.There will be hand sanitizer stations at the entrance and also at the back of the nave.

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, y ou 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.

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.

Rector's Ramblings

When we went to press on Thursday with the

Sunday bulletin linked above, the back page list of of staff and Vestry included a Candidate for the Diaconate. And that was accurate.The 'Ministers of the Service" on the front page and in the sidebar above should have had an additional name. Because, by the time the bulletin is in this information will be outdated. For "God willing and the people consenting," Diane Luther will be The Rev. Diane Luther, fully ordained to the Holy Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Church. by Bishop Jeffrey Lee. On behalf of Grace Church, she will be presented to the bishop by Joe Maffit, who was chair of Diane's discernment committee, The Rev. Linda Packard, who was involved in Diane's formation through the time of her postulancy, and me as rector. On Sunday, Diane will serve along with me at her first Eucharist as ordained clergy.
Because of COVID-19, though, her liturgical duties will be a bit limited for a time. It is the Deacon's role to set the Eucharistic table--receiving the gifts of bread and wine at the table, preparing the chalice of wine and the paten of bread. Because of our distancing requirements, however, the bishop has decided that only the presider may be at the table just now.
Diane will, from this time forward, be the one to proclaim the Gospel, offer the prayers along with the lector and intercessor, and dismiss the congregation. She will be vested in a garment called a dalmatic--a tunic with sleeves that has been the deacon's eucharistic dress since the 9th century. She will also wear a stole that covers one shoulder and crosses over her body, fastening beneath the opposite arm.
This will be a wonderful celebration after a long time of preparation for Diane. Although all of us will not be able to share the live event with her because of our capacity limitations, the video will be posted as quickly as we can possibly do so. I hope you will all join me in congratulating Diane and welcoming her to this new phase of her ministry!

See you in church--in-person or on Zoom,
Gloria+

This Sunday

READINGS:

Genesis 32:22-31: Jacob spends the night on the banks of the Jabbok River where he wrestles with a man until dawn. In the fight, Jacob is injured, leaving him with a limp, but he is also blessed and his name is changed to Israel.

Psalm 17:1-7, 15: A prayer for God to listen to and rescue the psalmist, who affirms his commitment to follow God's ways and be faithful, and to trust in God's willingness to answer his prayer.

Romans 9:1-5: Paul expresses his love and concern for his Jewish brothers and sisters, and celebrates the covenants, promises, law - and the Christ - that the Israelites received from God.

Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus tries to get some time to himself after hearing of John's death, but the crowds find him, and end up, late in the day, in a remote place and without food. Jesus instructs the disciples to feed them, but they object that they only have few resources. Jesus then feeds the crowds with the disciples' food, after which baskets of leftovers are gathered up

n our communities, homes and churches we all have resources that can be used to care for, to 'feed' others. As people of God we are recipients of God's commitment to, God's covenant with, us. We are those who know God's provision and abundance - even if we aren't financially wealthy. The call we must face, though, is to be those who can trust in God's care for us, and lean into God's commitment to us, and allow this to release us in generosity, in inclusivity and in service of others. Paul's care for his Jewish brothers and sisters meant that he was willing to sacrifice and serve them wholeheartedly. And Jesus' words to the disciples ring through the centuries to us: "You feed them". This means that we cannot avoid the responsibility of learning to care for and seek to serve those in our neighbourhoods, churches and even our own families. It means that we cannot hoard what we have, but must be willing to live simply and share what we have, inviting others to sit at the table with us. It means that we must be willing to become God's provision, God's welcome, God's commitment and God's service to others. Inevitably, we will find ourselves wrestling with God over these challenges, because it is never easy to be called by God. And inevitably we will find our hearts broken, our souls and bodies wounded by the grief and need we will find ourselves facing as we seek to serve others. But, in spite of this, we will also know the joy and 'reward' that comes when we know we are being used by God, and we are growing the community that knows and shares God's feast.

Thumbprints and commentaries from:

sacredise.com

Formation Ministry News

Wednesday Morning Study Group

Communal Bible Study affords an enjoyable and fulfilling way to grow spiritually and exchange insights with fellow parishioners, especially during the pandemic. We currently are studying the Gospel of Matthew. All are welcome Wednesday mornings, 10:30 - 11:30. Contact Greg Serwich for a Zoom 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.

Education for Ministry (EfM) Update

Technology is wonderful when it actually works. How often do we hear or think this? The other side of that thought is technology can really throw us for a loop when it doesn't work. Here's the situation regarding EfM for the coming year: "We regret that the online registration system is down. We do not yet have an estimate for when it will be available. Please bear with us. When it is ready for use you will be informed."

Why am I sharing all this? To let everyone know we have more time to put together an EfM group for the coming 2020-2021 year. We will start later than usual and with more flexibility than in the past.

Here is a video link:

https://youtu.be/Ndp0rfvWsz4

EfM 2020 Recruitment

Lynn Giles, Grace EfM Mentor

For a registration form or more information, please contact Lynn Giles at 815-757-2011 or lynngiles@lynngilesphotography.com.

Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19!

Pentecost Season Worship

Sunday services will begin at our usual 10:30 time at church and 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 in-person in the church and 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,

Outreach Ministries

BREAKING NEWS!

Members of Grace Church are responsible for a serious problem here in Galena!

What could we have

done, you ask? Out of gratitude for our many blessings, we have filled our UTO boxes with so much change that our community has seen a significant shortage in coinage! We can solve this problem!

Starting this Sunday, please bring your full and overflowing UTO boxes to church. There will be a box in the Parish House in which to put them! There will also be a new UTO box for you to take.

But wait, you say, some of us are not coming to church,

how can we turn in our boxes? Call Teri Jackman at

815-281-0485 to make arrangements for her to come

to your house and pick up your box. Be sure to thank her for her service to Grace and Galena!

Current list of needs for needy in Galena:

(although money can always be used)

cleaning supplies

baby wipes

feminine products

size 6 diapers

laundry detergent

outdoor toys for kids (all ages)

toilet paper

paper towels

cleaning sponges

fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, grapes are popular)

Anything can be dropped off on the porch of

704 Park Avenue, Galena . Thank you!

Women and Friends Make a Difference

Leadership

Vestry Liaisons

V estry 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 an d activities.

Worship:                          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

This Sunday

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

August 2, 2020

Zoom Worship-10:30 am

Meeting ID: 824 2178 3266

Reservation for in-person worship:

reserve

For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:

The Lectionary

Genesis 32:22-31

Psalm 17:1-7,16

Romans 9:1-5

Matthew 14:13-21

Ministers of the Service:

Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell

Lector: Terri Jackman

Intercessor: Elizabeth Ludescher

Vestry Coordinator: Eric Kallback

Pianist: Robin French

Greeter: Charlotte Stryker

Next Sunday's Readings:

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 9, 2020

Genesis 37:1-4,12-28

Psalm 105:1-6,16-22,45b

Romans 10:5-15

Matthew 14:22-33

Grace's Prayer List

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."