Christmas Weekend 2022

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 Herath, Rick & JoAnn Stone, Lin, Vicki Hudson, Caroline Tucker, Maura McGrath, Pastor Tyler, Phyllis & Bob Holgerson, Sean Murdock, Mureedullah Hashimi, Robert and Eunice Ruffin, Peter Zakrepine. Victims of gun violence everywhere & those who are alone.

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

Eternal God,

in the stillness of this night

you sent your almighty Word to pierce the world’s darkness

with the light of salvation:

give to the earth the peace that we long for

and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven

through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen

A Christmas Prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book

Christmas Blessings and warmest wishes for a New Year of joy and wonder in a world of peace.

REFLECTION - A Christmas Message from the Presiding Bishop

Text of the message is available HERE

THIS WEEKEND

Christmas Eve – Saturday, December 24

4:00pm Holy Eucharist – A joyful celebration for all ages

10:30pm Carols for Choir & Congregation

11:00pm Feast of the Nativity & Holy Eucharist;

Grace Church Choir  (incense)

Also available via livestream on our Facebook page

Order of Service is available to download HERE

Christmas Morning – Sunday, December 25

10:00am Holy Eucharist with Carols 

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

Readings available HERE

The Rev. Judy Ferguson will be our guest celebrant through January 1.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

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

December

by Gary Johnson

A little girl is singing for the

faithful to come ye

Joyful and triumphant, a song she loves,

And also the partridge in a pear tree

And the golden rings and the turtle doves.

In the dark streets, red lights and green and blue

Where the faithful live, some joyful, some troubled,

Enduring the cold and also the flu,

Taking the garbage out and keeping the sidewalk shoveled.

Not much triumph going on here-and yet

There is much we do not understand.

And my hopes and fears are met

In this small singer holding onto my hand.

Onward we go, faithfully, into the dark

And are there angels singing overhead? Hark.

"December" by Gary Johnson found on  The Writer's Almanac