Sunday, December 6th, 2020 |
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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 Holy Eucharist
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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Click on the image above to read about the 2021 Annual Campaign |
All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to make a pledge to the Annual Campaign.
By making an annual pledge we not only support the work of the church, but we show our thanks to God for all the blessings of life.
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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,
One of the TV shows that Stacie and I enjoy watching with a glass of wine at the end of the day is called “Beat Bobby Flay.” Bobby Flay is a celebrity chef who invites other culinary artists to come onto his show and ultimately prepare a dish of their own choosing better than he himself can prepare it. But first, two chefs will have to compete against each other, and only one of them will be judged worthy to go head-to-head with Bobby Flay and perhaps even beat the master. As Bobby explains it in his opening monologue: “This culinary battle is going to shake down in two rounds. To get to me, two contenders will have to go through each other.”
Likewise, in the short season of Advent, in order to get to Jesus at Christmas, we have to go through not one, but three others. You come to church in Advent hoping for a little pre-Christmas cheer, and what do you get? Every year without fail, on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of Advent the lectionary presents us with Gospel passages about John the Baptist, whose favorite (or only) dish, by the way, was locusts and wild honey. On the same Sundays and sometimes even more we hear from the prophet Isaiah, who preached centuries before John and envisioned a day when creatures would stop eating each other. Then on the 4th Sunday of Advent the Gospel reading always turns our attention to Mary, the mother of Jesus. These three – John, Isaiah, and Mary – are the prophets of the Advent.
Over the next few weeks the Sunday Forum is going to shake down in three rounds. To get to Jesus we are going to contend first with John the Baptist, and Thomas Szczerba will be our presenter. Then on the 3 rd Sunday of Advent, December 13 th, I will host the Zoom session as we grapple with Isaiah. Finally, on the 4 th Sunday, December 20 th, Julia Offinger will host and help us approach Mary. Who were these three prophets of the Advent, and how might their words and deeds help us truly to greet Jesus on Christmas? It’s all on Zoom, folks, so you can tune in from just about anywhere in the world on Sundays at 10 am. Then you are just a click or two away from hopping over to the livestream worship service 11 am. Going to church has never been easier! Or, after the forum y ou can hustle here to 10th and Broadway and be part of the in-person worship experience.
I am looking forward to Sunday, and rejoice to know that you’ll be part of it.
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The Liturgical Season of Advent |
The word Advent derives from the Latin adventus, meaning arrival, or approach. In our worship, the hymns and Scripture readings take on a mysterious, urgent tone as we anticipate the coming of Christ. One-by-one we light the four candles of the Advent wreath. The Gospel readings shift to Mark, the liturgical color is blue and we begin a new Church Year.
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This Advent we unveil and use for the first time the new set of Sarum blue altar dressings to adorn the church and set apart the season. These are the gift of the Very Rev. Kurt and Cathleen Dunkle, and we will officially dedicate them to God’s glory and service at the 11 am service today. |
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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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Sunday Forum – 10am Prophets of the Advent Part 1: |
In preparation for Christmas, join the clergy for this three-part series in which we will explore some of the prophets of Advent. This morning, the Rev. Thomas Szczerba will begin with his presentation and discussion on John the Baptist, the star of our Gospel for this morning. For Zoom access, please see this link. |
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist
The Second Sunday
of Advent
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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Christmas Flowers & Greens – Donate “in Honor of” or “in Memory of” a Loved One |
If you would like to support the Walter J. Parker Flower Fund, donations can be accepted by credit card on our website or by check made payable to Grace Church. Please note your dedication in the online comment box, or on your check memo. Your “in honor of” or “in memory of” dedication will be listed in the Christmas Day service bulletin if received by Thursday, December 17th.
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Many thanks to those who have agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee this year. According to our parish by-laws the Committee must consist of the Warden not up for reelection (Douglas Evans), two Vestry members (Anne Rieselbach and Erik Sorensen), two parishioners named by the Rector (Jack Browning and Elana Foundos), and the Rector, who serves as an ex-officio member. If you would like to nominate a Grace Church parishioner to serve on the Vestry, please fill out the form you will find on the table next to the baptismal font in the church and place it in the “Vestry Nominations” box by Sunday, December 27. If you are sheltering at home and wish to make a nomination virtually, please contact Rhianna Murphy (rmurphy@gracechurchnyc.org) for instructions
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As the season of Advent begins, we invite you to read along with our daily meditations, found here on our website
Each day, different parishioners offer their prayerful insight on the themes of the daily scripture reading. It’s a way to focus your prayer in this season and stay connected to the Grace Church family as we prepare together for Christmas. Bookmark the page now!
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45 minutes of your favorite hymns, solos, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ. Requests taken!
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Church is Open
Four Days per Week
Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 3 pm
with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 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
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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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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.
Wednesday - Women’s Bible Study (over Zoom)
10:30 am-noon – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women.
Meeting ID: 896 065 849
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,896065849# US (New York)
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
Wednesday - Evening Prayer with Homily at 6 pm
(CHURCH IS OPEN for in-person worship. Service continues to be streamed on our Website, Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTubeLive.) All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines while inside the church.
Thursday - 20s & 30s – Pub Theology over Zoom – December 3rd - 6:30pm-7:30pm All parishioners in their 20s and 30s are invited to join us for a discussion on the book, Take this Bread by Sara Miles. Participants are asked to read chapters 7 through 11 for our discussion. For Zoom access, email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
Meeting ID: 995 1333 2155
Password: 01234
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,99513332155#,,#,01234# US (New York)
4 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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Sunday Forum – December 13th - 10am (New Time!) Prophets of the Advent Part 2:
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In preparation for Christmas, join the clergy for this three-part series in which we will explore some of the prophets of Advent. Next week, the rector will lead us in exploring the prophet Isaiah, and we will conclude with a presentation by the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger on Mary (12/20). The goal is to draw connections between these figures and the times in which we live. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba. |
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CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24
4:00 pm Christmas Pageant
Featuring our cast of friendly beasts, angels, shepherds, and villagers.
Livestream only.
8:00 pm A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
The Adult Choir. Sermon by the Rector.
Livestream only.
CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25
11:00 am Holy Eucharist with Carols
The Adult Choir. Sermon by the Rector.
In person & livestream.
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Virtual Advent Drives 2020
Every Advent, we take up collections for organizations in need of supplies for the winter. This year, you can take part in this essential outreach from the comfort and safety of your own homes. Please purchase new items from the store of your choosing and send them directly to the organizations listed below each week. When you send something, please let us know here.
Sunday, November 29 – Advent I
Travel size toiletries for the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Christmas At Sea Project
Joanne Bartosik c/o Christmas at Sea, 118 Export St., Port Newark, NJ 07114
Sunday, December 6 – Advent II
Hats and gloves for the Church of the Ascension Food Pantry
The Rev. Edwin T. Chinery, Ascension Outreach, 12 W. 11th St., New York, NY 10011
Sunday, December 13 – Advent III
Men’s underwear (L, XL, XXL) and socks for The Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission, Attn: Harry Silman, 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
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We pray for those who suffer
Molly Johnson
Lois Queen
Tricia Collins
Burton Cox
Charles McLean
Russell Browning
Linda Hall
Claudia Paoloni
John Berringer
Tom Hall
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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Please Subscribe, Follow, Like and Share
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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