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 Morning Prayer
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba, preaching
Music:
The Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
THIS WEEK:
Outdoor
Children's Chapel
with Father Thomas!
Blessing of the Animals!
You’ll find videos of past services and events on Vimeo and YouTube.
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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,
Yesterday I read in the newspaper that the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to two scientists – Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna – for developing a gene editing technique called Crispr. Crispr promises many blessings to humanity, such as the elimination of inherited diseases. But it also raises many ethical questions. How much control should we exercise over the natural evolution of any species, especially our own? Do we really want to live in a world of designer babies, whose parents get to choose the hair and eye color of their children?
My younger brother is a genetic scientist with a pharmaceutical firm, so I decided to have some fun and text him about Crispr. The thread ran as follows: A Crispr, I began, is the cardboard sleeve you put your Hot Pocket in before microwaving. What’s with the Nobel Prize? He took the bait and immediately replied, Hey, that’s a huge breakthrough. Who doesn’t love Hot Pockets? I answered, True, I don’t know why some are worried about an ethical quandary. To which he typed, There are a few idiots out there who don’t like their Hot Pockets crispy on the outside. I resisted the urge to give him a pastoral scolding for calling people who disagree with him idiots. Instead I wrote, That’s their choice but they shouldn’t be allowed to force the rest of us to live diminished lives. My brother ended the exchange with a hearty, Agreed!
Later on I thought to myself how nice it would be to live in a world so simple that the great debate was whether you preferred your Hot Pocket crispy or doughy on the outside. We don’t live in such a world. Our time is complicated, combative, and for the vast majority of people, exhausting. The pandemic, the economy, the political process, and the same old societal ills that keep rearing their ugly head have left people exhausted – spiritually, psychologically, and financially exhausted. But asking if the clouds will ever lift is probably the wrong question. You see, it’s been the arrogance of many a generation to conclude that no time ever has been more evil, more stressful, and more difficult than their own. The truth is, we merely occupy one place in a long line of people who were exhausted by life and still managed to press onward and upward. We will too.
But not alone. As people of faith we know that we struggle not alone. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold, sings the Psalmist (46). Last Sunday I was struck by the reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (3). After acknowledging much suffering, he wrote about how knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection gave him the strength to press on towards the heavenly call of God.
Come to church on Sunday at 11 am, or tune into the livestream as we gather in the presence of Jesus, who promises that by the power of his Spirit, we shall be more than conquerors. In the meantime, treat yourself to a tasty Hot Pocket – either crispy or doughy on the outside. It’s your choice.
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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 try an outdoor Children's Chapel with masks and social distancing. Details below.
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Hosted by the Rev. Julia Offinger, Associate Rector
Meeting ID: 979 4251 8361
Password: 01234
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,97942518361#,,#,01234# US (New York)
For questions about Zoom access,
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11:00 am Morning Prayer
The Nineteenth Sunday
after Pentecost
CHURCH IS OPEN
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr. , preaching
Music:
The Adult 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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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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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 available over 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.
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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Meet the Author: Ibram X. Kendi - A Diocese of New York Event
(October 22nd at 7pm over Zoom)
Register here to participate with hundreds of other Episcopalians in an exclusive online event as Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be An Antiracist discusses his journey of discovery, answers your questions, and reflects on the nationwide movement toward antiracism that his writings have helped to fuel. Please share your thoughts and questions about the book in the blog. Some of your questions will be forwarded to Dr. Kendi before his address to the Diocese on the 22nd. Contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba with any questions.
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All parishioners and friends of Grace are invited to participate!
October 1-31 accepting submissions. November 2 showcase goes live.
Photography, painting, 3D (Sculpture), story, video, audio, art or craft of any medium, representing your experiences during the months of the pandemic.
You do not have to be an artist! We would love to see everyone get involved! Show a selfie, a scribble, a homemade mask, a special meal, a new hobby, your garden, a story, poem, prayer, etc.
For more information about this project, contact Elana Foundos, Grace Christmas Fair Committee of the GCW.
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October is Tuna Month for The Red Door Place
Our food ministry partner, now called The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, is one of the few pantry/soup kitchens remaining open to serve those in need during the Covid-19 crisis. Donations are desperately needed. Non-perishable food items may be dropped off in the collection baskets in the narthex when you visit Grace Church during open door hours. This month, we are especially hoping for cans of Tuna.
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We pray for those who suffer
Kevin Hargrave
Yvette Hargrave
Gordon Matheson
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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Your engagement on our social media helps Grace Church!
Please Subscribe, Follow, Like and Share
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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