Grace Happenings: The Week of November 1, 2020

Rector's Ramblings

Grace Episcopal Church

All Saints Sunday

November 1, 2020

Birthdays

Nancy Cook

Lynn Giles

Henry Anderson

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCK!

IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED YET, PLEASE DO!

If you need help getting to the polls, call Carmen Ferguson or the Rector.

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.

RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS

PRAYER NOVENA

This afternoon will be the fourth in our nine days of the Episcopal Church novena, A Season of Prayer: For an Election. We have been "zooming" this not quite 15 minutes Order of Worship for Evening from the Grace Church chapel at 5 pm, Linda Packard, Diane Luther, and I taking turns. This will continue through the day after the election, November 4. The link for each of these evenings is the same and you may click: Novena

Holding on to Hope - A National Service for Healing and Wholeness

THIS SUNDAY IS ALL SAINTS SUNDAY!

Grace Church will still be worshiping on Zoom-

You may want to have photos and a candle to light for departed loved ones, and a small dish of water for the reaffirmation of baptism.

Interfaith Prayer Service--November 1

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will lead a live-streamed prayer service from Washington National Cathedral, Holding on to Hope: A National Service for Healing and Wholeness, on All Saints Sunday, November 1, at 4:00-5:30 p.m. EST. In the midst of a pandemic, racial reckoning, and a historic election, the live-streamed service will gather Americans for prayer, song, lament, hope, and a call to love God and neighbor. The event will be simulcast in English and Spanish.

In addition to Bishop Curry's sermon, the service will include reflections from Father James Martin, a noted Roman Catholic commentator on American life and values, and Valarie Kaur, an inspiring Sikh author, filmmaker, and civil rights attorney. The gathering will be officiated by Washington's Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith, and Reverend Stephanie Spellers, Canon to the Presiding Bishop.

Prayers for the nation will come from leaders like Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core (IFY), Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Rabbi Shoshana Conover of Temple Sholom, Chicago, and Shane Claiborne, speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Music from The Coro de la Cathedral of Christ Church Cathedral-Indianapolis and Washington National Cathedral will help to lift and open hearts. Read more about the speakers and participants.

A live prayer hotline in English and Spanish will be open during the service, staffed by Episcopal clergy and chaplains, in partnership with TryTank at Virginia Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary. The hotline will be open from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST from November 1 to November 5.

An embed code for the national service will be placed on our website and FB page. Otherwise, you may access the service on the websites of The Episcopal Church or Washington National Cathedral.

See you in church--on Zoom! Stay safe and well.
Gloria+

Rector's Ramblings

Tonight will be the fourth in our nine days of the Episcopal Church

novena, A Season of Prayer: For an Election. We have been "zooming" this not quite 15 minutes Order of Worship for Evening from the Grace Church chapel at 5 pm, Linda Packard, Diane Luther, and I taking turns. This will continue through the day after the election, November 4.

Here at Grace, beginning on Tuesday, October 27 at 5 pm, one of our clergy will lead a short service of prayer each evening through November 4, calling upon God for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation. though it will be strictly on Zoom.

The full article is here: Prayer Novena and Bp. Curry requests our participation on this video.

Bishop Michael Curry Invites Election Prayers

This Sunday

READINGS:

Revelation to John 7: 9-17 Under duress as a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire, the writer recalls for the community of followers of Jesus fragments from the prophets, and envisions

an ending consistent with the rest of the story of God's relationship with creation. He sees all those "no one can count" who have believed and died, many as martyrs.Their torment is over, "for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd."

Psalm 34 The psalmist recalls perilous times from his past when

he called on the Lord who answered and saved him. From his personal experience he extrapolates to all in dire circumstances who look to the Lord and "beam."

I John 3: 1-3 According to this letter, clearly there are some things we know and some things we do not yet know. We know we are God's children, but "what we will be has not been revealed." We do know we will in some fashion be like God, but not exactly how. Until all is made clear, purify yourselves as God is pure.

Matthew 5: 1-12 What they hear from Jesus is a series of contrasts

that are completely counter-intuitive to conventional wisdom: those who "hunger for righteousness" and are currently dismayed by the odds against them will prevail in the end; those who show mercy and make peace even when they are persecuted for their beliefs and actions, following Jesus' example, will be known as "children of God."

The Feast of All Saints is not about a few heroic moments in the lives of a handful of people. It is about all of us-"no one can count"- who share a common memory. We have been told that all of us are "children of God;" that we should wager our lives on God's wisdom, not conventional wisdom, (summarized as fully as anywhere in Matthew's gospel by Jesus right at the beginning of his public life as a series of contrasts that is today's appointed gospel), by which we are invited to bet our lives on will prevail and will lead to the best life has to offer. The stories of those who have already tried this way way to live this life resonate with us only because we see ourselves in them. By recalling them, we celebrate on this feast day our shared status as a "child of God forever."

Thumbprints and commentaries from:

Sacraconvercazione.org

Diocese of Chicago News

BISHOP NOMINEE CONVERSATIONS BEGIN:

Thursday evening, November 5 at 6 pm on Zoom, the first conversation with the four nominees takes place.

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.

ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, our Deanery will partner with the Elgin Deanery to host the session at 10 am. This session may be watched on Zoom at home OR up to 10 individuals may watch it with the Rector at the Parish House. Please contact the Rector if you wish to reserve one of these seats.

Information including candidate essays and resumes are available on the Bishop Search website here: Bishop Nominees.

From left to right: The Revs. Paula E. Clark, Edwin Daniel Johnson, Fulton L. Porter III, and Winnie Varghese.

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.

Formation Ministry News

This week's giving campaign reflection:

Lives Shaped by the Beatitudes

- Matthew 5:1-12

Today's Gospel recalls J

esus' sermon on the mount, commonly referred to as The Beatitudes. In his usual manner, Jesus surprised his followers by uttering godly, countercultural truth. In essence, his teaching that day laid the foundation for what it means to live a Christian life.

What does it mean to be merciful, pure in heart, meek, poor in spirit, mournful, to be a peacemaker, to hunger and thirst for righteousness and be willing to be persecuted for it? The Beatitudes are a guide that, when studied, reveal layers of meaning for us as believers. They challenge many of our basic human desires and behaviors. Of ultimate importance, they clearly reveal what God seeks to bless.

Aren't we fortunate that our God is forgiving and full of grace as we strive to be transformed by these teachings? Our journey of formation requires change and opening our eyes to see God in action all around us. Included in this change is seeing God's endless blessings poured out upon us and developing a posture of gratitude in return.

Being thankful changes us for the better. Being thankful changes our perspective on life and can profoundly impact our understanding of God's generosity. Being thankful can shape us to be stewards of all God has entrusted to us. Being thankful softens our fears. Being thankful turns fear of scarcity into joyful gratitude for God's abundance.

We remember the saints who have gone before us on this All Saints Day. Some were revered as saints of old. Some were modern day saints. Some were simple folks like you and me. One distinguishing characteristic of saints is that we can see how they embodied and lived Jesus' teachings, these very Beatitudes. They generously gave of their lives so much so that we remember them today. We are confident they were blessed by God for their faithfulness. May we be thankful for their witness and see in them lives shaped by The Beatitudes and be willing to do the same.

For reflection

o How do The Beatitudes impact your understanding of God's generosity?

o How has that understanding changed you?

Canon Mary MacGregor is a member of the board of the Episcopal Network for Stewardship. She has been deeply involved in congregational development for over 25 years, and served as Canon for Congregational Vitality and Mission Amplification for the Diocese of Texas.

Formation Ministry News

Wednesday Morning Study Group

In our studies of the Gospels, we left off last at Mark 2: 14, where Jesus said to the tax collector, Levi, "Follow me." Heed the call. Join us as we study, ponder and discuss Jesus' ministry and what he taught. We meet on Zoom, Wednesday mornings, 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.

Outreach

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.

Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19!

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,

Leadership

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

This Sunday

All Saints Sunday

November 1, 2020

Zoom Worship-10:30 am

Meeting ID: 824 2178 3266

Sunday's Bulletin

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

Ministers of the Service:

Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell

Deacon: Rev. Diane Luther

Lector: Terri Jackman

Intercessor: Elizabeth Ludescher

Vestry Coordinator: Lynn Giles

Music Director: Robin French

Greeter: Charlotte Stryker

Next Sunday's Readings:

Twenty-Third Sunday

After Pentecost

November 8, 2020

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

Psalm 78:1-7

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

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."