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, preaching
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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Please see below for weekday worship opportunities, both virtual, and in the church on open days!
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Dear Friends,
On Wednesday of this week – St. Patrick’s Day – I received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Strangely, March 17th was the one-year anniversary of my positive Covid-19 test. I remember the phone call quite well. It was actually four days after I had been tested, and by then I was already on the mend. To this day I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had a mild case of the dread disease that has riven the world.
Going through the days of this month I have been deeply aware of these dubious milestones: the day I suspect when I caught the virus, the day I woke up feeling awful, the day we suspended public worship, etc. It all happened incredibly fast and we found ourselves without a script to follow. Now, one year later, the vaccines are truly outpacing the virus. Apparently, 100-million doses have been administered, and these will only increase in the months to come. With a touch of spring in the air, it’s even possible to believe that the great shadow of death darkening the world is receding and will soon be gone.
My guess is that the urge to return to return to life as we knew it in “the before time” will be irresistible. We will want to leave behind these days of social distancing and quarantining as quickly as possible and make up for lost time with loved ones and friends. As you likely know, the world has been in the same situation before. The 1918 Influenza epidemic proved to be even more devastating to society than Covid-19. Strangely, one-hundred years ago it seems that society could not put the pandemic behind them fast enough. It’s almost as if it made no cultural imprint. Here at Grace Church, the archives are largely silent on the matter.
The Archives Committee of Grace Church is working on a project that we hope will be healing for us today, and helpful to our successors in this place. We are collecting pandemic impressions that will comprise something of a time-capsule. I imagine it will be sealed up and stored high on a shelf in the archives. Before the memory of this past year fades, consider that you have a story worth sharing. Future generations that fall into similar circumstances may be looking for a script to follow, or at least the companionship of knowing that others have walked the road before them. So go to the new page on the church website, and use the form to write down what the past year has been like for you. Remember, history is not only the story of prominent movers and shakers making headlines, but the daily experiences of people like you and me. Go for it!
One more Sunday of Lent to go, then the Great Week will be upon us
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Liturgical Changes for Lent |
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Our Sunday worship takes on a different tone for the five weeks of Lent. We will begin each service with a Penitential Order, which includes a recitation of the Ten Commandments. The word “Alleluia” is omitted from all hymns, versicles, and responses, and you will see no flowers on the altar. The goal of the scarcity is to highlight the abundant life that will be ours to claim at Easter. |
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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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10:00 am Sunday Forum:
The Great Litany
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During the season of Lent, the Great Litany has been the order of service for our Wednesday evening worship. Join us for a presentation by the Rev. Thomas Szczerba on the origin of this penitential prayer as well as some ways we can look at it with a 2021 lens. For Zoom access, please see this link.
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11:00 am Morning Prayer
The Fifth Sunday In Lent
CHURCH IS OPEN
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger, preaching
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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Devotions will be offered every Sunday in Lent at 4:00pm. The event is live streamed only. The program features organ music with hymns for you to sing along with at home, mostly drawn from The Hymnal 1982 and the Lift Every Voice and Sing II: African American Hymnal, with a few other old favorites to enjoy. During Lent the Meditations will feature guest artists and choir. Tune in and sing along during this special time of musical prayer. These offerings will be livestreamed over all the Grace Church channels during Lent. More detailed information can be found at this link.
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Each year it is the generous donations from parishioners that bring a glorious display of spring flowers to Grace Church for Easter. 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. Thank you!
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Impressions from the Pandemic |
As there is very little written about the 1918 Flu Epidemic, the Archives Committee would like to make it easier for future historians to learn what life was like during the year known as “No Ordinary Time.” As we mark the first-year anniversary of the New York City shutdown, we are collecting thoughts, experiences, and memories from Grace Church parishioners about the pandemic and life during “The Pause.” To contribute, please visit our website.
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Easter Calendars Available!
Alleluia! 50 Days and 50 Ways to Celebrate Easter. Uncover the alleluias, color the butterflies, celebrate the risen Christ. Easter calendars are available for the suggested minimum donation of $7.00. All gifts support the GCW. The poster invites spiritual reflection and is a wonderful companion for the Easter season. Great for children to color. Only 25 Calendars available! SIZE: 17" X 22"
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Church is Open
Four Days per Week
Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 3 pm
with Noonday Prayer at 12:15 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
All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
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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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The Weekly Pledge Envelopes have arrived for our Pledging households. If you would like to have your box of Pledge Envelopes set out in the Nave on Sunday, please email Matthew Kopp
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No Ordinary Time: 2021 Annual Campaign |
All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to support our mission by pledging -- or promising -- a financial gift for the coming year. To make your pledge, please fill out the pledge envelope you received in the mail at home. You can place it in the offering plate any Sunday, or mail it to the parish office as soon as you can.
You may also make your pledge at the link below (You have all of 2021 to make your payments!)
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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.
The Great Litany: Wednesday 6 pm In-Person or on Zoom during Lent – During the season of Lent we will be doing The Great Litany. For Zoom access, please see this link.
Wednesday - Women’s Bible Study (over Zoom) – 10:30 am-noon – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.
Meeting ID: 896 065 849
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,896065849# US (New York)
Thursday - 20s & 30s – Conversation & Prayer - March 25th from 6:30pm-7:30pm (over Zoom) - If you are a parishioner in your 20s or 30s, please join us for an evening of conversation followed by Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
4 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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Holy Week at Grace Church
Palm Sunday, March 28
11:00 am – Palm Sunday Liturgy and Holy Eucharist
Open to the public and on the livestream
Holy Wednesday, March 31
6:00 pm – The Great Litany and Homily
Open to the public and on Zoom
Maundy Thursday, April 1
6:00 pm – Choral Eucharist & Stripping of the Altar
Livestream only
Good Friday, April 2
12:00 pm – The Good Friday liturgy with choir
Four sermons: Personalities at the Foot of the Cross
Open to the public and on the livestream
Easter Day, April 4
9 & 11:00 am – Festive Choral Eucharist and Sermon
Open to the public and on the livestream
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All children in attendance for Easter services are invited to hunt for eggs following the 9am and 11am in Huntington Close. We are looking for parent volunteers to help Mother Julia and Father Thomas hide the eggs. If you are interested in helping, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email. |
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Easter Day Service - April 4th 9:00 and 11:00 am
will be held at both 9 and 11 am (identical services). Both are open to the public for in-person attendance, but you must preregister in order to reserve a seat. Seating will be assigned, so don’t delay. The 11 am service will be live streamed, as always.
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March 28th - Sunday Forum: Virtual Coffee Hour
Grab a cup of coffee and join the clergy for a coffee hour conversation. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba well in advance of the event.
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Men’s Bible Study – March 31st from 6:30pm-7:15pm (over Zoom)
The men of Grace Church are invited to join us via Zoom for a bible study on the lectionary for the coming Sunday. This bible study will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month and will run until June. If you are interested in participating please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
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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 item(s) may be dropped off in the collection baskets in the narthex when you visit Grace Church during open hours.
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We pray for those who suffer
Genowefa Latkowski
Lois Queen
Tom Hall
Walton E. McLeod
Josephine
all those who suffer due to the coronavirus
and for those who have died
Edward Richard Crain
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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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