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9 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Morning Prayer in-person worship
and live-stream
on
6 pm Holy Eucharist
In The Chantry
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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 in-person and virtual. |
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Dear Friends,
Today is Friday, April 22nd, also known as Earth Day. Since 1970 the world has tried to pause on April 22nd and reflect on our need to care for the environment. The movement has grown and fifty-two years later Earth Day has been called the world’s largest secular observance. But I would hasten to add that Earth Day has profound theological, sacred underpinnings that should motivate people of faith to join in the work from our own perspective. The writer of Genesis declares that God made the Earth and called it good. The Psalmist praises God again and again for the wonders of creation. Jesus invites us to consider the birds of the air and lilies of the field as examples of God’s affection for all living things. Jesus’ attention to the smallest detail suggests that even the little acts we take can make a difference.
Last month I needed to run some copies for an upcoming Sunday Forum. It was a one-page agenda for the class and I thought twenty sheets would be more than enough. I selected the copier on the 2nd floor of the parish house and typed in 20 copies, or so I thought. By the time I reached the 2nd floor I found a huge stack of paper waiting for me. I must have typed in 200 rather than 20 copies. I really do hate waste (especially wasting your pledge dollars!), so to atone for my ecological sins I’ve loaded the half-ream of runaway copies into my office printer to make use of the blank side. I will be “considering” that ream of paper for a long time, but it sure beats dumping it into the recycling bin half used.
Psalm 19:1 is a familiar verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. Nature sings of God’s glory. Last week we brought a good bit of nature inside the church to help us celebrate Easter Day. Thanks to the many people who made memorial or thank offerings to the flower fund, Ellen McElduff and the flower guild had plenty to work with in beautifying the church. The results are stunning, and all of it still will be in place this Sunday for you to behold. But not for long! After the services everyone is invited to take a potted plant to enjoy at home, or add to a garden, or give to someone who is housebound. Let’s not have a melee; see the directions below!
It wasn’t just the flowers that made for a truly joyful Easter this year. Many, many people came together and served to help proclaim that Christ is risen. Musicians, ushers, acolytes, artists, readers, livestream technicians, parent volunteers, and numerous others all contributed to a meaningful Holy Week and glorious Easter. What a joy to serve a parish that is brimming with eager talent.
See you in church.
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9:00 am Holy Eucharist
Church is open
for in-person worship!
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr., preaching
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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April 24 – Sunday Forum: “The Cozen O’Connor Report.” Recently Grace Church and Grace Church School released the full external report that we commissioned to investigate the allegations of sexual abuse against former choirmaster Bruce McInnes. Also, we commissioned an external review to assess the safety of our campus and policies today. Both reports and a full history of our response to these matters can be found on the church website, here. At the Sunday Forum on April 24th members of the Vestry and the Rector will be present to address questions and concerns. 10 am in the Reception Room.
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11:00 am Morning Prayer
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 Girls’ Choir with HS Singers and Adults
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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6:00 pm Holy Eucharist
In the Church
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Clergy:
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger, preaching
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
Followed by Canterbury Downtown dinner and fellowship. All college students welcome!
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Easter Flowers – Many thanks to all who gave generously to the Easter flower fund! Special thanks to Chair of the Flower Guild, Ellen McElduff, and her helpers, for their generous gifts of time and talent to create the vibrant, visual display of Easter joy before your eyes. After today’s service, anyone may feel free to take an Easter flower home or to cheer a sick friend. Note: please avoid the altar area and also leave the wicker baskets behind for use next year.
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3:15 pm - Youth Confirmation Classes Begin! – Classes for youth in grades 7-12 have begun, on Friday or Sunday afternoons from 3:15-4:15pm, depending on your child’s schedule. Confirmation will be Sunday, June 5 at 11am. Parents should contact the Rev. Julia Offinger at joffinger@gracechurchnyc.org as soon as possible to discuss or register.
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April 23 – Grace Church Women Film Screening - The GCW will be screening the C.S. Lewis film, The Most Reluctant Convert on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 3:00 P.M. in the Reception Room. Popcorn and Candy will be provided. Discussion with the Rev. Julia Offinger immediately following the film. Suggested Donation: $10. Film appropriate for ages 13 and above. Please bring a jar of peanut butter for the Red Door. Sponsored by the Grace Church Women (GCW).
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April 28th – Annual Dinner of the Church Club of NY - The Rt. Hon. and Rt. Rev. Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Lord Bishop of London, to speak - On Thursday, April 28, at 6pm, Bishop Sarah Mullally of London will speak at the Annual Dinner of the Church Club of New York. To be held in the new Parish Hall of Trinity Church Wall Street’s Trinity Commons building, the dinner will mark the 135th annual gathering of the historic club of Episcopalian laypeople, originally organized in 1887. New members are welcome, and those interested may learn more about the club here.
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April 29 – The Annual Spring Choir Concert with the Men and Boys, Girls’, High School Singers and Adult Choirs takes place on Friday, April 29th at 7 pm. The program celebrates music by that will be featured on this summer’s concert tour to Ireland. The Choir will be singing in Belfast and Dublin between June 17 and 24. Works by Beethoven, Burleigh, Byrd, Duruflé, Mozart, Palestrina, Rose, Stainer, Stanford and Tallis among others will be offered. The concert is free and open to all. There will be a festive reception in the Huntington Close following the concert to benefit the Choir Special Projects Fund. This fund helps with Tour expenses and other opportunities for the choirs. You can make donations to support the Fund and to attend the reception on the Church Website here. Please write Choir Concert Reception Donation in the comment portion.
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May 1 – Newcomers’ Class: History of Grace Church – Visitors and new members are warmly invited to join a presentation by our rector, The Rev. J. Donald Waring, about the fascinating history of Grace Church, including its origins in the Financial District, the completion of the current church in 1846, the establishment of the choir and school, and the critical role played in social and ecclesiastical movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Held in the reception room at 12:30 pm. Lunch will be provided, so RSVP to the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
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May 6 & 7: Choral Society Concerts - The Choral Society’s Spring Concerts will take place in the Church on Friday, May 6 at 8:00pm and Saturday, May 7 at 3:00pm, featuring Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil, Op. 37. Tickets ($32 general admission, e-tickets only) are available for purchase online at www.thechoralsociety.org. We hope you can join us!
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May 7 – Parish Day of Service at The Red Door Place We will assist them with their food preparation in the morning and their distribution ministry in the afternoon. The Saturday time commitment will be in two shifts, approximately 8:30 am to 11:30 am, and 11 am to 2:30 pm. Email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba if you would like to sign up to attend.
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May 12 – Pub Theology - Young adults and guests are invited for fellowship and theological discussion on Thursday, May 12, from 6-7:30 pm at Josie Woods Pub, 11 Waverly Pl. We will continue reading Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne by Wilda C. Gafney. RSVP to the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
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Jun 5 – Bishop Visitation – Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of New York, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, will visit us on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, June 5 at 11am this is the time for youth and adults to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Youth classes have begun. Any adults who are interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, or simply learning more about what this means, should contact the Rev. Julia Offinger to discuss next steps as soon as possible.
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May is Peanut Butter Month - In May everyone is invited to contribute a jar (or jars) of peanut butter to the Grace Church food collection. All food donations are appreciated - but this month we focus on peanut butter as a very important staple item for The Red Door Place food pantry. Let’s see how many jars we can collect. Collection baskets are near the doors of the main church and the Chantry.
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Help Ukrainian Families As this crisis continues to evolve, Episcopal Relief & Development is working to provide humanitarian assistance to the more than 2 million people who have had to leave Ukraine. Specifically, their partner ACT Alliance is helping families on the Hungarian border, and their Anglican partners are mobilizing both an immediate and long-term response in Poland, Romania and Hungary. Your emergency gift will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needs as this crisis unfolds. Visit this link to make a donation today.
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Grace Cares - Would you like a visit at home or at the hospital? Do you need assistance in getting to church or an appointment? Are you struggling and in need of a friendly phone call? Would you like the Sunday lessons read to you or the service bulletin brought to you? Would you like to receive communion in your home? Grace has a pastoral care team that provides these services and more. Contact The Rev. J. Donald Waring.
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Lent Madness 2022: Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket.
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Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint by going to lentmadness.org. Who will win the Golden Halo? This is an excellent way to learn about the saints of the church and pick up a new and fun devotion in the season of Lent! Those who have a bracket with the Golden Halo winner will be featured in our weekly Epistle on Easter Day. If you have any questions email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba.
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Coffee and Fellowship in Tuttle Hall after the 9 and 11 am service happens every Sunday. Join us today for brownies, cookies, and other treats as well as a hot cup of coffee.
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Wear your nametags! As we are making our way out of the pandemic, we are seeing a lot of new faces at our gatherings. It is becoming important that we bring back the practice of wearing our nametags so we know how to address each other. Nametags can be found on the boards in Tuttle Hall. Newcomers are encouraged to visit our new welcome table during coffee hour to create their own nametags. If you are a pledging member and do not see your nametag on the boards in Tuttle Hall, please send Matthew Kopp an email at mkopp@gracechurchnyc.org so, he can make you one.
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Return of Communion Wine – With the declining number of Covid cases in the city and state, Bishop Dietsche has approved the administration of sacramental wine at Holy Eucharist, effective immediately. Today at the 9 am and 6 pm services the chalice will be available for all baptized Christians who desire to receive “in both kinds.” Studies have shown and two-thousand years of practice has demonstrated that sipping from a common cup that is purified between each recipient is safe. Intincting, or dipping the wafer is less so, and will not be allowed for now. Note also that receiving the bread only is sufficient for full Communion. You need not return to the common cup until you are personally ready.
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Nursery Care - For children ages 1-4 is available from 9 am – 12 pm in the NEW Nursery next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Follow the signs! Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of their time in the nursery. Babysitters will no longer be present.
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The Guild of Bakers - If you enjoy baking (or buying) cookies, brownies, muffins, or other freezable bite-sized treats, please consider joining a revitalized ministry called the Guild of Bakers. You can participate on your own timetable, whenever the Spirit moves you. The next time you are baking (or buying) goodies that would be popular at coffee hour, all you have to do is make an extra batch. Just wrap it well and drop it off at the parish office any time during business hours, or on Sundays after church. We have plenty of freezer space to store your culinary creations for a future coffee hour. Please sign up for the “Guild of Bakers” by sending an email to Mickey Hawley, Parish Office Coordinator
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Safe Church - Grace Church is committed to providing its members, staff, and visitors a place that is free of abuse and harassment. If you have observed, or personally experienced sexual, or other forms of harassment while attending activities, classes, or events held at Grace Church, or on our shared campus with Grace Church School, we encourage you to notify us. Please visit this page where you will find a direct means of providing feedback.
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The Church is Open
Everyday, noon to 5 pm
with Worship Service at 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm on Sundays
as well as 6 pm on Wednesdays
All are required to observe posted guidelines during in-person worship and events to adhere to CDC Covid-19 safety protocols. We ask visitors to wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and sanitize your hands when inside Grace Church.
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Please Get Fully Vaccinated |
Vaccines against Covid-19 are now available for anyone 12 years of age and older who wants to be inoculated. Receiving the vaccine protects not only you, but those you love and everyone around you. It is the best way to help speed along the reopening of society. Please speak with your doctor or go to the NYC Vaccine Finder to make an appointment.
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2022 Annual Campaign:
Let the Doors be Open! – On October 24th, we launched the 2022 Annual Pledge Campaign at all three services. All parishioners and friends of Grace Church are asked to support the work of Grace Church by making an annual pledge, or promise of financial support for God’s work in the coming year. Some will turn in the pledge cards we’ve received by mail or find in the pews. Others will begin a time of prayerful reflection to consider what God is calling them to do.
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Remember, the annual campaign not only supports the church, but gives thanks to God for all the blessings of life. To make your pledge, please fill out the pledge envelope, place it in the offering plate today, or return it to the parish office as soon as you can. You may also make your pledge online. (You have all of 2022 to make your payments!) Questions about pledging? Contact Matthew Kopp at mkopp@gracechurchnyc.org or 212-254-2005.
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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)
Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN)
Grace Church is open to the public daily from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. All are required to wear a covering over their nose and mouth, and to observe posted safety guidelines.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – Bach at Noon (Held in the church during open hours and on Facebook Live) 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 resumes on Wednesday, September 15th. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Megan Sanders well before the event.
Meeting ID: 839 2240 7333
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,83922407333# US (New York)
Wednesday Evening Eucharist at 6 pm in the Chantry. If you are interested in helping with the service, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email.
Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation (on Facebook Live) 4pm - 45-minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ
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In our immediate prayers:
Linda Russo
Karen Scramlin
Leila Faucett
John
Chai Kim and family
Catherine Gooding
Gabrielle Lawrence
In our Continuing Prayers:
Ronnye Brickous
Claudia Paoloni
Mary Ann Owens
William Dobi
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
For those who have died:
Ray Sherren
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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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