Grace Episcopal Church

Second Sunday in Advent 
December 6 2020





Birthdays
Bill Boehler
Dave Mikelson
Mary Lou Smith
Melanie Hoffman
Carol Most



ZOOM LINK FOR WORSHIP
SUNDAYShttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82421783266

WEDNESDAYS:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85320626039
COMING RIGHT UP!
CELEBRATE BISHOP LEE! 
Zoom send-off on Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm. Please register in advance    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with this link to join the gathering:  Bp Farewell 
 
The Transition Committee invites all members and friends of  the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago to join in a celebratory send-off for Bishop Jeff Lee and Lisa Lee on Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm via Zoom.
 
The event will include video greetings from parishioners, clergy and bishops; remarks from Bishop Jeff and Lisa; reflections on his episcopacy; and a festive toast.
At the end of the celebration, Standing Committee president Anne Jolly will present the Lees with a retirement purse, a longstanding Episcopal tradition and expression of appreciation for his ministry. The Grace Vestry approved a contribution to the purse. If you wish to make an additional contribution, you are invited to donate by December 1. Gifts made be made online or by check (memo: Bishop's purse) and are tax deductible. DONATE  

ELECTING CONVENTION FOR NEW BISHOP
 
The electing convention will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 9:30 am. Voting delegates from Grace are: Lynn Giles, Elizabeth Ludescher, and Georgia Hansen as well as our clergy. Tony Packard is our alternate. The Electing Convention will be live streamed for all to watch.   
 
Essays, videos, and resumes of each of the four candidates may be found NOMINEES 
 
 
RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS
More Advent Musings from Grace Episcopal Church in Galena
More Advent Musings from
Grace Episcopal Church in Galena

This Sunday
READINGS:
Isaiah 11:1-10: Isaiah proclaims the coming of the "shoot from the stump of Jesse" who, through God's Spirit resting on him, will bring peace, justice, righteousness and equity to the earth.
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19: A prayer for the King to rule wisely and justly, protecting the weak and vulnerable and refreshing the world and the godly who live in it.
Romans 15:4-13: Paul's prayer that God may empower the Church to live in harmony, since Christ came for both Jew and Gentile, and together they form one voice of praise to God.
Matthew 3:1-12: John the Baptist preaches in the wilderness, baptising those who repent, speaking out against the corrupt religious leaders, and challenging people to prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah.

From the dream of the future world where God's reign is actively and visibly manifest, the Lectionary now moves to the promise of the Messiah, and the harmony and justice he will bring. Both dreams are essentially one - that God's Reign will take root among us bringing in a world in which the weak and vulnerable are cared for, in which justice prevails and in which all people live in harmony in spite of (or maybe even because of) their differences. Perhaps the word that best sums up the Messianic dream of this week, and which John proclaimed, is the word "shalom" - well-being, peace, salvation, harmony, goodness, justice are all implied in this word. Isaiah proclaims it in the image of predators living in harmony with their prey. The Psalmist uses the word 'shalom' in describing the peaceful refreshed world for which he prays. Paul pictures Jew and Gentile as one celebratory voice offered to God in worship, and John the Baptist, while speaking of judgement, which may seem to be the opposite of shalom, invites people to be ready for the coming of the Messiah who will immerse people in God's Holy Spirit. God's presence and power are available to all, irrespective of title, position or background - this is, perhaps the ultimate shalom!

Thumbprints and commentaries from:
sacredise.com
Giving Campaign 2021
GIVING CAMPAIGN UPDATE
 
 
As of December 3, 30 households have submitted pledges. This is   53% of last year's households. The total pledged so far is 65% of the 2020 total.
Grace Galena 2020 Giving Campaign 
Tom VanGelder

Grace Galena Giving Campaign Story 2020 
Richard Luther 
 
 
If you have not yet turned in your pledge card, please either mail it or drop it off at the chu
rch so that we can assure that the ministries of Grace Church continue to make a difference!    
 
 
Grace Galena 2020 Giving Campaign 
Sue Anderson 




WORSHIP MINISTRIES
COMMUNION FOR ZOOM CONGREGATION 
 
There is always time to sign up for Communion as part of our Zoom worship! Simply call the church office. 
   
You will receive a "kit" with a month's worth of consecrated wafers to be used when you participate in worship on Zoom. Then, until we are able to worship in the church, additional consecrated wafers will be available each month. The consecrated wafers are holy. It is important that they be treated with reverence during and between services. We ask that you designate a place in your home that is special, for example, a home altar, or with your Prayer Book or Bible
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
HEIFER PROJECT

It's been a tradition here at Grace Church to collect funds during the Advent season for Heifer International that provides animals to people in developing countries. When you make a donation in honor of friends or family, you can send them an honor Christmas card. It's a bit more complicated this year but the need continues.
Please mail or drop off donation checks to Grace Church with "Heifer Project " on the memo line. Then contact Lynn Giles (815-757-2011) to make card pickup or delivery
arrangements. 


GLORY PARISH UPDATE--
A Status Report on the new church building from 
Bp. Joseph.

Dear Donna M Davis and all friends of Grace Church,

Grace and peace, I would like to inform you today we are in Renk diocese and especially Glory Church are very happy and thank God and all the members of Grace Church. We came to the end of second part of our Church building. Up to now the Church building cost about $55,000.00 (fifty five thousand US dollars) that was out of our budget. We thought $50,000.00 will finish every things, but did not works as we thoughts.
The third part which need to be done is plastering, electricity, painting and church furniture. I asked the building committee to send me full report. 
We are requesting prayers so that our God provides the fund to finish the remaining part.
Every body at the Town is happy for the great achievement especially during this difficult time of COVID-19.

Every blessing 
Thank you
+ Joseph

Glory Parish New Church
Glory Parish New Church

MINISTRY OF CARE
A Message from the Ministry of Care

During this time of Thanksgiving, Terri Jackman and I, who cochair our pastoral care ministry formally known as the Ministry of Care, want to take the opportunity to thank all our Grace members who have volunteered to help with any of the special needs within our community that may arise.  It has been so easy to fill those needs because of your quick and generous responses.  We have not had a large number of requests to fill.  My theory is that our parishioners are all helping each other on an informal basis.  That's what Christians do! 
But for those of you who find yourself in a bind, needing meals or a ride to the doctor or an important appointment or some other emergency such as needing a prescription immediately and having no way of getting it, please don't hesitate to call me.  Our team of Parish Visitors who were formally trained in pastoral care through the Bishop Anderson House keeps their ears to the ground so if you are in need, you may get a call from me before you even think to ask.  Early on in our shutdown Gloria put out a call to those willing help with providing rides or meals or filling an emergency need as mentioned above.  Many of you responded so I have a good list of helpers.  This is a great cadre of Grace members who are ready, willing, and able to help out.  We are so blessed.

With a grateful heart,
Bonnielynn Kreiser, Cochair, Ministry of Care
815-777-1468
815-291-9005
Formation Ministry News
Wednesday Morning Study Group 
Join us to study, ponder, and discuss scripture. 
Current topic: St. Mark's Gospel. We gather safely on Zoom, 
10:30 - 11:30 Wednesday mornings. 
Contact Greg Serwich for a Zoom 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.
Diocesan News
More than 550 Meet via Zoom for First Online Convention
 
The Diocese of Chicago has held 183 annual conventions, but the one that took place on November 21 was the first to happen online.
    Using the webinar setting in Zoom videoconferencing software, more than 550 clergy and lay delegates debated resolutions, reviewed the $4.97 million budget and listened to Bishop Jeff Lee's final diocesan convention address.
    The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the diocese to hold its convention online, "has revealed the fragility of jobs and money and access to healthcare ... amplified the ravages of institutional racism ... [and] thrown into even starker relief the chaos and rancor and deceptions of our political life," Lee told the convention, which had more than 80 viewers watching on YouTube. "In all of this I hope we are also rediscovering what is absolutely essential to our identity as Christians."
 For the full article with the appointments, resolutions, and budget, see CONVENTION

Bishop Lee's Next Gig
Bishop Lee is slated to serve a two-year, half-time term as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Milwaukee, the Rev. Scott Leannah, president of the Milwaukee Standing Committee, announced earlier today.
     Lee will begin his ministry on April 1 as the provisional bishop designee. A convention to elect him as bishop provisional is tentatively scheduled for June. Bishop Steven Miller, who has served as bishop of Milwaukee since 2003, will retire on December 31 after a terminal sabbatical....

After taking a few months off following his retirement on December 31, Lee will also teach liturgy courses at Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and Sewanee, the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He and his wife, Lisa Rogers Lee, will continue to live in Chicago, where she maintains a voice studio.
"When I announced my retirement, the Presiding Bishop assured me that there would be lots of ways I might be helpful to the wider church," Bishop Lee said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to enjoy retirement while continuing to teach and help out in Milwaukee as they enter an extended time of transition. But first, I'm looking forward to a few months to reflect, spend time with my family, and perhaps even travel if the pandemic allows."
Program of Interest 
D'Arcy McNickle Distinguished Lecture Series:
 
Native Studies in the Apocalypse 
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
3 to 4 pm CST Register on Zoom 
   
 
In this virtual dialogue with the Newberry's Blaire Topash-Caldwell (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians), Shannon Speed (Chickasaw) will discuss the present and future of Native American and Indigenous Studies in apocalyptic times.  
      Native Studies, like virtually everything else, will be reshaped by the dramatic dynamics affecting the world, from pandemic pandemonium to climate change chaos, from rising calls for racial reckoning to escalating totalitarian threat. What is the current state of Native Studies? What are its longstanding tensions and contemporary challenges. More importantly, what are its potential contributions to the radical revisioning of the world that is so urgently needed now?
     This series celebrates Indigenous scholars, writers, and artists who consistently demonstrate excellence in their work concerning Indigenous peoples and histories and who actively address contemporary issues faced by American Indian and Indigenous communities. 
Worship and Ministry in the Midst of COVID-19! 
Advent 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                            
COVID Hours and Worship 

IN-PERSON WORSHIP CONTINUES TO BE SUSPENDED. We will still lead worship on Zoom from the church, with only the Altar Party, musician, and Zoom operator present in the building. Regular services are 10:30 am on Sundays; 7:30 am on Wednesdays.

ANYONE SCHEDULED TO SERVE WHO IS NOT COMFORTABLE BEING IN THE CHURCH, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE.

PARISH HOUSE
Regular hours will continue. Nancy is available on Tuesday - Friday mornings. I am available Monday by appointment and Tuesday-Thursday. In-person meetings are suspended (except for the 12-step programs that are part of our community outreach).  please contact us ahead of time if you need to come by. 
And masks are essential!
This Sunday 
Second Sunday in Advent
December 6, 2020
Zoom Worship-10:30 am

For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
 
    Isaiah 40:1-11
    Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
    2 Peter 3:8-15a
    Mark 1:1-8
 
Ministers of the Service:
Presider: Rev. Linda Packard 
Deacon/Preacher: Rev. Diane Luther
Lector: Terri Jackman
Intercessor: Elizabeth Ludescher
Vestry Coordinator: Eric Kallback
Music Director:  Robin French
Greeter: Maren Coates
Altar Guild: Ann Berry,Amy Hardwicke
Next Sunday's Readings: 
Third Sunday in Advent
December 13, 2020

2 Thessalonians 5:15-24
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."
Meetings this Week 
Events This Week:
Sunday
Second Sunday in Advent
Holy Eucharist 10:30am
ONLINE ONLY on Zoom 
 
Monday
Executive Committee
9:00am online
Zoom Poetry Meeting
2:00pm online

Tuesday

Wednesday 
Holy Eucharist* 7:30am on Zoom  
Bible Study** online 10:30am

Thursday

Friday
Meditative Prayer** online 9:00am

Saturday

To receive an invitation with the link to online events, please contact Gloria at
gracerector@
gracegalena.org

or **Greg Serwich at gserwich@gmail.com 
 
All are welcome!
Looking Ahead 
For current and upcoming events, check out the Google 
calendar on the website 
Calendar
 
Link to most current directory here:
Directory (updated 11/13/20)

Link to August - December 2020
ROTA Schedule (updated 12/6/20)
Formation Schedule  
You can now get information on Formation Ministries directly from the new Grace website at the following links:
Children and Youth Adults
Spiritual Practices

Ministry of Care 
If you are in need of assistance while ill or recovering: meals, transportation, visits, please contact the Ministry of Care Facilitators who can assist you
and connect you with parishioners who have trained and committed to this ministry that includes Parish Visitors, Meals, Rides, as well as the ongoing Servants through Prayer, LEMs, and the Greeting Card ministry.

Ministry of Care Leadership Team: Facilitators
Bonnielynn Kreiser
Terri Jackman

Clergy Advisors:
Gloria Hopewell,
Linda Packard

Sermons and e-Blasts 

DEADLINES!
News and prayer requests: 
Sunday Bulletin:
   Wed. end of day.
e-Blast:
   Thursday noon. 

Anniversaries and Birthdays
Have yours been missed in our bulletins?  Send to Nancy.  Thank you!    

News and Photos
 for e-Blast!
People want to know what's going on at Grace!  There are places here for your event, program, or interesting tidbit.  Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here.
   
Audio files of sermons are posted on the Grace Church website as well as in the next week's e-Blast. Paper copies are available upon request.
  
 
Grace Episcopal church, Galena IL, Morning Prayer 12 2 2020 
Grace Episcopal church, Galena IL, Morning Prayer 12 2 2020
 
 
Grace Episcopal Church, Galena IL, Advent 1 2020 
Grace Episcopal Church, Galena IL, Advent 1 11-29-2020


Grace Galena Wednesday Service 11 18 2020 
Grace Galena Wednesday Service
11 18 2020
 
Grace Galena Sermon November 15, 2020 
Grace Galena Sermon November 15, 2020
 
 
Grace Entry Video with Music 
Grace Entry Video with Music

    
Virtual Chapel with Compline 
Virtual Chapel with Compline
                                            
Advent Musings
Advent Musings
 
   The Rev Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Cell Phone:  773-988-3497

Grace Episcopal Church Office:
107 S. Prospect Street
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-2590