The Rev. James H.B. Morton III, preaching

The Adult Choir

Dr. Patrick Allen, organ

Service is video-streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels.

YouTubeLive, Vimeo, FacebookLive

The Liturgical Season of Advent begins today – The word Advent derives from the Latin adventus, meaning arrival, or approach. In our worship, the hymns and Scripture readings take on a mysterious, urgent tone as we anticipate the coming of Christ. One-by-one we light the four candles of the Advent wreath. The Gospel readings shift to Luke, the liturgical color is blue and we begin a new Church Year.  

Come and Make a Wreath! – Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks prior to Christmas is a great way to keep our thoughts focused on the coming of Christ, and to start a faithful at-home tradition with children during the hustle and bustle of the season. On the first Sunday of Advent, after the 9 am and 11 am services we’ll have all the materials ready for you in Tuttle Hall. All are welcome! Experienced wreath-makers are encouraged to help others! Sign up as a volunteer by contacting The Rev. James Morton. (Sugg. donation per wreath: $25.)

The Sunday Forum is on break – The forum will resume next week in the reception room and on Zoom.

Nov 27, Dec 4, 11 – The Annual Advent Collections for local charities will begin on Sunday, Nov 27, with a collection of travel size toiletries for the Seamen’s Church Institute Christmas at Sea project. On Sunday, Dec 4, we will collect hats, scarves, and gloves for the Church of the Ascension Food Pantry. On Sunday, Dec. 11, we’ll collect new men’s underwear (larger sizes – L, XL, XXL) and socks for the Bowery Mission (no t-shirts please). Donations will be collected in the baskets at the back of the church at all services. Please give generously this Advent!

Wear your nametags! 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 Travis Kennedy an email so, he can make you one. 

2023 Annual Pledge Campaign: A Mighty Fortress is our God – On October 30th, we launched the 2023 Annual Pledge Campaign. 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. 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 here. (You have all of 2023 to make your payments!) Questions about pledging? Contact Travis Kennedy by email or call him at 212-254-2005. 

Sunday 6 pm Eucharist – The weekly 6 pm Sunday Eucharist in the Chantry is a great option for those who may have other morning commitments (such as sleeping late) or are returning to the city after being away for the weekend. Join us for hymns with instrumentalists and sermon. An important component of the Sunday 6 pm service is Canterbury Downtown, the college fellowship that meets for dinner and discussion after the service. All college students welcome.     

Dec 3 - 20s & 30s Annual St. Nicholas Party – Grace Church parishioners and friends in their 20's & 30's are invited to the Diocese of New York Young Adult Network's annual St. Nicholas Party. Join us for an evening of festivity and celebration in the Advent expectation of Christmas. Saturday, Dec 3 from 7-9 pm, entry via Trinity Church, Wall Street, 89 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. RSVP is required to The Rev. James Morton. 

Dec 4 – The Sunday Forum: An Insider's Guide to Our Anglican Canticles, Part I – Praying with the glorious Canticles in the Book of Common Prayer each Sunday in church is one of our uniquely Anglican pleasures. Whether we are singing them or hearing the choir proclaim them, these remarkably appealing hymns of praise enjoy a rich fabric of Episcopalian tradition as well as an ancient history reaching back to biblical and early Christian times. VK McCarty, who previously lead the Grace Church Women’s Retreat Day, returns to us to lead a discussion exploring one of our most familiar Canticles—the Venite—and also the especially celebratory Canticle—the Te Deum. Next week, we will examine the Gospel Canticles from St. Luke. Join us at 10 in the Reception Room and on zoom. 

Dec 4 – An Advent Procession with Carols – Readings of scripture foretelling the coming of Christ are interspersed with beautiful music of the season from the four corners of the church. Sung by The Adult Choir at 4 pm in the Church. 

Dec 7 – The Community Carol Sing Returns – All are welcome to come sing favorite Christmas Carols with the Choristers in this festive annual event. 12:15 – 12:45 pm in the Church. 

Dec 11 – The Sunday Forum: An Insider's Guide to Our Anglican Canticles, Part II – We continue with Part Two of our series which celebrates the rich pleasure we enjoy by praising God with the Canticles in the Prayer Book each Sunday in church. Today we explore the Gospel Canticles provided by the Evangelist Saint Luke, whose towering hymns of joy foretell the mystery of the Incarnation by setting prayerful words on the lips of the Blessed Virgin Mary—in the Magnificat. VK McCarty will lead a discussion exploring the traditions and history of these appealing hymns of praise. Join us at 10 in the Reception Room and on Zoom.  

Dec 11 – A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten with Nancy Allen, harp, will be offered by The Girls’ Choir with Alumni of the Choir and members of The Adult Choir at 4 pm in the Church. 

Dec 15 – 20s & 30s Pub Theology – We have a very active group of parishioners in their twenties and thirties here at Grace who meet regularly for Pub Theology and other seasonal events. This session will be our final discussion of Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People by Nadia Bolz-Weber. (It’s ok to join in late!) According to one participant: "It's an easy read." Thursday, Dec 15, at 6:30 pm, at The Penny Farthing (103 Third Ave., New York, NY 10003). For more information, email The Rev. James Morton. 

CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24  

4:00 pm Christmas Pageant 

7:30 pm Festive Music for the Organ 

8:00 pm A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 

10:30 pm Festive Music for Organ, Baroque Trumpet, Violin & Cello  

11:00 pm Candlelight Choral Eucharist 

CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25 

EPIPHANY, January 8 

4:00 pm Amahl & the Night Visitors 

9 am Worship Service – The Church is open for in-person worship. 

The Sunday Forum – Our weekly discussion forum for adults that examines theological, political, and social topics of Christian concern meets most Sundays in the Reception Room from 10:00-10:45 am. 

11 am Worship Service - The Church is open for in-person worship. Services continue to be video-streamed every week.

Children’s Chapel - During the 11 am service. Children ages 4-12 are invited to start church with their parents in the pews and then join Father James or Mother Julia in the chantry for a time of learning and prayer.  

Nursery Care – The nursery is open from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in the room next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Adult supervision is required.  

Coffee Hour - Coffee and fellowship will be available today in Tuttle Hall following the 9am service. Join us for a festive fellowship hour in Huntington Close (weather permitting) after the 11 am service. 

Activity Corner for Children – In the north aisle of the church you will find coloring supplies, and books for children to use during the service. Please return all materials before you leave, and help us keep the area clean for future families. 

6 pm Worship Service in the Chantry 

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. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger. 

For questions about Zoom access, email the Rev. Julia Offinger

Tuesday-Friday – Bach at Noon (Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditation YouTube Channel) – 12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ. 

Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study – 10:30 am on Zoom with The Rev. Julia Offinger. Contact Julia for Zoom instructions. 

Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation – (Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditation YouTube Channel) – 4:00 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.

Sunday – Hymns from Grace (Held in the church during open hours and on the Organ Meditation YouTube Channel) – 4:00 pm - 45-minutes of favorite hymns, anthems, and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ. 

Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday - Saturday from noon – 5 pm.  

Fresh Direct (or Other Reusable Bags) Needed – The Red Door Place is also seeking donations of Fresh Direct or other reusable bags to support its ministries. If you’d like to donate bags, you can place these in the collection baskets in the narthex with the food items. 

Help Ukrainian Families – 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. To make your donation today, click here.

20s and 30s at Grace Church – We have a very active group of parishioners in their twenties and thirties here at Grace who meet regularly for Pub Theology and other seasonal events. If you are interested in connecting with us, please email the Rev. James Morton and he will add you to our email list. 

The Guild of Bakers – The summer has depleted our stockpile of coffee hour goodies! 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.  

Baptism at Grace Church – There sacrament of baptism takes place during a weekly, public worship service about once a month. If you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child, please first be in touch with The Rev. Julia Offinger to discuss next steps. Attendance at one class prior to your chosen baptism date is required. Upcoming classes: Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 am. Upcoming baptism dates: Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 11:00 am. 

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. Julia Offinger.  

Restrooms are available on the 1st floor of the parish house, through the north aisle door near the baptismal font. 

Safe Church – Grace Church is committed to providing its members, staff, and visitors with 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. 

Mask and Vaccine Optional – In order to bring Grace Church more in line with comparable NYC establishments, vaccines, though still strongly encouraged, are no longer required for you to be in the building. Likewise, masks are optional. For those feeling unwell, please join us via the livestream. 

To add a name to the prayer list, please contact The Rev. J. Donald Waring, Rector.

Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Travis B. Kennedy, Membership and Development Manager.