The Fourth Sunday of Easter - 4.21.21
Oh God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your son. Look now with compassion on the entire human family; and particularly this part of the family, in the United States, and those in our nation’s capital; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

All those who are suffering from COVID-19, their families and caretakers; first responders and medical professionals on the front lines; all service workers who put themselves in danger daily to keep our communities moving; those putting themselves in danger to work for justice and equality;
 
Bob & Donna Weber, Mickey Federico, Peter Federico, Yasso Herath, Peter Lubeck, Catherine Lubeck, John and Shirley Federico, Bill Weber, Ian, Jean, Al and Carol Lalli, Peter Zakrepine, Russell Fernando, Rislyn Joseph, Ria Meade, Peter Foley, Rosmarie Buri, Ellie Hafstad, B.J. Close, Kate Scarmato and family, Rita Chapparo, Eliot Kloehn, Joseph, Nancy, Lisa,John Riffle & Family, Dr. Ian Cochran, Robert Attucks Ruffin, Jr., Michelle Kenny, Staff and residents of Murphy House, Toni McCarthy, Malcolm Marsh and family, Christine Churchill Kenneth, Nellie Ayala, Ross Dailey, Yakari Montalvo, Kathy Bettis, Maura McGrath, Charles Hutton, Joanna, the Ceccolini Family, Karin, Tim, Daisy, Alice Dean, Ryan M., Bernice Robinson, Clayton Sauer, Dr. Travis Jackson, Dorris B., Barbara and Peter dePinto, Neil & Andrea S., Janice Lewis,Connor V. Kathy DeVita, K.L., Corene and Tom, Jim Cochran

REST IN PEACE: Deborah Laliberte, Kaye Hudson Hansen

To add a name to the list: parishoffice@gracechurchnyack.org  
Reflection

Faith does not mean certainty. It means the courage to live with uncertainty. It does not mean having the answers, it means having the courage to ask the questions and not let go of God, as he does not let go of us. It means realizing that God creates divine justice but only we, acting in accord with is word, can create human justice — and our very existence means that this is what God wants us to do. For one who sets a hard challenge does not do so to punish, but because he believes in the one to whom he sets the challenge. At the heart of his call to responsibility — and this is the meaning of Job — is God's unshakable faith in humankind.
  
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility
This Weekend
COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Services this Sunday, April 18 are Holy Eucharist at 8, 9:30, and 11:00am




The 11:00am service will be streamed live to our Facebook page:
and on our website:
The order of service is available to download HERE



Join us on Zoom for a Virtual Coffee Hour around noon, following the 11:00am service.

Announcements & Ongoing Programs
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WE HAVE RETURNED
TO A THREE SERVICE SUNDAY SCHEDULE!

Holy Eucharist at 8,9:30, & 11:00am

The 9:30am family service will take place outdoors
and will be followed by church school classes

This service and church classes DO NOT move indoors
in the case of inclement weather.
If weather is doubtful check our homepage
by 8:00am on Sunday morning for updates.

THE ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION COMMISSION
Discovery Group Book Discussion continues on Sundays
10:15 - 11:00am in Patterson Hall or via Zoom

The group is discussing Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright. Click on the image for link to Amazon ordering information; the book is also available for electronic download via the Rockland County library system.

All are welcome and you may join the group at any time - you do not need to have been at the first sessions!

For those interested, a timely article from Wright is available here (https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2021/april/easter-hope-for-post-pandemic-world.html).

Those joining via Zoom can use this information:

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 822 2965 0192
Passcode: 272760
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP - SUMMER SERVICE TRIP OPPORTUNITY
The SYG is now accepting applications for its summer service trip to Caimito, Puerto Rico, scheduled June 28 -July 3. The host organization is Crossing Thresholds, and the anticipated cost will be approximately $500, plus airfare. Financial assistance may be available. Given health and safety measures this year our group will be somewhat smaller than in previous years. Applications (with deposit) will be due May 1. Contact Brian Murrell (bmurrell@deloitte.com) or Kristen Walsh (cmkwalsh@gmail.com)
BROWN BAG AND A BIBLE

Join us via Zoom on Thursdays and Sundays 
Brown Bag and a Bible continue Thursdays at noon and Sundays at 2:00pm in its new virtual format via ZOOM and led by Pat Reynolds. ALL ARE WELCOME. 
As always the sessions will focus on the readings for the week. The series will continue for the next five weeks. If you'd like to join, contact Pat (reynolcw@gmail.com) for the ZOOM link. 
Please Give As You Can

PLEDGE NOW

Now more than ever we need to know we can count on your support.

CLICK HERE to complete a pledge card for 2021.


THANK YOU to all of those who have already made their pledge commitment!
Our Virtual Offering Plate


We know these are difficult and uncertain times, and circumstances have changed for many of us. To help ensure continuity for the church and our outreach programs to the community, please keep your pledge current if you are able, or make one-time donations as you would on Sunday. You can mail a check to us at 130 First Avenue, Nyack, NY 10960 or use our Virtual Offering Plate to make an online gift. Use the drop down menu under "FUND" to choose "Other Gifts" or "Pledge Payments".

We are so grateful for your support.
Parting Thought

Walking with Jesus
after David Kirby

in the Blue Ridge Mountains, eating corn fritters
and okra, passing the black-eyed peas. He loves
redbirds and kudzu, all that green tenaciousness.
He's not so much of a fan of men in white sheets,
gun racks, the Stars and Bars, but he's Jesus, so
he loves them anyway. The gospel of football
eludes him, but he sure likes to tailgate. He tells
me that all the commandments are really
about sitting with your neighbors on a wide
front porch, eating peach pie, watching the sun
go down. Why are you still going on about sin
and salvation, he asks me, when you have all this,
right here, right now?

"Walking with Jesus" by Barbara Crooker. Published online by Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought,