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 and Sermon
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
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,
Yesterday brought the encouraging news that as a nation we have reached the remarkable milestone of 200 million vaccinations against the coronavirus. At the same time we learned that these 200 million Americans who have been willing to roll up their sleeves represent the low hanging fruit – the easy pickings. The hard part is yet to come: convincing those who are skeptical about the vaccine to receive it. Unless and until they do, the virus and its variants will continue to find friendly hosts, where it can mutate and from there spread. Thus, those who refuse the vaccine are putting not only their own lives at risk, but the lives of others.
I am well aware of the old adage about “preaching to the choir.” My guess is that not too many people in New York City or the Grace Church orbit are rejecting the vaccine and choosing instead to tough it out by their own strength. I am preaching to the choir. But if, by chance, you haven’t been vaccinated or know someone who is resisting the opportunity, consider the spiritual dimensions of the decision. I am not a virologist, but as a priest of the church I am willing to say that a virus is an evil thing. It is opposed to human health and wholeness. It is a product of a broken world that has gone astray from God’s ways. Therefore, fighting against it with all the tools at our disposal is a holy thing. It is to be on the side of Jesus, who healed the sick, raised the dead, and wept at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus. God is against sickness and suffering. With the vaccines each one of us has the sacred possibility of echoing the words of God at the creation when God held back the waters of chaos: “Thus far shall you come and no farther” (Job 38:11).
In his letter to the Ephesians (6:10-20), St. Paul encouraged his readers to put on the whole armor of God to withstand against evil: the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, etc. Consider that the battle against the virus is a matter of spiritual warfare, and the vaccines are part of the armor that God’s servants in the medical arts have made available to us. Take it from me as one who contracted Covid-19 early on. I gave it to Stacie, and though both of us recovered, we continue to experience lingering effects. You don’t want it. Now we’ve been vaccinated because we want nothing to do with the variants. I encourage you to do the same. Besides, we’re all sick of wearing masks!
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9:00 am Holy Eucharist and Hymns |
On Easter Day we re-launched the 9 am Sunday service. In pre-pandemic times it was part of our regular Sunday worship offerings at 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm. It was a joy to gather again for the first time at 9 am since March 8, 2020. Going forward we plan to continue with an in-person 9 am Sunday Eucharist (not on the livestream) and 11 am as always, in-person and on the livestream. We expect to re-launch the 6 pm Eucharist in the Chantry in September.
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
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10:00 am Children's Chapel
(over Zoom) (New time!)
Join Mother Julia and Father Thomas from 10 - 10:25 am to say our hellos, read and discuss the story of the day from our Children’s Bible, and then say our prayers together. (Designed for ages 4-10, but the whole family is welcome.) For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba well in advance of the event.
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:
Resurrection Appearances, Part Two (Over Zoom)
What does the New Testament actually say about the appearances of the risen Jesus that began on the first Easter Day? How long did they last, and what did the first witnesses experience? The Gospel accounts vary, but also lend themselves to some striking overlap. The Rector will lead a survey of the four Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. The series will conclude on May 9th. For Zoom access, please see this Link
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11:00 am Morning Prayer and Sermon
CHURCH IS OPEN
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
The Adult 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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45 minutes of your favorite hymns, solos, anthems and voluntaries played on the Bicentennial Organ. Requests taken! Find past recordings at this link.
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Festive Altar Embroideries
On Easter Day, we unveiled a new set of white altar and pulpit hangings as well as clergy stoles for use on Easter, Christmas, and other celebratory occasions in the worship life of the church. The work of the liturgical artist Davis d’Ambly, they were commissioned especially for Grace Church and given by Mr. Charles D. Johnston, in loving memory of his mother, Janet Niven Johnston.
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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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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.
Midweek In-Person Worship - Tuesday and Thursday Noonday Prayer at 12:15 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.
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)
20s and 30s – Music Share – April 29th from 6:30pm-7:30pm (over Zoom) -Parishioners in their 20s and 30s are invited to participate in a music share in which participants will share a piece of secular music that brings them closer to God. 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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Sunday, May 2nd - The Very Rev. Kurt Dunkle -
Dean and President of the General Theological Seminary and a parishioner of Grace Church will be our guest preacher at the 9 and 11 am. At the Sunday Forum at 10 am Dean Dunkle will reflect on new initiatives in Episcopal theological education.
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Men’s Bible Study – May 5th 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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Sunday, May 9th Sunday Forum: Resurrection Appearances, Part Three –
The Rector concludes the survey of New Testament reports of the risen Jesus. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba well in advance of the event.
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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
Judy and Lila Glantzman
Russell Browning
Claudia Paoloni
Charles Drew
Lewis Zachary Cohen
Jerry Werner
Cheryl Samuels
Lois Queen
Tom Hall
Josephine
all those who suffer due to the coronavirus
and for those who have died
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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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