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 The Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist
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,
One of the most poignant moments of Palm Sunday is recorded only in the Gospel of Luke. As Jesus drew near to the city of Jerusalem, riding humbly on a donkey, his followers responded joyfully and proclaimed him as “the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” They believed Jesus was the long awaited Messiah who was coming to clean house. They expected the Messiah to do away with not only the Roman occupiers, but also the corrupt Temple officials who seemed to make the faith of Israel a burden rather than a blessing. All of the Gospels report as much, but only in Luke do we see Jesus, stopping at the brink of Jerusalem, and weeping over the city, saying, “Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.”
This coming Sunday – Palm Sunday – we will celebrate once again the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Even though we will be reading from the Gospel of Mark, I can’t help but think that Luke would be more appropriate this year. As Jesus approaches our troubled lives and cities, I imagine that he pauses and weeps. In the past few weeks we’ve seen two horrific mass shootings kill eighteen innocent people merely going about their day. Meanwhile the will and the way to eliminate gun violence in this country eludes our elected officials. Asian Americans walk the streets in fear that they might be the next victim of the hate crimes being unleashed upon them. North Korea is testing missiles again, reminding the world that they could easily affix nuclear warheads into the nosecone.
The first Palm Sunday was all about politics: local politics delegated to Herod the King, international politics embodied in Pontius Pilate, and religious politics presided over by Caiaphas the High Priest. As we begin the central experience of the Christian year together, our fervent prayer is that all of us learn the things that make for peace. We will pray especially this Holy Week to be guided by the Spirit of the one who rode humbly into Jerusalem, wept over the city, and offered his life as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
Note the schedule below and join in this week as much as you are able – either in-person or online. See you in church.
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9:45 am Children's Chapel
(over Zoom)
Join Mother Julia and Father Thomas from 9:45-10:10 am to say hello, read the story of the day from our Spark Children's Bible, talk about it, and then say our prayers together.
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:
Virtual Coffee Hour
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Grab a cup of coffee and join the clergy for a coffee hour conversation. For Zoom access, please see this link.
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11:00 am The Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist
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, The Choir of Men and Boys, The Girl's 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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Devotions will be offered every Sunday in Lent at 4:00pm. The event is live streamed only. The program features organ music with hymns for you to sing along with at home, mostly drawn from The Hymnal 1982 and the Lift Every Voice and Sing II: African American Hymnal, with a few other old favorites to enjoy. During Lent the Meditations will feature guest artists and choir. Tune in and sing along during this special time of musical prayer. These offerings will be livestreamed over all the Grace Church channels during Lent. More detailed information can be found at this link.
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Each year it is the generous donations from parishioners that bring a glorious display of spring flowers to Grace Church for Easter. If you would like to support the Walter J. Parker Flower Fund, donations can be accepted by credit card on our website or by check made payable to Grace Church. Please note your dedication in the online comment box, or on your check memo. Thank you!
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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.
Tuesday, Thursday – Bach at Noon
12:20 pm - 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
The Great Litany: Wednesday 6 pm In-Person or on Zoom during Lent – During the season of Lent we will be doing The Great Litany. For Zoom access, please see this link.
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)
Wednesday - Men’s Bible Study – March 31st 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.
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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Holy Week at Grace Church
Palm Sunday, March 28
11:00 am – Palm Sunday Liturgy and Holy Eucharist
Open to the public and on the livestream
Holy Wednesday, March 31
6:00 pm – The Great Litany and Homily
Open to the public and on Zoom
Maundy Thursday, April 1
6:00 pm – Choral Eucharist & Stripping of the Altar
Livestream only
Good Friday, April 2
12:00 pm – The Good Friday liturgy with choir
Four sermons: Personalities at the Foot of the Cross
Open to the public and on the livestream
Easter Day, April 4
9 & 11:00 am – Festive Choral Eucharist and Sermon
Open to the public and on the livestream
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All children in attendance for Easter services are invited to hunt for eggs following the 9am and 11am in Huntington Close. We are looking for parent volunteers to help Mother Julia and Father Thomas hide the eggs. If you are interested in helping, please contact the Rev. Thomas Szczerba by email. |
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Easter Day Service - April 4th 9:00 and 11:00 am
will be held at both 9 and 11 am (identical services). Both are open to the public for in-person attendance, but you must preregister in order to reserve a seat. Seating will be assigned, so don’t delay. The 11 am service will be live streamed, as always.
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Men’s Bible Study – April 7th 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 Forum: Virtual Coffee Hour - April 11th
The Sunday Forum will be on break for April 4th, Happy Easter! We will resume with a virtual coffee hour on April 11th, grab a cup of coffee and join the clergy for a coffee hour conversation. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email the Rev. Thomas Szczerba well in advance of the event.
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Funeral for Linda Hall - April 17th at 11am
All those wishing to give thanks to God for the wonderful life of Linda Hall may gather in-person in the church or participate in the service through the livestream. If you plan to attend in-person, it would be extremely helpful to pre-register for the service. The livestream link will be available here.
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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
Cheryl Samuels
Genowefa Latkowski
Lois Queen
Tom Hall
Walton E. McLeod
Josephine
all those who suffer due to the coronavirus
and for those who have died
Bonnie Duckold
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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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Please Subscribe, Follow, Like and Share
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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