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This Sunday
9 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
and live-stream
on
6 pm Holy Eucharist
In The Chantry
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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 in-person and virtual. |
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Dear Friends,
On Sunday we will celebrate the Day of Pentecost and, for the first time in three years, the visit of a bishop to Grace Church. In the reading from the Book of Acts (2:1-21) we’ll hear how the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples of Jesus. They heard a sound like the rush of a mighty wind. They began speaking in different languages. A divided tongue, or flame of fire appeared atop the head of each disciple. The disciples and the early church experienced in themselves divine power with a unique, familiar personality: the personality of Jesus. It was the Spirit of Jesus, who launched the church on a mission to reach every part of the earth with the gospel of love and peace.
Initially, the twelve disciples (minus Judas, but plus Matthias) presided over the Christian movement as the first bishops. From earliest times bishops have worn a peculiar hat called a mitre, and you will see one atop the head of Bishop Mary Glasspool this Sunday. The origin of the mitre is obscure, but one theory is that it represents the flame of fire above the heads of the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.
When Grace Church was established in 1808 one of the first actions of the Vestry was the design of an official seal for the corporation. What they settled upon was a bishop’s mitre atop a Bible. If you look in the south transept you’ll find four plaster molds of the seal around the large stained glass window. Also, in the rectory I’ve noticed a small but brilliant stained glass window on the second floor that depicts the seal.
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Here you can clearly see the mitre and Bible. Note the balance of the symbolism. As a church we are grounded in the Scriptures, but we are not Biblical literalists. We need the Spirit to guide us into all truth. We need Spirit-filled people to help in the ongoing work of interpreting the Scriptures in every generation.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is hardly meant for bishops alone. God’s will is that all of us become Spirit-filled people who experience the same divine power and presence that walked the earth in Jesus. It should go without saying that our divided, despairing, death-filled world needs an infusion of people who are filled with the power of the Spirit. Thanks be to God, a strong contingent of people will stepping forward this Sunday to receive the Spirit: in baptism at the 9 am service, and confirmation/reception at the 11 am service. Come to support them, and to receive a booster of the Spirit yourself!
See you in church,
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9:00 am Holy Eucharist
Church is open
for in-person worship!
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger,
preaching
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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The Sunday Forum is on break for the summer.
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11:00 am Holy Eucharist
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rt. Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, preaching
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Music:
Adult Choir
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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Service is video-streamed every week. Access via any of our live channels.
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Welcome the Rt. Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, Bishop Assistant in the Diocese of New York, who will preside over Confirmations, preach the sermon, and celebrate the Eucharist at the 11 am service. A festive coffee hour will follow in Tuttle Hall to celebrate the confirmands.
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6:00 pm Holy Eucharist
In the Chantry
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Clergy:
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger, preaching
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music:
Hymns with Instrumentalists
Followed by Canterbury Downtown dinner and fellowship. All college students welcome!
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Jun 8 – Final Weds. Eve. Eucharist - For a variety of reasons we have decided to give the Wednesday, 6 pm Eucharist a break for the summer. The season finale will be on Weds. June 8 and we will resume on Weds. September 7.
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Jun 12 – The Annual Parish Picnic and Choir Recognition Sunday - Grace Church parishioners and friends are welcome and encouraged to come to Huntington Close following the 11am service! Join us in celebration of the choir ministries of Grace Church and to help bring our program year to a joyous and festive close. Suggested donation at the door is $10 per person.
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Jun 12 – Final Sun. Eve. Eucharist – The 6 pm Sunday Eucharist will go on hiatus for the summer, with the season finale being on June 12. Preceding the service will be a gathering for everyone on the lawn of Huntington Close to toast the year. The service itself will be in the main church and feature the baptism of Gus Offinger, son of Julia and Caitlin. The preacher will be the Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud, grandmother of Gus (and mother of Julia!).
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Jun 19 – Farewell to Thomas! The Rev. Thomas Szczerba has announced that he accepted a call to serve as an Associate Rector at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Thomas’ final Sunday with us will be June 19th where he will preach at both the 9 am and 11 am services. Check your conventional mail and Friday’s Weekly Epistle for more details about farewell celebrations for Thomas.
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Jun 29 – The first of our summer cookouts will take place on Weds. June 29, 6 pm on the lawn of Huntington Close. Come celebrate the summer and connect with fellow parishioners over hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts, and beverages. The July and August dates will be announced soon.
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Food Donations for The Red Door Place – 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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Help Ukrainian Families As this crisis continues to evolve, 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. Visit this link to make a donation today.
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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. J. Donald Waring. |
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Coffee and Fellowship will take place in Tuttle Hall after the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. Join us for brownies, cookies, and other treats as well as something cool to drink.
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The Sunday Forum is on break for the summer. Our weekly discussion forum for adults that examines theological, political, and social topics of Christian concern that typically meets on Sundays in the Reception Room from 10:00 – 10:45 am.
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Wear your name tags! As we are making our way out of the pandemic, we are seeing a lot of new faces at our gatherings. It is becoming important that we bring back the practice of wearing our name tags so we know how to address each other. Name tags 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 name tags. If you are a pledging member and do not see your name tag on the boards in Tuttle Hall, please contact Travis B. Kennedy so he can make you one.
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Return of Communion Wine – With the declining number of COVID cases in the city and state, Bishop Dietsche has approved the administration of sacramental wine at Holy Eucharist, effective immediately. Today at the 9 am and 6 pm services the chalice will be available for all baptized Christians who desire to receive “in both kinds.” Studies have shown and two-thousand years of practice has demonstrated that sipping from a common cup that is purified between each recipient is safe. Intincting, or dipping the wafer is less so, and will not be allowed for now. Note also that receiving the bread only is sufficient for full Communion. You need not return to the common cup until you are personally ready.
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Nursery Care - For children ages 1-4 is available from 9 am – 12 pm in the NEW Nursery next to the Sunday School classroom, across Tuttle Hall. Follow the signs! Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of their time in the nursery. Babysitters will no longer be present.
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The Guild of Bakers - 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
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Safe Church - Grace Church is committed to providing its members, staff, and visitors 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.
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The Church is Open
Everyday, noon to 5 pm
with Worship Service at 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm on Sundays
as well as 6 pm on Wednesdays
Vaccinations are required to enter Grace Church. If you are vaccinated, masks are optional. All visitors are required to observe posted guidelines during in-person worship and events, and to adhere to CDC Covid-19 safety protocols.
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Please Get Fully Vaccinated |
Vaccines against Covid-19 are now available for anyone 12 years of age and older who wants to be inoculated. Receiving the vaccine protects not only you, but those you love and everyone around you. It is the best way to help speed along the reopening of society. Please speak with your doctor or go to the NYC Vaccine Finder to make an appointment.
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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 and Friday – Bach at Noon (Held in the church during open hours and on Facebook Live) 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 - 12:00 PM – Long-running program of guided Bible study and discussion for women resumes on Wednesday, September 14th. For Zoom access info, please see the link below or email the Rev. Julia Macy Offinger well before the event.
Meeting ID: 839 2240 7333
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,83922407333# US (New York)
Wednesday Evening Eucharist at 6 pm in the Chantry. If you are interested in helping with the service, please contact the Rev. Thomas John Szczerba Jr.
Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation (on Facebook Live) 4pm - 45-minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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In our Immediate Prayers:
Leon Leader
Karen Scramlin
Leila Faucett
In our Continuing Prayers:
Catherine Gooding
Ronnye Brickous
Claudia Paoloni
William Dobi
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
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Send your photos of milestone events for possible publication in the Weekly Epistle to Travis B. Kennedy, Membership and Development Manager.
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GRACE CHURCH IN NEW YORK
212-254-2000
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