Sunday, September 18, 2022 |
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This Sunday
9 am Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
11 am Morning Prayer
in-person worship
and live-stream
6 pm Baptism and Holy Eucharist
in-person worship
(in the Church and live-stream)
on
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
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,
Last month my family and I were on vacation in Texas. Texas in August? Why Texas? Well, over the years we have been to every currently active Major League Baseball stadium except four, two of which were in Texas. So off we went to see the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers, and while there take in some of the other sites too: the Alamo, the Johnson Space Center, Dealey Plaza, and even a tiny town named Waring.
One Sunday we were in Houston and I had thought we might attend St. Martin’s Church. St. Martin’s is the largest Episcopal church in the country, with nearly ten-thousand members and a brand new building you have to see to believe. As it turned out, our downtown hotel happened to be directly across the street from Christ Church Cathedral. Thus, when Sunday morning dawned we had the choice between arising early and hurrying by car off to St. Martin’s, or enjoying a leisurely buffet breakfast and walking across the street.
We chose the latter! We were not disappointed. On a blazing hot Sunday in mid-August, the cathedral (which I would guess seats about 500) was nearly full. The congregation and choir sang the hymns with gusto. The service was a straightforward Holy Eucharist that moved along with energy and joy. It was a blessing to be there. I was able to worship without directing, without even critiquing the liturgy. I know that church is a bigger deal in the south than it is here in the northeast. But clearly this was a congregation with the holy habit of gathering on Sundays and praising God together.
Last week we got off to a great start with Welcome Back Sunday. At 11 am Grace Church felt full in a way that we haven’t in quite some time. As I processed out of the Honor Room behind the choir I looked around and realized what a blessing it is to be here. The challenge before us now is to keep the momentum going, even to reclaim the holy habit of being here in person on Sundays. The promise of Jesus is that he will be in the midst of us. Consider this: even though we come to church to experience God’s blessing, just by showing up your very presence may be a conduit of God’s grace for someone else. That’s the way it worked for me in Houston. All those people who simply showed up were a blessing to me.
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, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
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11:00 am Morning Prayer
Church is open
for in-person worship!
Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
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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6:00 pm Holy Baptism and Eucharist Rite II
In the Chantry
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Clergy:
The Rev. J. Donald Waring, preaching
The Rev. James H.B. Morton III
The Rev. Megan E. Sanders
Music:
Dr. Patrick Allen, organ
vice Bulletin
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The Sunday Forum – Join us today from 10:15 - 10:45 am in the reception room for a presentation from The Rev. James Morton on the ways art and poetry can help us see the Bible in new ways. We’ll look specifically at the creation narrative in Genesis 1 and explore how we’re being asked to begin anew with God.
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Refreshments and Fellowship – After 9 and 11 am services in Tuttle Hall and the lovely outdoor courtyard called Seymour Close. Join us for coffee or something cool to drink, as well as homemade goodies compliments of the Guild of Bakers.
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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.
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Sunday 6 pm Eucharist – The weekly 6 pm Sunday Eucharist in the Chantry has returned. 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.
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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.
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Restrooms are available on the 1st floor of the parish house, through the north aisle door near the baptismal font.
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Sept 22 – Grace Church Women (GCW) to host Diane Burrows, immediate Past President of the League of Women Voters of NYC – Diane will lead a conversation on the ways all of us can make our influence felt on Thursday, September 22 from 6 – 8:30 pm in the Reception Room. Livestreaming and the event program will begin at 6:30 pm. Men of the parish are invited.
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Sept 25 – The Sunday Forum at 10 am: What Happened at the Lambeth Conference? – Every ten years or so the bishops of the worldwide Anglican Communion meet in England for a gathering called the Lambeth Conference. The invitation comes from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and it is an opportunity to strengthen the ties that bind and examine areas of disagreement. What was on the agenda when the bishop met this summer? The Revs. Don Waring and Julia Offinger will lead the discussion in the Reception Room. Coffee and breakfast treats served.
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Sept 25 – Newcomers Class – New to Grace Church? Interested in learning more about this community and how to get involved? Come for lunch at 1 pm in the Reception Room, meet a few new friends, and learn about the many offerings at Grace Church. RSVP to The Rev. Julia Offinger.
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Sept 29 – 20s & 30s Pub Theology – All parishioners in their 20s and 30s are invited to join us at The Penny Farthing, 103 Third Ave., New York, NY 10003 from 6:30-8:00 pm to catch up with one another and pick our fall book. This will also be an opportunity to meet James Morton, our new Assistant Rector. Email the Rev. James Morton if you plan on attending.
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Oct 22 – Volunteer Day at The Red Door Place – Help us prepare a meal for our neighbors at The Red Door Place at The Church of the Village, our food ministry partner. Email the Rev. James Morton if you plan on attending.
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9 am Worship Service – The Church is open for in-person worship.
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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.
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11 am Worship Service - The Church is open for in-person worship. Services continue to be video-streamed every week.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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6 pm Worship Service in the Chantry |
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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. For Zoom access, please see The Weekly Epistle or email The Rev. Julia Macy Offinger.
Meeting ID: 337 800 858
Password: 058288
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,337800858# US (New York)
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Tuesday-Friday – Bach at Noon – 12:20 pm (held in the church during open hours and on Facebook Live) – 30 minutes of music by J.S. Bach, played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study – 10:30 am on Zoom with The Rev. Julia Offinger. Contact Julia for Zoom instructions.
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Wednesday – 6 pm Eucharist in the Chantry |
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Saturday – Weekend Organ Meditation – 4:00 pm - 45 minutes of diverse music played on the Bicentennial Organ.
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Enter, Rest, Pray (CHURCH IS OPEN) Monday - Saturday from noon – 5 pm.
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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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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.
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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: Sunday, October 16 at 4 pm; Friday, November 4 at 5 pm; Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 am. Upcoming baptism dates: Sunday, October 23 at 9:00 am; Sunday, November 6 at 11:00 am, Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 11:00 am.
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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. Julia Offinger.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Church is Open
Every day, noon to 5 pm
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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In our Immediate Prayers:
Geoff Hawley
Suella Slibeck
Susie Zeiger
Gardner Rankin
Karen Scramlin
Tommye Saunooke
John Berringer
In our Continuing Prayers:
Catherine Gooding
Ronnye Brickous
Claudia Paoloni
William Dobi
Tom Hall
Josephine Ferraiuolo
For those who have died:
Kenneth W. Starr
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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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