Dear Friends,

As you receive this letter, we are on the verge The Triduum, the three great days of grace in the church calendar. There is so much to listen to and to remember and to honor – in ourselves and our community as we act (foot washing, communion) and pray (the biddings Good Friday) and wait (Holy Saturday Liturgy). An additional aid for us is the historic practice of the Stations of the Cross. This is a devotional and reflective journey through Christ’s last hours. The Rev. Erin Pickersgill will facilitate this with special invitation to youth and older children at 8:00 p.m. Friday evening in the church.

I want to nudge us past remembering to be questioning that will sound simple but is profound to look at directly. Two things really: Why did Jesus have to die? Why did Jesus need to be resurrected? These questions call for answers, and, in the answering, there is strengthening of conviction in this Christian faith we practice.

The Triduum helps us wonder about both questions as we move from foot washing to the institution of the new covenant spoken at the Last Supper by Jesus, to the great command to love one another. Amid betrayal Jesus practices service, assures of provision for our needs, and exhorts us to love as God loves us. We see and learn afresh Maundy Thursday in simplicity love is something you do.

Good Friday at 12:10 p.m. we will meet in the church for the Good Friday Liturgy, we will again hear the story: betrayal, suffering, crucifixion, death. As we listen, we will also reflect on the why of Jesus’s death together. We will hold further time at a brief service of Holy Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the church Saturday morning. Unhurried being present in the time between times, no rushing to resurrection.

May God stir us all on the whys of our faith. Resurrection had to happen – and it did. We will hear more and explore more as we move through this Easter season. For now, let us welcome what we know and do not know, what makes us uncomfortable and what brings us awe and wonder.

Peace to you,

Lisa+

Opening Collect Holy Saturday

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Join Us Sunday!

Sunday School | 9:45 a.m. | Lower Level

Our Pre-K– 6^th Grade. - All ages invited to worship together. There will be coloring pages and Worship Bags available for children!

Adult Formation | 9:00 a.m. | Library 

4/19: Documents & Decision Seminar - see below
4/26: Resurrection - why do I care?

Mark Your Calendars

Documents & Decisions Seminar

Sunday, April 19 at 9:00 a.m. “Understanding basic estate planning techniques and what is right for you,” will be presented by Commerce Bank. Commerce Trust manages our Endowment Funds, and the presenter is Brian Vomun, Senior Vice President, Commerce, Trust Company. Included in the discussion: wills, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directives, and what happens if we do not have a will or trust. Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD’s) and Individual Retirement Account (IRA's) will be included in the discussion.  

Grace on the Go! 
April 21 we will meet at KPAC, 210 East Monroe, 63122, for one of their coffee concerts, performer Erin Bode, known for her Folksy, Jazzy, and Pop music. The concert starts at 10:30, but doors open at 9:30 with free coffee and donuts.

The tickets are $20 paid beforehand, placed in a special envelope located by the sign up sheet and then put in the box by the mailboxes. Lunch is at Cafe Provençal 12:30.

Children and Youth Events + Notices


• Children and youth invited to be in the intergenerational choir that meets Thursday nights.

• During Holy Week, families are invited to participate in all of the special services. In particular, the Maundy Service dinner + foot washing, and the Good Friday Stations of the Cross, are going to be accessible services for our young people. 

• On Easter Sunday, all ages are welcome to worship together; there will be no separate formation time for young people. **We ask that children bring their own Easter baskets to collect eggs after the 10 a.m. Service! 

• Upcoming Youth @ Grace evenings (for 6-12th graders) are on April 12 and May 10, 5- 6:30 p.m. In the Youth Room.
  
• Now recruiting to train as acolytes. Please contact Mary Merriweather if your child is interested.

• Please email Erin to get on the weekly Family E-News newsletter list or on the Youth families mailing list for all upcoming dates.

Rite of Reconciliation/Confession

The clergy are available for confession. Please contact The Rev. Lisa or The Rev. Erin directly to make an appt. There is an assuring and comforting Rite of Reconciliation in our Book of Common Prayer. “The Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere” (p. 446). Beautifully, clergy approach hearing confession as not normally a matter of subsequent discussion and with morally absolute secrecy. 

Altar Flowers

Help us adorn our worship space by sponsoring altar flowers. Please sign up for a Sunday on the bulletin board in Albright Hall. Your donation can be made in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special occasion. Please contact Kirkwood Florist for payment. (314) 965-8440

Coffee Hour

The Sign Up Genius for Coffee Hour is now posted online. There are lots of empty spaces that need filling for people to host Coffee Hour. Check it out!

Alert Knitters!! 

Hi, Great Knitters!! You have donated quite a collection of beautiful items for donation. Keep it coming. We can produce some wonderful  hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc. for those who are out in the cold. If anyone would like to get together for a knitting group, sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board just above the basket. Remember there is plenty of yarn to use in the closet in the LaVielle Room.

The Sunday of the

Resurrection: Easter Day

April 5, 2026

8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

You may also join us at 10 a.m. through Facebook @GraceChurchKirkwood

or on our webpage at www.GraceKirkwood.org

Nursery Sunday hours are 8:45 a.m until 11:15 a.m. each Sunday.

Hunger Barrel Items Needed

Please remember our neighbors in need. Drop your non-perishable food items in Grace’s red hunger barrel in the narthex each Sunday. Your donations are distributed through food pantries at KirkCare and Trinity Episcopal Church.

You can collect these unused items for Trinity Food Pantry. Then, when you return to Grace, deposit your bag in the marked box in the parish hall.

This Week at Grace

Thursday, April 2
Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel
Simple Dinner available for all in 5:15-6:00 p.m. / Albright Hall

Holy Eucharist & Foot Washing (followed by stripping of the altar)

6:00 p.m. / Nave

Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. / Choir Room


Friday, April 3
Good Friday Liturgy 12:10 p.m. / Nave

Stations of the Cross 8:00 p.m. / Nave

Saturday, April 4
Holy Saturday Liturgy 9:30 a.m. / Nave


Sunday, April 5
Happy Easter!

Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. / Nave
Coffee hour following each Service

Monday, April 6

Office Closed

Tuesday, April 7

Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Graceful Gathering of Women 10:00 a.m. / LaVielle Room

Wednesday, April 8

Men's Breakfast 8:00 a.m. / Spencer's Grill

St. Dunstan Handbells  4:00 p.m. / Nave

All Saints Handbells 7:15 p.m. / Nave 

Thursday, April 9

Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. / Choir room

Our Prayer list requests and updates should be e-mailed to the parish office. Names will be left on the prayer list for one month unless the parish office is notified.

Mission Statement

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey,

Grace Church welcomes you as we follow Jesus together through a life of worship, love, and action.

Our Core Values

Worship: We believe worship is the heart of the church, shaping and connecting us with one another and God. In our Christ-centered worship and sacrament, we learn and grow spiritually.

Love: We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where each person is seen, heard, valued, and accepted.

Action: Service within and beyond our parish enriches our faith, strengthens our community, and keeps us relevant as we spread the word of God.

Quick Links:

Grace Church Website

Grace Church Photo Gallery

Grace Church Prayer List

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

The Episcopal Church

The Anglican Communion

Episcopal News Service

Grace Episcopal Church

514 East Argonne Drive

314-821-1806  

http://www.gracekirkwood.org