Dear Friends,



Lent has begun, I hope meaningfully for you through Ash Wednesday offerings. As I have said before, we need to approach this as intended, a season which evolved for us to consider the problem we have with sin and our need for help outside of ourselves. This is rooted in “self-examination” and it makes sense this often leads to “repentance” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265), repentance meaning a turning from and a turning toward – a change. We also hear in those pages that what may stir these things are focused commitments on prayer, reading scripture and fasting (holding ourselves from).

As we practice Lent together on Sundays there are three things we will do differently. We do this because in this season we seek to be aware of a change and cultivate intentionality. The first thing we will do as the service begins is to process silently. This small change gets our attention and helps us recalibrate to this time. We will also move the confession from the place of following the prayers of the people to the beginning of the service. In the Book of Common Prayer this is called The Penitential Order (p. 351). This connects the silence to self-examination and repentance. On this first Sunday of Lent, we will additionally, before confession, as we mark the beginning of the season, join in the Decalogue. This is an appeal for mercy using the Ten Commandments (p. 350).

These changes are not to be weapons to beat ourselves up over sin but to experience our needs – we have a problem with sin, God has provided for us through God’s love and power – and we need to respond. As we do, we are without delay and completely offered forgiveness by God. In addition, music will be changing a bit. We will use Kyrie instead of Gloria, a call for mercy in this season. We also will have different tunes (familiar) to serve our awareness as we sing in familiar places of the service, the Sanctus and adding a fraction hymn (where we break the bread). Music is both a gift and tether for us while fostering meaning.

This year, and we will alternate with Rite I, we are using Rite II Eucharistic Prayer C. You will be glad to hear the entire prayer, since it is different and holds more responses, will be in the service bulletin. These congregational responses include By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed are very appropriate to this season.



Please let us know if you have any questions as we begin this year’s Lent journey or if we can support you in your commitments in this time.

Peace,

Lisa+

Join Us Sunday!

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

Our Pre-K– 6^th Grade.



Youth Chapel this Sunday

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

Sunday: Heaven- what do we know? 
3/1: Heaven - what does it make us want to do?
3/8: Follow up discussions

3/15: Post Vestry discussion

3/22: Funeral Planning/Music 

3/29: Palm Sunday – no formation 

Mark Your Calendars

Lenten Small Group

On Wednesdays in Lent starting, February 25, we are going to discuss Mariann Edgar Budde’s recent work, How we Learn to be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith. This book is described by The Rev. Dr. Kemper as offering “excellent guidelines for helping not just individuals but congregations and communities learn about bravery and courage, especially in time of polarization and transition.” Mariann Edgar Budde is the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C. She is a sought-after speaker and writer.

A light supper of soup and bread will be offered at 5:45p.m. (donations are welcome) followed by discussion at 6:00 p.m. you do not have to of read the book to join!

Please RSVP to office@gracekirkwood.org.

February 25: Preface through introduction plus sermon beginning on page 184

March 4: Chapters 1 -3

March 11^th: Chapters 4-5

March 18^th: Chapters 6-7

March 25^th: Reflection & Application

Grace on the Go

We are planning an overnight trip to Historic Fort Leavenworth Kansas on March 12 – 13. We will leave Grace at 8:00am and arrive in Leavenworth at 1:30. After lunch we will tour several historic sites in town before checking into the Hampton Inn. Dinner will be at a nearby restaurant. The next day we will take a bus to the fort after breakfast at the hotel. You must have a real ID card (driver’s license) to enter the post. Dick Wright will take us to many historical sites before lunch at the former officer’s club. There is a signup sheet in Albright Hall with full details. Please sign up before 3/5 to ensure that we have reserved enough hotel rooms.

Cost: Hampton Inn $146.44, bus to and from the post est. $30 per person.

Documents & Decisions Seminar



Three Documents & Decisions Everyone Needs to Make - End of life reflection and planning- a two-part opportunity

Sunday, March 8^th at 11:30 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. 

A lunch will be provided. Please R.S.VP. to the Church office by phone or email. 

Sunday, March 22^nd at 9:00 a.m. During the formation hour we will consider funeral planning and approaching the Rite of Burial, music, and more. 

Both sessions will meet in the conference room. 

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

A Call for Nursery Volunteers

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help in our nursery during our Sunday Services. This is a wonderful way to serve the families that come to Grace. Please reach out to Lisa or Erin if you are interested in this important role. Please note that all nursery volunteers are required to complete a background check and the Diocesan Safe Church, Safe Communities training.

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!! 

We donated the wonderful items everyone knit at Christmas time. Now it's time to start collecting again! Remember that there is a HUGE quantity of yarn in the Lavielle Room closet, all donated for this purpose. Take what you need and bring us some lovingly made warm items. Thanks to all!

First Sunday in Lent

February 22, 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

Sunday, February 22

Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. / Nave
Coffee hour following each Service
Formation Hour 9:00 a.m. / Library 
Gloria Deo Handbells 11:20 a.m. / Nave

Tuesday, February 24

Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Wednesday, February 25

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, February 26

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