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Have you ever wondered what Ingathering is?
"Ingathering Sunday", which we will celebrate this Sunday, November 30th, is typically observed in the fall in the Christian Church.
Congregants bring their pledges forward as a commitment of financial support for the upcoming year. This day symbolizes both a spiritual and practical act of stewardship and dedication, linking the idea of a personal harvest or "ingathering" to community care and growth.
The liturgical significance of Ingathering Sunday is tied to the themes of gratitude and stewardship. Historically, it resonates back to the time when Jesus was on earth and the Jewish festival of Sukkot, a time of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for God's provision.
In the Christian context, Ingathering Sunday invites congregants to reflect on the ways they have been blessed and to respond by investing in their church's ministries. This act of giving allows for planning, as the church blesses and uses these pledges to budget for ministry programs, outreach, worship, and operations. Accordingly, it becomes an honored moment of collective commitment, echoing themes of unity, gratitude, and a shared mission in faith.
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“Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.”
Psalm 127:1-2
This psalm challenges me that it’s possible for me to do something for God, without doing it with God. Even when I have the best of intentions, I sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that the burden and responsibility of what I’m trying to do rests solely upon my shoulders. Unless I build the house, it won’t get done!
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WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP?
Stewardship is the responsible, joyful use of God’s gifts: the time and treasure we offer to ensure the vitality of God’s mission. It is both an individual spiritual practice and critically important to our church’s well-being.
WHAT IS A PLEDGE? WHO IS ASKED TO PLEDGE?
A pledge is your promise of financial commitment to Grace for the coming year. Everyone who attends regularly or considers themselves a member is asked to pledge.
WHY IS PLEDGING IMPORTANT?
Your pledge allows us to budget responsibly. Our operating budget is almost entirely fixed costs, so your pledge is essential when planning for the coming year.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I PLEDGE?
Your pledge should be meaningful. Consider a percentage of your family income. Look at where you fall in the giving chart and consider if your weekly gift is in line with how much this church means to you. If you’ve pledged the same amount for years, an increase is in order to keep pace with rising costs.
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| Please Help The Junior Daughters Of The King Support The Houston International Seafarers Center Christmas Shoebox Program | |
The Junior Daughters of The King are collecting these items are collecting these items for the Seafarers Christmas Shoebox program. Drop off Sunday in the Narthex or Tuesday - Friday in the office, 112 W. Lang St.
From the Houston Seafarer's Center: "In 2024, the Houston International Seafarers Center distributed 10,002 boxes, continuing the spirit of St. Nicholas by bringing joy and support to those who work tirelessly on the seas. We invite you to join us each holiday season in this heartwarming tradition by supporting our efforts to care for seafarers around the world." Distribution to the seafarers by the Center will commence on Dec. 1 and run through the month of December.
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Some Thoughts on Advent From
Kate Bowler
| Well, here we are again, standing at the edge of Christmas. Advent, which starts Sunday, November 30 this year, is the season the Church calls the beginning of the year (which feels unfair, since most of us are still trying to survive the holidays). It’s not about “new year, new me,” but about waiting—tired, hopeful, skeptical waiting—for a Savior who shows up as… a baby. Probably not the action hero we ordered. | |
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Advent Book Study With
Postulant Ginger Wolfe
Kicks Off
The First Sunday Of Advent
November 30
| | The book study will begin during coffee hour on Sunday, Nov. 30. We will be covering chapters 1-4. | | |
Questions, email:
Heather McDonald, hmcdonald307@gmail.com
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The Kidz Harbor Giving Tree
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Kidz Harbor is a beautiful facility located on six acres in Liverpool, just a stone's throw away from Alvin. The facility serves abused and abandoned children of Texas.
Once again, our own Kelley Krenek is leading the Kidz Harbor Christmas Angels ministry. The Angel Tree is in the the Narthex with about 20 ornaments left. One angel ornament per child. Each ornament will have a brief description of the child, their age, and their wish list for Christmas.
You will be able to select one or more angels to provide Christmas gifts for. Please return the gifts no later than Sunday, December 7th, unwrapped using the angel ornament as the name tag. Please consider sharing your Christmas with one of these children. If you have any questions, please contact Kelley at kelley_krenek@msn.com.
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Alvin Walk-A-Mile kicks of at New Hope Church at 6pm, come early for refreshments.
Refreshments/Band/Opening Prayer/Welcome
Isaiah 9:6-7
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Or other song)
2nd Church Grace Episcopal - Luke 1:26-38.
Lo, how a Rose E'er Blooming. (Or other song)
3rd Church First Presbyterian Church - Luke 2:1-7.
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Or other song)
4th Church South Park Baptist Church - Luke 2:8-20
Angels We have Heard on High/Silent Night. (Or other song)
5th Church First Methodist and Templo Christo Para Todos
Matthew 2: 1-12
We Three Kings. (Or other song)
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Altar Flowers For This Sunday
Given to The Glory of God
In Celebration of Harriet’s Birthday
By Tom Sturgeon
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The Altar Flower Dedications Book is located in the Narthex, for those of you who would like to make flower dedications. Once you sign up you can drop a check in the collection plate with "Altar Flowers" in the memo line, or in the blue mailbox to the left of the parish office entrance. The dedications will be $45.
The Altar Guild
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The Firtst Sunday Of Advent
November 30, 2025
- Click Here For The Church Calendar
- Click Here For The Server Schedule
- Click Here For The A/V Guild Schedule
- Click Here For The Parish Directory - please download and check for accuracy
- The Prayer list is now merged with the Worship Bulletin linked below
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Await
As we approach the season of Advent and a new liturgical year, and as we look around us and see all that seems broken or hurting, we await our savior’s second advent with hope. Where we are now is not all there is for us.
Br. Lain Wilson, Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Click Here To Read More
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ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SERVE AT GRACE: Looking for ways to plug in at Grace, meet new people, and contribute to the beauty of our worship? Sign up for one of our ministry teams: Ushers, Lectors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, Altar Guild, Audio & Video, Hospitality, Mobile Food Pantry, or Coffee Hour.
In the Episcopal Church, acolytes' service is vital for children's formation as it provides hands-on experience in the liturgy, fosters a deep understanding of worship, builds crucial life skills like teamwork and leadership, and encourages spiritual growth through meaningful service and intergenerational connections within the church community. By assisting with processions, carrying the Gospel Book, and serving at the altar, acolytes learn responsibility and contribute to the church's worship in a tangible way, helping them connect to their faith and community.
Click here to let Mother Suzanne know.
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Parish Finances
Regular giving towards your pledge to our ministry budget empowers our mission and ministry. Thank you.
You can give via online giving, bank ACH, mailed checks, or checks deposited in the offering plate or church mailbox. We encourage all regular givers to consider setting up automated online giving via your bank or on our website here.
Click Here To Give Online
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| | The First Sunday of Advent | |
Collect for the First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
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Sunday's Schedule
- Sunday, November 30 - Holy Eucharist Rite I Led by Mother Suzanne
- The services will also be live-streamed via YouTube - a musical prelude will begin at 8:50 a.m.
- Click the button below to give today. Alternatively, you can mail a check to the church office at 112 W. Lang, Alvin TX 77511
| | Mother Suzanne teaches an interactive and engaging class. All are welcome, regardless of your knowledge of the Bible. | | Noonday Prayer Around the World | | |
On Wednesday, let's pause together as we join our prayers with brothers and sisters around the world via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Beginning at 11:55 you can log in to Zoom here (passcode 032547) to join us as an active participant in the prayers. Or if you prefer, just follow along via Facebook Live beginning promptly at 12:00 PM this coming Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 103, which you can download ahead of time here.
| | Wednesday Sanctuary Choir Practice | | |
The Grace Sanctuary Choir rehearses Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 pm and sings each Sunday at the 9:00 am Sunday Worship Service and on some Holy Days (the choir meets 30 minutes before each of these services).
This group is open. Contact our Organist and Music Director, Paul Humphrey to meet and learn more about our choir - gphumphrey@yahoo.com
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Food Fair
Thursday, December 4
| | But we still need your help now more than ever. Please consider volunteering, even if just for an hour - we really need your help. No need to sign up - just show up. We begin setting up at 7:00 am and distribution ends at 12 Noon. Delicious lunch is provided for all volunteers. | | |
Your Food Ministry Statistics
From Harriet Sturgeon
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Weekly Update
The week of September 18, 2025, we distributed 8,080 pounds (4 tons) of food to 320 families, including 86 homebound deliveries, totaling 878 people. We welcomed 21 new families. This was all made possible by the 63 volunteers (including homebound delivery drivers) who showed up to make it happen.
No Food Fair on September 25 due to Houston Food Bank Closure for All Employee Staff Meeting.
Monthly Update - September
In September, we distributed 55,112 pounds of food to 922 families, including 205 homebound deliveries, totaling 2,659 people. We welcomed 42 new families. This was all made possible by the 201 volunteers (including drivers) who showed up to make it happen.
Year-To-Date
Through the end of September, we distributed 785,530 pounds of food from the Houston Food Bank to 9,532 families, with 435 new families coming to us for food. We made a total of 2,124 deliveries. The total number of individuals served is 26,932. It required 2,168 volunteers to pull this off!
2024
As of the end of December 2024, we distributed 837,473 pounds of food from the Houston Food Bank to 13,036 families, with 632 new families coming to us for food. We made a total of 3,046 deliveries. The total number of individuals served is 37,344. It required 2,968 volunteers to pull this off!
For the eighteen-month period between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024 the Total Food Pounds distributed were the equivalent of 1,053,538 Meals.
The Catholic Daughters of
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Fill The Bowl Ministry
September 2025
42 deliveries were made in September by 14 members of the Court for a total of 692 meals. This represents a 17% decrease over September 2024.
YTD = 8,221
Total Meals Delivered To Grace in 2024 - 10,317
| | Volunteers Needed From 9 AM - 1 PM | |
Have you noticed the cards on the table as you enter the church on Sunday? Well, one of our parishioners sets these cards out for us to sign and send a greeting to someone we may not have seen in a while, or someone who is ill.
Please take a minute as you come in, or before you leave to sign the cards and maybe write a brief note.
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MISSION & OUTREACH AT GRACE
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP - Prayers and Thanksgivings #35
Grace is committed to helping those in need, including vulnerable children, the unhoused, and those experiencing food insecurity. To learn how you can get involved, check our website or send us an email edcarrette@gracechurchalvin.org
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Kroger Community Rewards
You can help support Grace by simply linking your Kroger Rewards Customer number to Grace. You only need to sign up once and you will earn rewards for the church with every shopping trip! You can enroll at any time, so please try to get your family and friends to sign up as well! Every time you make a Kroger purchase, Kroger will make a donation to Grace. (And you still receive your reward points)
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The First Sunday
On the first Sunday of every month, loose plate offerings go to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. This fund allows the Rector to respond quickly to urgent needs, support those experiencing hardship, and fund ministries that fall outside the regular church budget. A vital use of these gifts at Grace is keeping our Blessing Box and Blessing Refrigerator stocked—providing immediate food and essentials to neighbors in need. Please consider giving on the first Sunday to help sustain this compassionate outreach.
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
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You are invited to make a financial offering in honor of your birthday or anniversary. These offerings go to the Herrington fund, which provides scholarships to church conferences and camps for members of our church. Your offering may be placed in this little basket beside the piano as you approach the Chancel steps.
| | Matching your gift is a great way to make a bigger impact. Many companies match cash gifts from employees to qualified non-profits. Some even match gifts from retirees or spouses. To find out if your company will match gifts to Grace, visit your Human Resources Department. The Parish Office can provide you with a copy of our IRS Letter of Determination and W9 should you need it. | | If you are not receiving text messages with important updates from Grace please click here to join. | | In case you hadn't noticed, we've expanded our social media presence to Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube | | | | |
