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For 103 years, the Good Friday Offering has supported the ministry of The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. This Lent, the need is almost unfathomable, and I ask you to join me in making a generous gift at
iam.ec/goodfridayoffering.
We do not know what the political future of the Holy Land will be; but whatever that future, our siblings in Christ in The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East will continue to serve God’s people through their congregations, hospitals, schools, orphanages, and humanitarian aid programs. These vital ministries serve people of all faiths without distinction, bearing witness to the power of hope and healing across divides.
Your gift to the Good Friday Offering will support ministry at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, which has continued to provide essential health care services despite the violence of war; St. George’s in Baghdad, Iraq, and its medical center; an eye clinic at Christ Church in Yemen; and the powerful Christian presence of All Saints’ Episcopal
Church in Damascus, Syria, and All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Beirut, Lebanon.
It is easy to feel powerless in the face of the human suffering we have witnessed in the Holy Land, but with a gift to the Good Friday Offering at iam.ec/goodfridayoffering, we can help The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East turn despair into hope for thousands of God’s people across their region.
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Luke Roberts, Jareth Doerr, Gracie Seals, Tom Sturgeon, Grayson Paul Alexander, and Miller Lenn Chumley will receive the Sacrament of Baptism
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Reconciliation And The Symbolism Of Resurrection
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For Christians, Easter is about reconciliation, restoration, and hope. The resurrection of Jesus is a powerful symbol of hope, new life, and the triumph of good over evil. It signifies the possibility of a new beginning and a reconciled relationship with God and others.
In the Episcopal Church, the passing of the peace is a significant liturgical act that conveys a sense of community, reconciliation, and fellowship among the congregation.
The passing of the peace during this time serves as a reminder of the peace that comes from Jesus Christ and the importance of seeking reconciliation both with God and one another. It may also emphasize the call to live in peace as a reflection of Christ’s love and sacrifice.
In Matthew 5:24 Jesus says, “When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there, before the altar, and go: first be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”
The passing of the peace is a vital part of worship, its connection to the themes of Easter enhance its deeper spiritual significance.
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Congratulations to 2025 Golden Halo winner Zechariah!
In the final battle of Lent Madness XVI, Zechariah defeated a valiant opponent in Nicolaus Zinzendorf 55% to 45% to take this year's crown. Both of these last remaining saints, one ancient and one modern, captured the imagination of the Lent Madness voting public, but only one can wear the golden headgear. And that is Zechariah, marking just the THIRD time in Lent Madness history that a Biblical saint has emerged victorious.
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EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TEXAS DISCOVERY WEEKEND
Have you ever thought about ministry in the Episcopal Church? Do you often wonder what it would be like to be a priest or a deacon? Are you thinking often about meaning, vocation, and purpose in relationship to your faith? If so, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas has a special weekend planned for you. Come to Discovery Weekend on May 2-4, at Camp Allen. Each weekend begins at 5:00 PM on Friday and concludes at lunch on Sunday. The Discover Weekend is an interactive early step in the discernment process. The weekend is an opportunity to:
- Slow down to learn about vocation – that is, God’s call, and to listen for God’s voice
- Spend time in dialogue with others also in discernment
- Get feedback and insight from Episcopal leaders engaged in various types of Christian ministry across the diocese
- Spend time in personal reflection about your future work and ministry.
Click this link to learn more
or to register for Discovery Weekend.
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Next Bishops Visitation Sunday, May 11
Mother's Day
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Easter Sunday
Flowering of The Cross
and Holy Baptisms
April 20, 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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Hope
In the iconography of Holy Saturday, we see Christ breaking down the gates of hell, unshackling the prisoners, leading the lost and damned into the liberty and love of eternal life. It’s a glorious scene. As Saint Paul says, “Nothing will separate us from the love of God, neither death nor life….” This is what we call “the hope of heaven.”
Br. Curtis Almquist, 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, or Coffee Hour. 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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| | From 12th Century St. Alban's Psalter; Mary Magdalene announces the Risen Christ | |
Collect for Easter Sunday
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Easter Sunday's Schedule
- During the Processional Hymn, after the acolytes and clergy, you are invited to the front to flower the cross.
- Holy Eucharist Rite II with Holy Baptism - Led by Mother Suzanne.
- The service 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
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Brunch & Egg Hunt
To Follow 9 AM Easter Sunday Service
| | Or you can find The Preaching Moment on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. | | |
The Rector's Bible Study
Is Taking A Break This Upcoming Week
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The Bible Study will resume April 29.
Mother Suzanne teaches an interactive and engaging class. We continuing a study of the book of Revelation. 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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Celebrating Five Years
Next Church in the Streets
Mobile Food Pantry
Thursday, April 24, 2025
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Click on the arrow above to watch our
Thursday Mobile Food Pantry story
| | Please consider volunteering, even if just for an hour - we could use your help. We begin setting up at 7:00 am and distribution ends at 12 Noon. Clean-up follows that. We especially need volunteers for deliveries to the homebound and to help with tear down and clean up starting at around 11:30. | | |
Your Food Ministry Statistics
From Harriet Sturgeon
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Weekly Update
The week of April 10, 2025, we distributed 12,607 pounds (6 tons) of food to 305 families, including 83 homebound deliveries, totaling 853 people. We welcomed 17 new families. This was all made possible by the 58 volunteers (including drivers) who showed up to make it happen.
Monthly Update -
February
For February, we distributed 89,486 pounds of food to 1,145 families, including 234 homebound deliveries, totaling 3,231 people. We welcomed 65 new families. This was all made possible by the 226 volunteers (including drivers) who showed up to make it happen.
Year-To-Date
Through the end of February, we distributed 249,662 pounds of food from the Houston Food Bank to 2,314 families, with 105 new families coming to us for food. We made a total of 473 deliveries. The total number of individuals served is 6,574. It required 514 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
Over 40 deliveries were made in March by 15 members, events, and friends of the Court for a total of 756 meals. This represents a 13% increase over March of 2024.
First quarter 2025 = 2708
Plus 92 so far this month(April1 thru Apr5) for a grand total of 2800 YTD
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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1st Sunday
Did you know that the loose plate offering on the first Sunday of each month goes to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund? This fund is used, at the Rector’s discretion, to assist the poor and indigent and to further the ministries of the church, not covered in the church budget. One of the main uses of this fund, at Grace, is to fund our Blessing Box and Blessing Refrigerator.
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
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.
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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)
| | 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 for instructions.
| | In case you hadn't noticed, we've expanded our social media presence to Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube | | | | |
