|
Greetings!
What a journey we've had this Pumpkin Patch Season! Although we faced the challenge of road construction on Hood St., we still welcomed nearly 400 families to our patch in October, creating countless cherished memories together. This year, our sales reached $8,484.80, which, while lower than last year's impressive $10,366.12, still represents a significant contribution to both our church and the Navajo Nation, enabling us to support essential operating expense this November.
We are truly grateful for the unwavering support and dedication of each of you, which allowed us to make a meaningful impact despite the hurdles we encountered. Let’s continue to engage with enthusiasm for upcoming events and initiatives, as our collective spirit and purpose are what make our community so vibrant!
Thank you for being the heart of Grace Episcopal Church.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Mother Suzanne+
| So Grateful To Be Your Priest! | |
Dear Amazing Grace Family,
Wow! You all really know how to throw a birthday bash that leaves me feeling absolutely cherished! A gigantic thank you for showering me with your heartfelt cards, kind words, and warm hugs. And oh my goodness, can we talk about that delightful surprise party?
My heart is still dancing from the joy of it all, especially with my favorite German chocolate cake baked by my dad! You truly know how to make a girl feel like a superstar in this loving community.
I am beyond grateful to be part of this Amazing Grace family, where every moment is a celebration of love and togetherness. Let’s keep the good vibes rolling and continue to engage in all the wonderful activities our church has to offer. Can’t wait to see you all again on Sunday!
With all my love,
Suzanne+
__________________
| | |
All Saints Day, The Necrology & Baptisms
Sunday, November 2nd
| |
In the Nicene Creed, Christians affirm their belief in “the communion of saints.” All of us who are in Christ and belong to him are bound together in him, whether we are in our earthly life or our heavenly one. This great theological truth is celebrated every year on All Saints’ Day, which is always on November 1.
One of the ways we observe this day is by listing the deceased in a list called the Necrology. We will have two necrologies.
-
The first will list all the names of all our loved ones (church members or not) who have died in the year since the last All Saints’ Day (November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025). This list will be read aloud in our morning worship service on November 2. While we have the names of church members who have died in the last year, if you have a loved one you would like on the list, please contact us.
-
The second necrology lists all the names of deceased loved ones who died at any time in the past. These names will be listed in our worship bulletin on November 2.
ou
| | |
__________________
Stewardship 2026 Campaign
Officially Kicks-Off Sunday, November 2
| |
“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!
| |
__________________
Cindy and Tati's Baby Shower
Sunday, November 16th
| |
Join us in celebrating Cindy's and Tati's baby shower as we give thanks for this precious gift from God. We will gather in the parish hall after Sunday's service to bless them with diapers, wipes, and baby boy items.
__________________
| Donations of Thanksgiving desserts are requested. These donations can be dropped off to Anna Arendell the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at the Alvin Senior Center. | |
__________________
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.
__________________
Advent Book Study Kicks Off
The First Sunday Of Advent
November 30
| | |
__________________
Altar Flowers for This Sunday
are Given to the Glory of God
In Memory of My Departed Friends and Family
By Kelley Krenek
| | |
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
| | |
All Saints Day,
November 2, 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
| | |
__________________
Hospitality
When we offer hospitality, we share in the very nature of God, and we receive such blessings in return. Thinking back over our lives, we can remember all those who have shown us hospitality: those who have invited us into their lives and homes, and those who have been there for us when we felt alone or in trouble. Let us give thanks to God for them.
Br. Geoffrey Tristram, Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Click Here To Read More
__________________
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.
__________________
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
__________________
| |
Collect for All Saints Day
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
| | |
Sunday's Schedule
- Sunday, November 2 - Holy Eucharist Rite II with Baptism 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
| | |
Food Fair
Thursday, November 6, 2025
| | We 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
| | |
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.
| | |
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
| |
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)
| | |
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.
| | |
__________________
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.
| | 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 | | | | |
