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Bishop Joseph's Visit
Bishop Joseph Atem from the Diocese of Renk, South Sudan, will be with us on Sunday, September 15. We look forward to an update on conditions in his diocese and on our partner parish, Glory Parish. The Outreach Ministries will host the coffee hour on that day.
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So! The days are ticking down. Just a few more, and I shall finally begin my 1/2 sabbatical. The last few weeks have been filled with getting ready--but, so far, only at church. There is still much to do at home to finish plans, reservations in Spain, deciding what clothes, books, papers, and miscellaneous items (including two unhappy cats!) need to be packed into the car for the trip to Chicago. I have nightmares about leaving something I will need for Spain back in Galena!
In planning coverage for my absence, it has been such a joy to have so many of you ready and willing to step up! Of course, you are already living our Episcopal life of "the ministry of the baptized," and that has made this task quite easy. You will probably want to know who the contact people are for specifics.
Worship: Linda Packard will be presiding on most Sundays and Wednesdays, and Diane Luther will coordinate and/or officiate at Morning Prayer (9/25, 10/9, 10/27). Linda and Diane will share the preaching.
October 6 will be the annual World Communion Sunday service held at the Galena Arts Center at 10 AM. November 3, we will observe All Saints Sunday, and I will be back to preach and preside.
Pastoral Care
: The Ministry of Care will continue to oversee those who are in need of visits, food, and transportation.
Linda Packard will be the contact for emergency pastoral needs and will be the one to determine whether or not I need to be notified.
Other Emergencies or Problems: Sr. Warden Greg Serwich will oversee general operations of the parish and, of course, Buildings and Grounds along with Pete Stryker. Jr. Warden Lynn Giles will oversee communications/personnel issues and the church office functions.
Ministries: Each ministry has a chair and/or a vestry liaison. So, continue to contact them as always. Information on each of the ministries and contacts is on our website. Diane Luther will attend the October United Churches meeting in my place.
Social Media: Nancy Kenney will publish and update the e-Blast and website each week. Please send any ministry news to her by Wednesday, end of day. This "Ramblings" column will take on a new personality as there is a rotation of authors for each week that I am gone. Lynn Giles will be Nancy's back up, and Larry Poston is the communications liaison.
Pledge Campaign: The campaign will begin early in October, and Joan Klaus is already hard at work on the process. Larry Poston will handle communications about pledging in the e-Blast and bulletin.
I will be in the church office through Wednesday,
then on Thursday will attend the Rockford Deanery
meeting.
If the cats behave and do not go into hiding when the suitcase comes out, I will go directly from the Deanery meeting to Chicago and then on to Spain the following week.
When you see me between now and then, please ask "Is your passport packed?"
See you in church,
Gloria+
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READINGS
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28: God proclaims judgement on God's foolish people, who are skilled at evil, but have no knowledge of doing good, and the land is destroyed in the wake of God's anger.
OR Exodus 32:7-14: As the people worship the golden calf, God threatens to destroy them, but Moses pleads on their behalf, reminding God of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and God relents.
Psalm 14: Foolish people say there is no God and live in destructive ways, but God's people hope in God's salvation and the joy it will bring.
OR Psalm 51:1-10: David's prayer of repentance, asking for God's forgiveness, cleansing and restoration after his adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Timothy 1:12-17: Paul celebrates God's mercy in that God forgave him and empowered him for ministry, in spite of his sinfulness and ignorance.
Luke 15:1-10: Jesus explains his friendship with 'sinners' using the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin - where celebration is inspired by the lost thing being found again.
The word 'lost' has come to mean those who are not part of the church, or who don't believe in Christ as we do, but in the biblical sense, there are still many lost people in the Church. If we're honest, we all have parts of us that are lost, and we all need to be found more and more. In the light of this, our calling in Christ is to confront the foolishness, ignorance and evil within ourselves, and allow Christ to find, save and transform us. It's a tough and challenging thing to acknowledge the places where we are unjust or destructive, and to do the work of repentance in order to be changed, but if this is not an integral part of our calling to be people of justice, then what is? Then, we are able to become agents of God's grace and justice, working alongside the weak, the poor, the marginalised, the excluded and the oppressed, while confronting, challenging and even inspiring the strong, the wealthy, the inclusive and the oppressor. The tough questions, then, this week are these: Where do we still need to confront injustice and "lostness" in ourselves? and In what ways can we offer ourselves to be agents of healing, grace and change in our communities?
The thumbnails
and reflections excerpted from sacredise.com
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Sound System Need--
Looking for a way to participate in the life of worship that does not take a lot of time? But is crucial?
You may not be aware of this ministry--except when things go wrong and we hear squawks or silence through the speakers in the midst of the readings or sermon--or some random instructions meant for the Altar Party are broadcast from the sacristy or altar (AWKWARD!).
Most of the time all goes well because we have had devoted  individuals who stand at the sound console in the rear of the nave with a bulletin in one hand and a finger poised to adjust a control for the lecturn or one of the body mics worn by the clergy and chalicist. Phil Jackman and his back-up Joe Terry have done this for many years. Then, as Phil's travel schedule increased in retirement, Michael Kennedy stepped up to the plate.
We have received a very reasonable request from Michael to see if we can develop a team to rotate this responsibility on Sundays. It is not terribly complicated, but is a very important part of assuring that our liturgy is as smooth as can be.
Could you help, maybe once a month? If so, please contact the Rector or Charlotte Stryker, our Vestry liaison to the Worship Ministries. Training will be provided.
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Watershed Game
On Tuesday, September 24th, from 2:00-4:00 we will play the Watershed Game at the home of Beth Baranski, the award winning steward of the watershed study program, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and financially supported by, among others, us via the Mission Outreach Committee. Please RSVP to Carmen Ferguson at 815-777-2309 (phone or text) or
[email protected] so that you can become a more informed steward of our water, and to help us make sure that we'll have plenty of chocolate to give and so I can give you instructions to Beths' house.
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Formation Ministries Update
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Children's "P
ray Ground"
Soft Space
The Pray Ground is ready for children! A Vestry goal established at its Spring Retreat, this soft space consists of a vividly colored, washable 4' x 6' rug that can be rolled up and put away when not being used and quickly brought out as needed.
Families are encouraged to bring their children to worship.
Experts in children's learning suggest that they sit where they are able to fully observe what is happening in worship and to participate as they are able. In this way, they become familiar with worship practices even as they may be
coloring or working on
quiet activities. A similar "pop up" nursery is planned for the future.
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News From Our Diocese and TEC
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BISHOP SEARCH UPDATE
--Electing Convention Scheduled for June 2020
The Special Convention for the Election of the Thirteenth Bishop of Chicago is scheduled to take place on June 20, 2020 at St. James Cathedral in Chicago. At the convention, clergy and lay delegates will cast ballots in accordance with the constitution and canons of the diocese.
A slate of candidates for bishop will be presented to the diocese in April. After the slate is announced, additional candidates may be added to the slate by petition. Before the electing convention, people across the diocese will have the opportunity to meet the candidates in forums called walkabouts.
The Standing Committee will announce more information about the electing convention, including the delegate certification process, soon.
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Women of Courage and Commitment present
"Famous First Ladies, The Power Behind The Power".
 Saturday September 21, 2019 at 3PM at the DeSoto House, three Grace parishioners are among those who will portray first ladies
Abigail Smith Adams, Nellie Taft, Dolley Madison, and Lou Hoover and
share little known stories of their time in the White House. The audience will also hear from Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife, Alice Hathaway. Clothing and other fashion items, from the collection of Nancy Wolfe, will be on display. Ms. Wolfe will be available to answer questions about fashions from the time periods of our featured First Ladies.
TWO COUNTRY FAIR OPPORTUNITIES
You can volunteer at Country Fair and help raise some money for the church at the same time.
1) Fräni is managing the Grab & Go stand again this year. She is hoping there are some volunteers from Grace that would be willing to help her out on Saturday, October 14th. If you volunteer you get in for free and you get $10/hour that will be donated to Grace Church. Added bonus is the stand is right next to the music and the wine garden!
Five volunteers are needed for each of the two shifts. First shift is 10:30-1:30; second shift is 1:30-4:30. Please let Fräni know if you are able to help out and which shift you prefer.
[email protected]
2) The Galena Chamber of Commerce
The
Chamber is looking for volunteers to serve in the Chamber's funnel cake booth at Country Fair in exchange for a share of the profits.
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Vestry Liaisons
V
estry Liaisons' primary purpose is to assure two-way communications between the various ministries and the
Vestry,
to represent the ministries for resources
or
policy issues, and to
support
their
events
an
d activities.
Worship:
Rector
Building and Grounds: Greg Serwich (Sr. Warden 2019-2021)
Worship Committee: Charlotte Stryker (class of 2022)
Formation and Spirituality: Elizabeth Ludescher (class of 2022)
Fellowship & Hospitality: Anita Sands (class of 2021)
Pastoral Care/LEMs: Bonnielynn Kreiser (class of 2020)
Outreach:
Tony Packard (class of 2021)
Communications: Larry Poston (class of 2020)
Governance: Wardens & Rector
Officers: Greg Serwich, Senior Warden
Lynn Giles, Junior Warden,
Richard Luther, Treasurer
Diann Marsh, Clerk
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Staff: Robin French, Director of Music
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
Chris Ludescher, Nursery Attendant
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For quick reference, find Sunday's readings by clicking here:
The Lectionary
Ministers of the
Service:
Presider: Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell
Preacher:
Rt. Rev. Joseph Atem
Lector:
Richard Luther
1st Chalicist:
Diane Luther
Lynn Giles
Acolyte:
Deb Pausz
LEM:
Tom & Karlyn Van Gelder
Vestry Coordinator:
Bonnielynn Kreiser
Altar Guild:
Kathy Shannon & Pam Malik
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Pentecost 15
10:30am
September 22, 2019
Eucharistic readings
for your own study:
Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
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For a current prayer list, click on the following link:
Grace Prayer List
The
Request For Prayers notebook is in the Narthex/ Entrance area of the Church. Please feel free to request prayers for yourself or others at any time by filling out a form or contacting the office by either phone or email. May we first and always be "a people of prayer."
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Tuesday
9:00 am
Vestry Meeting
Wednesday Events
7:30 am
Midweek Eucharist
8:10 am
Community Breakfast at Victory Café
9:30 am
Cursillo Group
10:30 am
Study Group
All are welcome!
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Choir rehearsal at 10:00 am on Saturdays
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For current and
upcoming events,
check out the goog
le
calendar on the website
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9/15--Outreach Ministries for visit of Bishop Joseph
R
eminder for hosts:
Napkins and plates
are provided. Use
what you need from
our pantry
.
Remember: Keep it simple. We usually have about 35-40 attending.
**Coffee schedule sign up is on the bulletin board in the Parish House.**
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You can now get information on Formation Ministries directly from the new Grace website at the following links: Children and Youth Adults
Spiritual Practices
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If you are in need of assistance while ill or recovering: meals, transportation, visits, please contact the
Ministry of Care
facilitators:
o Carol Poston
o Charlotte Kennedy who can assist you and connect you with parishioners who have trained and commited to this ministry that includes Parish Visitors, Meals, Rides, as well as the ongoing Servants through Prayer, LEMs, and the Greeting Card ministry.
Ministry of Care Leadership
Team:
Facilitators : Carol Poston, Charlotte Kennedy
Clergy Advisors: Gloria Hopewell, Linda Packard
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DEADLINES !
News and prayer requests:
Sunday
Bulletin --
Wed. end of day.
e-Blast:
Thursday noon.
Anniversaries and Birthdays
Have yours been missed in our bulletins?
Send to Nancy.
Thank y
ou!
News and Photos
f
or e-Blast!
People
want to know
what's going on at Grace! T
here are places
here for your
event,
program, or
interesting
tidbit.
Comments on this e-Blast may be sent here.
Audio files of sermons are posted on the Grace Church website as well as in the next week's e-Blast. They also may be found on the church's FB page.
Paper copies are available upon re
quest.
NEWER:
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| Grace Galena 10th after Pentecost Sermon 2019 |
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| Grace Galena Sermon 11th after Pentecost 2019 |
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| Grace Galena 13th after Pentecost Sermon 2019 |
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