GRACE NOTES
Grace Episcopal Church                             November 2020
THE ADVENT SEASON
A Note from our Rector...

Look on the bright side. You probably didn't want to hear that right now. But, maybe we need a little push this holiday season to remember the goodness all around us, to remember the light of Christ that is coming into our world, to reflect on the love of family and friends. Even though this holiday season will look and feel very different from what we are used to, it can still be bright if we keep our hearts focused on the simple things that bring us joy.

What would that look like for you? What new practices or traditions might you create?

As far as the church goes, I want to encourage you that God is going to be with us throughout the season. There is no lack of holiness or sacredness in our Advent journey this year. In fact, if anything, this year might be an opportunity to remind ourselves that sacred time isn't confined to church walls or altars or liturgy. Sacredness can be found wherever we are, however we may gather. We are never without God. And the love of God shines just as bright today as it did last year at this same time.

Let that brightness fill your hearts and your homes. Remember the joy of the season and give thanks for God's beautiful gift of Jesus Christ. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and his shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Thanks be to God!

Emily
CELEBRATE AND WORSHIP
ADVENT HAPPENINGS

Virtual Advent Breakfast and Caroling (to kick off the Advent Season)
9:00 am Sunday, November 29

Advent Lunch Series
11:30 am Every Thursday on Zoom
(starting December 3rd )
RSVP to gracechurch2955@gmail.com

Virtual Community Prayer Service
11:00 am Friday, December 11

Virtual Lessons and Carols
7:00 pm Sunday, December 13
(see article below)

CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 24
4:00 pm Virtual Christmas Eve Service on Facebook Live

For a copy of the full Advent Calendar, please click here.
GROW
ADVENT LUNCHEON SERIES
"Ponder These Things:
Praying with Icons of the Virgin"

Every Thursday at 11:30 on Zoom

As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, join us for a weekly reflection to slow down and enter into a time of prayer and gratitude. Using three icons of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, we will allow the humble witness of Mary guide us to a deeper place of expectation and commitment.

To help get you started, learn more about icons here.

Week 1: The Hodegetria (The One Who Points the Way)
How do we let go of what was to accept what is?

Week 2: The Eleousa (The Virgin of Loving Kindness)
Where do we need to accept divine love into our lives?

Week 3: The Orans (The Virgin of the Sign)
How can we center our hearts in prayer and trust that God hears us?

We hope you will join us as we seek to draw closer to God through these sacred images, considering not only who God is for us but who we are for God.

For each Zoom gathering, please have a journal with you and light a candle in your home. Make this time a sacred moment with God and with one another.
SING
VIRTUAL LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 13 at 7:00 pm
on Facebook Live

Please join us for Grace Episcopal Church’s first virtual Lessons and Carols Service on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was begun in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge, England. The nine lessons are taken from the Bible and span the breadth of the Bible from Genesis to the birth of Christ. The lessons are interspersed with anthems and carols.

This year the choir will perform an anthem using our new virtual choir technology. A second anthem is one that our music director, Dee Kysor, wrote. The carols will be sung by choir members and you are invited to sing along from home. This will be a festive way to celebrate the season even though we find ourselves in changed circumstances due to the pandemic.

So, light some candles, get the family together, and join us as we dispel the darkness of the season and await the coming of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.
COMMUNION
The word Eucharist concept and theme written in black ink on a colorful painted watercolor background.
As part of our Advent journey this year, we will be delivering communion (wafer only) to those who would like to recieve the Holy Sacrament. Communion will follow all safety protocols during this time of COVID. We will wear masks and socially distance. Visits will take place outdoors in most circumstances.

If you are interested in receiving communion, please contact Emily directly for more information.
ADVENT RESOURCES
Star of Bethlehem. Raster version of vector illustration.
GIVE
white-red-presents.jpg
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR
CHRISTMAS MOTHER FAMILY

Once again, we will be supporting the Alvarez family through the Goochland Christmas Mother program.

Please use the following links below to sign up for either a gift or food donation or email Cindy at gracechurch2955@gmail.com so she can sign up for you. Monetary donations will also be accepted for those who prefer not to shop.

Please make checks payable to Grace Church with Christmas Family noted in the memo line. Thank you for your support!

Sign up here: Gift List and Food List
REMEMBER

DONATIONS TO SAY THANK YOU TO
OUR LOCAL HEROES

This year, help us say thank you to some of our local heroes!

Instead of purchasing poinsettias, we are asking for memorial/honorarium/gratitude donations to help us buy lunch for some of our local heroes. Click here for the form. Your donation will be recognized in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
Grace Episcopal Church
2955 River Road West
Goochland VA 23063
804-556-3051