GRACE NOTES
Grace Episcopal Church February 2023
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A Note from our Rector...
I recently made a commitment to myself. It wasn't a New Year's Resolution but more of a new way of looking at my priorities. I want to focus on the things that truly matter. I don't want to fill my time with obligations that don't sync up with my values or that don't feed my heart and soul.
One day I heard a phrase that struck me as an important tool to help me do just that. It was this...if the "thing" that I was considering adding to my schedule didn't get a response of "ABSOLUTELY" then it needed to be a NO.
Easier said than done, right? We all have to do things that we would rather not do. Obligations that are required of us. Deadlines at work that must be completed. That doctor's appointment that's been looming. Our kid's teacher conference. Some things aren't optional. I get that. But what about the things that are? Are you choosing the things that feed your soul? Are you listening to how God might be calling you to refocus a few things in your life?
For me, faith is an ABSOLUTELY. But, I have to work at it. Going to church, participating in a Bible study, and serving others is an ABSOLUTELY. But, I have to make sure I put it on my calendar. (Well, except for going to church....that's not negotiable for a priest!)
What are your ABSOLUTELY's? I hope that this Lenten season you can focus on the things that bring joy and life to your soul. Where can you make room in your life for the things God is calling forth within you? I know many folks take something away during Lent. However, this year, I want you to add something in. I want you to add in an ABSOLUTELY of faith. And...let it feed your soul.
Blessings this Lenten season,
Emily
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SPECIAL SERVICES
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 22 at Noon
Morning Prayer (thru Lent)
9 am on Sundays (except for Children's Chapel on the second Sunday of the month)
Palm Sunday Services
Sunday, April 2nd
9 am Morning Prayer
10::00 am Worship Service with Choir
11:00 am Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
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HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm
Good Friday Liturgy
Friday, April 7 at Noon
A Stations of the Cross bulletin will be provided in the Narthex for an individual walking meditation.
Easter
Sunday, April 9
6:30 am Sunrise Service
9:00 am Children's Chapel
10:00 am Worship Service with Choir
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LENTEN LUNCH SERIES
Join us for our annual Lenten Luncheon Series every Thursday during Lent! This year, Grace Church will be partnering with The Rev. Susan Steinberg and Providence Presbyterian Church as we read and learn together. Our guiding text will be...
The Drawing of This Love: Growing in Faith with Julian of Norwich by Robert Fruehwirth. You may order a copy here.
Using the writings of Julian, a 14th century mystic, we will explore themes of emerging faith, the testing and deepening of faith, and the ongoing process of sustaining our faith as a journey with God.
We are honored to welcome The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth, the author of the book, to our Lenten study. Robert is an Episcopal Priest and former director of the Julian Centre in Norwich. He will join us on March 9 via Zoom to discuss Julian's writings and answer your questions to help us all go deeper into our study. We will end our Lenten study with a silent mini-retreat on March 30.
Thursdays during Lent at 11:30 am beginning with communion
March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
In the Parish Hall
Lunch is provided. RSVP is required.
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
The Grace Church Men's Group will host Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 21st at 5:30 pm. Shrove Tuesday occurs the night before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. Pancakes are traditional meal because eggs, sugar, and fat, commonly forbidden during the Lenten fast, are used up so they will not go to waste. We hope to see you there! All are invited.
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Game Day
Join us for Game Day at Grace on Tuesday, February 28th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. We would like to especially invite those 50 and over but of course, you can come if you aren't quite AARP approved. Come have fun and make new friends! This month we will play Mexican Train, a popular version of dominoes. Experience is nice but not required! We will teach you as we go.
Feel free to bring your favorite card or board game, too! And, of course, bring a friend! Snacks will be provided. Questions? Contact Susan Brett at 804-264-4443.
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Open Mic
Our beloved Open Mic Night is scheduled for Saturday, March 18th at 6:00 pm. If you haven't had a chance to join us before, we invite folks to come together to share a song, instrumental music, a poem, or a story. A sound system will be available. All ages are welcome. No RSVP is required. This event is open to the community so please invite a friend! And if you are willing to coordinate some goodies for the night, please contact Dee Kysor at 804-356-0200 or deevmom@comcast.net.
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Horizons Book Club
Jamie Baker and Donna Cottingham invite you to join a new church book club. The purpose is to read, share and discuss books that may help us understand, and broaden our horizons about social justice and history, both at home and around the world. Albert Einstein wrote, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
We will meet on Wednesdays in the church Parish Hall four times during the coming year. Our first meeting will be March 22 at 6:00 pm. We will read The Devil’s Half Acre by Kristen Green. We hope you’ll join us! Please contact Jamie Baker at jwbaker79@gmail.com or 804/955-7465 with questions.
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The music ministry is gearing up for Lent and Holy Week. The choir could certainly use a few new members in all parts, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. We especially need altos and tenors. If you love to sing, please consider joining us. There is always an open chair in the choir room. We rehearse at 9 am on Sunday mornings and at 11:15 or so, also on Sunday mornings. We have no evening rehearsals. You do not need to read music. All you need is a love of singing and a desire to have fun with other singers as we serve our congregation joyfully.
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Egg Hunt
Hold the date! We will host an Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 2nd at 11:00 am.
Children's Choir
We will be preparing our youngest members to sing a song (or two) during the 10 am Worship Service on March 26th. The children will be introduced to the music at the February and March Children's Chapel.
Easter Cookie Activity
If you are looking for a fun way to explain the Resurrection story to your younger kids, you might want to consider the Easter Cookie activity. Click the link here and get the recipe of how to make the cookies and tell the story of Jesus as you prepare them. |
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Grace Episcopal Church
2955 River Road West
Goochland VA 23063
804-556-3051
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