April 19, 2020
Second Sunday of Easter
Wishing you an awareness of
God's Presence, Love and Peace
The Office is Closed,
but if you need, please feel free to contact the rector at home or cell phone:
810-987 2863 or 810-887-8194. The latter is also good for texting.
Online Worship Options
Lessons appointed for the Second Sunday of Easter Click Here
The Book of Common Prayer Click Here Morning Prayer begins on page 75

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Bishop Hougland leads morning prayer and sermon every Sunday at 10:30am. He will preach and people from all over the diocese help lead. You can find it on the Facebook page of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan Click Here

Another excellent diocesan resource is Compline which is being led at 8pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can find it on the Facebook page of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan as well (see above for link). The order of service for this can be found here

Trinity Church Wall Street has a live stream of their weekday Holy Eucharist at 12:05pm and Sunday service at 11:15am Click Here

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, the Washington National Cathedral Holy Eucharist on April 19th at 11:15am will celebrate creation with special prayers, music, and guest preaching from the Reverend Margaret Bullitt-Jonas .

The National Cathedral and Interfaith Power & Light are co-hosting this online service focused on our shared call to climate action. Join us in prayer and song to celebrate Earth Day. April 19th at 2pm Click Here

Honest to God The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation, hosts a panel discussion on healing the earth in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. April 22nd at 8pm Register Here

Katie Forsyth has curated a whole bunch of online opportunities here.

Links to the hymns we are missing each Sunday are posted on Grace's Facebook Page, so you can listen and sing along.

If you would like a Book of Common Prayer, a Hymnal, and/or a Forward Day-by-Day devotional dropped off on your porch, please email Lydia ([email protected]) and she will see that it gets arranged.

Forward Day-by-Day devotionals will also be placed in the Little Free Library in the church garden for pick up if you choose.
Please Remember to Give
Even though we cannot join together for worship, we greatly appreciate you continuing your financial support to Grace.
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If you have continued to send in your pledge, THANK YOU !

The staff is working hard behind the scenes at home finding ways to keep in contact, to stay connected and to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

Possible ways to continue your support:
* mail a check to the church (we still have staff picking up the mail)
* donate online
Grace Connecting
through ZOOM
WEDNESDAY
One of the things we all miss while sheltering at home, is seeing everyone on Wednesdays, Saturdays and/or Sundays. Lydia is going to host a "zoom" gathering on April 22nd10:00am to 12:00pm.

To participate you need a smartphone, tablet or computer, ideally with a built in microphone and camera. You don't need to be one of the Wednesday regulars. Anyone who would like to ask questions, talk, pray is welcome.

Topic discussion for this week Zoom mtg: Luke 24:13-35 On the Road to Emmaus

To join just click here

You may be asked to download app or you can just go to cloud version.

Call Lydia at 810-987-2863 or 810-887-8194.


THURSDAY
You may not be one of the people who gather at Grace to knit/crochet/craft twice a month -- we have plenty of people who knit or crochet at home.

Just fire up your computer, get a cup of coffee and share your Social Distancing projects. Including mask makers!

We will join on Thursday morning May 7th from 10:00am to 12:00pm . 
Link will be posted next week.

SATURDAY
Virtual Evening Prayer and Check-In on April 18th at 5:30pm

To join just click here
A Message from
the Senior Warden
Nancy Kelley would like everyone to know that even though the church is closed, we have continued to provide food to those in need. Our pantry is just about emptied, so when we are able to return to business as usual, we will need to restock!!
At this time we cannot take any donations for the pantry, but if this changes we will be sure to get the word out!
We are helping to continue to provide food to those in need using gift cards to Kroger.
Sunday School with Mrs. Larson
Be sure to keep checking the Grace Facebook page for
craft ideas, recipes, and story videos.
Hello Friends!

Although Easter Day was last Sunday, we continue to celebrate the season for 50 days—beginning on Easter Day and running until the eve of Pentecost—to remember the resurrection of Jesus.

One Easter tradition in the church is the Paschal Candle. The word paschal means Easter; it comes from the word Passover. Easter is our name for the Christian Passover feast.

What is the Paschal Candle? The Paschal Candle is a large decorated candle, symbolizing the risen Christ. Every year, a new candle is blessed and lit at Easter and used at all services throughout the season. It is also lit at baptisms, representing new life in Christ; the newly-baptized are given candles lit from it. At funerals, it is placed near the casket or urn, signifying the hope of resurrection. The Paschal Candle is traditionally the largest in a church. The Paschal Candle at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. is over 6-feet tall !! Wow!

Check out the activity/craft listed below to make a Paschal Candle for your family to use during the Easter season at home.

Blessings,
Mrs. Larson
Resources for at Home

Faith at Home - Click Here

Sunday Paper Junior - Click Here

Living the Good News Curriculum
Gospel Story John 20:19-31 Click Here
More About Today's Scriptures Click Here


Make a family Paschal Candle
Choose from one of these methods:
1) Put paraffin or old candles in empty cans, stand the cans in hot water (or use a similar heat source) to melt the wax, then decorate the candle by arranging leaves and flowers in a pleasing design. Work with one leaf or flower at a time and use a brush dipped in liquid wax to seal each to the candle.

2) Paint designs with tempera on unused candles, insert cloves (five to mark a cross are traditional) or use tacky glue to attach ribbons, flowers or other desired trim/decorations.

Greet each other with: Alleluia! Christ is risen! / The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Light this candle to ready this week's Gospel story (and each Sunday of Easter)
Pray : Jesus is with us, even though we can’t see him. All we have to do is talk to him and he hears us.


Thoughts and questions about the Gospel Story
◆ Why do you think Thomas needed to see Jesus’ scars before he would believe Jesus was risen?
◆ Would you have believed? Would you have needed to see the scars first?
Why or why not?
◆ Jesus tells his friends that some people will believe without ever having seen him. Who are those people? (us!)
◆ Jesus also said those who believe without seeing would be blessed, or happy; what do you think he meant?


Close by praying aloud:
Lord Jesus, you gave Thomas what he needed to believe in you; please give us what we need to believe. Thank you for hearing all our prayers! Amen.

Let the candle burn in silence for a moment.
Softly repeat the Easter greeting before blowing it out.

Story Time Videos with Mrs. Larson
"The Tale of Three Trees" told by Angela Elwell Hunt - Click Here
"The Donkey That No One Could Ride" by Anthony DeStefano - Click Here
"He Is Risen" rocks tell the story of Easter by Patti Rokus - Click Here
"The Very First Lord's Supper" by Swanee Ballman - Click Here
"Jesus Washes Peter's Feet" by Glynis Belec - Click Here
"The Day Jesus Died" by Bryan Davis - Click Here
"The Story of the Empty Tomb" by Bryan Davis - Click Here
Please share with Mrs. Larson what you are up to at home!
We'd love to see your smiling faces!
And maybe you'll see yourself on Grace's Facebook page!