ANNUAL MEETING & POTLUCK LUNCH THIS WEEKEND

Reminder that we will gather together this Sunday, February 8th for our annual meeting during the 10 am worship service to review the highlights from 2025 and outline our hopes for 2026.

Vestry will provide fried chicken from Tanglewood Ordinary. We are asking everyone to please bring your favorite side dish to share.

THANK YOU

We are extremely grateful to our Grace Church members, Syd Farrar, John Grady, Will Henson, Tom Ferris (not pictured) and Mason who came out last week to literally chip away ice from our sidewalks so we can access the campus. This was not an easy job but now the driveways and sidewalks are safe to use. We are so grateful for our dedicated volunteers.

PATHWAYS TO PRAYER AND PRACTICE

We are excited to announce that Grace Church has been accepted into the 1^st co-hort of Pathways to Prayer and Practice, an initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment. This initiative supports congregations as they imagine new ways to more fully welcome children into worship, deepen faith at home, and grow intergenerational spiritual life.

Grace will work closely with 9 other churches over the course of 3 years to develop formation for children and families centered within the context of the worship service. As part of this new initiative, Grace will bring on an intern to coordinate our efforts. More information will be forthcoming. Until then, please read the press release here:

Diocesan Announcement

LENTEN LUNCHEON SERIES: 

AN UNLIKELY LENT

The story of Easter is rightfully centered on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. But the Resurrection was not witnessed in isolation; it unfolded before a crowd. In that crowd were women and men who slipped through the margins of our Bibles, people who stood in the shadows but whose presence still shaped the moment. Might their stories have something to teach us today? 

This Lent, we invite you on an unlikely journey with the often overlooked individuals who have something to teach us about freedom, courage, and connection.

Week 1 – Mary of Bethany (Unlikely Offering)

Week 2 – A servant girl who confronted Peter (Unlikely Opposition)

Week 3 – Barabbas (Unlikely Freedom)

Week 4 – Simon of Cyrene (Unlikely Companionship)

Week 5 – The Women at the cross (Unlikely Courage)

Week 6 – Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus (Unlikely Allies)

When:        Thursdays during Lent...February 19 - March 26

                   11:30 am – 1:00 pm

RSVP:        gracechurch2955@gmail.com

Please purchase your own copy of the book An Unlikely Lent: Extraordinary People of the Easter Story by Rachel Billups. 

RSVP is required NO LATER THAN Monday, February 16. 

Lunch will be provided by The Cafe at Maidens. 

Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

SERMON

In case you missed Emily's sermon online from Sunday, please find it below.

January 31 Sermon on YouTube

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Food Pantry Sunday

Food Pantry Sunday is this week, February 8th. Please give as generously as you can.

Grace Church Men's Group

The Grace Church Men's Group will meet this Thursday, February 5th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Questions? Contact Martin Rodgers at 1947c120@gmail.com.

Lenten Newsletter

The Lenten Newsletter was sent last week. Make sure to check it out.

Needed: Treasurer For Grace

We are seeking our next Treasurer for Grace Church! Cathy Turner has faithfully served in this volunteer position for a number of years and has been an invaluable part of our leadership. As she rotates off this year, we are looking for someone to fulfill this important ministry for our church. If you have a gift for finances and want to serve Grace is a greater capacity, please reach out to Emily or Cathy for more information.

Grace Prayer Group

The Grace Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 8:30 am for a Morning Prayer service followed by a brief discussion and sharing. Morning Prayer is open to everyone!

THIS SUNDAY AT A GLANCE

8:00 AM Online Grace Church YouTube Service

8:30 AM Contemplative Service

10:00 AM Rite II Worship Annual Meeting

11:00 AM Potluck Lunch

Readings for February 8, 2026

Matthew 5:13-20

Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]

Psalm 112:1-9 [10]

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]