THREE MESSAGES AND A

THANKSGIVING BLESSING

From Father Andrew

In today's video, Fr. Andrew extends three heartfelt and important messages filled with thankfulness to the beloved members of St. Gregory's, reflection on the Thanksgiving season, and deep gratitude for the community, God's work at St. Gregory's, and the nearing completion of the church's construction.

Join Fr. Andrew tonight at 6:00 PM (online and in the Harris Hall Sanctuary) for a Thanksgiving Eve service, as well as on Sunday, November 26 for a celebration of Christ the King Sunday, marking the end of the church year and the anticipatory joy of Advent and the new church year.

Wishing everyone a Happy,

Safe and Blessed Thanksgiving!

IN PRAISE OF AIR

by John O’Donohue

Let us bless the air,

Benefactor of breath,

Keeper of the fragile bridge

We breathe across.

Air waiting outside

The womb, to funnel

A first breath

That lets us begin

To be here,

Each moment

Drawn from

Its invisible stock.

Air: vast neighborhood

Of the invisible, where thought lives,

Entering, to arise in us as our own,

Enabling us to put faces on things

That would otherwise stay strange

And leave us homeless here.

Air, home of memory where

Our vanished days secretly gather,

Receiving every glance, word, and act

That fall from presence,

Taking all our unfolding in,

So that nothing is lost or forgotten.

Air: reservoir of the future

Out of which our days flow,

Ferrying their shadowed nights,

The invisible generosity,

That brings us future friends

And sometimes stones of sorrow

On which our minds refine.

Air along whose unseen path

Presence builds its quiet procession;

Sometimes in waves of sound,

Voices that can persuade

Every door of the heart;

Often in tides of music

That absolve the cut of time.

Air: source of breath

That enables flowers to flourish,

And calls the dark, rooted trees

To ascend into blossom.

Air, perfect emptiness

For the minds of birds

To map with vanishings;

Womb of forms

That shapes embraces

to hold animal presence.

Air makes the distance kind,

Opening pathways for the eye

To reach the affections of things,

Yet never lets its invisible geography

Come anywhere near thought

Or the voyage-edges of the eye.

Air: kingdom of spirit

Where our departed dwell,

Nearer to us than ever,

Where the gods preside.

Let us bless the invigoration

Of clean, fresh air.

The gentleness of air

That holds and slows the rain,

Lets it fall down.

The shyness of air

That never shows its face.

The force of air

In wall after wall

Of straining wind.

In the name of the air,

The breeze,

And the wind,

May our souls

Stay in rhythm

With eternal

Breath.”

A MESSAGE FROM TIM

Music Ministry

As we celebrate this week of Thanksgiving, there are so many things for which I’m grateful and one of the most significant is YOU, the people of St. Gregory’s. Every day, I give thanks for your presence, your ministries, your devotion and dedication to God, and I’m most grateful to be your Director of Music, Organist, and Choirmaster. I’ve said it before and it bears repeating—this church is truly one of the finest anywhere and I consider it to be a jewel in the crown of the larger Episcopal Church family. Your commitment to excellence is what makes my job so enjoyable as I strive daily to make sure St. Gregory’s is being the very best it can be. I’m overjoyed as we near completion of the sanctuary renovation and I can’t wait to make music in our newly renovated space. I’m so thankful for all those who’ve given so generously to make this dream a reality and I’m so incredibly grateful to all those who support the music ministry on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You make it possible to bring excellence to our congregation, to the wider community of South Florida, and indeed the world through our online presence.   

I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to serve as your “facilitator” of music and I am grateful for you all beyond measure.   

This coming Sunday is our last Sunday of Pentecost as we celebrate Christ the King. The choir will be singing an anthem by J. S. Bach, Crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and also a little-known hymn in our hymnal which, after they sing it on Sunday, I’ll be introducing into our catalogue of congregational hymns, Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor.  The text is quite fitting as we end this season of Pentecost and begin our next season of Advent… Though the lowliest form now veil you as of old in Bethlehem, here as there your angels hail you, branch and flow’r of Jesse’s stem. Alleluia… 

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Blessings to all, 

Tim 

ST. GREGORY'S

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Wednesday, November 22 at 6:00 PM

Join us for a special Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, November 22, at 6:00 PM in the Harris Hall Sanctuary and online. This service is a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.

We look forward to sharing this time with you and your loved ones.



Viewing the Service online:

If you are unable to join us in person, please join us online as the service will be live-streamed both to St. Gregory's Facebook page and on our website homepage. Click here to view the service on our homepage (it is located in the middle of the page) or click here to view it on Facebook.

THANKSGIVING MEALS

Delivered to our Senior Members

Meals with Meaning wants to connect with our "Golden" church members. If you are a senior and would enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner delivered to your door, keep reading. 

This Thanksgiving, Meals with Meaning wants to ensure our seniors have something savory and something sweet. And most importantly, something freshly made and prepared in love. Our head chef, Rose Vallee, will be dishing out turkey and all the traditional sides of Thanksgiving as she prepares it in our church kitchen. We will of course have your favorite pies too! If your mouth is watering and you would like a personalized food delivery on Thanksgiving Day, please contact Gena Vallee to place an order via email or phone at [email protected] or 561-451-7747.

MEALS WITH MEANING

(FREE!) THANKSGIVING MEALS TO GO

Everyone is Welcome!

Stop by St. Gregory's on Thursday, November 23rd to pick up a delicious Meals with Meaning Annual Thanksgiving meal. Meals with Meaning will be sharing complimentary warm and delicious Thanksgiving meals between 11 AM and 1 PM. All your favorite traditional savory and sweet dishes will be available.

Meals are available to everyone, so please join us and bring a friend . For further details or to contribute gift cards to our guests, please contact Gena Vallee via email at [email protected] or her cell phone at 561-451-7747.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From St. Gregory's

As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we at St. Gregory's extend our warmest wishes to each of you. We are profoundly grateful for our vibrant congregation. May this season of gratitude bring you peace, joy, and cherished moments with loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!

Please join us this evening for our Thanksgiving service at 6:00 PM and on Thanksgiving day for a holiday meal to go.

Church Office Will Be Closed Tomorrow and Friday:

The church office will be closed tomorrow (Thanksgiving) and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Have a safe and blessed holiday!

EPISCOPAL PULSE SURVEY

By the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF)

The Episcopal Pulse is a research initiative piloted by The FaithX Project and TryTank Experimental Laboratory, aimed at understanding the heartbeat of The Episcopal Church. ECF is proud to partner with FaithX to continue this program and gain insight into the health and hope of our church.

Exploring Episcopal Pulse



In 2022, TryTank Experimental Laboratory and The FaithX Project introduced the Episcopal Pulse experiment — a series of 39 weekly, 2-minute micro-surveys. These concise surveys featured 1-2 thought-provoking questions and engaged ordained and lay Episcopalians from all walks of life. Learn more.

HOW TO LEAD AND BE LED BY MORNING PRAYER (PFL-201)

With The Rev. Dr. Robyn Neville

For centuries, the church has engaged in Morning Prayer as both a personal, ascetical practice and to draw near to God in community through the words of Scripture. This course seeks to reclaim the beauty and wonder of Morning Prayer for a new generation by preparing and forming persons in the Diocese of Southeast Florida for the ministry of leading liturgy through the Daily Office, particularly in pastoral contexts and communities in which a priest is not available on Sunday mornings.

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

A Place to Belong

Notice: Due to ongoing AC repairs, please be prepared to meet in alternate locations. We will direct you once you arrive at church. Thank you for your continued patience. Grace for all!

TONIGHT/THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT 6:00 PM

TOMORROW/THURS., NOV 23 - THANKSGIVING DAY

NO Choristers rehearsal - Happy Thanksgiving!

SUNDAY, NOV 26

9:10 am - Confirmation Class (Conference Room)

9:45 am - 3yrs - 5th grade (Designated classrooms)

9:45 am - Upper Room Time for middle and high school

ADVENT WREATH MAKING!

Immediately after the 10:00 am service on the East Terrace. Please scroll down for more info!

THURSDAY, NOV. 30

5:45 PM - Choristers Rehearsal (Choir Room)

NEXT SUNDAY, DEC 3

Classes will meet today, even though it is the first Sunday of the month! (Since we will not meet after Dec 10, we added in this Sunday.)

9:10am - Confirmation Class (Conference Room)

9:45am - 3yrs - 5th grade (designated classrooms)

9:45am - YOUTH - Christmas Party at the Rectory during the Open House!

UPPER ROOM TIME

FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEENS

Meets Sundays at 9:45 AM

St. Gregory's Upper Room Time meets each Sunday (except the first Sunday of the month or other specially designated Sundays) for snacks, downtime, conversation, reflection, and prayer.

IT'S HERE! ADVENT WREATH MAKING DAY

Sunday, November 26

This Sunday, November 26 after the 10 a.m. service, we will gather on the East Terrace for an intergenerational wreath-making day.

This Sunday, please bring your pre-purchased wreath kit. We plan to have fresh greens and other embellishments available.

If you don't have a wreath kit, we may have some left for sale. Each kit will include a lovely reusable wreath with built-in candle holders and a set of Advent candles (3 purple, 1 pink). Cost is $20/kit.

Contact Anita Sherman for more info at

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Upper Room Time

Youth Enjoy a Special Presentation on Emergency Response

Middle and high school teens were joined by the 4th/5th grade class for a session on responding to emergency situations led by Paula and John Holgerson. We focused on practical aspects as well as centering ourselves in Christ to help us respond well when unexpected things happen. Many, many thanks to Paula and John for sharing their time and expertise with us!

If you are interested in a full emergency response training session, the Holgersons are happy to conduct one for children, youth and families. Please let Anita know if you would like to learn more. [email protected]

YOUTH GROUP

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sunday, December 3 at 9:45 AM

At the Rectory

Youth Christmas Party During Upper Room Time at 9:45 am on Sunday, Dec 3 at the Rectory

Come for great food, fun, and fellowship! AND...

A GIFT EXCHANGE

(bring a wrapped gift - $10 or less value)

PLUS

RECEIVE A COOL SURPRISE GIFT! 

DON'T MISS IT!!!

KANUGA WINTERLIGHT

December 28 - January 1 at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC

A gathering inspiring youth through faith, fun, and friendship. Now welcoming both middle AND high school students! The rate is $510, which includes lodging, meals, and the program. Payment plans and financial assistance, are available.

PLEASE CONTACT ANITA ASAP

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND!

Scholarships are available!

[email protected]

ADULT FORMATION

Classes and Formation at St. Gregory's

Wednesdays

8:00 AM - Men's Spirituality Hour (Zoom) 

Meeting Link

The following classes will be on hiatus

this week in observance of the

Thanksgiving holiday.

10:00 AM - The Reality of Being with Fr. Ben (Zoom)

The Reality of Being will be an ongoing group, initially composed of the fruit that has fallen out of a three-year Gospel of Thomas circle, and will meet via Zoom every Wednesday from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST. If interested, contact Fr. Ben here.

6:00 PM - Rector's Bible Study with Fr. Andrew - Hybrid - On Zoom and In Person (In the Conference Room). The final Rector's Bible Study of 2023 will be held on Wednesday, November 29th.

Meeting Link Meeting ID: 821 8193 8028 Passcode: 713673



Thursdays

1:00 PM - Women's Bible Study (Youth Room) - For information, contact Evelyn Anderson at [email protected]  or Susan D’Ambrosio, [email protected]

BLESSING OF THE CRECHE

Monday, November 27 at 6:00 PM

This year's Creche blessing at Sanborn Square will be held on Monday, November 27, at 6 p.m., located at 72 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton. This special evening will feature a Live Nativity, bringing the spirit of the season to life, accompanied by prayers and a Gospel reading. It's a perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends, embrace the festive spirit, and celebrate the essence of togetherness.

OPEN HOUSE AT THE RECTORY

December 3 - Advent I

On Sunday, December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, Fr. Andrew, Anita, and their family will be hosting their Annual Open House at the Rectory! The Open House will take place after both services and refreshments will be ser. Please come and enjoy the St. Gregory fellowship at the Rectory. Children are always welcome!

ST. GREGORY'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND HOMECOMING

Sunday, December 17 at 10:00 AM

Join us at 10:00 AM on December 17, Advent III - Joy!, for a joyous service of worship as we reopen the doors of our beloved, newly renovated sanctuary!

This special service will be the only service of the day and is a heartfelt invitation to each member of our congregation to join us and extend invitations to friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

The service will be followed by

a homecoming potluck in Harris Hall.

Please plan now to bring your favorite dish!

Let's gather together in celebration, marking this momentous occasion in the spirit of unity, joy, and faith that defines our church family.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Come Home to St. Gregory's This Christmas

St. Gregory's Christmas services will be offered both in person in our beautifully renovated Sanctuary and online. If you are unable to join us in person, we invite you to be part of the magic by joining us online.

Christmas Eve Services - Sunday, December 24

4 PM - Children’s Pageant

7 PM - Lessons and Carols

led by the Choir of St. Gregory’s

10:30 PM - Musical Prelude

11 PM - The Christ Mass

A Festal Choral Eucharist with Sermon

featuring music for choir, strings, and organ.

Don’t miss this majestic and time-honored traditional service.

Christmas Day - Monday, December 25

10:00 AM - Christmas Service

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

For These Important Dates

Wednesday, November 22nd - Thanksgiving Service (In Person and Online); No classes will be held Wednesday and Thursday/Thanksgiving Day.)

Thursday, November 23rd - Meals with Meaning Thanksgiving Meals to Go; the Church Office will be closed.

Friday, November 24th - The Church Office will be closed.

Sunday, November 26th - Advent Wreath Making following the 10:00 AM service; Newcomers host Coffee Hour

Monday, November 27 - Blessing of the Creche at Sanborn Square, Boca Raton.

Sunday, December 3rd - Advent I (Hope) - Open House at the Rectory with the Sherman Family(after each morning Service).

Homecoming Sunday, December 17th - Advent III (Joy), The Church Sanctuary reopens!!! Join us for a joyous 10:00 AM service in our newly renovated Sanctuary on St. Gregory's 70th Anniversary Celebration and Homecoming.

STEWARDSHIP SEASON

There is Still Time to Support

St. Gregory's Mission and Ministries

As we reflect on Stewardship Season, our hearts are filled with immense gratitude for the love and support that has been shown by our church community. This Stewardship season has been a powerful testament to our faith and commitment, truly reflecting our mission of "Transforming Hearts and Community Through Jesus' Love."

Although we have made encouraging progress in this Stewardship season, there still remains a long road ahead to meet our commitments for the coming year. If you haven’t had the opportunity to view The Rev. David Potter’s impactful and inspiring Stewardship testimony, it is available in the video to the left.

For those who have yet to pledge or those who feel moved to enhance their contribution, please know that every pledge—regardless of its size—plays a crucial role in our shared mission. Your commitment is a profound reflection of our united dedication to transforming lives within our community and beyond. As we continue to forge ahead, your ongoing support and prayers are essential in helping us spread light and love through all our endeavors.

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected] or visit stgregorysepiscopal.org/pledge.

ST. GREGORY'S IS NOW LIVESTREAMING

TO THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE

stgregorysepiscopal.org

If you are unable to join us in person for services on Sunday, please join us online! In addition to livestreaming each Sunday's 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist to our Facebook page, St. Gregory's is now livestreaming the service to our homepage for your convenience. Click here to view the service on our hompage (it is located in the middle of the page) or click here to view it on Facebook.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST

EMAIL SPOOFING

Spoofing Scams Are On the Rise

St. Gregory's has experienced a recent increase in "spoofing" attempts, where scammers imitate emails from our staff or clergy to evoke a response from the recipient. If you receive a dubious email seemingly from St. Gregory's, please do not click on any links. Instead, directly contact our church office at (561) 395-8285 or send an email to [email protected] to verify its legitimacy. If you've been a victim of a serious cyber crime, please file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

PASTORAL CARE

St. Gregory's Is Here For You.

St. Gregory's provides a variety of support ministries that are here to support you. Our clergy, staff, and Stephen Ministers are here to answer your questions, pray with you, and for your pastoral needs. Contact the church office at 561-395-8285 or by email at [email protected]. Learn more.

PRAYER

Daily Prayer and Prayer Requests

Join us in prayer. Click here to submit your prayer request. To pray for others, click here to view this week's prayer requests. If you'd prefer to receive a daily written prayer, click here to receive each day's word from Daily Prayer (a resource of Forward Movement).

SFHP NOVEMBER PRAYER CALENDAR

Prayers for Haiti

Please join us in prayer for the people of Haiti. Click here for the November Prayer Calendar.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers are needed for various ministries.

Our Lay Eucharistic Visitor volunteer group is looking for members of our St. Gregory’s family to join them as they:

1. Deliver communion and enrich the religious experience of those unable to attend church due to illness or incapacity

2. Visit and spiritually support those in need of the comfort and companionship of St. Gregory’s

3. Maintain contact with those parishioners with whom they are assigned to assure them that they are still a part of our St. Gregory’s community.



If this type of ministry appeals to you, please contact David Cominole 561-376-9056 or email him at [email protected] for more information.

GIVING ST. GREGORY'S

Your Support Makes An Impact

Your support of St. Gregory's and our ministries makes our mission of Transforming Hearts and Community Through Jesus' Love a reality. Please click here to give online now. For more information, please email the Church Office or click on these links: Altar Flower Dedications, Capital Campaign, Meals with Meaning, Stewardship, and South Florida Haiti Project.

CONNECT WITH US

Engaging With St. Gregory's

We're grateful that you're part of St. Gregory's growing community! Visit our website at www.stgregorysepiscopal.org for more information or click the links and social media buttons below:

Contact Information

Volunteer Information

Download the St. Gregory's App - iOS, Google Play