Weekly News

Date Posted: April 7, 2023

Easter Day at Grace Church

A Festival Holy Eucharist will be held at 9:00 AM and again at 11:00 AM on Sunday, April 9. Both services will feature special music from the choir and instrumentalists and will continue our joyful celebration of the Resurrection of Christ!

A continental breakfast will be served in the parish hall between worship services, from about 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Come end your Lenten fast.

Parishioners are invited to bring flowers and greenery from their garden to help flower the cross. This traditional Easter morning activity symbolizes that an instrument of cruel death has become a sign of life and love by the power and grace of God.

Children 5th grade and younger are invited to bring their Easter baskets and meet at the crow’s nest across the street on the Brenau lawn (or in the nave if it is raining) to participate in an egg hunt that will begin immediately following the 11:00 AM service.

We invite you to join us – all are welcome!

• Details

Parish Office

The parish office will be closed on Monday, April 10 and Tuesday, April 11.

Christian Education

There will be no CE classes on Easter Sunday, April 9.

Sharing the Common Cup at Holy Communion

It is true that Grace is one of the few parishes who have not returned to using the Common Cup at Communion, but we have made decisions around our shared space very diligently, with enormous gratitude for our medical experts who have helped the community navigate the complexities. Given where we are this Spring, I want to send this update out to you with a plan.

We are looking to bring back the Common Cup on Sunday, May 19. In order to do this, it will help to refresh ourselves on our customary—as well as highlight a couple important notes.

1. You are always welcome to take only the consecrated bread/host. The Church has long understood Holy Communion “in one kind” to be full Communion, so there is no problem at all refraining from wine entirely should you choose to do so.
2. If you choose to share in the wine, we ask that you NOT drink from the chalice at this point. Rather, lightly touch the host to the wine, making sure NOT to dip your finger into the wine itself. Parents are strongly encouraged to help their children navigate all of this. This is the most important part of the shift.
3. As well, you may want to move closer to the front of the nave toward the chancel so that you are not following as many people. That is always an option if it makes you more comfortable.

It is impossible to have both the trays and the chalice, as we would have to navigate who sits on which side, etc. Also the Altar Guild would then have to coordinate two kinds of set up, and that adds inordinate stress. So, we will give ourselves ample time to prepare and look toward a smooth transition.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, Sonja McLendon, our Senior Warden, or Julia Greene, our Junior Warden.

Blessings,
Stuart

Save the Date

Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!

• April 18 Men’s Ministry Event
• April 30 Youth Egg Hunt
• May 3 Monthly Book Club with Stuart
• May 7 Choral Concert
• May 14 Graduate Recognition
• June 14, 21, 28 Summer Series: Dialogues in Creation
• October 6 & 7 The Art of Taking Refuge

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