December 1-7 at Grace
Advent Wreath Making
On Sunday, December 1, parishioners of all ages are invited to come make Advent wreaths together from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Parish Hall.
There is no need to sign up. Wreath forms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. One wreath per household please and a $10 suggested donation would be welcome, to offset cost of forms, candles and greenery.
You may wish to bring supplies, such as ribbon, pinecones, floral/craft picks and sprays, etc. from home to personalize your wreath and to share with others. Additional greenery to share from your garden would also be welcome. You will also find it very helpful to bring small pruning scissors.
Join us to celebrate the beginning of Advent and a New Church Year!
Advent Sound Bath
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the mystery of Christmas. A time to watch and wait and be present. In the hustle and bustle that often accompanies this season, taking time to center ourselves and tap into the spirit of Advent can be hard to do.
If you’re longing for a time to rest and reflect, please join us on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 PM in the Nave. Rebecca Turk is returning to Grace to lead us in a sound bath for Advent.
For the most restful experience, bring your yoga mat, a blanket, and any bolster or pillow you prefer and experience the sound bath resting in Savasana. You may also choose to experience it sitting in the pews, and you’re welcome to bring a cushion or pillow to make you more comfortable.
Artwork for Christmas Bulletins
Grace Church is again inviting members of the parish to submit original artwork depicting the nativity for us to share in worship bulletins and on social media during the Christmas season. We would love to feature art by adults, youth, and children of the parish.
Please use colored pencils, paint, crayons, pencil, or markers to draw a nativity scene on a piece of paper that can be scanned. (Photos of artwork may not reproduce as well in the bulletin.) Include your name and, for children and youth, your age/or grade so we can properly credit our artists!
Artwork must be submitted by Sunday, December 15 to be included in one of the service bulletins, late entries may be shared on social media. Give artwork to Fr. Brandon during Christian Education on Sundays, bring it to the parish office, or scan (at 300 dpi or higher and saved as a .jpeg image or .pdf file) and email it to Jennifer Williams.
Christian Education
Christian Education classes will not meet on Sunday, December 1. Instead, please join us in the parish hall to make Advent wreaths together.
Food Pantry Food Drive for Advent
During the four weeks of Advent, Grace Church is collecting food for the Gainesville-Hall County Food Pantry. The Food Pantry was started in 1973 by four local congregations and is still run by Grace, First United Methodist, First Presbyterian, First Baptist on Green Street and St Paul Methodist on Washington Street. Each church pledges financial support and takes 5, two week turns a year. We are striving to keep families and individuals in our community from going hungry. Our clientele are homeless, seniors on limited income, families with children, individuals without children. They are black, white, brown; they are Hispanic and Non Hispanic; they speak English or are non speakers of English. The need in our community is great.
Will you please help by taking a grocery bag and returning it with cans of corn or green beans, canned fruit, tuna, dried beans such as lentils, 16 oz jars of peanut butter, jars of pasta sauce, bars of soap, or toilet paper?
Bags can be picked up in the lower lobby starting December 1. You may return the bags to the lower lobby or to the church office. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks may be made out to Grace Episcopal Church with Food Pantry in the “for” line.
If you want more information, contact Beth Neidenbach
Christmas Eve Prelude
Inviting all young musicians to play a piece for our family Christmas Eve service at 4:00 PM. It has been tradition for children or youth to play a Christmas piece as part of the musical prelude for that service. This may be on whatever instrument your young musician is currently studying.
Please email Lynn Swanson by Monday, December 16: 1) your musician’s name, 2) title of the piece, 3) composer/arranger. It’s preferred that the piece is sacred, but it is not a requirement.
Christmas Flowers & Greenery
Beautiful flowers and greenery enhance our celebration of The Nativity of Our Lord at Grace Church, and you can help make that celebration special. Contributions to our Christmas flower and greenery fund may be made in thanksgiving for or in memory of loved ones, friends and family. Notice of your donation will be included in the worship bulletin on Christmas Eve.
If you would like to make an offering, please submit both the online form and your donation ($50 suggested minimum) by Sunday, December 15.
Dates for Your Calendar
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
- December 8 Lessons & Carols
- December 8 Confirmation
- December 14 Blood Drive
- December 15 Pageant Rehearsal
- December 15 Messiah Sing Along
- December 18 Christmas Caroling at LVE
- December 22 Pageant Rehearsal
- December 24 Christmas Eve
The Glimpses of Grace Podcast
We invite you to explore the podcast on Spotify (or your podcast app of choice) or here on this website!
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