The parish choir will offer Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 10 during the 10:45 AM worship service. All are welcome.
This beautiful service, an Anglican tradition, is meant to help us prepare for Christmas. Scripture will be read and Advent carols will be sung by the choir and congregation.
There will be no Compline on Tuesday, December 12. Please join us for the next service at 8:00 PM on December 19.
Do you want to help save lives? Please consider donating blood to honor the memory of parishioner Patrick Kelley, son of Charles and Cheryl, who passed away in a motor vehicle accident on his birthday in 2011.
The Patrick Kelley Memorial Blood Drive will be held in the parish hall on Saturday, December 16 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. To give blood you must be in good health, 17 years or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh at least 110 pounds and show a valid photo I.D.
Walk ins welcome, appointments recommended.
During Lent and Advent, we always pay special attention to those who are not able to come to church services, to see who may want the clergy to bring Holy Communion to your home. Of course if you are able to attend services, I highly encourage you to do so, because being present and sharing in the prayers opens our hearts to the transformation the Spirit promises. Being the Body of Christ is tactile!
That being said, some are not able to be physically present, and we have worked to set up streaming services and other ways to support. So, should you need Communion during this special season when we celebrate the Incarnation of Christ in our lives, please feel free to email one of us. We would love to come visit (and maybe even bring chocolate).
Blessings,
Stuart email
Cynthia email
Brandon email
During Advent, come join us for chair and/or flow yoga. We will be alternating practicing Yoga Nidra (a stationary practice where we systematically relax specific body parts), and Yin Yoga (long held stationary poses to get some gentle stretching in deep joint areas). Our scripture reading will focus on Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” and a prayer, “Lord, teach me the beauty of an unhurried life.”
All are welcome – family, friends, neighbors, etc.! Classes meet on Zoom with the links in the “on the calendar” section of the parish newsletter. Chair yoga is Mondays from 2:45-3:30 PM or Thursdays from 10:00-10:45 AM. On your mat yoga is Mondays from 3:45-4:45 PM or Thursdays from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. (No yoga classes Thursday, December 21 and Monday, December 25.)
Grace Church is again inviting members of the parish to submit original artwork depicting the nativity for us to share during services and on social media during the Christmas season. We would love to feature art by parishioners of all ages.
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 don’t reproduce very 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 Monday, December 11 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.
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 ($25 suggested minimum) by Wednesday, December 13.
Christmas Flowers & GreeneryChildren and youth are invited to play a Christmas piece as part of the musical prelude before the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve service. This may be on the piano, flute, violin, or whatever your young musician is currently studying. If your child would like to participate, please email Lynn Swanson three things no later than Thursday, December 14: 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.) You can also reach out to Lynn with questions.
We will continue our pageant rehearsals during the Christian Education hour (9:30-10:30 AM) these next two Sundays, December 10 and 17. These rehearsals are generally for those with spoken roles. Small children who wish to be a part of the pageant can simply show up on Christmas Eve to participate. Let’s have all participating children gather in the parish hall on Sunday, December 24 at 3:30 PM
Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults will meet from 9:30 – 10:30 AM.
Children & Youth
pageant rehearsal
We ask that children and youth participating in classes, programs, and events have a registration form on file.
Adults
Scripture, Tradition, and Reason: parish hall more information
Parenting with Grace: conference room
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
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