This Sunday, we will observe our annual parish feast day: the Feast of the Holy Cross. Each year on this day, we offer a time for folks to walk onto the chancel and view and touch a stone embedded in our altar. The stone, carved in the shape of the cross, is from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem, a site that for centuries has been the focus of veneration for Christ’s crucifixion and burial. This relic embedded in our altar helps us have a physical grounding for our prayers. It is a sacramental experience for us to come forward and offer a prayer, touch the stone, and remember. So, look for that moment at the end of the service this Sunday.
We will welcome the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lambert, the Assisting Bishop for the Diocese of Atlanta, who will preach at the 10:45 AM worship service.
Also, join us in the greeting area from 9:00 – 9:30 AM to enjoy doughnuts, fruit, coffee, and lemonade before Christian Education classes begin.
We hope you plan to be here Sunday, September 15 to observe our parish feast day!
The Gathering meets at 5:30 PM this Sunday, September 15, at the home of Rob and Dale Jaeger. We’ll spend some time in conversation about our readings to date, and their influence on us so far. Bring a snack and come join us!
Dinner Come eat dinner together on Wednesday, September 18 at 5:30 PM!
Menu: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, apple pie
Vegetarian entree: spinach stuffed mushrooms
Children: 1/2 portion regular menu or PBJ, Cookies
Program Parishioners of all ages are invited to join us following dinner on September 18 for the continuation of our Biblical storytelling program. Join us to experience firsthand the dynamic differences in hearing the text told rather than reading it silently. Learn the skills you can use to commit to heart a favorite passage to share with others.
Childcare is available for families participating in Wednesday evening activities. Reservations are required and can be made on the same form as meal reservations.
Click here for complete details and to sign up. Reservations are due by Monday at noon.
Registration continues for our annual women’s retreat! Join us for a weekend of rejoicing, reflection, and renewal January 17-19, 2020 at the Montreat Retreat and Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. Sharon Garlough Brown will guide us as we explore ways to live in authentic community with God, with ourselves, and with others. Discounted copies of her books will be available, email Cheryl to reserve a specific title. Room requests will be honored as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up soon!
The COG Penny War to benefit Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research continues all month! Collection containers are located in the COG hallway. Each grade level GAINS points for pennies, paper bills, and checks put in their own jar and can LOWER points for other grade levels by putting silver coins in those jars. See details. There will be a prize for the grade level with the most points. Anyone can donate! To donate online choose “Spring Fling Donation” as the type of payment and in the “Memo” section indicate which class you want the donation to go toward.
Thanks for participating in the Penny War and helping COG crush cancer!
Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with dioceses in the path of Hurricane Dorian. You can help provide affected communities with immediate and long-term support. Please contribute to our Hurricane Relief Fund at support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief. Please also continue to pray for the individuals and families affected as well as the first-responders providing emergency assistance.
With the kick off of our Formation Year, we thought it might be a good time to refresh the parish about some key information with regard to prayer concerns, pastoral emergencies, and way-finding through the channels to make sure we know how best to minister to each of you.
Please click here for vital information about:
• contacting clergy
• communicating pastoral concerns on social media
• clergy presence during hospitalizations
• availability of financial assistance
• how pastoral news is disseminated
• leaving prayer requests on Sundays
• caring or crowding?
Please email Cynthia or Stuart with any further questions you may have.
This post highlights some events and news pertinent to the upcoming week. Follow the links below to learn more about what’s happening at Grace Church.