|
|
|
A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
Issue 134, Saturday, April 16, 2011
|
|
|
|
Dear
Friend,
Oh my, it's Easter time already! It's not like we didn't have 40 days to get ready, but somehow it's taken your editor by surprise; thus the lateness of this eGraceNotes.
This Sunday--the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday--is, for your your editor at least, an emotional roller coaster.
Our worship starts with the congregation re-enacting Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, waving palm branches and singing, "All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King! to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring."
We then proceed to a congregational reading of the Passion Gospel, in which we recount Jesus' last supper, his arrest, his trial, and his execution.
The juxtaposition of the palm celebration with the passion narrative can be disconcerting, to say the least. Happily, our worship doesn't end there; all present will then pass the Lord's peace to one another and will then come forward to share in the Lord's Supper. In both of these actions, we are assured of God's blessing on us and on all that life brings us; the triumph and the tragedy.
Not all the drama is on TV or in the movies. Good liturgical drama is drama at its best; it raises real life issues and gives closure.
See you Sunday!
Ken
PS: Stick around for coffee hour after the service.
|
|
Prayer Requests
Please keep these people in your prayers for their special needs:
Lisa and Tammy, the Daniel family, the Cavalieri family, Virginia Chapel's family, Anne, Darryl, Caleb and Joshua, Brian, Kim & Robb, Lynda, Marty, Leroy, Erik & Alison, Marie, Maureen Back, Irene Bryeans, Dean Bryeans, Fr. Bob Hufford, Diane, Maxwell & family, Barbara, the peoples of the Middle East, New Zealand and Japan.
Please let us know who should be included on our prayer list. You may use the Prayer Request Book at the rear of the nave to have persons included in the Sunday bulletin Prayer List and for prayers this week, or you can tell the office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org). Make sure you have the person's permission to list him or her.
Pastoral Care
If you need pastoral care or know of someone who does, please call or email the office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org). Keep us informed about about illness, hospital stays, requests for visits, communion, and prayers for special concerns.
|
Coming Events
Future special services: - Sunday, April 17 Palm Sunday Service 10 am. Celebrant: Fr. John Bower.
- Thursday, April 21 Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm. Celebrant: Fr. John Bower.
- Friday, April 22 Community Good Friday Service Noon to 3 pm. Preacher for Grace Church: Ken Lyon
- Sunday, April 24 Easter Sunday Service 10 am. Celebrant: Fr. John Bower.
To see everything that's coming up at Grace, click here. If you see errors or omissions, please email eGraceNotes@gracecollegehill.org. |
 Good Times at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Over 40 people enjoyed pancakes, sausage and conversation at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in March. The meal was free, but donations were accepted, and several hundreds of dollars was raised. Check here for more pictures of the interesting goings-on. |
News Shorts
News items not big enough to get their own separate article, but too good to leave out:
- You probably know that we have healing prayers and laying on of hands for healing at the Peace Chapel during every Sunday morning service. On recent Sunday mornings, Tammy and J reminded us not to avoid coming if you think there isn't enough time for you. We will stay and pray with people as long as there are people to pray for.
- Mission Council meetings have been moved to third Sundays following the 10am worship service, starting with Palm Sunday. Anyone may attend.
- Our highest priority need for volunteer help in the Mission & Formation area is for people to work with J White on Newcomer Ministry & Congregational Life.
- Sunday Service Volunteers are needed in all positions including choir members, Sunday School teachers and sitters. Training is offered for acolytes, Eucharistic Visitors and Chalice Bearers. We are a Common Ministry Parish - everyone is encouraged to serve. Let the office know of your interest for training dates.
|
Elizabeth Kelly's Prayer
Elizabeth Kelly shares this prayer that she says every day. Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins. I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self. Lord Jesus, now and forever, I invite you into my life. Jesus, I accept you as my Lord, God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit. Come Lord Jesus, cover me with your precious blood, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I love you, Lord Jesus. I praise you, Jesus. I thank you, Jesus. I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen. |
Let's Get the Conversation Going on Grace's Facebook Page
Grace's new Facebook page make Grace Church accessible to the millions of Facebook users. Now, all we have to do is have interesting posts on it when people visit. Facebook isn't about studied pronouncements from the top, it's about people's day to day comments on what's happening in their lives. So, go to Grace's page to see what others are saying; then put your comments about your life as it connects with Grace Church there, too. And "like" or comment on other people's posts, too. For a better description of what FB can mean to a church, see "Does God Love Facebook?" here. Click the link below to see it. Then click the "like" button to register as a fan of Grace Church. Once you've "liked" the Grace page, you can post news and comments for anyone to see and respond to. If you don't have a Facebook account, you'll get a signup link for you to use to get an account. If you're concerned about being bombarded with unwanted messages, there are privacy settings that you can set to specify the amount of privacy you desire. If you'd like help setting up your FB account, your editor will be happy to help. See you soon on Grace's Facebook page! |
Grace Pictures Online
As always, you can see lots of pictures of Grace Church members and friends, and the various things we're doing, in the online Grace Photo Albums. |
|
|
|
|
