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A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
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 Susan Lehman on Grace Church At the end of her sermon last Sunday, Susan Lehman held up a mirror, as it were, to the members and friends of Grace Church who were present, and told us what she sees. Here is what she said: Grace Church, I don't know you very well. I am more of a "drop in." I pray with you on an occasional basis. I see all the signs in your side yard; I listen to the announcements on Sunday morning: community dinners, work days and lunch with parolees, all kinds of music programs. You participate in and invite your neighbors to regularly scheduled healing services. Of all the churches in greater Cincinnati, I notice YOU are welcoming the recently re-activated Integrity group. I know many groups use your facilities and thus shape your presence, your ministry and mission here at the corner of Hamilton and Belmont. As an outsider, let me commend you: you have more going on in a given month, more engagement with the world, the body of God, than any other church I visit. I look around at this large, extensive building you have and I wonder: how, how do you manage, financially, but more significantly, in terms of your own energy? This is not a congregation where on a Sunday morning you can just slip into a pew and let the timeless cadences of the liturgy roll over you. Every Sunday you pray with a different worship leader: Fathers, Mothers, Healers, Lay Leaders, Retirees: all representing different styles, pieties and practices. And music: look at the song books you sing from; sometimes with John ringing the bells, or Bill at the organ, or maybe, Bill or Judy at the piano; and those drums that sit in the corner, I am just waiting for those! I am overwhelmed by the time, energy and devotion you manifest to be the church, the ecclesia, the fellowship of those who believe in the Lord Jesus and intend to be his disciples. I don't know how you do it. I don't know your business. I don't know how you make decisions. I don't know how you solve problems when there are disagreements, as there must surely be in this very complex ministry. But this is refreshment Sunday and I am nourished by your witness. I think you are like the father in the parable we just heard. Jesus says: "Let me tell you about a man who had two sons." You are like that man. Your stony presence stands as one comes up the hill from Northside, like the father whose arms are outstretched to welcome those who pass by. Your doors are wide enough; your arms appear to be strong enough to embrace both the sinner who has gone astray and the self righteous embittered one. If you sometimes get weary or distracted, or even irritated with one another, do not let that take you off course. We are not meant to be like one of the sons: not the self indulged, "gimee, gimee, gimee" nor the whinnying: "it's not fair, what about me." No. We are the grownups. We are meant to be like the father. Our calling is to proclaim: "Come, celebrate and rejoice, for what was dead is now alive: what was lost has been found." This my friends, is the bread that gives life to the world. You can read her whole sermon here: gracecollegehill.blogspot.com/2013/03/was-man.html |
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 Celebrate Easter with Flowers Flowers at Easter make Grace Church even more beautiful. If you would like to donate flowers please sign up on the sheet by the Belmont door or call the church office at 513-541-1415 or simply go to our online donation page: gracecollegehill.org/payments.shtml. |
Grace's Lenten Spirituality Program Continues
 Grace Church's Lenten Program --Drawing Closer to Jesus--concludes next Friday with a session that will run from 11 am to Noon in the Parlor at Grace Church.
If there is a problem because of weather, the leader will sent an email out to Grace Leaders by 9:30 am of the morning of the session.
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An Irish Prayer
 In honor of St. Patrick's Day (today), here's an Irish prayer sent to us by Wanda Miller. May there always be work for your hands to do; May your purse always hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain, May the hand of a friend always be near to you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. And may you be in heaven a half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead.
If someone should ask about the appropriateness of Anglicans celebrating an Irish saint, you can point out that Patrick was an English priest sent as a missionary to Ireland.
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Last Sunday's Prayers of the People, by Our Sunday School
Here's the text of last Sunday's Prayers of the People, written and led by the children of Grace Church's Sunday School: Dear Lord, thank you for accepting the many families and people into your home, the Church.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Thank you for our country. Be with all our leaders, including our President, our Governor, our Mayor, and others. Also let us remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let there be justice and peace on earth. Thank you for making everything in the world, including water and land, families and babies.
Help everybody be fair and let flowers grow everywhere.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Thank you for letting us live in neighborhoods, including College Hill, North College Hill, Colerain, Walnut Hills, Reading, Finneytown, and others. Help everyone find a nice house that is safe. Help us learn to share our toys. Let all the children have fun. Help everybody have a job. Help people not to say bad words and not to have guns. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Dear Lord, help everyone who is sick, in trouble, or who got hurt by someone. Help people who are not themselves. Help older people as they walk in the snow. Help people not to have cancer. Help us know that we will be OK even if we are lonely. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Lord, we pray for those who have died, that you may have mercy on them. Lord, lift them up. Written by Kayla and Jaylen Burns, Oliva Miller, Mariah and Mathias Mukasa, Eli Saylor,Jeremiah and Mia Thayer, Ollie and Jamanuel Thrower, Belle, Jalynn, and Charlie Zagotti. |
 Welcome Bishop Price Next Sunday
Those of us who were members and friends of Grace Church about six years ago remember what a great help Bishop Kenneth Price was to the continued health of Grace Church.
After his recent retirement, Grace Church invited him to visit us so we could thank him, and he has agreed to be with us for Sunday worship next Sunday--Palm/Passion Sunday.
Plans are being made for quite a celebration. Plan to join us if you can.
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 Thanks to ...
... Vivian Hurley for playing the gong for all attendees at the Healing Service this past Wednesday. We have wonderful reports about how this affected people spiritually.
... everyone who was involved in preparing for and who attended the Healing Service this past Wednesday. Most especially thank you to Hawley Todd for officiating and to Bob Laake for leading the drumming.
... everyone involved in the Community Dinner this past Wednesday. We especially thank J. White, Pastor Rita and Life Renewal Church for creating this dinner and keeping the dream alive on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. Thank you also to Robin and everyone who helped her to cook, serve or clean-up after the meal, and to Bob and Don for setting up the room, helping during the dinner and taking down the room at the end of the evening.
... Don Wake, Bob Jones, and J. White for setting up the room for "Restoring Authentic Identitity" last weekend.
... Don and Bob for changing the room set-up to get it prepared for ECOT testing and for taking the room down after ECOT was done.
... Ken Lyon for purchasing and installing new thermostats that can be controlled from the office computer.
... Sam Spade for leading the Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop again, and for bringing beatiful beads to admire, try out and buy.
... Carol Lyon for leading meditation sessions during our Friday Lenten Series.
... Don Wake for he long hours he has put in painting the back hallway.
... Roger Perna and Ruth Bertram for continuing their work getting our financial records in order.
Even though everyone who does something special might not get special recognition each week (although we do try), we are aware of how hard members of this congregation work together to keep this church going. Most of the work done in this church is by volunteers, so thank you to every one in this congregation for keeping our dream of Grace Church alive by your consistent contributions. None of us could do it unless all of us were working together like we are.
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 Selected Short Subjects
Phillis Dietz is recovering from a broken femur that she experienced while visiting Australia. Her daughter Laura writes: "Since we don't know where and when she will be going to Tasmania, I don't know where to tell people to send cards. The best would be to email svanwage@comcast.net.
Mom is amazing. Her surgery went very well. They gave her an epidural (vs anesthesia) making her recovery easier. She was sitting in a chair the day after the surgery and yesterday took 10 steps with a walker. She's out of intensive care and in a regular hospital room. My brother & sister-in-law met with the doctor, but I haven't been given the 411 on her prognosis. More to come. Again thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Cheers, Laura Hubrich" GREET THE DAY ~~ EARLY MORNING TAICHI This is a five class series, Thursday, April 4 through Thursday, May 2, 9:30 to 11 am. We will start learning WU CHIN, which means the 5 Elements. After that, we'll move into the 3 sections of the Yang style long form. RELAX INTO THE WEEKEND ~~ FEEL PEACE This is a five class ChiKung/TaiChi series, Friday, April 5 through Friday, May 3, 6:30 to 8 pm. ChiKung is the practice of cultivating Chi (vital life force energy) through regular skill (Kung) routines. Both classes are at Grace Episcopal Church. Each class is $50 for the series. There is a preregistration discount. Instructor: Jackie Millay, 513-541-4900, harmonicpulsewellness.com. |
Prayers and Thanksgivings
 Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving are offered by Leah Wilson for answered prayers and for those that prayed for Amanda. All is good she will be fine and so will her baby girl. She will greet the whole world on Friday. Hooray. Prayers for healing are asked for Judy Handy, Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, Ken Lyon, Carl, Jackie, Robb Martin, Kim Martin, Melissa, The Erik Handy Family, The Darryl Handy Family, The Burlew Family, Jordan and Brandie, Bill and Viola, Lee Hardy, Christine Hicks, Derek, Rhonda Sharp, The Partin Family, Mitchell, Bob , Jo Jo, Jared, Shirley Allen, Melissa, D.L., Merrilee Atkins, Carol Lyon, Maree White, Verene and Katrina, Tom, Rita Lyon, Anna Keefer, Christine Zuniga, Cornell Bryant, Pastor Rita and Family, Karen and Diane, KiKi, The Coal Miners and their families who are being laid off, Virginia Chapel, Our President and Our Country, Judith , Peter Hawkins, Doug Jones, Katrina Gamble, Donna, Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Aaron Watson, Vance, Kathy Wills, East Price Hill and The Lauck Family, Don Wake, Patience, Emily Bellingham, Peggy Partin, Cleo Leach, Tracy Siemer, Erna, Ortha Meyers, Malachi Francis, Trish G. Russo, Albertha Howard and DeConte Howard, Dumonstrong, Restoring Authentic Identity Attendees, AJ, Amanda Peery, JB, Angie and the Marshall Family, Monica Corvalan, Todd Carr. Prayers for "shut-ins," (members and friends who are often not able to attend) are asked for Nancy Hall, Janet Henthorn, Mary Jane Showers, Elizabeth Kelly, Jane Strohmeier, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg. To add or subtract from this list, please contact the Church Office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org) with the names of the persons to be included on this list. If you email, please place "Prayer Request" in the subject line. Please also indicate whether the name of the prayer recipient is to be listed in the bulletin. Names remain on the list for about a month. Please let us know if people should be put back on the list. 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. |
| Laughter Fitness--at Transfiguration
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Coming Attractions
The online Grace Church Calendar lists most everything we know about that's happening at Grace Church. Here's a snapshot of about a week's worth of the online calendar as of today. If something's not listed, or if you see errors, please tell the office (office@gracecollegehill.org, 513-541-2415). |
Worship Service Schedule & Participants
Here is the worship schedule through the end of June 2013, as of today. We will complete the schedule of participants in the near future. Sunday Service Participants are needed in all volunteer positions. We will provide training as needed. We are a Common Ministry Parish - everyone is encouraged to serve. Contact Worship Team Leader Bill Jenne ( williamjenne1@aol.com). The up-to-date schedule is available on our website ( gracecollegehill.org). If you're scheduled and can't make it, find a substitute and let Ken Lyon ( webmaster@gracecollegehill.org, 513-542-2941) know so the schedule can be updated. Sunday, March 24, Palm/Passion Sunday: Eucharist II- Celebrants: The Right Rev. Kenneth Price, The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: TBA
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Judy Handy
- Prayers of the People: TBA
- Offering Counters: Carol Lyon, Wanda Miller
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
- 10am Sunday School: TBA
Thursday, March 28, 7:30 PM: Maundy Thursday- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
Friday, March 28, Noon to 3PM: Community Good Friday Service- Several Preachers, including:
Sunday, March 31: Easter Day, Eucharist II- Celebrants: The Revs. Bob Hufford and David Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mariah Mukasa
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: Ken Lyon
- Prayers of the People: Mary McLain
- Offering Counters: John Thayer, Bill Jenne
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
- 10am Sunday School: TBA
Sunday, April 7: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
Wednesday, April 10, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, April 14: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, April 21: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Sunday, April 28: Ante-CommunionSunday, May 5: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Wednesday, May 8, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, May 12: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, May 19: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
Sunday, May 26: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
Sunday, June 2: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
Sunday, June 9: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
Wednesday, June 12, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, June 16: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, June 23: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
Sunday, June 30: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
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