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A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
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It's Easter! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Now we begin the second of the seven weeks of our celebration of Christ's resurrection--the Great Fifty Days of Easter. This Sunday is always the time we hear John's story of Jesus' appearance to his disciples on the Sunday after Easter when Thomas (who had been absent the previous week when Jesus appeared to the other discoples) refused to believe them unless he saw the Lord with his own eyes and touched the scars from his crucifixion. Our celebration of Christ's victory over sin and death has only begun. Week after week, we will explore more deeply our new life as the baptized people of God. Week after week, the Lord will reveal himself to us in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Flowers last Sunday were especially beautiful. You can see more pictures of them online in the Grace Church Photo Album. The flowers on the high altar last Sunday were given by John Thayer in loving memory of his parents, Helaine and John Thayer, and by Leah Wilson in loving memory of her parents Eunice and David Wilson. Flowers on the Peace Chapel altar were given ay Sam Spade to the Glory of God. Spring potted plants were given by Wanda Miller and Ken & Carol Lyon. Flowers this Sunday are those still in good shape from last Sunday. If you'd like to provide flowers on a Sunday, the suggested donation is $35 for one Sunday. You may donate flowers in memory of or to honor anyone you choose. You may sign up on the flower sheet by the Belmont door, or call the church office. Or you can donate on Grace Church's donation page. |
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Prayer Shawl Group Begins Meeting at Grace
 A group is forming at Grace Church to knit Prayer Shawls which will be given to provide comfort for people needing same. You can read more about what a Prayer Shawl Ministry is at shawlministry.com.
The group will meet the first Thursday of every month starting in May, from 7 to 9 pm in the parlor. We will knit together for that two hours as well as have a time of fellowship, sharing, learning knitting techniques or patterns from each other. Attendees will be encouraged to knit at home between meetings and bring whatever they complete to the meeting, so we can have the priests bless it the following Sunday for distribution.
We encourage those who can not or do not want to attend the meetings to knit at home and contribute prayer shawls as they are able.
Sam Spade has agreed to teach the basics necessary for knitting a prayer shawl to anyone who wants to attend but are not confident in their knitting skills. Anni has also agreed to help procure supplies but asks that people who accept this contribute toward the supplies.
If you have knitting supplies at home that you do not plan to use (needles, yarn, etc.), we will be grateful for any contributions for newcomers who might not have knitting supplies of their own.
Thanks to Rhonda Sharp for this article. |
| Intercessory Prayer--What Are We Praying For?
 How do we pray for our sisters and brothers when we offer intercessory prayers on her/his behalf? What are we praying for?
The bottom line for all prayer is that we pray in ways that are authentic to ourselves. Our personalities and dispositions often impact how each of us prays. So we pray for others however it is that the Holy Spirit leads and guides us to pray. That is what is most essential.
However, there are things to keep in mind when we pray for others. When I lead healing prayer workshops on healing prayer and teach healing team members to pray for others, my first admonition is to remember that it is God who heals. We are not the healers. Our job is to hold a brother or a sister in God's presence. We don't fix the problem or solve the prayer request. That part is God's work.
With this in mind, healing prayer becomes quite easy to do. We invite God to come and be with the person receiving intercessory prayer. We ask God to minister to that person in whatever ways she/he most needs God's presence at this time. We may imagine the person being surrounded with God's light, grace or love, and then filled to overflowing with God's healing, life-giving presence. Our inner attitude is one of trust that God will do more for the person who is receiving intercessory prayers than we could hope or imagine!
We do not need to know details about a person's needs or situation. As intercessors, we do not pray the problem. We pray that God will move in the person's life to restore that individual to wholeness, health, and harmony. In short, we pray for them to become more fully the person God created that sister or brother to be.
Thanks to Hawley Todd TSSF, Minister of Christ Healing and Executive Director of Episcopal Healing Ministries for this article.
Read more about Healing Prayer in "Healing Prayer--Frequently Asked Questions."
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Integrity Cincinnati Initial Meeting Set at Grace
 A new ministry addressing the needs of the gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender (GBLT) community is being introduced in the Cincinnati area. Integrity Cincinnati is planning its initial meeting on Friday, April 26, at 7 pm at Grace Church.
Integrity Cincinnati is a chapter of the national group Integrity USA, whose mission is inspire and equip individuals and congregations to proclaim and embody all-inclusive love for GBLT persons and those who love them. Although affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Integrity Cincinnati invites all people to embrace its vision for the Church to thrive as a beacon of love, justice, and compassion, where ALL PEOPLE are equally embraced and empowered. The April 26 meeting will begin with a service and Eucharist celebrated by the Rev. Tom Fehr. The service will be followed by a get-together in the Great Hall. All are invited to stay for this brief meeting, snacks, desserts, and door prizes. Integrity Cincinnati envisions itself as reinforcing dignity, rewarding diversity, and reaffirming equality. Other meetings are being planned throughout the year and will involve everything from a cook-out, a casual Eucharist, and social justice projects. Please plan on attending this event and help turn the ideals of Integrity Cincinnati into a reality. For information regarding the meeting, feel free to contact Brother Michael Childs at 513-868-8843. |
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). |
 Thanks to ...
... Thanks to office coordinator Rhonda Sharp for being the face of Grace Church to the people who phone or visit us. Her time in the office has given Rhonda many "opportunities" to field all sorts of questions and deal with all kinds of needs in Grace Church's behalf. Some calls, Rhonda deals with herself, others she refers to others. When you get a such a referral, then you, too, become part of Grace's face to the world.
... Thanks to Carol Lyon and Karla Vogt for their dedication to the Prayer Shawl Ministry. They have knitted several prayer shawls for us.
... Thanks to Don Wake for covering for Bob Jones while Bob has been ill.
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
Mission Council needs a clerk. The job of the clerk is basically to keep minutes of meetings of Mission Council. This could be a good job for someone who wants to get involved at Grace Church, but doesn't have a lot of time and/or knowledge of the congregation (yet). The job requires someone who can take minutes and put them in electronic form so they can be sent out to Mission Council members. The time requirement is a few hours a month. Mission Council meets on the third Monday of every month from 5pm to about 6:30pm. If you're interested, or know of someone who might be interested, contact David Mukasa at (513) 616-4320.
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Prayers and Thanksgivings
 Prayers of praise and thanksgiving are offered ... ... by Rhonda Sharp: Thank you all for your prayers for my niece as she spent the last five months going through a medical condition that should have been avoidable. She finally found a new doctor and received the treatment she should have received all along, and it looks like she will be fine now. Please continue to pray for her (she is on the prayer list) as she has some other family things going on, but at least this health worry is behind her. Prayers for healing are asked for Judy Handy, Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, Ken Lyon, Carl, Jackie, Robb Martin, Kim Martin, Melissa, Jordan and Brandie, Bill and Viola, Lee Hardy, Christine Hicks, Derek, Rhonda Sharp, The Partin Family, Mitchell, Bob , Jo Jo, Jared, Shirley L. Allen, Melissa, D.L., Merrilee Atkins, Carol Lyon, Maree White, Verene and Katrina, 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 , 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, 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, Amandita Sullivan, Horistine, Eugenia and Kenneth, Jeanne Mulholland, Helen, Pat Jones. 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. |
| Do Good. Eat Chocolate
Grace Church, you can win glory through Chocolate! The Episcopal Community Service Foundation's Chocolate Fest will be April 20 at St. Anne's in West Chester, and you could help win the first-ever ECSF Bishop Breidenthal Common Good Award! This award will go to the parish with the most points. Parishes win points for every prize won by a parishioner in the bake-off, plus two points for every silent auction item donated by a parishioner.
ECSF is the diocese's primary source of grants for community ministry, all funded by free-will giving. This year ECSF awarded $2,000 to Grace Church for the Free Community Dinner, as well as grants to other churches for IHN, CAIN, the Mt. Healthy Alliance Afterschool Program, and many other great ministries.
Here's how you can help:
- By entering the contest for best treat. With this year's new English Tea theme, savory as well as sweet recipes are eligible.
- By buying tickets at $15 each/$25 max per family. These entitle you to taste everything.
- Once you get there, by stuffing contestants' ballot box with People's Choice votes. Voting a zillion times for your favorite recipe is completely legal because each vote costs $1, and each dollar equips a pantry to provide four meals worth of groceries.
- By donating a silent auction item. Do you have any gift cards someone gave you for Christmas? These cause glorious bidding wars!
Check out our Silent Auction catalogue online at BiddingForGood.com/ECSFsouthernohio
You don't need to come to Chocolate Fest to bid! We have everything from a Kindle Paperwhite e-Reader to a fabulous gold dinner ring studded with 13 diamonds.
We're also raffling the fabulous Spirit of the Winds art quilt made just for ECSF in red, black, and white. Chances cost just $10, or 6 for $50.
Everything you need to enter the contest, buy Chocolate Fest tickets, or buy a raffle ticket is on ECSF's website, ECSFsouthernohio.org.
Remember Southern Ohio's holy maxim: Do Good. Eat Chocolate.
Ariel Miller, ECSF Executive Director, 513-221-0547
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Worship Service Schedule & Participants
Here is the worship schedule through the end of June as of today. 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. 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 Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Ken Lyon
- Healing Ministers: All
- Lector: John Thayer
- Prayers of the People: Maria Mukasa
- Offering Counters: Carol Lyon, Wanda Miller
- Usher: Phyllis Mukasa
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, April 21: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mariah Mukasa
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Wanda Miller
- Lector: Ken Lyon
- Prayers of the People: Judy Handy
- Offering Counters: Ken Lyon, John Thayer
- Usher: Don Wake
- Altar Guild: Jacqueline McCray
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, April 28: Ante-Communion- Officiant: Ken Lyon
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: John Thayer
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Lector: Maria Mukasa
- Prayers of the People: Phyllis Mukasa
- Offering Counters: Bill Jenne & Ruth Bertram
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, 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 Z. 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 Z. Howard
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