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A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
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Presiding Bishop's Advent Message: "It's a time to be still and listen."
 "Advent is a quieter time of the year in the Church's understanding," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says in her Advent Message 2013. "It's a time to be still and listen, listen deep within to what is growing, ready to emerge into new life." The Presiding Bishop's Advent Message 2013, videotaped in the Chapel of the Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, is available online here. Following is the text of Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori's Advent Message 2013. Advent is a time of waiting and for many people it's a time to reflect on what Mary must have experienced as she waited for the birth of this unusual child. You may never have been pregnant or lived with someone who was, but put yourself in her place for a while. Consider what it would have been like to have a new life growing within you. And reflect on what new is growing within you this season of Advent. What new concern is growing for the people around you? What new burden is on your heart for the woes of the world? What new possibility do you see emerging in the world around you, and how might you be part of that? Advent is a quieter time of the year in the Church's understanding. It's a time to be still and listen, listen deep within to what is growing, ready to emerge into new life. And as the season for the birth of the Christ Child arrives, I would encourage you to consider how you yourself will be present in the world in a new way this year. How will you give evidence of love incarnate to the world around you? I pray that you have a blessed and joyful and peace-filled Advent. God be with you.
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How You Know It's Advent at Grace Church
 It's subtle, we know, but note the color of the wreathes on our front door: They're purple, the color of Advent. When Christmas finally comes, they'll change to red. In the meantime, we will use the season of Advent to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas, and will wait until the twelve days of Christmas to put up our Christmas decorations, sing Christmas songs and have Christmas parties.
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Pre-Thanksgiving Community Dinner Draws a Full House
 We had a great time last Wednesday serving a sit-down dinner of home-made BBQ pork & chicken, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and dessert to a full house at the Pre-Thanksgiving Community Dinner. See more pictures here:
Organizer J White says, I would like to give thanks to these people for sharing their skills and talents with the Community of Grace at the Pre-Thanksgiving Community Dinner. - Pauline L.: The Dessert Lady
- Robbin C.: The Head Cook for Team Grace
- Anita J.: The Head Cook for Team Truth and Destiny
- Michelle H. and Carla O.: The Cooks for Team Life Renewal
- David M., Darryl S. and Roger P.: The Grill Masters
- Anthony C., Ken L., Joan M. and her sister and nephew: Most Gracious Servers
- Gloria Stewart: Welcomer
- Felicia H.: Coordinator of Truth and Destiny Trans-Saints
- Pastor Will and Chris C.: Music Makers
- Charles D.: Setup
- Roger P.: One-man calling committee
- And to all members of Grace Community that supported this event by giving supplies, financial help, offering prayers and words of encouragement.
May the Good Lord continue to smile with favor on each of you and this Community of Grace. Thank you all.
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"Coats for Parolees" a Big Success
Parolees come to Grace every month to help with buildings and grounds work as they put in their community service time. Last month, we noticed that many of them didn't have warm coats to wear, so a call went out for coats for our parolees. As a result of the generosity of Grace members and friends, on November 21 we were able to give warm winter coats and vests to the parolees that came to our church to do community service. We had collected seven winter coats and 11 fleece vests, and were able to distribute them to the ten parolees who were our guests that day. With the blessing of the parolee officer, three extra vests were taken by some of the parolees to be given to other residents of their home. The parolees were very grateful to receive these coats, and we were blessed to be able to help in doing the Lord's work in this way. Thank you to everyone who donated these coats and vests to the cause. Thanks to Roger Perna for organizing this effort and for submitting this article.
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Today at Our Cathedral: An Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols
Today, Sunday, December 1, provides a great opportunity to usher in the Advent season with an Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols at Christ Church Cathedral downtown at 5 pm.
 This beautiful service--very different in character from our Christmas Lessons and Carols--is a wonderful way to begin the season of waiting for Christ's birth. It is built around the seven Great "O" Antiphons that were traditionally sung at Vespers on the seven days prior to Christmas and eventually became the seven stanzas of the familiar Advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." During the service, music, Scripture readings, and prayers invite us to reflect on each of the antiphons. In addition to carols sung by the congregation, music sung by the choir will include: - Let My Prayer Come Up As the Incense - Peter Hallock
- O Sapientia - Robert Ramsey
- O Come, Divine Messiah - arr. Howard Helvey
- A Spotless Rose - Herbert Howells
- Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates - William Mathias
- O Thou, the Central Orb - Charles Wood
- Rorate coeli - Josef Rheinberger
- There Is No Rose - John Joubert
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Flowers for Christmas
Welcome the Christ child this Christmas with beautiful flowers on the altar and poinsettias around the baptismal font. If you would like to help donate flowers please sign the Christmas Flower Sheet by the Belmont door, or email Carol Lyon at spikelyon@gmail.com. Also, if you could sign as early as possible so we can get the best selection of flowers. You can donate a bouquet of flowers on the altar on any Sunday in honor of or in memory of anyone. The suggested donation is only $35. Virtually all the Sundays between new and December are available. Just sign on the flower sheet by the door or call the church office or email spikelyon@gmail.com or donate online at gracecollegehill.org
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Grace Christmas Cards Now Available
Christmas Cards are now available at Grace Church. We've made up packets of six different Grace Church scenes which people may want to send this year. The text inside reads "Grace to you at Christmas." The suggested donation is $5 for a packet of six cards and envelopes. Packets are available at the Snack 'n Chat following Sunday worship. Thanks to Wanda Miller for making this happen. |
 Selected Short Subjects
From the Cathedral eNewsletter: As the cathedral prepares to welcome two new priests, it says farewell to the Rev. Susan Lehman. Susan stepped into the role of pastoral care associate earlier this year to fill a void at the cathedral. She has served with compassion, competence and grace. While Susan will continue to serve as leader of the women's Bible study, her direct but loving manner will be missed by those whose lives she touched during her tenure as pastoral care associate.
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 Thanks to ...
... all those who contributed coats for the parolees. ... all those who continue to help the feeding and the fellowship at our free Community Dinners. Tell us when you know someone should be thanked for their contribution. Email egracenotes@gracecollegehill.org. Even though everyone who does something special may not be recognized 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 without all of us working together. |
Person Sought to Provide Child Care During Sunday Worship
We are seeking a person to provide child care during Sunday worship. If you know of someone with the skills  to care for a few infants and very young children, please contact J White (513-532-9362, mizwone@gmail.com). This will be a paid position. We realize that there may be Sundays when there are no children to care for, however we believe that it's very important that this service be provided for those parents who want it. |
Prayers and Thanksgivings
 Prayers for healing are asked for Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers and the Rogers Family, 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 Jones and Family, D.L., Merrilee Atkins, Maree White, Verene and Katrina, Anna Keefer, The Coal Miners and their families who are being laid off, Virginia Chapel, Our President and Our Country, Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Kathy Wills, East Price Hill and The Lauck Family, Don Wake, Patience and her family, Albertha Howard and DeConte Howard, Amandita Sullivan, Horistine, Eugenia and Kenneth, Jacque, Johnny, Lexi Woeste, Emily and Caleb, Earl and Ann, Drew Gibson, JB (Jo), John, Alan Weinrich's Family, All people touched by cancer, Peter Harten, Cathleen, Lisa, Sunny, Judy and Freddy, David and Carol Rossman, Marissa Aleaander, Skip, Jane Strohmeier, Phillis Dietz, The Thrower Family, Anthony, Pastor Rita and Deacon Cornell Bryant and Family, Vincent Leu, Naomi and Gwynne Gabbard, Jim, Steve, Cloma and Estil, John Thayer, David, Jessica Veach, Jay Garland and Family, Mike Webster, Nick Lisi, Callie, Hattie and Ann, Judy Handy, Cyndi Miller, Laura Hubrick (Phillis Dietz' daughter). Prayers are asked for members often not able to come to church: Elizabeth Kelly, Janet Henthorn, Mary Jane Showers, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg, Phillis Dietz. 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. |
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 service schedule as of today. 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 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) if you'd like to participate in any of these positions. The up-to-date schedule is available on our website ( gracecollegehill.org). Sunday, December 8: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Z. Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: John Thayer
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Wanda Miller
- Lector: Grace Staples
- Prayers of the People: Grace Staples
- Offering Counters: Roger Perna, Carol Lyon
- Usher: Don Wake
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, December 11, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Lead Drummers: Bob Laake, Rich Spirit
- Ministers of Healing: Hawley Todd TSSF, J White, Gwynne Gabbard, Amy Wehr,
Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Colleen Kerns, Fran Malone, Jackie Millay, Matt Peffly, Sherri Elmore, Tammy Robertson, Teri Dettone, Tina Todd, Laurie LeClaire
Sunday, December 15: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Ken Lyon
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Lector: Ken Lyon
- Litany of Healing: Ken Lyon
- Offering Counters: John Thayer, Ken Lyon
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- Handbells: John Thayer
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, December 22: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mathias Mukasa
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Grace Staples
- Lector: Maria Mukasa
- Prayers of the People: Mary McLain
- Offering Counters: Roger Perna, Carol Lyon
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Altar Guild: Jacquelyn McCray
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve, 7:30 pm: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Don Wake
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: John Thayer
- Lector: Tammy Robertson
- Prayers of the People: Maria Mukasa
- Offering Counters: Bill Jenne, Ruth Bertram
- Usher: David Mukasa
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon, Wanda Miller, Jacqueline McCray
Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day, 11am: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Ken Lyon
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: John Thayer
- Prayers of the People: Grace Staples
- Offering Counters: John Thayer, Ken Lyon
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
Sunday, December 29: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Z. Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: John Thayer
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Judy Handy
- Prayers of the People: John Thayer
- Offering Counters: Bill Jenne, Ruth Bertram
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
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