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Issue
244, December 15, 2013

A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.

Our Values
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Mark Your Calendar--Annual Meeting and Elections are Sunday, February 23.
 
The Annual Congregational Meeting is set for Sunday, February 23, 2014.  We will summarize the 2013 church year, and hold elections for 2014 parish leadership positions.

Positions to be voted on are as follows: Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Mission Council members, Diocese Convention delegates and alternates. We also are in need of someone to volunteer to be Mission Council clerk. This involves taking minutes at Mission Council meetings which are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5 PM.

The Nomination Committee members are Roger Perna, Wanda Miller, and Hawley Todd.  If you want to nominate someone or yourself to one of these positions, please tell one of the nomination committee members. If you need contact information for these people, contact the office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org).  
Community Dinner News:  Volunteers Come Through to Cook a Great Meal
 
Of last Wednesday's free Community Dinner, J White says, "When things seem insurmountable, the Good Lord sends in reinforcements.  Thanks to everyone for rallying to make sure that the Community Dinner happened." 

Ever since the free Community Dinners started at Grace over a year ago, Robbin Camp has been the chief cook for all the dinners--until last week.  On Wednesday, Robin called in sick. Also, our dessert lady, Pauline L., pulled her back shoveling snow and was unable to do dessert this week. This left J White scrambling for people to prepare food for dinner that evening. 

Happily, several people quickly rose to the occasion and made sure that the 65 people who came for dinner had a great meal of pasta salad, greens, vegetable beef soup, spaghetti, chicken rice casserole, cake and cookies. In addition to J, they were Joan Mallari, Anthony Canady, Roger Perna, Carol Lyon, Judy Handy, Carla Oden and Charles Davis.

J says, "May the Good Lord continue to smile with favor upon Grace!"


PS:  The Community Dinner WILL be served on Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day). 
Presiding Bishop's Christmas Message 2013

 

"May that royal inheritance and authority of the stable be born in you, enliven your heart, and rest on your shoulders."

 

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, in her Christmas Message 2013 prays: "May you discover that humble authority born again on the edges of the world's notice. May that royal inheritance and authority of the stable be born in you, enliven your heart, and rest on your shoulders."

 

The following is the full text of the Presiding Bishop's message:

 

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.    Isaiah 9:6

 

Isaiah pronounces these words to a people who remember the yoke of slavery laid on their shoulders.  They've been waiting for this child, whose birth transforms that yoke into a mantle of authority.  They are promised that this authority will continue to grow as the peaceable commonwealth is established - with justice and righteousness for all, and for ever.

 

This promise is spoken anew to people in every age, to those who have lived under oppression or in dark depression, to the hungry and ill and imprisoned.  The birth we celebrate offers hope, in Word made flesh, who comes among us to heal and walk this way with us.  The mantle of authority on his shoulders begins in the swaddling clothes of a child born in the humblest of circumstances.  Yet that authority is recognized even by foreigners from far away.  That mantle of authority does continue to grow, through a life offered for others, raised into new life, and passed on to new generations of fleshly God-bearers.  Wherever justice and righteousness is done, that authority is growing, borne on the shoulders of the Prince of Peace.

He comes again, bearing the grace of the One whose image he wears in flesh.  Seek him, sing his new song, declare his glory, and tell out the good news to all the nations:  God reigns, and he is coming bearing righteousness and truth on his shoulders.

 

May you discover that humble authority born again on the edges of the world's notice.  May that royal inheritance and authority of the stable be born in you, enliven your heart, and rest on your shoulders.  Bear it abroad in peace, this year and throughout the ages.

 

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church 

Altar Flowers     
 

The flowers on the altar this Sunday are given in loving memory of Cloma Partin in remembrance of her heavenly birthday--she went to be with Our Lord on December 8--by her daughter, Rhonda Sharp.  

 

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 

A Ceremony of Carols Presented at Our Cathedral

For four decades, the sopranos and altos of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir have presented Benjamin Britten's masterpiece, A Ceremony of Carols, considered one of the loveliest of the season. The text is gloriously medieval in spirit -- joyous, mysterious and deceptively simple. This year's performance, on Tuesday, December 17, at 12:10 p.m., will be in the nave and feature Elizabeth Motter on harp.
 
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.
 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, The Rogers Family, (Sarah and Joe Rogers - Patty's parents), 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), Madeena Nolan.

 

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. C
ontact 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 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
Absalom Jones From the Editor...

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Ken Lyon, Editor,
Sam Spade, Backup Editor
Grace Episcopal Church | Phone: 513-541-2415 | 5501 Hamilton Avenue at Belmont Avenue | College Hill (Cincinnati) | OH | 45224