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Second Sunday of Advent
December 9th, 2012

                    Sunday's readings here.
Elsa 20120325
The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector
Email Elsa:
 [email protected]

Click HERE to read Elsa's blog 

Nancy 20120325
The Rev. Nancy Gage
Deacon
Email Nancy:
[email protected]

 Dave 2
David McWilliams

Minister of Music
Email Dave: [email protected] 
 

Grace Church Office Hours:

Mon-Fri: 1-5 pm
203-268-2809
Email: 
[email protected]
Musical Interlude
If you would like to have music when reading The Glow (or for whatever else you might be doing!), just click on the keyboard image to listen (or download) music performed by Dave during our services.
Happenings-
We are the CEREAL church!
Cereal
For a long time, Grace
Church has been delivering canned goods and other food donations down to the St. Luke's/St. Paul's Food Pantry in Bridgeport. They urgently need donations of all kinds of groceries, but one of the items that they seem to run out of and need a lot of is cereal.

If all of us could remember to pick up a box of cereal (or two or more!)  each time we shop, we'll be able to make a wonderful and much needed contribution for the food pantry each week.  There is a collection basket at the main entrance of the church, and also one in lower Lewis Hall.
"The Glow" Archives:
To view previous issues of "The Glow", click here.
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Living Compass
Click HERE to read this week's wellness message from Living Compass





Dear friend,  
Apostle Paul

   

"And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more."

-Philipians 1:9

 

When Paul wrote his letter to the Philipians, he was in prison, awaiting a possible death sentence. Paul was not fainting with fear, however. Instead he was conducting his ministry with his usual confidence and vigor, sharing his encouragement with colleagues in various churches through letters. He starts the letter to the church in Philipi as he does all his letters, with the words, "I thank God in my prayers for you." Even in the valley of the shadow of death, Paul lived in gratitude and love and hope and faith. He prays that the Philipians feel love overflowing from their hearts more and more, as he does. Life is certainly not black and white - either all good or all bad. Have you ever felt a pang of grief during happy times? Have you ever felt strong positive feelings of love or gratitude even while going through a tough time?  


Here at Grace Church we are dancing with life's big questions. If you're searching for a community of faith to belong to, we invite you to come to explore, come to connect and come to believe among us here at Grace Church. We'd enjoy both your company and your participation as we follow in the way of Jesus and learn and grow in discipleship together.
Peace,
 
Elsa Signature

The Rev. Elsa Worth
Grace Episcopal Church

Doing Christmas Differently

During Advent at Grace Church, we will be helping each other remember that we are enough - and that we don't need to be anything other than who we are - or have any more stuff than we already have - to matter to God and to be able to make a difference in the world.

 

We know that even here in affluent Fairfield County, there are people all around us in real need - and they could really use some help - far more than most of us need another gizmo or gadget this Christmas.  So we hope that as a parish, we can re-think our holiday giving and truly give from our hearts both to those we love and those who need our help.

 

We have put together lovely gift letters that you can have in exchange for financial donations to either the Center for Women and Families or the St. Luke's/St. Paul's Food Pantry.  You can give these letters to your loved ones, letting them know that you've made a gift in their honor to bring more peace and goodwill to all this Christmas.

Sample letters can be viewed in the Church Hall during coffee hour, following the service.  If you have additional questions, please contact the church office. 

Advent Night Prayers - New Day and Time
Candles1 

A New Day and Time for Night Prayers during Advent:

A candlelit half hour of quiet prayer and meditation each week in preparation for the arrival of Christmas - on the next 2 Mondays in Advent: Dec. 10 and 17 at 7:00 PM.


Advent Pot Luck Supper
                      -this Friday, December 7th, 6:30 PM
Dinner
Come and join friends from both Grace Church and Christ Church as we get together for a good old-fashioned church supper.  No sign ups - just bring your favorite dish to share.  It'll be true "pot luck" and we'll trust that, as with the loaves and fishes, we'll enjoy a great meal and good fellowship with our church friends. Elsa has agreed to lead us in Christmas caroling! The ping pong table will be out for the kids and all ages are welcome.  Come join the fun this Friday, December 7th at 6:30.  

Kelly's Ordination
                              -next  Friday,  December 14th
Kelly Moughty

There will be a card downstairs in coffee hour for Kelly's ordination which takes place next Friday in Maine. All are welcome to sign and send their love and congratulations. If you'd like to send a card of your own, you can send it to:

 

The Rev. Kelly Moughty

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

885 Shore Road

Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107


Ancestors Christmas Party
                          - next Sunday, December 16th!

Ancestors will meet from noon-2:30 next Sunday, Dec 16 at Grace Church. In addition to hearing the story of Racy Rahab, we'll also have a Christmas party together. We'll make fun snacks together and have a Yankee Swap. Please bring a wrapped gift for the swap and be ready for some fun!


Be One of Santa's Helpers
                           -next Sunday, December 16th
Santa's Helpers

This week, please remember to collect toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc (they can be hotel sized or large) and bring them with you to church on Dec 16. During coffee hour we'll be bagging these items up festively to share with folks at the food pantry, who often go without these basic necessities due to their cost. Along with the other Episcopal Churches in Trumbull, we'll make a donation of these much needed items as stocking gifts for people who will really appreciate them! Bags and ribbons will be provided - just bring as many toiletries as you can to donate to Santa's Workshop!


Teddy Bears - A Mission of Comfort
After Hurricane Katrina, Camp Washington collected over 1000 teddy bears from parishes across CT, which they sent to Gulf Coast children who'd lost their homes.  Now they hope to do the same for children in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut who recently lost their homes during Hurricane Sandy.  Interested in helping out?  We can either gather bear donations in the office and then find a volunteer to get them up to Camp Washington before Dec 22, or individuals can mail their own bears to Camp Washington at 190 Kenyon Road, Lakeside CT, 06758.  Speak to Elsa if you'd like to coordinate the Teddy Bear effort for Grace Church.

Christmas Flowers/Decorations Memorials
If you wish to donate to providing Christmas flowers/decorations and/or memorials, please do so no later than Monday, December 17th.  Donation envelopes and memorial slips are available in the rear of the church and may be submitted in the Sunday collection plate, or returned to the church office.

 Coffee Hour at Grace - It's Your Turn...

Here at Grace, Coffee Hour is shared by the entire congregation.  We go through the directory alphabetically, and everyone gets a turn to be a coffee hour helper.  Helpers bring a tray or two of food to share, and if possible, stay afterward to help clean up.  Maryann e-mails or calls people as their turn is approaching and asks them to call back to confirm. 

               

Please respond when Maryann reaches out to you.  Let's all take turns in supporting a ministry we all enjoy and which gives such a warm welcome to newcomers.  If the week she calls is not good for you, don't worry - you'll get another chance!  Those who simply cannot participate at all are asked to let the office know and we will not ask you anymore.  Meanwhile, thanks go to our coffee hour hosts, Fiona Varker, Tom Stone, Charlie Schwartz, Gene Sanislo, Nancy and Loren Dennert, Pam Healy, Gail Smith, Nick & Kitty Karayeanes, June Redman, Gloria Barrett, Ron & Donna Voges, and (new hosts!) John & Kim Chamberlain and Doug & Erika Eng, who repeatedly donate food and make sure there's coffee hot and ready each week.


CWF Donation CWF Donation On Monday, December 1st, Elsa and Ron presented a $1400 check to Deb Greenwood, Executive Director of the Center for Women and Families (CWF) - this represented the proceeds from our Broadway on Main Street Fundraiser!

Pledges - an end of year reminder
Remember, in order to keep our finances running smoothly and also to receive a tax deduction, please make sure we receive that balance of your 2012 pledge by the end of this calendar year.  If you have any questions about how much is still outstanding on your pledge, contact our treasurer, Chris Lockwood.
Annual Meeting Scheduled for February 3, 2013
Those active in ministry  of any kind at or through Grace Church are encouraged to write something about their ministry's activity in 2012 to include in the annual report.  It could be ministry that happens at Grace Church or ministry you do out in the world.  We'd like to hear from you about how God is working through your life and our church!
Did You Know...
that this eNews is printed out each week and copies are left in the welcome centers at church, both upstairs and downstairs?  If you know someone who does not have email and would like to see the eNews, please let them know they can pick up a hard copy.

                    This Week's Announcements

Sunday, December 9th:

Eucharist service - 9:30 AM

 

Monday, December 10th:

Night Prayers - 7:00 PM   

 

Wednesday, December 12th:  

Guided meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM

 
Upcoming Events

Sunday, December 16th:

Eucharist service - 9:30 AM

Ancestors Christmas Party at Grace - noon-2:30 PM  

 
Monday, December 17th:
Night Prayers - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, December 19th:                      

Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM

Church Hall


Church Hall available for community functions



For additional information and Church Hall availability, click
.