The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector 
The Rev. Nancy Gage
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Musical Interlude
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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.
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Happenings-
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To see what's been going on in, and around, Grace, click on each of these links:
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We are the CEREAL church!
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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. |
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"The Glow" Archives:
To view previous issues of "The Glow", click here. |
  | | If you wish to subscribe to the Episcopal Diocese of CT weekly eNewsletters, please click HERE. |
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Click HERE to read this week's wellness message from Living Compass |
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| Dear friend,
"He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly."
-Luke 1:52
Mary is sometimes held up as the model of submission. When the angel comes and tells her she will bear Jesus, she responds, "I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be unto me according to thy word." Though she is an amazing example of living by God's will instead of her own, Mary seems to be much more of a revolutionary than a fading violet. She praises God for having turned the world upside down - for feeding the hungry and sending the rich away empty -- for toppling the powerful and lifting up the poor and lowly. It seems that Mary's "yes" to God is no simple act of submission, but one of empowerment - an acknowledgement that she, a poor, unmarried teenage girl, someone who would have no rights in her culture, had been given a key role to play in God's revolution. Have you ever felt powerless? Have you ever felt empowered by something bigger than yourself? In what ways does Mary's courageous "Yes" inspire you?
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. |
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Peace,
The Rev. Elsa Worth
Grace Episcopal Church |
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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.
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Coffeehouse
-this Saturday, December 22nd!
It's a Christmas theme at Coffeehouse this Saturday from 7-9 PM. Wear your Santa hats or jingle bells or elf shoes for a night of music and fun! Donations of individual waters or juice are welcome. Just drop them off in the kitchen anytime on Saturday. |
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Godly Play
- this Sunday, December 23rd.
Please meet by the Godly Play room right after the service to come and hear the story of Advent.
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Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
-this Sunday, December 23rd!
 Dress rehearsal for the multi-generational Christmas pageant will be this Sunday, December 23rd, following Godly Play and coffee hour. A light lunch will be provided first for the pageant cast, so we'll all be fed and ready to have fun at the rehearsal. |
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Christmas at Grace
- Christmas Eve: 5:00pm - Christmas Eve Family Service with pageant, communion and candlelight
- Christmas Day: 10:00 am - Come as you are Christmas Day Eucharist
- Sunday, December 30th: 9:30 am - Joint Service of Lessons and Carols at Christ Church
On Christmas Eve, join in on Grace Church's family friendly Christmas Eve celebration. The service begins at 5 pm and includes our intergenerational Christmas pageant, singing and candlelight. This service is especially suited for families and will include a very child friendly communion.
On Christmas morning, it's time to put the gifts of Christmas into perspective at a simple Christmas Day Eucharist at 10 am. This is a great way to center your Christmas day celebrations in the Spirit this year.
On the First Sunday of Christmas, December 30th, we'll join together at Christ Church in Tashua for a joint service of Christmas Lessons and Carols. The service will take place at Christ Church with Elsa celebrating along with our two deacons and lay readers from both parishes. We'll hear familiar readings, sing some favorite carols and share bread together with our neighbors. There will be no service held that morning here at 5958 Main Street. |
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New Pledge Envelopes
If you recently made a financial pledge to Grace Church for 2013, your new box of collection envelopes are waiting for you in the Narthex. If you have not yet made a pledge but would like to support the church financially in the coming year, that's great! We could use your help no matter how small or large your contribution. Please speak with either Jonathan or Elsa.
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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This Week's Announcements
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Sunday, December 23rd:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Godly Play - immediately following service
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal - immediately following coffee hour
Monday, December 24th:
Christmas Eve Family service - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, December 25th:
Christmas Day Eucharist - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, December 26th:
Guided meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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Sunday, December 30th:
Festival of Lessons and Carols at Christ Church, Tashua - 9:30 AM
Wednesday, January 2nd:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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