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 Fourth Sunday in Lent:

March 30, 2014

    

                 

Sunday's readings  here.


The Rev. Louise Kalemkerian
Interim Rector
Email Mother Louise:
[email protected]

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:

Tues-Fri: 1-5 pm
203-268-2809
Email: 
[email protected]
Light a Candle

Happenings-
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.
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.
Episcopal Crest Episcopal loga
If you wish to subscribe to the Episcopal Diocese of CT weekly eNewsletters, please click HERE.


Living Compass
Click HERE to read this week's wellness message from Living Compass





Dear friend,  
 
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth...   "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"   John 9:1-2

 

Does God cause illness, disability, tragedy? Was the man's blindness the result of something he or his parents did or didn't do? Does God inflict us with bad things? These are questions faithful folk have been struggling with for generations to try and understand the unexplainable, the tragic, the heartbreaks of life. Jesus answers the disciples' question by saying that the man's blindness is part of the brokenness of the world. God neither inflicts or afflicts us; God loves us. When we endure affliction of any sort, God suffers with us. Jesus' healing of the blind man is a sign that God wants healing and wholeness for each and every person.

 

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.


Moving Forward in Transition
A Prayer for our Grace Community

O Faithful God, As Your people, we cherish our memories and our history as a sacred inheritance. Guide us in this time of transition with Your wisdom and knowledge.

Strengthen our hearts to say goodbye to what is past and to face the future without fear. Open our hearts to know Your goodness in new ways. Bring us together as one people in Your Holy Spirit.

Help us to stay faithful to Your call, To stand up as a community of faith in this place, To pursue justice and peace for the poor and oppressed, To pray and care for the sick, the lonely and at risk, And by the power of the Holy Spirit to follow the Gospel call, "Be not afraid."


David McWilliams
As has been announced, David McWilliams', our Minster of Music, last day with us will be next Sunday, April 6th.  We want to wish Dave all the best as he continues his life's journey and thank him for enriching our worship with his music over the last two years.  Please join us next Sunday to say "good-bye and thanks" to Dave during the coffee hour which will be hosted by our choir.  

The Story - Chapter 23
- this Sunday, March 30th
 Grace Church has embarked on reading the story of the entire Bible together this year, from Genesis to Revelation.  We are doing this by reading through a book called "The Story," one chapter at a time.  The group will watch Randy Frasee's commentary and then have a discussion on the chapter. Please join us this Sunday during coffee hour! 
 
Youth News
Godly Play
- this Sunday, March 30th:
Godly Play will meet this Sunday, March 30th in the Godly Play area, immediately following the service. 

Stewardship
- Time and Talent, NO MONEY Fair  
 
Planning for a special event is in the works. Look for more details in The GLOW and on Sundays about the Stewardship Time and Talent, NO MONEY!, Fair to be held during coffee hour on a Sunday this spring (after the snow season is over!). As Lent is a time of giving of ourselves, it seems like an appropriate time to begin thinking about new opportunities for making a difference through service. Please look for announcements in church and start thinking about joining a team. Any time that you have to give will be valued. As we transition to part-time clergy, there is a need for greater involvement from every member of Grace. The teams include Property, Finance, Fellowship, Sunday Hospitality (Coffee Hour), Pastoral Care and Altar Guild, Welcome, Ushers, Christian Formation (Children/Godly Play and Adult), Music/Choir, Prayerline, Worship/Table Ministry/Acolytes, and others. The Stewardship Fair will feature a nice array of food and will be an enjoyable time of fellowship and sharing of information. 

The Center for Women and Families
The Center for Women and Families is in need of the following:
  • Donations of grocery gift cards, hygiene & toiletry items & cleaning supplies
  • Donations of money to fund housing for victims of domestic violence

Donations can be left in the Church library next to the office...


Craft Fair
-Saturday, April 12th
   Grace will be hosting a craft fair in the Parish Hall on April 12th. This can be a good fund-raising opportunity for us! There are two volunteers who will man a food table - all day! - if we can just provide the finger foods and baked goodies. 

Walk Against Hunger
-Sunday, April 27th, 1:00 PM, Seaside Park
Spring Is Here!  The CT FOOD BANK "Walk Against Hunger"
is right around the corner!

As one of the collective churches of the Episcopal Deanery of Greater Bridgeport, Grace Church, and our friends are continuing our ministry of outreach to feed the hungry and would appreciate your assistance. Our team is committed to raising funds that will help alleviate hunger in our local communities. Please consider supporting or joining our team with a donation, or by Walking Against Hunger with us. You can even become a virtual walker without actually being there!

The "Walk Against Hunger" Bridgeport Event will be on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at Seaside Park, Bridgeport. Registration starts at 1 p.m. and the WALK begins at 2 p.m.  

Joining our team (The Episcopal Deanery of Greater Bridgeport) in beautiful Seaside Park will help raise funds to provide fresh groceries, fresh produce and hot meals to hungry children, families, seniors and individuals.
For more information, including registering for the event, joining a team or for donations, click here.
If interested and want to car pool, please contact Mother Louise. 

Episcopal Church Women
  ...will hold their 133rd Annual Meeting on Thurs., May 1st.  they will highlight Bishop Michael Curry - a dynamic speaker - on the future of our church.  Where are we going?  And how?  Speak to Mother Louise if you would like to attend.

Greater Bridgeport Deanery Digest
-Connecting our Communities of Faith
If you would like to be up to speed on what is going on in our Greater Bridgeport Deanery, click on this link to sign up for the eNews publication:  Your Greater Bridgeport Deanery Digest

The "NOISY COLLECTION" is coming!
Coins  Save your pocket change through Lent and we'll collect it after Easter.

 


Used Clothing Shed
Maryann clothes bin

Certainly you've noticed the used clothing shed in our back parking lot.  Please spread the word about this new outreach project . Clothes donated into the shed are picked up by St. Pauly's, who distributes them all to people in need across the globe through their connection with larger agencies.  All of the usable clothing that gets donated makes its way to people in need, saving landfill space.  Items accepted include clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, linens, pillow cases, blankets, curtains and stuffed animals.  (Please do not put rags, fabric scraps, pillows, toys, household goods or electronics in the shed.)  Grace church receives 4 cents per pound on all items collected in exchange for hosting the shed. For further info on this project, there is information about St. Pauly's available in coffee hour, or click on this link: St. Pauly's.  


This Week's Announcements
Sunday, March 30th:

Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM

Godly Play - immediately following service  

The Story - Chapter 23 during coffee hour   

Following Week
Sunday, April 6th:

Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM

Special coffee hour for David McWilliams immediately following the service 

The Story - Chapter 24 during coffee hour  


Church Hall


Church Hall available for community functions



For additional information and Church Hall availability, click
.