The Rev. Nancy Gage
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Happenings- |
To see what's been going on in, and around, Grace, click on each of these links:
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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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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,
"Unbind him and let him go"
John 11:44
These are the instructions of Jesus to Lazarus' friends and family, after he came out of the tomb. That he be freed from the burial wrappings, symbols of death that were constraining him. What binds us? What are the things in our lives that hold us back, that prevent us from living into the fullness of ourselves, into the fullness of all God has called us to be? Sin? Illness? Poor self-image? We each have areas of our lives that need to be unbound, released, forgiven. Jesus has the power to bring Lazarus back to life, and offers us that same gift of healing and wholeness. 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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Moving Forward in Transition
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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."
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David McWilliams
As has been announced, David McWilliams', our Minster of Music, last day with us will be this 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 this Sunday to say "good-bye and thanks" to Dave during the coffee hour which will be hosted by our choir.
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Vestry Meeting
-Tuesday evening, April 8th
The monthly vestry meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday, April 8th at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. All members are welcome to attend and participate.
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Easter Flowers
 If you wish to donate for Easter flowers, envelopes are available in the narthex. Deadline is Palm Sunday, April 13th.
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Services for Holy Week
-Palm Sunday, April 13th - 9:30 AM: 
Liturgy of the Palms, and Holy Eucharist with reading
Of the Passion Gospel
-Maundy Thursday, April 17th - 7:30 PM
Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing and Stripping
of the Altar
-Good Friday, April 18th - 7:30 PM
Good Friday Liturgy with Reading of the Passion from John, and Communion from Reserved Sacrament
-Easter Sunday, April 20th - 9:30 AMFestive Holy Eucharist
All are invited to share in the week of Our Lord's Passion and in the joy of his Resurrection!
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Craft Fair
-Saturday, April 12th
-baked goods needed!
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 you are able to provide baked goods for this craft fair, please see the signup sheet in the narthex, or call the church office.
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Stewardship
- Time and Talent, NO MONEY Fair
-next Sunday, Palm Sunday!
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 next Sunday, Palm Sunday. 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.
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Godly Play
- next Sunday, April 13th:
Godly Play will meet next Sunday, April 13th in the Godly Play area, immediately following the service.
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The Story - Chapter 24
- this Sunday, April 6th
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! |
 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. |
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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. |
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The "NOISY COLLECTION" is coming!
 Save your pocket change through Lent and we'll collect it after Easter. The money collected will be given to the Bishop's Fund for Children. |
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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...
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Used Clothing Shed
 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. |
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This Week's Announcements
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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
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Palm Sunday, April 13th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
Godly Play - immediately following service
Time and Talent Job Fair - during coffee hour
The Story - Chapter 25 during coffee hour
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