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Save the Dates
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Grace at Noon:
Monday through Friday,
12:00 pm
Make Advent Wreaths:
Sunday, December 1,
after church
Advent Evening Prayer:
Wednesdays,
December 4, 11, 18,
at 6:00 pm
Cookie Baking:
Thursday, December 19,
4:30-7:00,
at church
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Welcome to Advent--a time of quiet as we stay alert and wait for signs of God among us.
I invite you to give yourself to the quiet of the season--it is a counter to the messages in our culture. At Grace, there are daily opportunities for prayer (at noon) as well as Evening Prayer on the three Wednesday evenings at 6:00.
The vestry, as leaders in the parish, has made a conscious choice to slow down and look and listen for God, and to find the quiet when we are available to God who looks and listens for us.
If you know someone who may be in extra need of quiet or calm this season, or who may looking for a spiritual community, consider inviting them to Grace on a Sunday or weekday or Wednesday evening. Or bring them to make cookies with our neighbors on December 19 in the evening. Or welcome them to celebrate Christmas at Grace (Christmas Eve at 7:30, Christmas Day at 10:00). It will be a rich December at Fifth and Linden.
Advent Blessings on us all,
The Rev. Beth Reed
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Sunday, December 1, at Grace
| |  Eucharist, refreshments, wreath-making
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00, marking the change of season with Advent hymns and scriptures and one lit candle on our wreath.
We will hear these words from the prophet Isaiah: "[The LORD] shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
Can we imagine such a world?
Image: Vuchetich, Evgeniy Viktorovich, 1908-1974. Let Us Beat Our Swords into Plowshares, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54228 [retrieved November 26, 2013]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/3311538833/. |
Advent Invitations
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Prayer, wreaths, learning, greening
Opportunities for prayer: Each day at noon there is quiet prayer in the church followed by an optional brown-bag lunch. On the three Wednesday evenings, we will gather for Evening Prayer in the church at 6:00 in quiet candlelight (December 4, 11, 18).
There is an activity after church each of the four Sundays.
December 1: Make Advent wreaths--work with your household to make an Advent wreath to use at home. Materials (frames, greens, candles, decorations) will be provided--$10 per household. This was great fun last year! Take home your wreath and light it nightly as you pray some Advent prayers (using the take-home prayer card).
December 8: Video presentation from the Episcopal Church's National Forum Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism Today. "Why does racism persist?" will be discussed by: - The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
- Ms. Myrlie Evers-Williams, civil rights activist and journalist and widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers
- The Honorable William F. Winter, former governor of Mississippi and founder of the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation
December 15: Video presentation from the Episcopal Church's National Forum Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism Today. "Where is there hope for change?" will be discussed by: - The Hon. Byron Rushing, Massachusetts State Representative, civil rights leader and vice president of the Episcopal Church House of Deputies
- Dr. Randy Testa, author, vice president of education at Walden Media LLC
- Dr. Erma J. Vizenor, chairwoman of White Earth Band of Ojibwe, educator and community organizer
- Tim Wise, educator and author of White Like Me, Colorblind and Affirmative Action.
December 22: Green the church to get ready for our Christmas celebrations--deck the large wreath frame with greens, set up trees and string lights, fluff up ribbons, hang wreaths, and set out candles. Everyone is welcome and needed--kids, adults, old folks--there is something for everyone to do! This is a fun gathering as we work together, enjoy music, and create a beautiful space for Christmas visitors and ourselves. There are sign-up sheets in the gathering space to help with decorating needs: bringing greens, picking up plants, etc. Please check them and see where you can help! |
Cookie Baking
| |  Let's invite the neighbors!
On Thursday, December 19, from 4:30-7:00, folks from Grace and the neighborhood will bake Christmas cookies in the church kitchen. This will be a low-key and fun activity, led by Bev R.
Last year Bev brought Allentown students from her English as a Second Language classes--from as far away as Nepal! This is a way to show hospitality to and get to know new neighbors and old ones.
Sign up on the sheets in the hallway to bring ingredients and equipment if you can.
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Nurturing Grace in the City
| |  Here's a stewardship update
Many parishioners have turned in pledges of financial support in the last two weeks, and almost all of them reflect substantial increases. This is good news for the work of Grace in the city. People are showing with their checkbooks that they are investing in the parish's continued presence and work on this corner.
If you have not sent in a pledge, please do so as soon as possible. And please plan to complete your 2013 pledge in December.
If you are new to the parish or to pledging and need more information about supporting the parish financially, please talk with the priest or a vestry member.
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A New Episcopalian at Grace!
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 | John Paul M,
with the Rev. Beth Reed and Bishop Nick Knisely.
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John Paul M became Grace's newest Episcopalian last Friday night. Bishop Nick Knisely received him into our communion at a service held at Grace Church in Kingston, PA. The Brosses and Bob H joined the service as well.
John Paul, we welcome you with great joy!
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