Back to School Blessings: Adults and Kids All on a Journey

Many of our children and adults have headed back into the classrooms of the schools across the world. They go with the hopes to learn, grow, make new friends, offer wisdom to one another, and so much more. Many of you have headed to college. Saying goodbyes to homes and times and places.

A few weeks ago we blessed some of our High School graduates and we wished them well on their journeys. Our role with supporting them continues for the rest of their lives.

We prayed for the families as they mark this stage in their lives.

This Sunday we will bless backpacks, briefcases, books, pencils - whatever you want to bring. Teachers, administrators, bus drivers, and students will all be blessed. BRING A FRIEND!

The following prayer by Wendy Berrie will be adapted for our use:

God of Wisdom, we give you thanks for schools and classrooms and for the teachers and students who fill them each day. We thank you for this new beginning, for new books and new ideas. We thank you for sharpened pencils, pointy crayons, and crisp blank pages waiting to be filled. We thank you for the gift of making mistakes and trying again. Help us to remember that asking the right questions is often as important as giving the right answers. Today we give you thanks for these your children, and we ask you to bless them with curiosity, understanding and respect. May their backpacks be a sign to them that they have everything they need to learn and grow this year in school and in Sunday School. May they be guided by your love. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, who as a child in the temple showed his longing to learn about you, and as an adult taught by story and example your great love for us. Amen. 

Our seventh season of Concerts @ 6:26 concluded on August 21st with a smashing recital by parish member Sally Kidwell. Seventeen performers played eleven recitals. 138 souls attended Evensong throughout the summer, 674 people attended the concerts and in addition to the $7,200.00 that was raised for our pipe organ repair, half of $902.00 collected as donations will go to outreach ministries supported by Grace Church. A profound thank you to all who performed, all who donated and all who attended. This has become a great tradition in Summertime Oak Park! We conclude with a note from frequent concert attendee Janet Tramelli who, in a recent letter stated:

"It was a great season of Concerts at 626 this summer! I think it was even better this year than ever. The performers were all fantastic. It is always an inspiration to experience the professionalism and enthusiasm of all of the young performers there. I really love this concert series. You are right that it's too bad more people don't attend. They are missing some great performances, wonderful music, and really inspirational performers. I am already looking forward to the next concert season in the summer of 2015. Thank you for making it all possible!  -Janet"

And a lovely time was had by all! Thank you!

-Dennis Northway
Parish Musician 

The group will meet on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30PM at the home of Bets Howland and Dennis Zavac. More information is on our website at this link.

If you need a copy of the book, please consider buying it by using the link below and Grace will receive a portion of the purchase price:

Exploring Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion

by John Polkinghorne by Yale University Press

Paperback

List Price: $18.00

Our Price: $8.90

Buy Now

September 7th 10:30am Service:
MC/LEMS: Mark Woodworth; Barbara Larsen, Sam Love, Charlie MacDougall, Karen-Jo Mensch, James Redden
LECTORS: Linda Coberly, Cliff Hunt
INTERCESSORS: Ade Onayemi, Marilyn Wardle
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Barbara Larsen
USHERS: James Redden, Flemming Bovell, Linda Reynes, Jim Groll
GREETERS: Stephanie Bailey, Heather Bovell, Paul & Cathy O'Kelly
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Cyndy Reynolds, beverages
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Cyndy Reynolds, beverages; Cathy Tokarski & Bill Ford, treats

September 14th 10:30am Service:
MC/LEMS: Cyndy Reynolds; Natalie Ratz, Natalia Reniszewski, Bob Vogler, Sue Wells, Lascelles Anderson
LECTORS: John Seaton, Willie Polite
INTERCESSORS: Lascelles Anderson, TBA
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Barbara Larsen
USHERS: Adrienne Gervais, Jane Shirley, Paul O'Kelly, Cathy O'Kelly
GREETERS: Flora Green, Sarah Hunt, DeLacy Sarantos
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Donna Anderson, beverages; Stephanie Bailey, treats
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Donna Anderson, beverages