News from Grace Episcopal Church

August 12, 2015

From the Rector

Shawn Schreiner

Gifts of God for the People of God

Have you wondered around the Parish Hall recently? Have you seen the new tiles that are being put in the hallway or the new chair that was made out of the wood from an old organ?

All of these items are happening out of the love that several people have for Grace Church. Cliff Hunt is busy making chairs (they are for sale) and Lil Hohmann, Geof Roupas and Bill Ford are busy recreating our space that leads from the Parish Hall to the church.

Offering our gifts to God can come in so many forms. The people mentioned above are just a few of the people that offer their lives and labor to Grace and God.

Where might your gifts fit into your life? How do you use them? Are you looking for a way to give to Grace Church and just do not quite know what to do? Contact me and I will be glad to hear your story and help you discern where God might be leading you. Keep your eyes and ears posted for some new ways coming to you soon.

Peace,

Shawn

P.S. Here are some other wonderful gifts that are being offered to the glory of God.

Easter Vigil

Black History Month Reflections

"If anyone is interested in receiving a copy of the Black HIstory Month box submissions and a distillation of their themes, which were the subject of our coffee-hour discussion last week, please contact me. For an email attachment version, send a request to Steve Kvaal. For a hard copy, see me either before or after the 10:30 service."

Thanks.
Steve (skvaal@sbcglobal.net)

Concerts@6:26

Grace Episcopal Church is sponsoring the Eighth Season of Concerts@6:26 throughout the summer. Each Thursday through August 20, we will sing Evensong beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed at precisely 6:26 p.m. with a thirty-minute recital to be offered in the Gothic-Revival splendor of Grace Episcopal Church. There will be a freewill offering, half of which goes to our outreach programs. Click here for more information, including the full program.

Children and Youth Formation Volunteers

Have you considered working with our children or youth formation this year? Grace is in need of committed adults to invest in the lives of our children and youth through our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Journey to Adulthood programs. We are especially looking for adults to work with 12 - 16 year olds in Journey to Adulthood, including journeying with them on pilgrimage next year. This could be an enriching experience even for those who may not think of themselves as the "youth leader" type! Please contact Kendall (kendall@graceoakpark.org) to have a conversation about these opportunities.

Come to a Grace Family Night on Sunday, August 9th at 5:30 at Scoville Park to hear the funk music of the Lowdown Brass Band. Bring a picnic and get to know other families from Grace. Don't miss the last Scoville Park concert of the summer! Contact Kendall for more information.

Amazon.com Shoppers

Support Grace while you shop!

If you shop at Amazon, please use the link below to access Amazon.com. Grace will then get a percentage of any purchases made. It's a painless way to help Grace and costs you nothing. FYI, we never see who buys what.

Grace's Amazon Affiliate Link

Participants in This Sunday's 10:30 Service

Participants in August 9th 10:30am Service:

MC/LEMS: Mark Woodworth; Natalie Ratz, Tony Dobrowolski, Barbara Larsen, Sam Love, Charlie MacDougall

LECTORS: Lil Hohmann, John Seaton

INTERCESSORS: Jacob Lessing, Ade Onayemi

ALTAR GUILD: Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta

BREAD BAKER: Doug Lucé

USHERS: Paul Gervais, Jane Shirley, Paul O'Kelly, Cathy O'Kelly

GREETERS: Flora Green, Sarah Hunt, DeLacy Sarantos

The full master calendar is at this link.

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Grace Episcopal Church
924 Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
708-386-8036
www.GraceOakPark.org

Our Mission:

Grace Church seeks to bring God's love and Christ's teaching to all people, to become a passionately involved, intentional Christian community, to support the spiritual journey of each person, and to work toward reconciliation, peace, and justice in our world.

Our Core Values:

-Reach out to support our neighbors locally and worldwide as we seek to obey God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

-Encourage and support spiritual growth in all people while respecting that each person is at a different point in his or her spiritual journey.

-Work to be ever more present to and caring for each member of the Grace community and to be fully welcoming to all who enter Grace's doors.