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The Second Sunday of Advent - December 8, 2013
Collect of the Day

 Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Readings

 

CLICK HERE to listen to sermons from previous weeks

CLICK HERE for Bible study resources.   

Prayer List  

Bob & Donna Weber, Yasso Herath, Peter Lubeck, Catherine Lubeck,  Teri Caserto, Shirley Federico, Joseph Caserto, Janet, Thomas Humeston,  Elaine MacPhee, Tankert Mahler, Marie Haynie, Pat Mapstone, Jack Seeman, Evelyn,  Zell Schwartzman, Irma Carchi, Courtney Hoenveld, Miranda Pinckert, Bernadette Polizzi, Adele, Susan Northcutt, Fran F, Clinton Taplin, Dominique Rhoklin, Ewan, Claire, Fred Teyan, Marie Stay, Marie Young, Janet Drury, Holly Bee, George Fee

 

The prayer list is refreshed monthly   please call the office to add a name, or to request that a name be carried forward.  There is a book in the narthex where -- before the service begins -- you may add names to be read during the Prayers of the People for the day. 

Reflection

Nelson Mandela  7/18/18 - 12/5/13
This Week  

Are you on the worship ministry schedule this weekend?  CLICK HERE
to find out.   

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

Special Convention to Elect a Suffragan Bishop

Cathedral of St. John the Divine

On Saturday LIVE UPDATES HERE and via Twitter at  #suffraganNY.

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

8:30am - 12:30pm"CYSM" Fundraising Breakfast - Memorial Hall

Proceeds to benefit 2014 senior youth group "Church Youth Service Mission" trip to Nicaragua

8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)

9:30am Holy Eucharist (Rite II, Youth choirs)

10:10am Church School Classes/Refreshments/Confirmation Class Informational Meeting 

10:10am Parish Forum: Alternative Gifts (Memorial Hall)

11:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite II w/choir)

followed by coffee hour in Memorial Hall

6:30pm  Senior Youth Group - Mission Trip Information Session & community service (Fenton Room)

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11

7:30 Advent Home Gathering

HERE to sign up and get directions

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)

9:30am Holy Eucharist (Rite II, Youth choirs)

10:10am Church School Classes/Refreshments

10:10am Parish Forum: Keeping Christ in Christmas (Memorial Hall)

11:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite II w/choir)

followed by coffee hour in Memorial Hall

1:00pm Gather for Caroling in Nyack (Choir Room) 

6:30pm  Senior Youth Group (Fenton Room)

PARISH FORUMS THIS SUNDAY 

Plan to grab your coffee and join us between the 9:30 and 11:00am services for these special presentations in Memorial Hall.

 

This Sunday, December 8 - Alternative Gift Giving

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping with some great gifts and ideas that help support good causes - the senior youth group will have a selection of fair trade items; the locally based organization  Maloto will offer hand made goods from Malawi, and there will be lots of information and resources for other "non-commercial" gift-giving from organizations like Episcopal Relief and Development and the Heifer Project. 

 

The senior youth group will also be in back in Memorial Hall throughout the morning (8:45am
-12:30pm) on December 8, serving a great breakfast with all the fixings for a suggested donation of $5/person.   Proceeds all go to benefit this year's Church Youth Service Mission Trip to Nicaragua

CONFIRMATION CLASS UPDATE & INFORMATIONAL MEETING 

Our confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, January 12 from 10:15-11:00am.

It's not too late to sign up - we'd love to hear from you!

If you're interested in learning more, there will be an informational meeting at 10:15am this Sunday, December 8, or you can contact the office and ask for the informational brochure. 


Announcements  

FIRST ADVENT HOME GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 at 7:30pm. 

Join us for fun, fellowship, and some quiet time with God and each other

What is an Advent Home Gathering?  A home Eucharist followed by a potluck supper and a whole lot of fun.  Take a break from the seasonal  "busyness" of your week and come join us.  CLICK HERE to sign up and get directions.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

Each year as we gather to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, our worship is enhanced by poinsettias, trees and greens.  Your generosity makes this possible.   Please join in the time-honored tradition of making a donation for our Christmas Flowers in memory of loved ones and/or in thanksgiving for God's blessings. 

Envelopes are available at church on Sunday and in the office during the week and should be returned by next Sunday, December 15 for inclusion in the Christmas bulletins.  
ADVENT  REFLECTIONS

In the entrance to the church you'll find a tray with a variety of Advent reflection and meditation materials.  Please take one for yourself, and perhaps another to bring to a friend or neighbor.  There's a basket available if you're able to make a small contribution to cover our costs.

We hope you'll find the readings to be a meaningful addition to your Advent preparations.  

SPREAD SOME HOLIDAY CHEER WITH CAROLING! 

Join members of the choir and friends in caroling in the heart of Nyack on Sunday, December 15 and Saturday, December 21.  Simply meet in the Choir Room at the church on either (or both) days at 1pm, get some caroling books and festive garb, and head over to sing in front of the Grace Church Thrift Shop on South Broadway.  We will carol from 1:30-2:30pm, hand out holiday treats, and spread Grace Church's Christmas spirit to all!  For more information, please contact Brandon Beachamp at 845.358.1297 x13.

Reminders  

GIVING TREE HAS ARRIVED

The Social Ministry Commission is again sponsoring a Christmas Giving Tree for families in programs at the Nyack Center this year. Look for the tree in the entry to the church, then take one of the remaining tags, do some shopping,  and return the tag with an unwrapped present by December 15  to help brighten the holidays for a local youngster.

PLEDGE 2014

Thank you to all of you who have already made a pledge for 2014.

If you haven't yet turned in your pledge card, please do so -  

we need your support. 

 
Haven't received your pledge packet?  Can't find it under that stack of papers on the desk?  It's always available on the pledge page of  our website, and at the back of the church. If you have questions, please be in touch with
Fr. Owen,  or pledge secretary Sally Ann Mock. 

Parishioner News 

Do you have news you'd like to share with the parish family?  This is the place for it. 
PHONE CARD THANK YOU 

Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to the New York Vets for prepaid calling cards to be sent to service members overseas.  Thanks to you,  about  $400.00 was collected.  The soldiers will be very happy to be able to call their loved ones over the holidays,  and it is a wonderful way to thank them for their service to our country. Thank you so much.  Candice Boyle-Bunton

Keep in Touch 

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Parting Thought 

 

Invictus

 

by William Ernest Henley

 

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul. 

 

 

 

Nelson Mandela has said that during his  twenty-seven years of imprisonment, he was empowered by this poem's affirmation of the "unconquerable soul," and often recited it to other prisoners. 

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

130 First Avenue.Nyack.New York.10960.845-358-1297

 

The Reverend Owen C. Thompson , Rector 

Brandon Beachamp, Interim Organist and Choirmaster 

www.gracechurchnyack.org