Feast of the Presentation/Candlemas February 1, 2015
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Bob & Donna Weber, Mickey Federico, Yasso Herath, Peter Lubeck, Catherine Lubeck, Shirley Federico, Courtney Hoenveld, Janet, Thomas Humeston, Elaine MacPhee, Tankert Mahler, Marie Haynie, Jack Seeman, Evelyn, Miranda Pinckert, Adele, Clinton Taplin, Dominique Rhoklin, Fred Teyan, Marie Stay, Marie Young, Peggy McCann, Peggy, Madeline Schnalzer, Peter Zakrepine, Betty Mettler, Marvin Spruck, Jeannie, Lyn Casey, Kathryn Lehman, Lorraine,Rosemarie Buri, Louise Bohr, Carl, Meredith Gilmor, Sally Sarvent, Alexandra Mettler, Barbara DelPizzo, Sharon, Bernstein/Close Family, Dr. Roufa, Sophie Weber, Helen Scalici, Jeff Adams
Readings [We are using Track 2 of the indicated readings.]
Just what is this Candlemas anyway? Find out more HERE.
COLLECT OF DAY
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The leavening of yeast must have seemed to ancient men a profound mystery, and yet something on which they could always depend. Just so does the supernatural enter our natural life, working in the hiddenness, forcing the new life into every corner and making the dough expand.
If the dough were endowed with consciousness, it would not feel very comfortable while the yeast was working. Nor, as a rule, does our human nature feel very comfortable under the transforming action of God, steadily turning one kind of love into another kind of love--desire into charity, clutch into generosity, Eros into Agape.
Creation is change, and change is often painful and mysterious to us. Spiritual creation means a series of changes, which at last produce a Holiness, God's aim for us.
Are you on the worship ministry schedule for this weekend? CLICK HERE to find out.
Friday, January 30
4:00 AGC/Girl Scout Workshop (Memorial Hall)
Saturday, January 31
10:00am Contemplative Prayer Group - Bradley Chapel
10:30am Maple Street Financial Workshop Patterson Hall (see info below)
Sunday, February 1
9:00am to 12:30pm Senior Youth Group Fundraising Breakfast Memorial Hall
8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
9:30am Holy Eucharist (Family service)
10:10am Church School
Bible Study/Refreshments - Fenton Room/Memorial Hall
11:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
4:00pm - First at Four: Choral Evensong
Wednesday, February 4
6:00pm Healing & Wellness Service - Bradley Chapel
Thursday, February 5
12:00pm Brown Bag Bible Study - Patterson Hall
5:30pm Graceful Yoga - Memorial Hall
7:30pm Choir rehearsal
Saturday, February 7
10:00am Contemplative Prayer Group - Bradley Chapel
10:30am Maple Street Financial Workshop Patterson Hall (week 2)
Sunday, February 8-ANNUAL MEETING
8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
10:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
Followed by Annual Parish Meeting - Memorial Hall
This Sunday, February 1
SUNDAY IS "SOUPER" BOWL SUNDAY
It's not just the big game day, it's our annual day to collect cans and cash donations in a special drive for People to People, our local food bank. Members of the senior youth group are on hand at all services to collect your donations. Didn't bring a can? Your cash donation is welcome! The need is greater than ever -- help restock the shelves at People to People.
CYSM BREAKFAST 9:00 am-12:30 pm in Memorial Hall
Fresh breakfast made with the best ingredient of all, LOVE!
Funds raised help to cover cost of this year's Church Youth Service Mission trip to West Virginia.
Come and get your eat on!
FIRST AT FOUR - Choral Evensong at 4:00pm this Sunday, February 1
Announcements
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Services at 8:00am & 10:00am
Meeting follows the 10:00am service - CHILDCARE WILL BE AVAILABLE
Please make an effort to attend this important meeting, to hear State of the Parish reporting and participate in elections for vestry and other parish positions. Childcare will be available, and refreshments will be served.
The Fellowship Commission coordinates a wonderful spread for the meeting - please be in touch with Kris Burns if you can help with donations of fruit, juice, cheeses, bagel fixings....
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP CONTINUES SATURDAYS - JOIN ANY TIME
As the days begin to lengthen and we look ahead to spring, you are invited to attend a six-week contemplative prayer group sponsored by the Adult Spiritual Formation Commission (ASF) and led by Jan Valentine. On six Saturdays - January 10 - February 14 from 10:00am to noon - we will explore the theme of light through Advent and Epiphany using prayer forms that are designed to deepen your prayer life and offer an opportunity to find God in the stillness of contemplation in community. Jan is a member of Grace Church and the ASF. She is a graduate of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, has a contemplative spiritual guidance practice, and is a retreat leader, musician, and artist. For more details and to register, call Jan at 914-912-4303.
FINANCIAL WORKSHOP OFFERED
Five free spots being held for Grace Church parishioners Maple Street Financial is offering a two-part financial planning workshop here at Grace on Saturday, January 31 and February 7 from 10:30am-2:30pm. The sessions are designed to help middle class families design long-term financial plans based on their personal values and priorities, and to make sound financial choices to increase financial security. The presenter is holding five free spots for Grace Church parishioners. To find out more:info@maplestreet.com; 201-543-9467.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY - BE THE CHURCH
Looking for a great way to give back to the community? Sunday Supper is looking for some volunteers to join one of their existing teams to provide a sit-down, "home-cooked" meal to guests. Teams serve on a rotating basis and help to prepare and cover the cost of the meal. Meals are served at 5pm at Living Christ Church on Broadway in South Nyack. Anyone interested in getting more information should contact Tom Burns at
GRACE MUSIC PRESENTS: (UN) LUCKY IN LOVE A Cabaret Friday, February 13 at 7:30pm
Click on the image for details!
Lent Begins in February
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER - Tuesday, February 17
Indulge with us! The Grace Church Confirmation Class invites you to come celebrate with our parish family before the long season of Lent. Pancakes and syrup, bacon and coffee, orange juice and milk will be served up in Memorial Hall from 5:30-7:00pm on Tuesday, February 17.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES 8:00am, Noon, 7:30pm
THE 2015 GRACE LENTEN PROGRAM: The Cup of Life
Join us on three Wednesday evenings - February 25, March 4, March 11 from 6:00-7:45pm. Each evening Begins with a simple meal of soup and bread, followed by a program of prayer, meditation, reflection on short readings, & small group discussion led by members of the Adult Spiritual Formation Commission. Based on The Cup of Our Life by Joyce Rupp, Ave Maria Press, 1997 (purchase not required.) CLICK ON THE IMAGE AT LEFT FOR MORE.
To help us plan for meals, please register on clipboard in the foyer of the church, email us, or call 845-358-1297.
I know this happiness is provisional: the looming presences- great suffering, great fear-
withdraw only into peripheral vision: but ineluctable this shimmering of wind in the blue leaves: this flood of stillness widening the lake of sky: this need to dance, this need to kneel:
SUNDAY IS "SOUPER" BOWL SUNDAY 
