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, Madeline Schnalzer, Peter Zakrepine, Betty Mettler, Marvin Spruck, Jeannie, Lyn Casey, Rosemarie Buri, Louise Bohr, Carl, Meredith Gilmor, Sally Sarvent, Alexandra Mettler, Barbara DelPizzo, Dr. Roufa, Helen Scalici, Rosemary Owen, Kathleen Hoenveld, Betty Wolfe, Tom LaColla, Marisol, Cathy Rae, Joanne Carter, Luke Oullen
Readings [We are using Track 2 of the indicated readings.]
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Reflection
It seemed fitting to arrange the book around the sacraments because it was the sacraments that drew me back to church after I'd given up on it. When my faith had become little more than an abstraction, a set of propositions to be affirmed or denied, the tangible, tactile nature of the sacraments invited me to touch, smell, taste, hear, and see God in the stuff of everyday life again. They got God out of my head and into my hands. They reminded me that Christianity isn't meant to simply be believed; it's meant to be lived, shared, eaten, spoken, and enacted in the presence of other people. They reminded me that, try as I may, I can't be a Christian on my own. I need a community. I need the church.
Are you on the worship ministry schedule for this weekend? Check here.
SATURDAY, May 16
8-10:00am only - drop off for CYSM Yard Sale (Rectory Porch via Jefferson Street)
11:00am Beachamp/Reisinger wedding
SUNDAY, May 17
10:00am - 4:00pm "CYSM" Yard Sale to benefit summer mission trip
8:00am/9:30am/11:00am (baptism) Holy Eucharist
10:10am Church School/Bible Study/Refreshments
12:30pm SCOF meeting
1:00pm Grace Drum Circle (Bradley Chapel)
TUESDAY, May 19
7:00pm Vestry (Patterson Hall)
WEDNESDAY, May 20
6:00pm Healing & Wellness service (Bradley Chapel)
THURSDAY, May 21
12:00pm Brown Bag & A Bible (Patterson Hall)
7:30pm Choir
SUNDAY, May 24
8:00am/9:30am/11:00am - Holy Eucharist
Church School is on hiatus
Announcements & Reminders
"CYSM" YARD SALE -- WE NEED YOUR "STUFF"
Spring Cleaning? The Senior Youth Group Rummage Sale to benefit the Church Youth Service Mission (CYSM) trip can use all those odds and ends taking up space at home! Items for sale may be dropped off to the Rectory porch (using the Jefferson Street entrance) on Saturday, May 16 between 8 & 10:00am only, or on the morning of the sale. If you would like assistance or need more information, please contact Moriah Olsen (moriahso@yahoo.com). Please, no computers, printers, or monitors.
On Sunday the 17th, come prepared to browse the eclectic array of items available - you'll have a chance to meet some of the great young people heading off to West Virginia on the service trip this summer, and you're sure to find some fabulous bargains as well.
A HUGE THANK YOU
To everyone who contributed time, talent, and energy to make our plant and flower sale a success. Especially Sally Seiler, Paula and Howard Spruck, Beth Paskowski, Suzanne Graham, Linda Chisholm, Vicki Hertz, Heidi Hill, and of course Garden Committee members Suzie DeVoe and Jennifer Hausler who worked tirelessly to make the sale a success. We netted over $800 for the Garden Fund! Sondra Holt
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BENCH DEDICATION CEREMONY
Monday, May 18
2:30pm Program at Nyack Center, 4:15 Dedication at Memorial Park
The commemorative bench honors former Nyack resident Cynthia Hesdra (1808-1879), ex-slave, entrepreneur, and abolitionist. It is part of the Toni Morrison Society's Bench by the Road project - to learn more, go to tonimorrisonsociety.org.
Amazing Grace CIRCUS! Summer Day Camp at Grace
June 29 - August 7 A New Session Every 2 Weeks!
9:00am to 4:00pm All Levels - Ages 5-18
It's another great summer for the Amazing Grace Circus Camp here at Grace, teaching all circus skills: Acrobatics, Aerial, Clown. New this summer: private lessons are available after camp each day AND don't miss the fabulous Showcase of Talents at the end of each session. Visit amazinggracecircus.org for registration forms, or call 845-348-8740 for more information and details.
CLIFFHANGER TALES OF LOVE, LUST, COMEDY, AND DREAMS Only a few tickets left!
Scheherezade spun enchanting tales to save her life and you still can listen and be spellbound...IF you reserve your seats ASAP. There are two tickets left for the performance of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival's "The Arabian Nights" on Sunday, June 28 at 7:30pm. Picnicking (optional but great fun) begins at 5:30pm on the scenic lawn at historic Boscobel, weather permitting. And, yes, the performance does go on, rain or shine, under the tent. Contact Barbara Cross during coffee hour, call her @845- 358-4599 or send an e-mail to babcross@aol.com. Then write a check ($38.00 per ticket) to Grace Episcopal Church (Shakespeare on memo line), hand it in or mail to the church office @ 130 First Ave., Nyack, NY 10960. For those who have ordered tickets already, please send in your payments as well. Our Fellowship Commission has organized this for seventeen summers so you know it must be worth the trip!
CALL HOME
Parishioner Candice Boyle is spearheading an effort to provide those serving in the military with calling cards to help them stay in touch with family when they are deployed overseas. The cards are purchased at a discount from West Point, and then sent directly to troops overseas. If you'd like to help, write a check or money or to New York Veterans, and send it to Soldiers Call Home, c/o Rivertown Magazine, 5 Edge Water Lane, Haverstraw, NY 19827. Cards may also be purchased by calling 800-527-2345 or going to aafes.org or att.com/military and clicking on "Help our troops call home." 100% of your gift is tax deductible.
Parting Thought
For Marriage, by John O'Donohue
As spring unfold the dream of the earth, May you bring each other's hearts to birth.
As the ocean finds calm in the view of land May you love the gaze of each other's mind.
As the wind arises free and wild, May nothing negative control your lives.
As kindly as the moonlight might search the dark, So gentle may you be when light grows scarce.
As surprised as the silence that music opens, May your words for each other be touched with reverence.
As warmly as the air draws in the light, May you welcome each other's every gift.
As elegant as dreams absorbing the night, May sleep find you clear of anger and hurt.
And as twilight harvests the day's colors, May love bring you home to each other.
