Summer Service Schedule starts this weekend - services at 8 & 10AM
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, 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, The Rev. John Meyer, May, Barbara All of our Church Youth Service Mission ("CYSM") trip participants, departing for West Virginia on June 28:
Carlo Hausler, Evelyn Hausler, Olivia Olsen, Emma Paskowski, Dominique Rock, Austin Cavazzi, Heather Graham, Jenna Bachert, Alison Wanamaker, Benjamin Shneck, Justin Marracino, Kyra Fillmore, Grace Rosner, Owen Shaw, Jake Hinden, Giuseppe Pagano, Aidan Pagano, Graham Sevastian, Alexis Poveromo and their chaperones Charlie Cross, Joe Paskowski, Moriah Olsen, Shanaz Fillmore, Ian Graham, Suzie Devoe.
Readings [We are using Track 2 of the indicated readings.]
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection
From a Sermon by preached by Nadia Bolz-Weber on June 21, 2015
So here's what I've got: I am standing here before you and defiantly confessing that I believe in the power - not of us, but the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not as a platitude either. I'm talking the real thing.
I confess my belief that it was the power of the Gospel, the power of Christ crucified and risen that we saw in the people of Emanuel AME who welcomed a stranger into their midst. Who opened to him the Word of God.
I confess my belief that it was the power of the Gospel - the power of Christ crucified and risen we saw in the tens of thousands who then flooded into churches to pray and lament over that unspeakable violence.
And I confess my belief that it was definitely the power of the Gospel - the power of Christ crucified and risen that we saw in the families' response in court on Friday. Just when hate thought it could win - when hate thought it could conquer hope - we saw people of the Gospel say here and no further.
We need a power greater than ourselves in order to face ourselves right now. And I believe that the power of forgiveness we saw in the families of those whose loved ones had been shot dead - came not from themselves - I believe it was a supernatural power.
So tonight I confess my belief that this power came from being a people who have heard the Gospel and believed the Gospel - a people who are formed by the Word of God and who have been formed into the image of Christ - that is the power we saw at work in the baffling and defiant words of forgiveness spoken from the family members to the young man who had just murdered their loved ones.
So, my friends, I ask us this: If the power of the Gospel, the power of Christ crucified and risen is this strong - then I ask, is it not also strong enough to bring us to true repentance? Is it not strong enough to carry us as we look at ourselves and our country with stark honesty and fractured pride? I have no idea what dismantling racism even looks like and I remain suspicious of my own ego and desire to be seen as one of the good guys. But I stand before you and confess my belief that if the power of the Gospel, the Power of Christ crucified and risen is strong enough to be the source of Dr Martin Luther King's work and strong enough to be the source of the hospitality they extended when they welcomed that young man into the Bible study and strong enough to be the source of their defiant forgiveness of the young man who stole their loved ones from them then it is strong enough to be the source of confession and repentance about white supremacy in our own hearts and in this nation of ours.
Let us pray,
That your Gospel is more powerful than our hate, more powerful than our despair, more powerful than our pride, and more powerful than our delusions, we give you thanks O God.
This Week
Are you on the worship ministry schedule for this weekend? Check here.
FRIDAY, June 26
43:00pm AGC! Girl Scout Workshop (Memorial Hall)
SATURDAY, June 27
5:00 private rental (Memorial Hall)
SUNDAY, June 28-SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE
7:30am - Summer Church Youth Service Mission Trip departure
Office Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday - Thursday through Labor Day Sunday, June 28 - Sunday, September 6 - Sunday services at 8:00am/10:00am Wednesday, July 1 - Last Healing and Wellness service until September.
WORSHIP MINISTERS - LET US KNOW WHEN YOU CAN SERVE IN JULY If you haven't yet responded regarding your availability to serve in July, please CLICK HERE to send Kickie a message. If you're interested in serving and are not on our list, the summer is a great time to explore a new ministry -- we are always in need of people to read the lessons and to serve as ushers and acolytes (carrying and torch or cross) during our services. Be in touch if you're curious and want to know more!
FIRST FRIDAY AT GRACE'S THRIFT SHOP On Friday, July 3, Grace's Thrift Shop will participate for the first time in Nyack Art Collective's monthly First Friday program. Come to the shop from 5-8:00pm and you'll have an opportunity to meet local artist Jamey Jackson and view a display of his works (and while you're there, check out some great Thrift Shop offerings as well.) Then continue your walking tour of Nyack and visit some of the other sites that will be featuring a wide array of works by local artists. Can't make it to Nyack on the 3rd? The Thrift Shop will continue to display Mr. Jackson's works throughout the month of July, and a portion of every sale will benefit the Thrift Shop and its support of Grace Church and other local nonprofits.
SUMMER COMPASSION CHALLENGE
Our Random Acts Of Kindness Challenge is off to a great start. We are giving out red rope bracelets as a reminder to anyone taking the challenge that an act of kindness can simply start with an outreached hand. Please go to the office to pick up a bracelet and remember you can register by emailing us at gracekidsnyack@gmail .com or by going to our website
IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Kids out of school? It's not too late to give them a summer-full of great circus experiences! Check out Amazing Grace Circus Camp, running right here at Grace Church through August 7. Amazing skills, confidence building, and FUN, with a fabulous Showcase of Talents at the end of each two-week session.
SPANISH DANCE WORKSHOP AT GRACE Celebrated Spanish dancer (and parishioner) Anna de la Paz will offer a series of Spanish dance workshops on weekday mornings here at Grace -- she's got ongoing classes for young people offered locally as well. CLICK HERE for all the details.
THANK FROM THE SENIOR YOUTH GROUP/"CYSM" group
Thank you to everyone who donated, bought, and helped out at the rummage sale this year. Your contributions and assistance helped us to raise over $1400! That is a big help since we have 19 teenagers joining us on our trip to West Virginia this year! If you would like to make a contribution towards the trip, it is not too late! Please make checks out to Grace Church with "CYSM" in the memo line. As always, thank you for your ongoing support of these trips, they could not happen without you. Moriah Olsen
DIAPERS/FORMULA NEEDED A member of the community with several young disabled grandchildren could use some help with donations of Similac formula and diapers (size small and large). If you're able to help, donations can be left at the entry to the church on Sundays, or brought to the office.
