The Last Sunday After the Epiphany
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS 
Bob & Donna Weber, Mickey Federico, Yasso Herath, Peter Lubeck, Catherine Lubeck, Shirley Federico, Miranda Pinckert, Clinton Taplin, Betty Mettler, Jeannie, Joanne Carter, Janine Carter, Mike Maslanek, Dr. John Finn, Anita Sevier-Berg, Jean,  Bill Weber, Sylvia Manley, Dr. Roufa, Michael Maslanek, Hubert Connoly, Noreen, Steve Fanning, Peter Foley, Sandy, Ian,  Jean, Harper Grant, Constance Thompson, Ethan Mathews, Thomas Humeston, Rosemary Owen, Sadie Graham, Al and Carol Lalli, Dr. John Finn, Audrey Graves, Kathy, Risa Messinger, Phil Bunton, Elaine MacPhee, Marianna Quinn Parsekian, Bill Honeger, Molly MacQueen, Peggy Lehrecke    
REST IN PEACE: Luke Oullen
 
Please also remember:
The people of Flint, Michigan
Refugees from the violence and turmoil in Syria.

Please note: Names will generally remain on the prayer list for one month. If you would like to add or return a name to the list, please be in touch with the office.
Readings  [We are using Track 2 of the indicated readings.]
This Week  The Last Sunday After Epiphany
Next Week Ash Wednesday
                  The First Sunday in Lent
 
CLICK HERE to listen to sermons from previous weeks
CLICK HERE for Bible study resources.   

Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; 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 for the Last Sunday of Epiphany by Barbara Brown Taylor 
 
For those of you who keep the Christian calendar ... , you know it's the swing Sunday between the seasons of Epiphany and Lent--the day those who follow Jesus look down at our maps and say, "Uh-oh," because it is time to turn away from the twinkling stars of Christmas toward the deep wilderness of Lent.  As gloomy as that may sound, it is very good news.  Most of us are so distracted by our gadgets, so busy with our work, so addicted to our pleasures, and so resistant to our depths that a nice long spell in the wilderness is just what we need. 
 
No one can make you go, after all.  But if you've been looking for some excuse to head to your own mountaintop and pray, this is it.  If you've been looking for some way to trade in your old certainties for new movement in your life, look no further.  This is your chance to enter the cloud of unknowing and listen for whatever it is that God has to say to you.  Tent or no tent, this is your chance to encounter God's contagious glory, so that a little of that shining rubs off on you. 
 
Today you have heard a story you can take with you when you go.  It tells you that no one has to go up the mountain alone.  It tells you that sometimes things get really scary before they get holy.  Above all, it tells you that there is someone standing in the center of the cloud with you, shining so brightly that you may never be able to wrap your mind around him, but who is worth listening to all the same--because he is God's beloved, and you are his, and whatever comes next, you are up to it.  Amen.

Barbara Brown Taylor
Listen to the full sermon HERE


CLICK HERE for links to more Lenten Resources from the Episcopal Church

LENTEN REFLECTIONS
Read reflections on the daily lectionary readings for Lent written by members of the parish in
Awakening - Reflections from the Community of Grace Church, produced by the Adult Spiritual Formation Commission.Copies are available at the entry to the church, or you can download/view your copy on our website, or look for links to daily installments on our Facebook page.
You'll also find copies of Episcopal Relief & Development's collection of reflections for Lent available at the entry to the church.
This Week
Are you on the worship ministry schedule for this weekend?  Check here.

 
FRIDAY, February 5
5:00pm Pizza for a Purpose (Memorial Hall
 
SATURDAY, February 6
11:00am Nursery School of the Nyacks Fundraiser:
Mario the Magician (nsnmagic.brownpapertickets.com)
6:30pm Mardi Gras FUN(d)Raiser (Memorial Hall)
 
SUNDAY, February 7
Senior Youth Group - Fundraising Breakfast for Mission Trip
8:00am/9:30am/11:00am Holy Eucharist
10:10 Church School & Confirmation Classes
1:00pm Protestant Scout Sunday
4:00pm Choral Evensong

TUESDAY, February 9
5:30-7:00pm Fat Tuesday Pancake Feast  (Memorial Hall)  
 
ASH WEDNESDAY, February10
Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 8:00am/Noon/7:30pm  
Ashes available beginning at 7:00am

THURSDAY, February 11
7:00am Men's Prayer Breakfast (Patterson Hall)
12:00pm Brown Bag & A Bible (Patterson Hall)
3:00pm Graceful Yoga (Memorial Hall)
7:30pm Choir
 
SATURDAY, February 13
10:00am Midnight Run meal preparation (Memorial)
 
SUNDAY, February 14
8:00am/9:30am/11:00pm Holy Eucharist
10:10am Church School on Hiatus
 
MONDAY, February 15 - Church Office Closed

**ANNUAL MEETING - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28**
Services are at 8 & 10:00am
Followed by Annual Meeting
 
  
This Weekend: 
SATURDAY
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MARDI GRAS FUN(d) RAISER 
Saturday, February 6     6:30pm - 11:00pm  

Featuring:
Great Food Seafood, Sausage, and Chicken Gumbo, Shrimp, Sausage and  Chicken Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffée,  Paul Prudhomme's Cajun Meatloaf, Vegetable Jambalaya, salads, King Cake Cupcakes, and Bananas Foster        
Music  Dixie Land Jazz, Zydeco, and more - Dancing! 
Drinks Seltzer, water, A Pat O'Brien style Hurricane (for those over 21), otherwise BYOB
 
Costumes encouraged - put your gold, green and purple on!
Adults $15/children under 12 $7.50 
Please be in touch with Jeff McDowell if you plan to attend.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!
SUNDAY

CHURCH SCHOOL THIS WEEK - SERVICE SUNDAY 
It is Service Sunday this week, so everyone will meet in Memorial Hall to work on a project in support of People to People.
 
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP "CYSM" BREAKFAST & "SOUPER" BOWL SUNDAY
The Senior Youth Group will be serving up French Toast in Memorial Hall from 9:00am-12:30, with proceeds going to support our summer mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Come Hungry!
 
It's also Souper Bowl Sunday, and SYG members are the door throughout the morning to collect your donations of a can (or more!) and $1 (or more!) to go to People to People, Rockland County's largest food bank. If you forget your can, we'll still be happy to take your cash donation!
 
PROTESTANT SCOUT SUNDAY SERVICE 1:00pm
On Sunday Grace Church and our own Nyack Pack and Troop 2 host the annual Protestant Scout Sunday service. Father Owen will be the preacher.  More HERE 
 
CHORAL EVENSONG SUNDAY AT 4:00pm     FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
The Feast of the Transfiguration has been part of the Church's liturgical life since the 9th century. Join us in the afternoon serenity of the sanctuary as the Grace Choir leads the traditional Anglican service of Evensong with music, evening prayers, and meditation from Father Owen, featuring works of Leo Sowerby (1895-1968) and F. Melius Christiansen (1871-1955).
SPECIAL OFFERING FOR SYRIAN CRISIS
Episcopal Relief & Development is engaging the Syrian crisis through support to
agencies in Syria, to the Diocese of Jerusalem's Holy Land Institute for the Deaf, and in support of large numbers of people traveling out of crisis areas into Europe. Please support ER-D's efforts - you can find out more HERE. 

We will collect your offerings for ER-D on Sundays, or you may make an online donation HERE.

A Prayer for the Victims of the Syrian Conflict
We pray for those damaged by the fighting in Syria.
To the wounded and injured: Come Lord Jesus.
To the terrified who are living in shock: Come Lord Jesus
To the hungry and homeless, refugee and exile: Come Lord Jesus.
To those bringing humanitarian aid: Come Lord Jesus.
Give protection Lord Jesus to those administering medical assistance.
Give protection Lord Jesus to those offering counsel and care.
Give protection Lord Jesus to all those making the sacrifice of love;
Give the strength of your Spirit and the joy of your comfort.
In the hope of Christ we pray.  Amen
Announcements

SHROVE TUESDAY
FAMILY "FAT TUESDAY" PANCAKE FEAST !
Tuesday, February 9 from 5:30-7:00pm in Memorial Hall

Indulge with us - and feed the  family for kist $20! 
Who doesn't love pancakes, especially for dinner? 
And did we say bacon? 
Top THAT off with a pancake eating contest, pancake races, crafts, and  music...and you've got a party! We'll even have gluten-free pancakes.$5/person or $20/family of .  Proceeds from the event help support youth activities at Grace.
 
Over Indulge? 
ASH WEDNESDAY services are on February 10 at 8:00am, Noon, and 7:30pm.
 

FEBRUARY HELPING HANDS Grace will host Helping Hands/Safe Haven again the last weekend in February. We need volunteers to help provide and serve dinner Friday night, Feb. 26, and provide overnight supervision on Sunday, Feb. 28. If you would like to help contact Charlie cross (cjcross3ny@yahoo.com - 845-358-4599)
ANNUAL NOMINATIONS PROCESS
The Nominating Committee will receive suggestions for nominations for open positions.   The forms to suggest a nominee will be at the entry to the church (Narthex.) We need people who are willing to serve in the following positions:
   1   Senior Warden (two years)
   1   Junior Warden (two years)
   3   Vestry positions (three years)
   2   Delegates to the diocesan convention
   2   Alternates to the diocesan convention
   3   members of the congregation to serve on nominating committee 
In order to be a vestry member, the person must be a confirmed member in good standing. That is, one who regularly attends the worship services, pledges to the parish and is a member of the Episcopal Church either by confirmation or reception.
 
Please note that a nomination may not proceed without the person's signature! In addition it takes a second for that nomination to move forward. Nominations may also come from the floor of the Annual Parish Meeting.
 
If you have questions, speak to Kim Cross, senior warden.
 
Please note: you must be
a pledging member to vote at the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 28, 2016.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PLEDGE.  
Parting Thought
Desert Places
by Robert Frost
 
Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.

The woods around it have it - it is theirs.
All animals are smothered in their lairs,
I am too absent-spirited to count;
The loneliness includes me unawares.

And lonely as it is, that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less -
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars - on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.

"Desert Places" by Robert Frost, from The Poetry of Robert Frost
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GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH  130 First Avenue, Nyack, New York 10960
845-358-1297   
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