Life With Grace | April 4
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Apr 4
- 14 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Dear friends,
This Sunday's gospel sets the table for Holy Week, which begins next Sunday, April 13.
In response to the raising of her brother Lazarus, Mary of Bethany pours honor, thanksgiving, adoration, oblation onto Jesus in the form of costly oil, perhaps $30,000 worth.
On the other hand, the chief priests are planning to kill Jesus and Lazarus.
Jesus will answer Mary's costly adoration in the washing of his disciples feet and the offering of his life to God for us. Signs of the mutual, self-giving, life giving love of God's kingdom.
Holy Week does not ask us to do anything but be present, pay attention, accept God's work for us and reject the cynicism that rejects the way of God's love.
57 years ago today, April 4, 1968, walking in the power of God's love, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. It remains unclear by whom. The United States House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded there was a likelihood of conspiracy of southern white supremacist groups behind the assassination. James Earl Ray pled guilty and later tried many times to retract his plea. In the end, what we most remember and honor about Dr. King is his commitment to the Beloved Community - telling the truth about our history for the sake of healing and justice, proclaiming the vision of beloved community, practicing the way of love, working together to repair structures of society that have become barriers to equity, justice, and healing.
Holy Week, toward which we move, does not ask us to do anything but be present on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Day. Let God's costly, self offering love anoint you. Accept the grace and mercy of God. Let God's power strengthen you to bear and stand up against cynicism, cruelty, injustice, despair. Reject the plotters and schemers. Accept the wondrous, costly love of Jesus. Let it wash and feed and revive your soul.
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Fifth Sunday in Lent | Sunday, April 6
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
On Sunday, April 6, the Rev. Dr. Susan Grove Eastman will join us as preacher at 8 and 10:30 and as presenter in Christianity and Culture at 9:15.
Dr. Eastman, an Episcopal priest, has recently retired from the Divinity School at Duke University where she taught New Testament and Christian Formation and participated in the Theology and Medicine Program and in the Duke Initiative for Science and Society. Of special interest to Grace Episcopal is that in 2010, Susan taught at the Renk Theological College in Renk, South Sudan.
Susan’s scholarly focus is on the letters of the Apostle Paul and their impact on Christian formation, especially Paul’s use of relational imagery in proclaiming the Gospel. She has written in particular on Paul’s understanding of Israel, of the Incarnation, and of the person in relationship (to Christ, the Spirit and the community). Her recent work has considered ways in which Paul’s anthropology (his understanding of the human person) anticipates and intersects advances in cognitive science with respect to human development and human thriving. This work in turn has brought her to think and to write about Pauline approaches to developmental challenges such as autism and to questions surrounding addiction and eating disorders.
Dr. Eastman is author of four books (and too many articles to list):
Recovering Paul’s Mother Tongue: Language and Theology in Galatians, Second Edition, revised and expanded. Eugene: Wipf & Stock / Cascade, 2022; first edition, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.
Paul and the Person: Reframing Paul's Anthropology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2017.
Oneself in Another: Participation and Personhood in Pauline Theology. Eugene, OR:
Wipf & Stock / Cascade, 2023.
Romans, for Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching.
Louisville: WJK, forthcoming August 2025.
Her session for Christianity and Culture is entitled: “Experiencing Grace: A View from the Apostle Paul.” Concerning this theme she writes, "God's grace in Christ is the gift of a relationship that changes everything, that is always greater than we can imagine, that we cannot contain, but that contains and changes us."
PLEASE JOIN US for what is certain to be a stimulating morning of hearing the Gospel taught and proclaimed by Dr. Eastman.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
The Lexington/Rockbridge Area Minister's Alliance invites you to the Annual Community Palm Sunday March. Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. beginning at Hopkins Green Park. Join us as we gather for prayer, scripture reading, and music as we start our Holy Week celebration. As we march through Downtown Lexington, prayers will be offered for the community and the downtown churches. Complementary palms will be distributed to everyone.
No C&C on April 20 (Easter)
April 27, The Saint John's Bible with Joanne Robblee
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
First Sunday Lunch | Following the 10:30 a.m. Service
Women's Bible Study
Women's Bible Study has changed its meeting place to the home of Susan Cross, 621 Marshall Street. The time is 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. All ladies welcome! We are discussing the lectionary readings for the following Sunday. No preparation is necessary.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Celebration of New Ministry for Samson Mamour
Lenten Programs This Week
Morning Prayer - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. at Grace Church
Stations of the Cross are displayed in the church and the liturgy for the stations is available for use at any time during the day.
Wednesday Evening Program, April 9, In person/Zoom: Our Lenten program introduces Christ as he would be seen when the “Great O Antiphons” were developed 1,500 years ago. Week V: Having met Christ as Wisdom, Lord, offspring of Jesse, key of David, light and hope, our Lenten program culminates on April 9 with the all-important declaration that, through him, God is with us—a concept that puts Christmas, cross, empty tomb, and the lives of all his followers ever since (including us) into the perspective of God’s presence, here, now, and to all eternity. Led by David Cox and Michael McLaughlin, the program combines short lectures with discussion and also some music composed for these short prayers.
We will offer a short Evening Prayer and supper at 6 p.m.
Lent Madness: Those who are interested in learning more about the exemplars of the faith are encouraged to subscribe to Lent Madness, participate in the voting, and gather with other Lent Madness devotees at 5 pm Friday at Purveyors on Main Street to review score cards.
The Saint John’s Bible is available in the church each Thursday from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. throughout the Lenten season, with the exception of March 20, when the bible will travel to Clifton Forge for a day at the Allegheny Arts and Crafts Center. A visio divina led by Joanne Robblee is offered at 1 p.m. each Thursday, focusing each week on a different illumination and reading. Bring family and friends, take a turn reading, reflecting, and turning these magnificentpages yourself!
The Lexington/Rockbridge Area Minister’s Alliance invites you to the Annual Community Palm Sunday March on Palm Sunday, April 13 at 9:30 a.m. beginning at Hopkins Green Park. Join us as we gather for prayer, scripture reading, and music as we start our Holy Week celebration. As we march through downtown Lexington, prayers will be offered for the community and the downtown churches. Complimentary palms will be distributed to everyone.
Easter Services
April 17, 6:30 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Service/Foot Washing and Holy Eucharist (In-Person and YouTube)
April 18, Noon & 6:30 p.m. - Good Friday Service (Evening Service will be In-Person and YouTube)
April 19, 6:30 p.m. - Easter Vigil with Holy Eucharist, followed by Festival Lamb Dinner (In-Person and YouTube)
April 20, 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. - Easter Services with Holy Eucharist
Festival Lamb Dinner - Sat., April 19 - Parish HallCome feast on leg of Lamb immediately followingthe Easter Vigil service!We will provide lamb, couscous, asparagus, bread, coffee &
tea.Please help round out the menu by bringing a green salad, Waldorf salad, side dish, or dessert and wine to share.$15.00/per person donation greatly appreciated.
Helping Ukrainian Families please consider helping this humanitarian outreach. The group has engaged an immigration attorney to guide the Ukrainian families, that were helped by Hosting Ukrainian Families, through the rules and regulations that could provide a safeguard from deportation. Donate HERE.
Music Announcements
On Palm Sunday at the 10:30 liturgy, we will be joined by Paradigm School A Cappella Singers. The group, led by ACDA outstanding choral conductor Joan Riddle Steinmann, will join Grace’s choir for much of the service music, including “Like as the Hart” by Herbert Howells. Their organist, Nathanael France, will play the prelude and accompany the Howells anthem.
At 5pm on April 13, we will offer A Celtic Contemplative Eucharist. The Rev. Anne Grizzle will celebrate. Anna Bilias, Martha Burford, Julia Goudimova, and members of the choir will lead the music.
Flowers for Easter
Lilies, tulips and hydrangea plants will be used to decorate the Nave & Chancel for Easter. If you would like to purchase a Memorial plant for $10, please make your check payable to Grace Episcopal with Flower Guild on the memo line, or donate online by clicking this link: Memorial Flowers then in the Fund box, click the down arrow and choose Flower Fund. To list a memorial in the bulletin, email Lisa by Tuesday, April 15.
Men's Prayer Breakfast
Over the last four weeks, the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group studied the Saint James Bible, the illumination process, and Luke’s Canticle of Simeon. With the intent to deepen our spiritual lives and bring us closer to God and each other, members were asked to connect The Word to their daily lives by creating a contemporary interpretation of The Word and a visual image that represents that discernment. The attached illumination is a celebration of that effort and is offered as an invitation for you to actively look for and appreciate all the love that surrounds us. Thank be to God!
Lanford Mission Emergency Fund Easter Appeal
The Lanford Mission Emergency Fund (MEF) was begun in this parish over 40 years ago to assist residents of Rockbridge County who request emergency financial help in meeting rent, utility, medical, or temporary housing expenses. The MEF primarily receives its funding from Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas offerings as well as a small number of pledges that are designated “Mission Emergency Fund”.
Requests for assistance are usually made because of sudden illness, loss of health insurance, unexpected job loss, or other unanticipated crisis situations. RARA (Rockbridge Area Relief Association) does the vetting to verify need, and then contacts Grace Episcopal along with Lexington Presbyterian and St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic churches to share costs with RARA.
As we approach Easter, we ask you to consider a donation to the Lanford Mission Emergency Fund. If you would like to make a gift in the form of a check, the check can be made out to Grace Episcopal Church with “Lanford MEF” noted on the memo line. A donation to the Lanford MEF can also be made on Grace’s Website at www.gracelexva.org.
The Christian Outreach Committee sincerely thanks you for your faithful and generous support of this long-time Grace Episcopal outreach ministry!
Little Scholars Summer Camp
Little Scholars will be hosting a summer camp for rising K - 6th graders on W&L’s campus (see attached flyer).
Camp Details:
Dates: June 16 – August 1 (no camp the week of July 4)
Hours: 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM, Monday - Friday
Sign-up: Choose to register for 1 week or all 6!
Cost: $260 per child per week
Space is limited so register early!
Want more info? Visit Little Scholars Summer Camp Info where you can find detailed info.
Reach out to Nicole Brown, Program Coordinator at Little Scholars, 804-447-4095 or nbrown@littlescholarsllc.com with further questions.
The Saint John's Bible
If you have photos you would like to share of the St. John's Bible in our community and beyond, please send them to Lisa.
As the visiting volume of The Saint John’s Bible makes its home with us for three months, we also turn to other volumes to share with the congregation and visitors.
In our visiting copy of The Saint John's Bible, Vol. 6, the "carpet pages" envisioned by scribe and artistic director Donald Jackson are prominent at the end of each book of the Gospels, where they serve as a conscious delineation, offering a moment of meditation and transition.
Jackson began his entire work of inscription on Ash Wednesday in 2000 with the Book of John: "In the beginning was the Word ... and the Word became flesh and lived among us ..."
So perhaps it is especially appropriate that the carpet page immediately preceding the frontispiece of the Book of John is a stylized Tree of Life.
Jackson had told artist Sally Mae Joseph that he liked the idea of capturing abstract design patterns found on Indian and Pakistani fabrics -- an opportunity to incorporate art from many cultures, as the designers of The Saint John's Bible intended. He had photographed a fabric bearing the tree design, and Joseph executed the page's art using rubber stamps cut in a mirror image.
Images of the cross surround and permeate the tree, reminding us, as the Bible does throughout, of Jesus's human and divine journey through our own humanity from its very beginning.
The cross is the pervading and sometimes the only image on other carpet pages. At the end of Matthew, the "carpet" occupies only a portion of the page, and the crosses spill subtly from it into the text's background.
Partial and full carpet pages are found throughout the Bible. Introducing the Book of Isaiah is a page with the predominant cross motif in the background, but with multiple elegant figures of what appear to be fish accompanying Isaiah's vision concerning the fate of God's people if they do not repent. The Lord, he warns, will not be appeased with burnt sacrifice: "Learn to do good ... seek justice, rescue the oppressed..." The fish, as the 21st century artist creates them, might foretell the loaves and fishes and the early Christian symbol of recognition.
A full page with the crosses predominant is found in Volume 7, with Letters and the Book of Revelation. In this pattern, the crosses do not adjoin or overlap. Instead, they are connected with a pattern like a woven strand. As viewers and explorers of The Saint John's Bible, we are encouraged to interpret. Might the crosses accompanying Saint Paul's Letters and the Revelation of Saint John be journeying forth with the Apostles into the world, founding new communities -- communities that yet remain always connected to and by the divine thread?
As always with The Saint John's Bible, we are left and encouraged to discern.
The Bible will be with us for just three more weeks. Come discern and interpret after any church service, for a last visio divina at 1 p.m on April 10, and join in our readings during Holy and Easter Weeks!
Talks and workshops illuminate a Bible’s substance and history
Events in April
Workshops, talks and readings during April are highlighting the history and use of illumination and other techniques in the creation of The Saint John’s Bible. A series of talks offers background on our visiting volume and on the history and process of illumination itself; hands-on workshops in calligraphy and illumination are suitable for all ages middle school and up. The Saint John’s Bible volume will be at all events for folks to delve into. Bring family and friends!
April 5, 10 a.m. - noon – Lexington artist David Connolly will lead a workshop in the art of illumination. Connelly is a member of the Nelson Gallery, and has been studying illumination techniques using watercolors and gilt foil. Participants will create their own illuminations, and are encouraged to bring a Scripture verse or a short personal reflection, poem or other writing as the basis for the illumination. Art materials will be supplied, with a small donation requested to defray the cost. The workshop, in the Parish Hall, is suitable for middle school age and up. Please contact David at dconnnolly804@gmail.com to indicate interest or for any questions.
The Saint John’s Bible is available in the church each Thursday from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. throughout the Lenten season when the bible will travel to Clifton Forge for a day at the Allegheny Arts and Crafts Center. A visio divina led by Joanne Robblee is offered at 1 p.m. each Thursday, focusing each week on a different illumination and reading. Bring family and friends, take a turn reading, reflecting, and turning these magnificent pages yourself!
Easter Baskets for Children in Need
The local organization Unity for Kids works with Rockbridge Area Social Services, Alleghany Social Services, Project Horizon, and Care Portal to provide needy children in our area joy at Christmas and Easter. At present, local churches and businesses are working with Tammy Reid (CFO of Spencer Home and Board member of Unity for Kids) to assemble Easter baskets. If you would like to donate a book or a toy or other items for one of these baskets, Unity for Kids will arrange to pick it up or you may drop it off at Spencer Home Center where Tammy works. To contact Tammy Reid: tammyr@spencerhomecenter.com. Questions, contact Cecile West-Settle 540-570-3256 or Ruth Smith 910-409-9325.
An Update from Christian Outreach Committee
The mission of COC is “to support and engage the people of Grace Episcopal Church in loving our neighbors as God’s children: joining with all people…to serve the marginalized, and those in need, seeking healing, reconciliation and justice.”
Each year Grace COC receives a budget sourced from 10% (calculated on a three-year rolling average) of your pledge monies and withdrawals from certain endowment funds designated for outreach. Our annual budget for 2025 is $50,213. By early February the committee had received 18 grant proposals from local and international organizations for use of this money. In early March the committee met and approved $45,980 for distribution, holding the remainder in reserve for emergencies. A partial list of local agencies receiving grants includes RARA, Community Kitchen, Boys’ Home, CASA, Project Horizon, Mission Next Door, and GATES. International agencies administered by Grace and the Episcopal Church --- Virginia Haiti Collaborative and Sudan Mission Group --- have also received money for 2025.
If you have questions or concerns or are interested in joining COC, please contact Cecile West-Settle or Ruth Smith at outreach@gracelexva.org.
Connections Plus
Do you have your Ducks in a Row?
Connections Plus is now offering a 6-session educational group in which the participants support each other through the process of gathering important information, such as health, property, finances, and final wishes to make things easier for those who must resolve our affairs.
Locations offering sessions:
Manly Memorial Baptist Church - Parish Hall (food/beverage allowed), 202 S. Main Street, Lexington. Beginning April 14, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings held every other Tuesday ending June 24
Sunnyside House at Kendal at Lexington, 160 Kendal Dr., Lexington. Class Schedule: 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday April 3, Tuesday April 15, Thursday May 1, Tuesday May 13, Thursday May 29 and Thursday June 12.
Bakers Wanted for the Community Table
Please contact Virginia Cooke at 348-5367 if interested!
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, continues to need girls' clothing sizes 10-13, only. They are not accepting any other items at this time as they are chock full! The Clothes Closet is open every first and third Saturday of the month from 9 am until noon. You may drop your items off then. Alternately, you can bring your items to the Grace Church office and Lisa will ensure your items are conveyed to the Clothes Closet. Thank you for your support of this valuable asset to our community.
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back! Join us on the steps of Grace on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We'll see you there!
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Most Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the retired Bishops of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, The Rt. Rev. Heath Light and The Rt. Rev. Neff Powell.
Pray for the healing of Pope Francis. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Grace, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, Roger Baroody, Michelle & John Evola (cousins of Darlene Keane), David Austin (friend of the Keanes), Ellen Fure, Buddy Atkins, George Collier, Rosemary Phillips (sister of Paul Robblee), Patricia Williams, Emily & Luke Child, Rebecca Robblee (daughter-in-law of Joanne & Paul), Kathy Kricensky (Abby Moles mom), and those we name aloud or in our hearts.
Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace.
Pray for those who have died, especially Harry Wheeler.
In Thanksgiving for April Birthdays
4/5 Gail Dickerson
4/6 Jasper Murphy
4/7 Diana Kenney
4/8 Anne Sauder, Emily McClung, William Mackie
4/9 Lori Sadler, Aurelia Sorber
4/10 William McCorkle, Suzanne Keen, John Arpin
4/13 David Passmore
4/14 Gini Jardim
4/15 Helen Head
4/16 Don Ellis
4/18 Dennis Cross, Kevin Manning
4/19 Lisa J McGuire, Beverly Wirtz
4/20 Erika Brooke
4/22 Buddy Atkins
4/25 Genelle Gertz
4/26 Chuck Smith
4/27 Clara Pickett
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, Clark Simcoe, Abby Moles, Madison Brown
4/29 David Hansen
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