As the New Year approaches, it's time to embrace the spirit of celebration, reflection, and sharing good wishes. During this time of the year, it's common for people to extend their congratulations to their loved ones, relatives, and friends...
Greeting cards and emails are usually sent, while younger generations use social media to convey their wishes. It's important to realize that thinking about someone can make a significant difference in their day. So remember, reaching out to someone can brighten their day and positively impact their life.
As we say goodbye to the past and welcome the future, it is crucial not to overlook our past and to acknowledge how we have reached our present. We must take a moment to ponder on the past year and cherish the moments that brought us happiness, the lessons that taught us to be strong and resilient, and the people who supported us through thick and thin. Furthermore, let us look towards the future with hope and determination, knowing that we have the power to shape our own future.
Rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed you with the garments of salvation and covered you with the robe of righteousness, as Prophet Isaiah said. Let us embrace the new year with optimism, open hearts, and minds. The new year is a blank canvas, waiting for us to create new memories, learn new things, and grow in ways we never thought possible, and, most importantly, it calls us to continue to grow closer in our relationship with Christ.
In the coming year, we will undoubtedly face trials and tribulations that will test our spirits. However, I implore you to hold fast to your greatest strength - your ability to remain cheerful and hopeful despite adversity. It is this resilience that has carried us through the most challenging times, and it is what will continue to guide us towards a brighter future. So, as we enter this new year, let us commit to staying positive and joyful, no matter what challenges may come our way.
May this New Year bring you abundant joy and good health throughout the year.
Happy New Year!
Rev. Samson Mamour
Worship Services | First Sunday After Christmas | Sunday, December 31
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
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Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
In Person | Parish Hall
Joanne Robblee will present on the Symbols of the Season. She will share information about our beautiful Chrismon tree, ornaments, the meaning of different halos, the religious symbolism of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and, of course, the tasty meaning of the candy cane.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture
January 7th: Intergenerational Service on the Epiphany. We will be focusing on the Bible story and its different interpretations, making stars and decorating some crowns, and we will enjoy some delicious Three Kings' Cake made by our very own Mary Wilson.
January 14th: Tuck will be providing an overview of Renewal Works, a research based church-wide program that focuses on spiritual growth.
January 21st: Tim Gaylard will present on the well known oratorio ,The Messiah,by George Frideric Handel. Tim will share information about the story of this amazing piece of music, its religious and musical significance, and its famous composer.
January 28th; Unitive Service - no Christianity and Culture.
Feb 4th: This is a general meeting during which the Strategic Planning team, Tuck, and the architect will provide a critical update on the Parish House Building Project.
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and Youtube
Upcoming Music Events
St. Nicholas Day Appeal 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Our 2023 St. Nicholas Day Appeal is now underway, and I invite and encourage our parishes to engage the promotional materials included below to promote this appeal in your bulletins and digital communications during the seasons of Advent and Epiphany. The conflict in Israel is on all of our hearts and minds as many innocent people on both sides are being injured and killed everyday. The some 7,000 Anglican Christians who make up The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem are praying and working for peace while assisting those in need of healing and hope. Archbishop Hosam has asked that we, Anglicans, support the various medical ministries of the diocese during this very difficult time. Therefore, your Executive Board and I have designated our St Nicholas Appeal to aid The Princess Basma Centre located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Through its Child Rehabilitation Centre, this mission of the Diocese of Jerusalem is able to provide treatment and rehabilitation for children with disabilities from Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, for the age group 0-15. You can learn more about the Center here www.basma-centre.org.
Please consider faithfully how you might support this effort, either by donating online at www.dioswva.org or by mailing a check payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia with “St. Nicholas Day Appeal” marked in the memo to PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.
Peace,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Allen Bourlakas
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Rooted in Abundance
Thank you to everyone who has returned a pledge for the Rooted in Abundance pledge campaign to fund the 2024 operating budget of Grace Episcopal Church. Every pledge helps us with our planning for the year to come. We will list the names of those who have made a pledge every week, as well as the total pledged to date. Our goal is between 115-120 pledges totaling $480,000-520,000. To date we have received pledges from 122 households totaling $530,278.00.
Thanks to our contributing households thus far:
Anonymous
Lori Apgar
John & Cecilia Arpin
Buddy & Evan Atkins
Doug Ayer
Anne Blanken
Laurent & Elizabeth Boetsch
Peter Bowerfind
Tucker & Delea Bowerfind
Jane Brooke
Alexandra Brown
Madison & Katharine Brown
Martha Ann Burford
Catharine Burns
Bettie Cadden
Betsy & Buddy Carter
David & Marjorie Connolly
Virginia Cooke
R. David & Melissa Cox
Ed & Marlys Craun
Jay & Joan Crawford
Roger Crockett
Dennis & Susan Cross
Susan Denson
Lynn & Carol Dent
Barton & Gail Dick
John & Gail Dickerson
Punky Dod
Ed & Lu Dooley
Will & Cary Edgar
Don & Claudia Ellis
Carole Elmore
Jim & Kitty Farrar
Dot Fogo
Matthew Fogo & Kevin Manning
Mark Gallagher
Tim & Catharine Gaylard
Keith & Pat Gibson
Mary Stuart Gilliam
Rene' Glidden
Rose Gordon
Tom & Carol Gosse
Julianne Grimes
James & Anne F Grizzle
Peter & Julie Grover
Margaret Haberman
Kristy Hamilton
David & Anne Hansen
Sandy & Catherine Harcus
Elizabeth Harralson
Diana Harris
Winifred Hart
Helen Head
Jack & Anne Hershbell
Drew & Megan Hess
Harold & Kathryn Hill
Kay Horner
Judy Hotchkiss
Pierson & Ellen Hotchkiss
David & Chris Howison
Benjamin & Laurie Huger
Hank & Sharon Humphreys
James & Darlene Keane
Suzanne Keen
Diana Kenney
Deborah & Bill Klein
John & Beth Knapp
Helen Kostel
Bill & Kathy Kozak
Sharon & Frederick Kurtz
Steve & Susan Lawrence
Greg & Janet Lemmer
Buster & Signe Lewis
Mo & Julia Littlefield
Bill & Barbara Luton
William & Michelle Mackie
Samson Mamour
M.J. Mayerchak
Donnie & Heather McBrayer
William McCorkle
Pat & Lisa McGuire
Jo McMurtry
Uncas McThenia
Susan Mead
John & Drusie Milford
Rob & Susan Minor
Helen Moore
Liz Moss
Grigg & Cindy Mullen
Ann & Jerry Nay
Elaine Nelson
Mark Nelson
Elizabeth & Bill Oliver
David & Jeanne Passmore
George & Eleanor Penn
Michael Perry
Shay Peters
Henry Porter
Tim & Mary Price
Steve & Peggy Riethmiller
Joanne & Paul Robblee
Cynthia Robertson
Woody & Lori Sadler
Bill Sayre & Melissa Gladwell-Sayre
Judy Schram
Heidi Schweizer
Frank Settle, Jr. & Cecile West-Settle
Marjorie Sherrill
Sue & Steve Shultis
Ham & AP Smith
Jimbo & Ruth Smith
Sarah Stockton
Paul Strickland
Lisa Tracy
Spencer & Beverly Tucker
David Wade
Kitty Wainwright
Nancy Walker
Harry & Marnie Wheeler
Kent & Mary Wilson
Michael & Beverly Wirtz
Christina Young
If you are new to pledging and would like guidance here are three basic guidelines -
1. Pledge something. You are a valuable member of the body of Christ. Most of your contribution to Christ's work is through the works of love you do for others every day in your work and personal life. You also share in the responsibility for maintaining and operating our facilities and ministries. Some members give $1/week, some give $400/week. Some give nothing. Whatever you commit and fulfill will be gratefully received and faithfully used for God's mission through Grace. Whether you give something or not, you are a beloved member of the parish and the body of Christ.
2. Consider pledging proportionally. As your income or net worth change, continue to give proportionally. For example - you can base your giving on a proportion of your gross annual income. Or if you have a positive net worth, you might consider basing your giving on a proportion of your net worth.
3. Consider tithing your income or net worth. Traditionally, tithing is ten percent of gross household income. Muslims have a different standard that you might consider. They give 2.4% of their gross positive net worth. If they have zero or negative net worth they are not expected to give anything except time and talent.
Prayers for Peace in the Holy Land
A Note from Tuck:
I am writing to ask for your prayers for a de-escalation of violence between Israeli and Palestinian people and for return to the challenging work of building a sustainable and lasting peace.
I have reached out to the current student director of Hillel House, the Chaplain at VMI, and the director of Student Services at W&L to express our support of Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim students.
I encourage you to reach out to your Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim friends in recognition that this crisis creates the conditions for increased anti-semitic and anti-muslim behavior, as well the strong likelihood that they or someone close to them has been impacted by this crisis.
Finally, please read the following statement by the Episcopal Church and the accompanying statement by Churches for Middle East Peace.
Pray for peace.
Boys Home of Virginia Wish List
Please help us support the Boys Home of Virginia by supplying any of items on their wishlist. There is a basket on the stair landing to the Parish Office for the Boys Home donations. Please drop off at church. Thank you!
Upcoming Outreach Opportunities
Rockbridge Connect and Nourish (CAN) -formerly the Portable Community Table
From RATS (Rockbridge Areas Transportation Services): “We are working to build community by bringing together diverse people to share free, professionally catered dinners, by linking people to other community resources, and by providing free transportation to meals.”
Starting in 2024 the schedule will be 3 dinners a month at 6 locations. Each location will have an assigned month and week.
Join fellow community members at dinner: Rockbridge Connect and Nourish (CAN) - 2024 Community Dinner schedule Volunteer to serve at a dinner: Rockbridge CAN Community Dinner sign-up
Community Health and Wellbeing Survey
Please take 10-15 minutes to complete the 2023 survey. Conducted every three years, survey responses are used to identify health priorities in our community. Agencies use these priorities in making programming and funding decisions, many of which have already had a significant positive impact in our area. Carilion Health Assessment Survey 2023
A Plea for Haiti
Our neighbors in Haiti are struggling through a period of political violence and chaos. With the government disabled, many Haitians rely on church schools to educate their children. Grace, as part of the Virginia Haiti Collaborative, supports one such school in Haiti, St. Marc’s in Cerca-la-Source. Every month the Collaborative sends $5000 to Haiti to pay the salaries of the 30-some teachers at St. Marc’s who teach the 350 students in grades K-12. That $5000/month pays the full salaries of 30 adults and provides education for 350 students. The Collaborative is the school’s only source of funding.
This season, we are also raising money so that the students can have computers at school. They will need some degree of computer literacy to take their graduation exams and to serve them as they seek jobs after graduation. If you can help provide schooling for these children, please put Virginia Haiti Collaborative on the memo line and send your check to Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401. Trinity provides bookkeeping for the collaborative. For more information, please contact Anne Hansen or Tuck.
Wanted: Sunday School Teachers
Grace is looking for youth, college students and adults willing to help provide Sunday School for a few children each Sunday from about 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. We are willing to pay a stipend. Please contact Tuck to find out more.
Prayer List
Prayer for the election of the next Presiding Bishop: Almighty God, source of all wisdom and understanding: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will choose our next presiding bishop, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for all of your people, equip us for our ministries, and proclaim your word to us and to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for the continued healing of The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for your brothers and sisters in The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Pray for Brendon, Michael Murphy, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin, Gloria June Perry, Glen Jones, Patricia Brown Boyer, Dolly Shumate, Carolyn Glenn, Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Worth & Katie Burnes & Family, Amelia Dull, Barb Ostrander, Stephen deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Rosemary Phillips, Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Patrick Bowes, Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Penny & Ned Henneman, Steve Riethmiller, Barbara Bova, Daniel Diener, Shelby, Anne Stenhouse, Clay Sadler, Lynn Butler, Sharon Humphreys, Eloise Adams, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein (daughter of Deb & Bill Klein), Linda Lanford and Erik Figueroa (family of Tim & Mary Price), Patrick Keeley, Matthew (SVU student), Dorothy & Bill Rodman (Lori Sadler’s family), Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died. Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and pray for cessation of violence, reconciliation, and peace.
In Thanksgiving for December and January Birthdays
12/31 Grace Frascati
1/4 Colin Murphy
1/5 Elizabeth Branner, Martha Ann Burford
1/8 Laurent Boetsch, Kitty Farrar, Helen Moore
1/10 Janet Lemmer, Peter Grover
1/11 Signe Lewis
1/12 Carol Muir
1/14 Liz Moss
1/16 Gabrielle Frascati
1/18 Laurie Huger
1/19 Elizabeth Boetsch
1/20 Paul Strickland
1/21 Sarah Edgar
1/23 Virginia Cooke
1/26 Maille Carrington
1/27 Sean Carrington , Joseph Moles
1/29 Jane Brooke
1/30 Melissa Gladwell-Sayre, Cary Edgar
1/31 Tom Gosse
We're so glad you're here! If you or someone you know is new to Grace and would like more information about Parish life, follow the link below.
MLK Community Worship Service
Sunday, January 14, 2024 @ 4:00pm in the First Baptist Church
The MLK March/ Parade will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024 @ 10:30 AM beginning @ the Randolph Street United Methodist Church located 118 South Randolph Street in Lexington.
Donations for Lisa's House – Project Horizon
Items we currently need: · High efficiency laundry detergent · Toilet paper, paper towels · Lysol disinfectant spray · Dish soap · Coffee · $10 gas cards At this time, we are only able to accept items on this list. Thank you for thinking of us!
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