Dear Saints of Grace,
This Sunday, Jesus presents us with a highly contentious statement. He instructed His followers not to refer to anyone on earth as "father," as they have only one Father in heaven...
What does Jesus mean by saying this? Should we stop calling our biological fathers "father," "daddy," "pa," "pop," "yaba," or "papa," etc...? Some may find Jesus' comments on Matthew's Gospel on this “All Saints” Sunday contradictory. But, when you truly ponder on this message, you'll realize that it all comes down to the virtue of humility.
The idea of God as Father is present in both the Old and New Testaments, but it is emphasized particularly in the New Testament through the teachings of Jesus. Jesus often referred to God as "Abba," a term for "Father" in Aramaic, conveying closeness and familiarity. Jesus encouraged His followers to approach God with trust and confidence, knowing they are His beloved children.
Undeniably, people of different faiths use many names to call God, but for Christians, one has stood the test of time - "Father." This name evokes a sense of warmth, guidance, and protection that no other name can match. It's a name that reverberates with love and invites us to seek the comfort of a gentle embrace. So, while we may call upon God by many names, "Father" will always hold a special place in the heart of the Christian faith.
I once read a story about a woman who struggled to connect with God until someone introduced her to the Lord's Prayer. To her, calling God "father" was life-changing. It brought her closer to God than ever before, and her relationship and fellowship with God grew more profound. Jesus desires us to share, not compete with, God's fatherly love. Whenever you call God "Father," it signifies a familial relationship. Without a doubt, this passage confidently declares the omnipresence of God, His unwavering care for us, His unyielding protection over us, and his boundless provision for us.
Rev. Samson Mamour
Worship Services | All Saints | Sunday, November 5
Remember to set your clocks back an hour as Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday morning.
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall & Zoom | For All the Saints
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Topics
November 5th: Intergenerational Session "For All the Saints" During this session the lesson will focus on different saints, different levels of saints, and the calendar for the year.
November 12th and November 19th: Anne Hansen will be speaking about HOPE. The world is full of alarm and sorrow. What is the nature of Christian hope? And how are Christians called to live this hope in a troubled world?
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and Youtube
Join us for First Sunday lunch immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service! Susan Lawrence will be serving mouth-watering chili, savory baked chicken and wild rice, fluffy baked potatoes, savory roasted vegetables, warm cornbread, luscious banana pudding, and delicious cake.
Bible Study, 4 p.m. – The ladies’ discussion group will meet in the Welles Room (Library). Please join us!
Evening Prayer with Music | 5 p.m.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
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.
Paws to Connect
Join us this Tuesday and Wednesday for Paws to Connect! We will be on the courtyard in front of Grace from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.!
Journey to Bethlehem
As a special holiday activity again this year, we are hoping to have our families at Grace participate in a shared spiritual journey. Beginning on the first day of Advent, December 3rd, a family can invite Mary and Joseph to spend the night at their house. The two will come with a special prayer for the family to say to bless the home that offered hospitality. You can keep a copy of the prayer to read during Advent. We would love it if you would take a picture of your family with Mary and Joseph and send it to Martha Burford, who will post your pictures on Facebook. After Mary and Joseph have spent the night, you will need to make arrangements to pass them on to the next family on the list included in their box. Hopefully, by Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph will have visited all the families on the list. The last family (Dec. 23rd) are asked to bring Mary and Joseph to the 5:00 pm Christmas Eve service where Baby Jesus will be waiting for them.
Upcoming Music Events
Tomorrow, November 4, 7 p.m. The Chamber Music Society of Lexington presents a program by The Deutsch-Amerikanisches Klarinettentrio.
Boys Home of Virginia Wish List
Please help us support the Boys Home of Virginia by supplying any of items on their wishlist.
2025 Convention
The Vestry is looking for Delegates and Alternates to Convention 2025. If you are a Grace Church Member and are interested in being a Delegate or Alternate, please contact Kathy Hill for more information.
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.
Grace Dining Groups Update
The dining groups have been formed and information sent out. However, it is never too late to still join a group. We have weekday luncheon, Sunday brunch and weekday dinner groups. Some dine in homes and some prefer to dine out. If you are still interested, please email Drusie or Ruth.
Angel Tree is Coming!
Since 2007 the parish Outreach Committee has partnered with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Christmas ministry. Angel Tree seeks to restore those affected by crime and incarceration by introducing prisoners, victims, and their families to a new hope available through Jesus Christ. This year our church will receive the names of 50 children to serve in this important ministry. Children being served virtually reside in areas where there is not sufficient local support and we need your help.
Beginning in mid-November you will be provided with a unique code for Grace Episcopal Church, enabling you to access the virtual Angel Tree site. Each tag corresponds to one child and the sponsorship amount for each is $30. Thank you for joining with Angel Tree to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they seek to restore relationships between children and their incarcerated parents.
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 for the people of St. John’s, Bedford and their rector, the Rev. Wilson Brown. 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, Annie Campbell, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Rosemary Phillips, Joan Wade, Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Patrick Bowes, Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Lucy Moise, Penny & Ned Henneman, Steve Riethmiller, David Wade, Barbara Bova, Daniel Diener, Shelby, Anne Stenhouse, Clay Sadler, Lynn Butler, Sharon Humphreys, Eloise Adams, Nancy Mastin, Judy (Carole Elmore’s sister), Elizabeth Klein (daughter of Deb & Bill Klein), Linda Lanford and Erik Figueroa (family of Tim & Mary Price), Marc Silvia (brother of Lisa McGuire), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died, Charles Beckwith (brother-in-law of Carol Dent). Pray for the people of Lewiston, ME, Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and pray for cessation of violence, reconciliation, and peace.
In Thanksgiving for November Birthdays
11/4 Peggy Riethmiller
11/7 Pam Adams, Owen Gertz, Melanie Griffis
11/8 Evan Atkins, Grace Simcoe, Donna Noyes
11/10 Richard Jones
11/11 Brooks McCabe
11/13 Doug Ayer
11/13 Julie Grover
11/14 Jim Farrar
11/15 Tim Price, Rene' Glidden, Samson Mamour
11/18 Sis Harcus, Diana Harris
11/19 Steven Lawrence, Hank Humphreys
11/21 Tim Gaylard, Liam Murphy
11/22 Will McClung
11/23 Bill Kozak, Kristi Finnell
11/26 Michael McCabe
11/27 Jack Hershbell, Anne Blanken, Avery Hess
11/29 Robert Glidden
11/30 Harry Warner
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.
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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