In fulfillment of his true promise, the Holy Spirit came down on this day from heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; uniting peoples of many tongues in the confession of one faith, and giving to your Church the power to serve you as a royal priesthood, and to preach the Gospel to all nations.
Pentecost this weekend! Please wear red to church and let's celebrate together the coming of the Holy Spirit. We will pray the above prayer at communion, and remember how the Holy Spirit enlightens us, and unites us. Join us Sunday at 9 am on Zoom or 10 am in person.
After gathering casual feedback, our committee realized having a few more details will help us better prioritize our planning for this year, which includes picking a date that works best.
This is the 30th year we have run this event. Wow. Not only do we want to do the most good possible for this year, we are celebrating the entire history of the good God has done through this event--or at least the good that we know of--and this requires more advance planning.
As some of you may have noticed, we have been casually asking for feedback on ways to improve the Alternative Gift Market here at Grace over the past month, so why do we now also have a survey? And why are we asking in the Spring about an event taking place late in the Fall?
Therefore, we have created a very brief survey around the themes we have been hearing. It is designed to take less than five minutes. We very much appreciate your input.CLICK HERE
If you have been in church regularly through the Easter season, you may have noticed that the music of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams has taken center stage. We have gradually been working our way through Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, a work that sets the beautiful poetry of 17th century poet and priest George Herbert. Vaughan Williams wrote these pieces between 1906 and 1911 after having studied with French composer Maurice Ravel.
On Easter Sunday Alonso sang the first song, Easter, with its beautiful accompaniment and soaring melody which reflects the poets joy at the Resurrection. A couple of weeks later we heard The Call, a simple expression of confidence in the presence of divine love. This was followed by I got me flowers, an intimate song reflecting on the mystery of the Resurrection. On May 5th, we heard the lyrical Love bade me welcome, a song that portrays the sacrament of Communion as a dialogue between divine love and the human sinner that longs to be at the table.
Last Sunday, we took a break from the Five Mystical Songs to hear Jessica Indig-Smith sing Vaughan Williams’ lullaby like setting of William Blake’s poem Cradle Song. The poem speaks of a mother encouraging her child to sleep and wishing her child pleasant dreams. Later in the piece the mother talks of seeing a holy image over her child, and tells the story of how the infant Christ was born so that her child might live.
Finally, on Pentecost we will return to the Five Mystical Songs to hear Alonso sing the last piece in the set. Antiphon is a song of triumphant praise with the music evoking pealing bells in both the melody and the accompaniment as the soloist sings “Let all the world in every corner sing: My God and King!”
Craig Benner, Music Director
Breakfast Run, June 2nd
Hello All,
Our next Breakfast Run is Sunday, June 2nd. All toiletries have been donated thanks to the Temple Beth Shalom, Grace Church and First Reformed Church Multi-Faith MLK Day of Service event. Yay!
We really need hot egg casseroles (easy, easy recipe found on separate tab in google sign up sheet - hardest challenge is waking up in the morning to meet the 7am dropoff) bagels, and other breakfast supplies. Volunteers wanted!
Please consider signing up HERE.
Thank you!
Alicia Sweitzer, Dan Fingleton and Aidan Dorn (Grace student lead)
Bible Study & Spiritual Discussion
Wednesday, May 22nd
Bible Study Reading & Commentaries The reading for Wednesday's Bible Study isHERE. ClickHERE and HEREfor Bible study commentaries.
Want to give to Grace Church? Scan the QR code below:
Sunday (5/19) - Zoom Service @ 9am Lector: Neill Bogan
Sunday (5/19) In-person Worship 10:00am Altar Guild: David Agosto Ushers: David Agosto, Marcia Brewster Lectors: Marcia Brewster, Greg Robbins
Chalice Bearer: Rick Daniel Counters: Sharon Mias, Katie Appel Duda Coffee Hour: The Bahlke-Orgill Family Wednesday (5/22) - Bible Study & Spiritual Discussion @ Noon
