Life With Grace | April 24
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Apr 24
- 6 min read
Dear Friends,
Each Sunday as we recite the creed, "We believe in God," I remember that the word believe derives from the Old English for love. So in my mind I think, we love God the Father. We love Jesus Christ, God's only Son. We love the Holy Spirit. And it helps me connect to the words. I love God. I'm still seeking a better understanding.
Our gospel lesson this Sunday communicates God's love for us through the image of Jesus as the gate through which the sheep come in to find safety and go out to find pasture. John 10:1-10 Jesus opens a way for us to know and love God through his life and teaching, but most importantly through the gift of himself, his own self-offering love.
I think it can feel presumptuous sometimes to say God loves me or God loves us. But this is precisely the truth to which the gospels bear witness. God loves the world, loves humanity, and wants to help us trust, accept, receive, rejoice in that love.
We get it. I think we get it. We get that God loves us. We love the Father, and we love that the Father loves us. We believe. And we pray, we desire, the church to be a community of godly love in which we learn and grow in understanding and doing the work of God's love together.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Fourth Sunday of Easter | Sunday, April 26th
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity & Culture, April 26 - Discussion with Robert White, one of the returning citizens, and information on the S.T.E.P.S. Program.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
May 3rd - Walking the El Camino - Cary & Sarah
May 10th - Pilgrimage - Martha
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | YouTube and In-Person
The nursery is available during our services.
Adults and older youth trained in Safe Church are needed to assist in the nursery from 9 a.m.–noon. We can pay $15/hour. Volunteers also welcome. Please contact James Keane for more information and to offer assistance.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
Zoom and In-Person
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back! Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of Grace. We'll see you soon!
Women’s Bible Study
Our Women's Bible Study on the Book of James meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11 a.m. in the College Room. Contact Michelle Mackie for more info.
Renewing Grace - Phase 1
As leaded glass windows are replaced over the next several weeks they will be stored behind the parish hall. They are available for you to take for a donation of any amount. If you would like one, please let us know. You will be responsible for collecting your window and making your donation. If you made a donation to Renewing Grace we accept that as your donation for one window.
Any windows remaining after Memorial Day will be discarded by the contractor. There will be no interruption of regular programming but parking will be strictly limited to church staff and construction vehicles from now until June 16. We have four permit parking spaces in front of the main Church on Washington Street westbound Monday through Saturday and as already permitted on Sundays. For access to the Parish House please use only the side door under the bridge and the elevator until construction is complete. The rear doors may be used by staff and construction workers.
Small World Moment from Dennis Cross
Susan and I spent a long weekend in Iceland. As we returned Sunday, in a queue line to board the Icelandair flight, I looked to my left and noticed a woman in a straw hat. “That woman resembles Elizabeth Harralson.” It was! Elizabeth was returning from a river cruise visiting gardens. We took this photo at baggage claim at Dulles.
The Nature Nook at Shrine Mont
The Nature Nook, located in the lobby of the Virginia House at Shrine Mont, is a library of field guides, worship and creation care resources for all ages. The Creation Care Committee of the Diocese of Virginia created this lending library for your enjoyment during your stay at Shrine Mont. Please stop by to look through the books and send any comments and recommendations you might have to creationcare@episcopalvirginia.org.
Also, while you are there, take a moment to visit our nuno “Creation,” given to the Creation Care Committee by fiber artist Karen Allen (St. James’, Warrenton). The colors move from the blue of the ocean to the green land, all abundant with life, glorifying God. A suggested meditation hangs with the piece on the north-east wall of the Virginia House dining room.
Grace's Children's Choir
Back By Popular Demand! Grace's Children's Choir will sing on Pentecost, May 24th! Stay tuned for details next week! If you have questions, contact Melanie Griffis or Martha Burford via martha@gracelexva.org
Project Horizon - Volunteers needed
Project Horizon is currently recruiting volunteers to support their mission of providing safety, advocacy, and resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Rockbridge community.
As Rockbridge County's only domestic violence shelter and 24-hour crisis hotline, their work depends on strong community partnerships. Since their founding in 1982 by a small group of dedicated local women, Project Horizon has grown to offer a wide range of free and confidential services, including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, outreach to underserved communities, and prevention education for youth from kindergarten through college.
Volunteers remain at the heart of this work. They support the hotline, assist in the office, help with shelter-related needs, contribute specialized skills (such as translation or creative projects), and partner with staff on outreach and community events.
Volunteers needed are: Day and evening volunteers to answer the hotline & connect callers with resources, engage with shelter residents, work with children's programs, help with community events, and partner on special programs & projects.
They are excited to invite new volunteers to their upcoming training beginning May 30th.
Or email Sara at smcentyre@rockbridge.net
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia and our Bishop-Elect The Rev. Karin MacPhail. Pray today for the people of St. John’s, Waynesboro and their rector, the Rev. Tom DuMontier.
Pray for God’s blessing on the peacemaking labor of Anthony Poggo, former bishop of the South Sudanese diocese of Kajo-Kejil and now serving as Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and Ezekiel Kondo, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
Pray for Brendon, Timmy, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Sharon Humphreys, Elizabeth Klein, Dot Fogo, Buddy Atkins, Dennis Coughlin, Rob Fleming, Patty Irving Sensabaugh, Richard Partlett, Gerry Locher, Doug Ayer, Mo Littlefield, Tena Clark, Tom Capito (brother of Kitty Farrar), Shay Peters, Meg Moss, Jessica Clawson, Steve Lawrence, Patricia Williams, Peggy Matheson, Al Hipp (nephew of Virginia Cooke), and those we name aloud or in our hearts.
Pray for the people living in war, pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace.
Pray for those who have died, Madison Warner (former student of Martha Burford).
In Thanksgiving for April and May Birthdays
4/25 Genelle Gertz
4/26 Chuck Smith
4/27 Clara Pickett
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, Clark Simcoe, Abby Moles, Madison Brown, Jeanne Glenn
4/29 David Hansen
5/2 Elizabeth Harralson, Ruth Smith
5/6 Peter Bowerfind
5/8 Kate Holston
5/9 Patrick Hugg
5/12 Anne Hershbell
5/13 Caroline Russell
5/15 Jenny Mastin
5/16 Ren Price, Elaine Price
5/17 John Dickerson, Cynthia Robertson
5/20 Joan Crawford, Foster Pickett
5/22 Garrett Frascati
5/26 Raeanna Simcoe
5/30 Lyle McClung
5/31 Anne Tyler McCabe, Ellie Mastin
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