Dear Friends,
On Good Friday Jesus wins the victory that redeems all our days. We can understand that redemption better if we understand something about the battle he fights and wins on Good Friday.
…
On Good Friday Jesus faced the darkest day of life with no guarantee of success, with nothing but faith in God. All outward success was with his enemies who tried in every way to cut him off from the faith that sustained him. But Jesus had something greater than outward success - a complete and full trust in his companionship with God. On Good Friday he opens the door for us to enjoy his companionship with God through the power of his Spirit. In the power of that companionship we can face any outcome, knowing that come what may, God will always give us the power to start life from where we are, even at the grave, and to live all our days in the knowledge and love of God. As I write this on "Spy Wednesday" (so called in remembrance of Judas conspiracy with the chief priests) Jonathan Daniels is leading Joanna the Myrrhbearer for the Golden Halo. Keith Gibson, spoke eloquently for Daniels during our Wednesday nights in Lent, reminding us of Daniels words from his valedictory address given during graduation for the Class of 1961. It reads, “I wish you the decency and nobility of which you are capable.” To live life in faithful companionship with God through our darkest days takes courage, hope, resolve, and thoughtfulness. Jonathan's final act of decency and nobility, giving his life to save the life of his friend Ruby Sales, was no more impulsive than our Lord's on the cross. Both acts reflect discipline, training, and conscientiousness. But neither could have been realized or understood rightly apart from love and companionship with God as well as with comrades, compatriots, friends. Friendship, love of God and one another is at the heart of that nobility of which we are capable. May Easter confirm and renew your joyful friendship with God in Christ Jesus, and may his companionship with you redeem all your days.
PS - To learn more about Ruby Sales and how she has carried on the work she began with Jonathan visit The Spirit House Project
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector, Grace Episcopal Lexington
Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday Service | April 6, 6 p.m.
Good Friday Service | April 7, 12 and 6 p.m.
Easter Vigil | April 8, 6 p.m.
Followed by Lamb Dinner in Parish Hall
Worship Services | Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 9
Please bring flowers from your yard to help flower the cross at the Easter services.
Easter Egg hunt at both services!
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Join Us for Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back and better than ever! Join us this week on Grace's steps from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday!
We're on Twitter!
To stay in the loop with all things Grace Episcopal, give us a follow on our new Twitter! While you're at it, check out our other socials too.
Graceful Play
Graceful Play, an after school program for early childhood and early elementary children, began last week on Tuesday, March 28, and we need volunteers to assist. Graceful Play blends curriculum elements from Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and hopefully, a Vacation Bible School meets Mr. Roger's Neighborhood atmosphere.
As a volunteer you will not be expected to be present each week. There will be no meetings or training, except Safeguarding. As our parish continues the work of Becoming the Beloved Community, I ask you to prayerfully consider participating in Graceful Play.
If you would like to know more about Graceful Play, please contact Marjorie Connolly at connolly804@gmail.com (713-206-1756).
Confirmation Preparation
Anyone interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation of Faith please contact Tuck or Samson. Meetings are held in the library after the 10:30 a.m. service.
Upcoming Music Events
Join Grace Music Scholar Chris Vasquez and Laney Milton from Southern Virginia University on April 12th at 7:30 p.m. for their Senior Conducting Recital! Featuring composers of every era, they are excited to present the music of many favorites, including Palestrina, Berlioz, Fanny Hansel, Jonathon Dove, and others. Grace is excited to welcome their collaboration with acclaimed composer and organist Kurt Knecht from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of St. Paul’s, Salem and their interim rector The Rev. Dr. James Hubbard. Pray for Brendon (friend of the Brooke family), Michael Murphy, John Thomas, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin (friends of the Gibsons), Gloria June Perry (mother of Michael Perry), Glen Jones (friend of the Riethmillers), Darlene Travis (sister of Don Ellis), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown), Dolly Shumate & Betty Gale Anderson (friends of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Crystal Iosco and John Penn (granddaughter and son of Ellie & George Penn), Mary & George Kostel, Laura Stearns, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Diana Kenney, Tom Strickland, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Jan Ashworth, Barb, Stephen DeMaria, Bill Stearns, Farris Hotchkiss, Annie Campbell and those we name aloud or in our hearts. In thanksgiving for the Baptism of Graham Ryan Centorino. Parents: Sarah & Scott Centorino. Pray for those who have died.
Drusie Milford is taking over the Grace Prayer email chain. Each Tuesday an email will go out with the week's information. If you would like to become a member of this group, please email Drusie Milford (drusmilford@gmail.com). Likewise, if you would like to request anyone be added to the prayer email chain, please email Drusie.
In Thanksgiving for March and April Birthdays
4/6 Molly Brown, Jasper Murphy
4/7 Diana Kenney
4/8 Anne Sauder, Emily McClung, William Mackie
4/9 Lori Sadler
4/10 William McCorkle
4/13 David Passmore
4/15 Helen Head
4/16 Donald Ellis
4/18 Dennis Cross, Kevin Manning
4/19 Lisa McGuire, Beverly Wirtz
4/20 Erika Brooke
4/22 Buddy Atkins
4/25 Genelle Gertz
4/26 Chuck Smith
4/27 Nancy Walker
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, Abby Moles, Madison Brown
4/29 David Hansen
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.
Enduring Wisdom From a Rockbridge Educator...
...FOR THE AGES: CELEBRATING CHARLIE JONES, INSPIRATION FOR SOUNDER & SOUR LAND THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 Gathering at 5:00 p.m & Program at 5:30 p.m. ANDERSON COLISEUM MEZZANINE THE VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER 487 Maury River Road in Lexington, Virginia Dr. Kip Armstrong, son of Collierstown native and Newbery Award winning author William Howard Armstrong, will illuminate the influence the Rockbridge area had on his father’s work. He will pay special homage to local educator Charlie Jones (1869-1950), whose deep impact on Armstrong inspired his classic young adult novel Sounder, and its sequel, Sour Land. The evening will include a special preview of a remarkable collection of ten original works by James Barkley, paintings that became the illustrations for Sounder. To learn more about this inaugural program of The Sounder Circle, contact Susan Virginia Mead, svm@diversityserves.org or 540-267-5678
RCS Spring Concert
The Rockbridge Choral Society presents William McCorkle and The Rockbridge Chorus Spring Concert 2023. John Rutter: Gloria and works by Vaughan Williams, Paul Halley with brass, timpani and organ. Sunday April 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm, Lexington Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets at www.rcs.org. $12.50 per person, $35 per family (at the door $15.00 per person, $40 per family).
Donate to The Bishop’s Dollar Fund
This year during the season of Lent, Bishop Bourlakas extends his annual invitation to reflect on our discipleship in Jesus' name. As you walk the way of the cross through the forty days of Lent, we encourage generous support of The Bishop’s Dollar Fund to continue to address a variety of initiatives and needs throughout the diocese that would not be available through our annual program budget. You may send donations via the link below or mail a check to the Diocesan Office made payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia with "Bishop's Dollar" in the memo line to: Attn: Bishop's Dollar Fund, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.
Rockbridge Youth Chorale Spring Concert
Tuesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m. | Lexington Presbyterian Church. Admission is a suggested minimum donation of $10/adult, $5/student or child or $25/family. For more information contact RYCLexington@gmail.com
Rockbridge Area Cleanup
Saturday, April 22, 9-12, Grace participates in the Rockbridge Area Cleanup! Place to be announced. Please email Martha about how excited you are to participate. The Creation Care Committee will have jackets and bags ready AND provide lunch after!
Hosting Ukrainian Families
A humanitarian outreach effort organized by citizens of Lexington, Buena Visa, and Rockbridge County, we aim to pave the way for sponsoring temporary re-settlement of families who qualify for entry according to the laws of the United States.
The mission of Hosting Ukrainian Families is based upon love, compassion, and humanitarian concerns for families seeking to live in peace. Accordingly, a call is issued to each person joining in this effort to set aside all political, culturally divisive viewpoints, and all differences which may hinder or defeat these goals. To donate, click the link below.
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