Life With Grace | February 27
- Grace Episcopal Church
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Dear Friend,
In Lent the Church invites us to prepare to renew our baptism by examining our lives, fasting from judging and condemning others, and feasting on the presence of Christ in Word, Sacrament and human fellowship.
This Sunday our gospel shows us Nicodemus coming for a private conversation with Jesus by night. Nicodemus senses that a profound change is taking place, something is happening, but he doesn't understand it. Nicodemus doesn't understand how the love of God is changing him, and changing the world, through personal encounters like the one he has with Jesus.
So often it is a personal relationship that gets us to reexamine deeply held assumptions and judgments. A heart felt conversation brings a revelation of the divine worth of another human being. You find you can no longer so easily condemn this person, and people like them. Instead you want to be an ally, to help change the world so it is more hospitable for people like this.
This is one of the profound truths of the incarnation. God is changing the world by making us come to Jesus in each other, making us give up our condemnation. Making us want to love those we thought were unforgiveable, unlovable. Beginning to realize, with joy, how wrong we have been.
Nicodemus doesn't get there in a single night. Maybe not even by the end of the Gospel. But he kept moving toward the light. Keep trying to have those personal encounters that keep us moving toward the light.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Second Sunday in Lent | Sunday, March 1st
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
SUNDAY, MARCH 1st - 2nd Sunday of Lent - Sermon on the Mount - Anne Hansen | The Sermon on the Mount, given to us in Matthew's gospel, is one of the most difficult texts of the New Testament and one of the most foundational. It calls us to a life lived in whole-person confidence in the goodness of God, in anticipation of the coming age of shalom, and in the daily virtues that those conditions require.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
SUNDAY, MARCH 8th - 3rd Sunday of Lent - Sermon on the Mount - Anne Hansen
SUNDAY, MARCH 15th - 4th Sunday of Lent - Christianity & Roots of Common Law - David Partlett
SUNDAY, MARCH 22nd - 5th Sunday of Lent - American Church/Changing Beliefs, Practices and Affiliations - Jon Eastwood
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-noon. We can pay $15/hour. Volunteers also welcome. Please contact James Keane for more information and to offer assistance.
First Sunday Lunch
Join us in the Parish Hall following the 10:30 a.m. service for food and fellowship!
Lenten Programming & Easter Services
Wednesday Evenings in the Parish Hall - 6 p.m. Supper prepared and served by Anne Sauder, 6:30 p.m. presentation, Concluding prayer 7:25 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4 - James Keane The Beatitudes
Wednesday, March 11 - Tuck Bowerfind Parables of the Kingdom Ch 13
Wednesday, March 18 - Anne Hansen Parables of the Kingdom
Wednesday, March 25 - Alex Brown Parables of the Kingdom Ch 25
Wednesday, April 1 - No program
Thursday, April 2 - 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Eucharist
Friday, April 3 - Noon & 6:30 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday, April 4 - 6:30 p.m. Easter Vigil followed by Lamb Supper
Sunday, April 5 - Easter Services 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Palm Sunday Children's Choir
Melanie Griffis, founding Director of the Rockbridge Youth Chorale and previously Director of Grace's Children's Choir, Martha Burford, Grace's staff music minister, and one of the Music Scholars can't wait to form a Children's Choir to sing an anthem on Palm Sunday (March 29). Rehearsals will take place after provided snacks in the Undercroft right after church. We will rehearse March 8,15, and 22. The children will sing at the 10:30am service on Palm Sunday, March 29. We are so excited to offer this and eagerly anticipate the fruits! More details to come. Feel free to contact Martha.
CATE Dinner Recap
Parishioners and friends of Grace Episcopal Church celebrated Mardi Gras on February 17 with a dinner and auction organized by the church's new initiative, Children Aspiring To Education (CATE), which was established in 2024 to assist Haitian and South Sudanese school children. Funds from the auction along with cash donations that evening will be sent directly to the Ecole Saint Marc in Cerca-la-Source, Haiti; Kelly Academy of Hope near Wau, South Sudan; and Hope House International, a residence for South Sudanese youth going to schools in Kenya.
Baptism, Confirmation, or Reaffirmation of Faith
Lent is a traditional time to prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reaffirmation of Faith. Tuck is happy to meet with anyone who wants to prepare on each of the Sundays of Lent from noon to 1p.m., or as otherwise scheduled.
Typically this preparation includes a close reading of the service of Baptism with time for questions and discussion. We use the Outline of the Faith found in the Book of Common Prayer pages 843-862 as a resource for basic questions about the faith. I encourage participants to make regular church attendance during Lent and Holy Week part of their preparation.
Flower Donations
There are still Sundays available on the flower chart. If you would like to donate flowers in memory or thanksgiving please sign up. The chart is located on the bridge next to the doorway to the elevator. The suggested donation is $75.00. When you put your name on the chart, please remember to let Lisa McGuire know your dedication.
The Flower Guild is also looking for new members. If you enjoy arranging flowers and would like to join a ministry please consider signing up. You can email Claudia Ellis.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
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 resumes Tuesday, March 2 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. in the College Room. Contact Michelle Mackie for more info.
Invitation from the Sheriff
Join Sheriff Tony A. McFaddin Jr. for an afternoon of community and crime prevention at his Senior Social Luncheon. Free and open to the public 50 years and up. Wednesday, March 25, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Virginia Horse Center. Sponsors and Vendors located throughout the concourse. Catered lunch served at noon in the Mezzanine. Guest speakers presenting topics relevant to the senior population.
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, Roanoke, their associate rectors, the Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick and the Rev. Tray Light and their interim rector, the Rev. David Olson. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Sharon Humphreys, Elizabeth Klein, Dot Fogo, Buddy Atkins, Dennis Coughlin, Rob Fleming, Patty Irving Sensabaugh, Richard Partlett, Gerry Locher, Doug Ayer, Mo Littlefield, Becky Merchant, Betsy Moss (daughter-in-law of Liz Moss), Betsy Carter, Tena Clark, Tom Capito (brother of Kitty Farrar) and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace. Pray for those who have died, B. James Mitchell, II, (nephew of Janet & Greg Lemmer).
In Thanksgiving for February and March Birthdays
2/27 Joseph Henson
2/28 Caitie Carrington, Erin Carrington
3/2 Katherine Greene
3/3 Scott Centorino
3/6 Connor Rothermel
3/7 Woody Sadler
3/8 James Brown, Emma Brooke, Carole Elmore, Charles Moore
3/9 Anne F Grizzle, Susan Mead
3/10 Mary Price
3/11 Daniel Mastin
3/14 Cindy Mullen
3/15 John Milford
3/16 Shay Peters, Catherine Harcus
3/17 Ed Craun, Bill Sayre, Pat McGuire
3/18 Elizabeth Knapp
3/19 Wade Branner, Cecile West-Settle
3/23 Laura Stearns
3/24 Rose Gordon
3/26 AP Smith
3/27 Kathryn Hill
3/31 Will Edgar
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