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Life With Grace | January 17

Writer's picture: Grace Episcopal ChurchGrace Episcopal Church
This image shows a woman standing at a wooden podium, addressing a group of people seated around tables in what appears to be a community or church hall. The room has beige walls, a curtained background, and a buffet table with plates and serving items in the back. The audience is engaged, and the overall atmosphere suggests a formal or semi-formal event, such as a meeting, luncheon, or presentation.
Join us this weekend for worship and in welcoming The Saint Johns Bible.

Dear friends,

January 18, The Confession of Saint Peter, to January 25, The Conversion of Saint Paul, is annually designated as the week of prayer for Christian Unity for churches of the northern Hemisphere. (The ten days from Ascension Day to Pentecost are also a time of Prayer for Unity among all churches.)

This year marks the 1700 anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 AD. This commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the Creed formulated during this Council.


In light of this the text chosen for world wide consideration is John 11:11-27 and especially v. 26 in which Jesus asks Martha, Do you believe this? (I am the Resurrection and the Life.   Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.)


Locally we have several wonderful opportunities to celebrate the week of Christian Unity.  The Saint John's Bible will be presented at Grace on January 18 and used in worship and presented at Christianity and Culture at Grace on Sunday morning, January 19.  Ecumenical worship celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr will begin at 4pm Sunday, January 19.


All are invited to join hundreds of walkers in the annual MLK Parade at 10:30 am, Monday, January 20 starting in front of Randolph Street United Methodist Church.


On Friday and Saturday, January 24-25, delegates, youth, and other lay leaders from Grace will join the annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia in Roanoke. Grace leaders will present the Saint John's Bible there, as well as our mission with the Kelly School in South Sudan and Ecole Saint Marc in Haiti.


Through the Incarnation God has inspired renewal of faith and joy and unity to the whole world. 

As we treasure the gift and embrace the entire mystery of the incarnation, passion, death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord we work with people of faith around the world to bear witness to God's never failing love, and to increase the Spirit's gifts of unity, peace, and abundant life for all creatures. 

With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)

Rector | Grace Episcopal Church


Worship Services | Second Sunday After the Epiphany | Sunday, January 19

Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and on Zoom




Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom

Jan 19 - St. John's Bible, Brad Neary and Liz Moss presenting

Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions

Jan 26 - One holy, catholic, apostolic, David Cox presenting

Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube




Women's Bible Study | Welles Room/Library | 3:30 p.m.

Choral Evensong | Next Sunday, January 26 | 5 p.m.
 
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.

In-Person & Zoom

 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrations

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Worship Service

Sunday, January 19, 4:00 p.m. at The First Baptist Church, 103 N. Main Street, Lexington.


9th Annual CARE Rockbridge Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade

10:30 a.m., January 20. Parade starts at the Randolph Street United Methodist Church.


Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday January 20 - Parish Office Closed

 
Bakers Wanted for the Community Table

Please contact Virginia Cooke at 348-5367 if interested!

 
The Saint John's Bible

If you are interested in finding out more about The Saint John's Bible, there are books you can check out in our Welles Room/Library.

Saint John’s Bible Welcome Event

Saturday, January 18, 2025

5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Grace Episcopal Church

123 W. Washington St, Lexington, Virginia

 

Please join us as we welcome Volume 7 (Gospels & Acts) of the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible.  The Saint John’s Bible is the first illuminated, handwritten Bible to be commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey in more than 500 years.

 Saint John’s Abbey & University (Collegeville, MN), in 1998 commissioned this unique work of Scripture and sacred art as a gift to the world for the new Millennium.  The 1,150-page manuscript was created by Donald Jackson, former Senior Scribe to Her Royal Majesty The Late Queen Elizabeth II Crown Office, along with a small collaborative team of scribes and artists.  Traditional materials were used, including vellum, ancient inks, precious metals and quill pens fashioned from goose, turkey and swan feathers.

 

In an effort to fully realize the mission of The Saint John’s Bible – to ignite the spiritual imagination of people around the world on all faith journeys – a full-sized, fine art printed Heritage Edition was produced using cutting-edge 21st-century technology.  This limited Edition is bound in Italian leather and features the exquisite calligraphy, vibrant imagery and stunning embossed illuminations inspired by the original; only 299 of these 7-volume sets were crafted. 

 

The volume will be hosted by Grace Episcopal Church during February, March, and April and during that time it will be inspiring us in our worship and study of scripture. We also desire to share it within our community. Please contact the church office ( 540-463-4981) or Liz Moss (540-233-1048) if you would like to engage with the Bible.

Check out this recent video from Saint Patricks in New York about the Saint John’s Bible.

 
Youth at Convention

Get ready for our biggest event of the year with youth from across Southwestern Virginia. Registration is open for Youth@Convention 2025! All middle and high school youth are invited to join us for a weekend of live music, small groups, and youth centered worship. We are excited to announce that our service project will be making beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. January 24–26, 2025 | St. John's Roanoke. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 15. We can't wait to see you!





 
ACTS Call for Members

What is Grace Actively Caring Through Sharing (ACTS)?


How can I be a part of it?


Grace ACTS is an important ministry to the parishioners and the community of our church. Our four teams consist of over 20 people or family units that volunteer for the Grace ACTS ministry. Each team has about 6 members and is on duty every 4 weeks. Grace ACTS members select two or more needs from the list when their team is on duty. Team members pray for, call, visit or send a card to those on the list that are ill, have had a death in their family or are celebrating a new baby or a birthday. Please continue to pray for this vital ministry to our parish. If you have a pastoral concern or know of someone who does please contact Fr. Tuck, Melissa Cox or the Parish Office. If you would like to serve on a team, please contact Melissa.

 
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal

The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, continues toneed children’s winter jackets. They also need teenaged girls’ clothing of all types in sizes 14, 16, and 18. They also need queen-sized sheets. The Clothes Closet is open every first and third Saturday of the month from 9 am until noon. You may drop your items off then.  Alternately, you can bring your items to the Grace Church office and Lisa will ensure your items are conveyed to the Clothes Closet. Thank you for your support of this valuable asset to our community.

 
Greeter Team and Usher Team at Grace

Greeters take turns welcoming worshipers as they enter the churchyard to attend the service. They identify visiting guests, visitors, new members and extend a warm greeting. Greeter schedules are flexible to work with your availability. A great way to meet others at Grace. Contact Cecile West-Settle at West-SettleC@wlu.edu, 540-570-3256.


Ushers help the service run smoothly by welcoming worshipers to the service and assisting them as needed. They distribute the service bulletin and help with the offering collection, communion and more. Schedules are flexible to work with your availability. Email or call Lisa McGuire at 540-463-4981.

Training provided, many benefits! Join TODAY

 
Paws to Connect

Paws to Connect will be back the second week of February!

 
Prayer List

Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the Canons of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, The Rev. Cn. Jonathan Harris, Cn. Pattie Ames and Cn. Jenni Faires. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Glen Jones, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Barbara Bova, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Grace, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Patricia Williams, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Peggy DePasquale, Nick Penn, Danny Anson (friend of Pat & Keith Gibson), Bill Cannon, Rebecca Robblee (daughter-in-law of Joanne & Paul Robblee), Tom Strickland, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, Roger Baroody, Henry Porter, Buster Lewis, Joe Moles, Mo Littlefield, Michelle & John Evola (cousins of Darlene Keane), Len & Patricia Klein (parents of Laurie Huger), Kelly Strickland (brother of Paul), 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.

 
In Thanksgiving for January Birthdays       

1/18  Lee Sayre, Laurie Huger

1/19  Elizabeth Boetsch

1/20  Paul Strickland

1/21  Sarah Edgar

1/23  Virginia Cooke

1/26  Maille Carrington

1/27  Sean Carrington,  Joseph Moles

1/29  Jane Brooke, Nan Partlett

1/30  Melissa Gladwell-Sayre, Cary Edgar

1/31  Tom Gosse

 

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.

 

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