Life With Grace | March 27
- Grace Episcopal Church
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Dear Friends,
The death of Jesus shows us that God's Son our Lord is willing to absorb violence and derision rather than inflict it even on those inflicting it on him. This is the core teaching of God in Jesus - God, on God's part, will bring the cycle of violence to an end with this death. The next steps are up to us.
Who will follow into the Kingdom of God? Though rejected by the highest and most learned religious leaders and by the Roman Governor, unexpected citizens of the new Kingdom appear - many women keeping watch, the centurion and his comrades who suddenly bear witness to the Son of God, a wealthy man named Joseph from Arimathea. From these patches of good soil the seed of the kingdom will begin to grow as it already has from Mary and Joseph once they first said yes to God and took responsibility for the infant Immanuel.
On Wednesday, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Angel to the Virgin Mary, Sarah Mullaly was installed as Archbishop of Canterbury. I encourage you to read her sermon in which she reflects on what is possible with God's persistent guiding presence, the hope the Incarnation brings to us and to the world.
It is amazing that after some 1400 years we have the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury. In a sense, of course, gender is irrelevant. But it is only revealed as irrelevant when people of different genders are elevated to the highest ranks. Her Grace will face rejection. But surprising witnesses will also emerge. We should pay attention to the ways she stirs up both among us.
Humanity still has a hope of rejecting the violence of the kingdoms of the world and faithfully building the kingdom of God by responding to the needs of the least among us as modeled by God in Christ. Don't get weary, don't fall asleep. Keep watching our Lord and keep watch with him, so that his Spirit can inspire yours. Who knows what amazing transformations are on the horizon.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Sunday of the Passion : Palm Sunday | Sunday, March 29th
Weather permitting, those who are able gather in the courtyard, to join the procession into church. Those who prefer may participate from the Narthex.
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
SUNDAY, MARCH 29th - Palm Sunday - Parade of the Palms No C&C
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
SUNDAY, APRIL 5th - Easter - No C&C
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th - Freedom of Religion Clause in the Constitution - Ann Massie
SUNDAY, APRIL 19th - April 22nd Earth Day - Earth Day “Our Power, Our Planet” - Sustainable Agriculture - Glenn Szarzynski
Ecumenical Procession with Palms starting at Hopkins Green at 9:15 a.m.
Weather permitting, those who are able gather in the courtyard, to join the procession into church. Those who prefer may participate from the Narthex. 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.
Easter Flowers
This year the flower guild will have 14 lilies, pots of tulips, hydrangeas and hyacinths, to decorate the Nave & Chancel for Easter. If you would like to donate a Memorial plant for $10, please make your check payable to Grace Episcopal with Flower Guild on the memo line, or donate online at our website pick Flower Fund in the dropdown box on the Give page. Please email Lisa@gracelexva.org with your memorial or thanksgiving dedication.
Easter Services
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.
Festival Lamb Dinner 2026
Sat., April 4 - Parish Hall 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Come feast on leg of Lamb immediately following the Easter Vigil service!
We will provide lamb, couscous, asparagus, bread, coffee & tea. Please help round out the menu by bringing a green salad, Waldorf salad, green vegetable (green beans, brussels sprouts, broccoli), or dessert and wine to share.
A freewill offering of $15 per person is greatly appreciated.
News from Christian Outreach Committee
Unity4Kids run by Tammy Reid is putting together Easter baskets for underprivileged children in our area and are looking for help. If you would like to put together an Easter basket or two or more, give Tammy a call or text and she will supply you with a name or names and information about a child. Her phone number is mobile 540-784-2659, work 540-463-7394 and email is tammyr@spencerhomecenter.com.
If you are looking for a fun and rewarding activity, get a name and fill a basket for Unity4Kids. Thank you.
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 meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11 a.m. in the College Room. Contact Michelle Mackie for more info.
Rockbridge Youth Chorale Spring Concert
Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian Church
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. Mark’s, St. Paul and their rector, the Rev. John Church. 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, 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 Carter, Tena Clark, Tom Capito (brother of Kitty Farrar), Shay Peters, Meg Moss, Jessica Clawson, 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.
In Thanksgiving for March and April Birthdays
3/27 Kathryn Hill
3/31 Will Edgar 4/2 David Connolly
4/3 Dot Fogo, Punky Dod
4/5 Gail Dickerson
4/8 Anne Sauder, Emily McClung, William Mackie
4/9 Lori Sadler, Aurelia Sorber
4/10 William McCorkle, Suzanne Keen, John Arpin
4/13 David Passmore
4/14 Gini Jardim
4/16 Don 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 Clara Pickett
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, Clark Simcoe
4/28 Abby Moles, Madison Brown, Jeanne Glenn
4/29 David Hansen
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