Life With Grace | March 6
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Mar 6
- 5 min read
Dear Friends,
Nothing is more powerful, more transformative, than a personal relationship.
The Gospels during Lent hold up four powerful personal conversations between Jesus and different disciples- Nicodemus, the unnamed Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, the man born blind, the sisters of Lazarus.
This week's conversation between Jesus and the unnamed Woman at the Well results in her witness to her whole city and their conversion, not because of her witness, but because Jesus spends sufficient time with them for them to "see" for themselves that he is the Savior of the world.
God, who loves the world so much, is indeed the Savior of the world.
It is important to see that these Samaritans know the Savior, know the love of God through the Word made flesh, before he is crucified, resurrected, ascended. He has always been present, but not until they encounter him personally, as a human being, do they see.
The spirit breathed into the apostles and born by human hearts and hands continues to transform the world through personal encounter. May the same spirit help you see, give you the will to witness, and inspire you to discern your service of God's love for the world.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Third Sunday in Lent | Sunday, March 8th
Daylight saving time will begin Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. local time. The clocks "spring forward" by one hour.
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
SUNDAY, MARCH 8th - 3rd Sunday of Lent - Sermon on the Mount - Anne Hansen
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
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.
Celtic Contemplative Service with Healing Prayers and Music | 5 p.m.
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 11 - Anne Hansen Parables of the Kingdom
Wednesday, March 18 - Tuck Bowerfind Parables of the Kingdom Ch 13
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.
Joyful Noise for Palm Sunday! Children’s Choir is Back!
Grace is celebrating the return of the inclusion of children’s voices in our music program. For Palm Sunday 2026, Children will lead the Palm Procession from the front steps of the church, through the Nave, and to the steps of the Chancel.
The procession song is "Hosanna" by Carl Tuttle and is the first 2:55 of this link: https://youtu.be/IBwT0R8l2IQ?si=wV6gGPYSNTX20jrn
To prepare our fledgling group of little singers, Graceful Play will focus on learning the anthem during our time on March 8, 15, and 22. All children are invited to join in and to join an actual Children’s Choir rehearsal after 10:30 Worship also on March 8, 15, and 22. All Grace families are invited to send us your preschoolers and older children. We will serve snacks followed by a 45-minute singing and learning time. This will be led by Melanie Griffis and Martha Burford, with assistance from a few volunteers.
If you are a Grandparent, Auntie, Uncle, beloved friend or otherwise attached to a young singer planning to attend/visit on Palm Sunday, please share the link above so they can join in!
It is my prayerful hope that we will bring this joyful noise experiment into our worship on a regular basis. You may contact me with questions at 540-460-9650 or mgriffis1@msn.com.
With gratitude,
Melanie Griffis
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 meets on Tuesdays 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 Trinity, Rocky Mount. Pray for God’s blessing on the peacemaking labor of Anthony Poggo, former bishop of the South Sudanese diocese of Kajo-Keji 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 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 living in war, pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace. Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for March Birthdays
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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