Dear friends,
The lessons for Sunday include the best known teaching in all of scripture:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10
We also hear Jesus say, "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them." Matthew 16:18
I just want to mention two things about these teachings. First, the teaching Love your neighbor from Leviticus and amplified by both Jesus and Paul and other New Testament authors is fully embraced by all denominations of Christians, Muslims, and Jews as well as by many people of no particular faith at all. Of course all Christians, Muslims and Jews also agree that we should love God with all our heart, mind and strength. This common ground is deep and significant. And we should never despair of the power of this truth. Almost all people want to honor and live according to this ideal - that we love one another.
Jesus' teaching that he is in the midst of any two or three Christians is specifically Christian. And while it is comforting, it is also meant to bring us to attention - remember, Jesus is watching how we are treating each other, how we are fighting with each other, how we are competing with each other.
God deeply cares how we treat one another and he is the silent party in every conversation, the witness to every thing we say or do with and toward one another.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him/his)
Rector, Grace Episcopal Church
There will be a “Readers Refresh” for lectors in the Nave immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service on the following Sundays: 9/10, 9/17, or 9/24. Laurent Boetsch will lead the refresher. The purpose of our review session is to allow us all to reflect for a moment on our shared ministry and to remind ourselves of the importance of well-presented readings to the overall context of the service. We are so fortunate to be able to rely upon a truly outstanding group of experienced readers in our parish, but we can all benefit from a brief “refresher” session to review those aspects of our readings that occasionally challenge us. By offering several sessions we hope that you may find one convenient for you to attend. Finally, if you are aware of other parishioners who may be interested in becoming lay readers, please do not hesitate to invite them to sign up for one of the refresher dates. Many thanks for your continuing dedicated service to Grace Episcopal.
AV Team: Call for Volunteers
Please consider joining the team and help with streaming on Sunday morning. Zoom help is needed at 8:00am and YouTube streaming at 10:30am. Training is available! Email Lisa for more info.
Worship Services | Proper 18 | Sunday, September 10
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall & Zoom | Education for Ministry
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
Youth Group meets at 5 p.m. at Grace.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Upcoming Music Events
Ministry Celebration
Stewardship and IWC are planning a ministry celebration 5:45 pm Sunday Oct 22, immediately following evensong. This is a reception for all members of the parish, whether they attend evensong or not.
At this reception we want to have a large word cloud that shows all the organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge county supported financially or through volunteer work by members of Grace. To solicit this information we want to survey the congregation and get their input. "Please share all the organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge county you support financially and or through your volunteer work"
A member of IWC and Stewardship will tabulate results for creation of a word cloud and perhaps name tags "Ask me about ___________"
IWC and Stewardship will plan the menu for the reception. We will need survey results by the end of September.
Dine In, Dine Out, Lunch, Dinner or Sunday Brunch!
Now that fall is here, it is time to begin to think about our dining clubs. They are a great way to meet and form new friendships among our Grace Church members, prospective members, and students. If this is something you would be interested in, please reply to Ruth or Drusie by September 30th (just click on the email address below).
These groups each have a membership of around eight. The first name on the list will plan the first get- together. They will decide whether to host dinner at their home or in a restaurant. If it is done in the home, the hostess provides the main course and asks each member to bring a side dish. If it is done in a restaurant, the hostess is responsible for reservations.
This year we will also have a group for those who would like to meet at lunch or for Sunday brunch. Please indicate your preferences with your response:
· lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch
· prefer week or weekend
We look forward to lots of fun and great food!
Ruth Smith, 910-409-9325
Drusie Milford, 540-461-1427
Grant Writer Wanted
The Virginia Haiti Collaborative is looking for a grant writer to help with procuring computers for St. Marc’s School, Cerca-La-Source, Haiti. Please contact Virgina Cooke if you have any ideas or can help.
Wanted - Sunday School Teachers
Grace is looking for youth, college students and adults willing to help provide Sunday School for a few children each Sunday from about 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. We are willing to pay a stipend. Please contact Tuck to find out more.
Ladies' Book Discussion Group
The ladies’ book discussion group will resume on Sunday, September 24, at 4 p.m. in the Welles Room (Library) with Being Disciples by Rowan Williams. The book has six succinct chapters: Being Disciples; Faith, Hope, and Love; Forgiveness; Holiness; Faith in Society; Life in the Spirit. Please join us!
Paws to Connect Update
Paws to Connect is regathering September 12 & 13, 11:30-1:30.
Our fall term gatherings will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Grace Courtyard. Please add the dates to your calendar. The dates reflect W&L’s fall undergraduate calendar. September 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27; October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 31; November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 28, 29; December 5, 6, 12, 13.
If anyone knows the best person we can contact at VMI to explore how we can serve VMI students. Please let Dennis know the contact or feel free to make the contact if you have the relationship.
We look forward to the year ahead. We are successful because of your and our dogs involvement and interest. Roca says hi and wishes to send his love to his human and canine friends.
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 Good Shepherd, Folly Mills. Pray for The Presiding Bishop Curry who had surgery on September 8 to remove his right adrenal gland and an attached mass. 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), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown), Dolly Shumate (friend of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Stephen deMaria, Annie Campbell, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Ginny Dunaway Ferguson, Rosemary Phillips (sister of Paul Robblee), Joan Wade (sister-in-law of David Wade), Maria Scott. Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Patrick Bowes (brother-in-law of Linda deMaria), Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Lucy Moise, Penny & Ned Henneman, Steve Riethmiller, Heidi Schweizer, David Wade, Barbara Bova (friend of the Dickersons), Daniel Diener, Carrie Strickland (sister-in-law of Paul Strickland), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died. Pray for the people of Hawaii, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and those affected by the hurricane.
In Thanksgiving for September Birthdays
9/8 Delea Bowerfind
9/9 Marlys Craun
9/10 Frederick Kurtz
9/11 Ham Smith, MaryEtta Randolph
9/16 Tucker Bowerfind
9/18 Judy Hotchkiss, Carolyn Kuper
9/19 Julia Littlefield, Peter Dyckman Fyfe, Nanalou Sauder, Frank Settle
9/20 Keith Gibson, Spencer Tucker
9/21 Chris Howison, Barbara Luton
9/22 Ann Nay, Elizabeth Oliver
9/24 Graham Centorino
9/25 Darlene Keane
9/26 Heidi Schweizer
9/28 Winifred Hart, Tim Harrison
9/30 Mo Littlefield. Lynda Bassett-deMaria
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.
Variation
An exploration of the use of musical variation in organ music over many centuries, William McCorkle, organ, Washington and Lee University Faculty Recital. Sunday, September 17, 3:00 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian Church. Live and live streamed: www.lexpres.org
First Baptist Church Anniversary
Join us in celebrating the 156th Church Anniversary & 5th Anniversary of Pastor McKinley A. Williams
Sunday, September 10, 3:15 p.m. | Guests : The Reverend Ronald Baker, Pastor, Main Street Baptist Church
Sunday, September 17, 3:30 p.m. | Guests: The Reverend Dwight Steele, Pastor, Pilgrim Baptist Church
Sunday, September 24, 11:00 a.m. | Dedication of the Sanctuary Windows | Anniversary Fellowship Luncheon served immediately following the Worship Service for Everyone
Chill on the Hill
Habitat for Humanity Fund Raiser | Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery | Sunday, October 1, 2023 12 – 3 pm | Food provided by: Lex Vegas Bistro and Old Lex Mercantile
Meal Ticket $20.00 | Music by Datz Us Ramblers
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