Lord Jesus, Light of the world,

born in David's city of Bethlehem,

born like him to be a king:

Be born in our hearts this Christmas-tide,

be king of our lives today. 

iMessenger

Weekly News from Grace Episcopal Church

Published November 25, 2022

Holy Listening Session - December 4

 

Two weeks ago, we had a great turnout for the holy listening session with lots of good conversation and thoughtful consideration of our hopes for the future. It lasted about 90 minutes. What do you think candidates who are interested in being called to be our next Rector need to know? In order to hear from as many people as possible, the Discernment Team has added a final holy listening session to take place on Sunday, December 4, right after the 10 o'clock worship service. Next week, grab some coffee or tea and come to the Thompson Community Room for good conversation on the subject of the future of Grace Church. 


Please, always keep us in your prayers.

Lyn Ballard, Chair

Discernment Team

Calling All Cookie Sale Volunteers!

We are looking for anyone willing to spend a few hours on Friday. Dec 9th (for setup) and/or Saturday, Dec 10th (to work the sale)! All of the information is in the following sign-up link.


All proceeds from the sale go toward the Youth Mission Trip Discernment Team.

Sign Up Here

The Giving Tree 2022

 

The Giving Tree will go up after Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov 27. There will be three ministries on the tree — two Kirkwood School District Families, Fisher House and the Person-to-Person Ministry. We’ll collect gift cards, gas cards, toiletries and specific items requested by two Kirkwood School District families.


The bulletin board in the parish hall will provide an overview of requested gifts, but to avoid duplication donors must take the appropriate gift tag(s) from the Giving Tree before purchasing gift(s). DO NOT wrap or bag your gift, but you may include a bag or wrapping paper with it. Be sure to attach the ornament ID tag to your gift to identify the correct family and recipient. Return your donations by Sunday, Dec 11. Put your gift(s) under the Giving Tree, but envelopes containing gift cards of any kind should be put in the lock box. Many thanks for your generosity!! 


Michele & Vince Nicosia

Grace Story Conversations


You are invited to take part in Grace story conversations. At some point in Advent plan to stay after church for about an hour (at 9am or 11am) and have a conversation about where and how God has shown up for you at Grace. If you can’t be at church, find one other person to interview outside of church time. 


You’ll be invited to interview and be interviewed and then to share those interviews so that our church can get a better sense of our calling and gifts.

Here are the questions we’ll be using: 

1. Reflecting on your entire experience at our church, remember a time when you felt the most engaged, alive and motivated. 

a. Who was involved? What did you do? How did it feel? What happened? 

2. What are the essential characteristics that made that experience meaningful? 

3. Where do you sense or imagine God was present in that experience? What did it reveal to you about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit? 

4. When I think about this experience the thing I really value in our church is... 

These conversations can be a rich time of storytelling. You’ll deepen your relationship with at least one other person. If you have questions about the process Rev. Mary and I will be available on Sundays, or reach out to us anytime. 

St. Nicholas Will Be at Grace Church - December 4th

 

Sunday, December 4 - St. Nicholas visits the 10:00 a.m. service. Kids leave your shoes outside the parish office and you may find them filled with candies and treats!

Festival Flower & Music Offering

 

Our beautiful Christmas decorations and performances by guest musicians are made possible during the holidays by offerings to the Grace Festival Flower and Music Fund. You may make your donation as a memorial gift or a gift of thanksgiving.


Special envelopes are available in a box on the round table in the narthex. Make checks payable to "Grace Church" and write "flower and music fund" on the memo line. Forms are due by December 18.

Ornament Exchange


Enjoy a fun evening with friends at Grace’s 

Ornament Exchange Party on Wednesday,

December 7, 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. This year’s event is hosted by Becky Engelbrecht, Sandi Adams and Ann VanConia.


Dinner and dessert will be served. Bring one wrapped ornament and $20 to the party. All proceeds go to Grace’s Outreach Ministry. Sign up today in Albright Parish Hall.

Christmas cookies

Christmas Cookie Sale

 

The high school youth group and mission trip participants will have a Christmas cookie sale on Saturday, December 10, at

9 a.m. at Grace.


Can you please make six dozen cookies for the event and drop them off at Grace on December 8 or 9? Pick-up is available if you can’t drop your cookies off. You may drop off frozen dough any day before December 4, and we'll bake the cookies for you. Donations for the high schoolers are accepted to make a batch on your behalf.


It’s not too late to donate cookie dough! Email Joanie Van Rees if you would like to make 6 dozen cookies, donate dough to make six dozen cookies, or donate money for the youth to make six dozen cookies. You may also sign up in Parish Hall.

Pledge Card Reminder

 

Thank you to everyone who returned your pledge card for 2023. In this time of transition it is more important than ever to show confidence in our church and God’s plan for our future. With your contributions we will continue to live out the mission of Jesus in the world.


It’s not too late to turn in your 2023 pledge cards . Please bring them to either service or the parish office. You may also Pledge Online.

The First Sunday of Advent

November 27, 2022

8 a.m. & 10 a.m.


You may also join us at 10 a.m. through Facebook @GraceChurchKirkwood

or on our webpage at www.GraceKirkwood.org



Click Here to Join the Service on Facebook
Click Here to Download a Service Leaflet
Click Here to Join the Service on Our Website
Beyond Our Walls

Shepherd's Center Needs Drivers

 

Drivers are needed to give rides to COVID vaccinated older adults aged 55+.

 

· Must complete an application and an online background check

· Attend one orientation meeting

· Once approved, sign-up for rides using our online RideScheduler system (or call 314.395.0988

· Minimum of one drive per month


Please call Karen Zelle, Services Manager at 314.395.0988 or email Karen Zelle.

Trinity Hot Lunch Ministry Needs Volunteers


This is a special ministry that touches the very core of our faith. As we receive God's mercy and love, we are asked to become a conduit of his love to others. “To feed the hungry” is the first of the Corporal Works of Mercy. Trinity Hot Lunch gives us the privilege and blessing of fulfilling this deeply Christian duty.                                                               Read More

Fill the Hunger Barrel



Please remember our neighbors in need. Drop your non-perishable food items in Grace’s red hunger barrel in Albright Parish Hall each Sunday. Your donations will be distributed through KirkCare and Trinity Episcopal Church food pantries.

Mark Your Calendar!
Coffee Hour
Sundays at 9 & 11 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist
Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Book Group

at 10:00 a.m.

at the church and on Zoom. The Book Group is reading The Pope's Butcher. All are welcome!

Click here to learn more!

Men's Breakfast

Wednesdays 8 a.m.

Denny's in Sunset Hills

Adult Forum

Exploring the Gospels

as a guide to Transformation

November 20

Taking Faith Home

is full of Bible readings, and prayers to make part of your spiritual life with your family.

Taking Faith Home Thanksgiving Day

About the Parish Family

 

Reverend Mary Haggerty shared that her son and his wife, Brendan and Katia, have a new baby. He was born on 11/22/22 in Denver, Colorado and his name is William Marcel Haggerty. We are over the moon and can't wait to meet him on Dec 1st. 

Prayer List



Parish List

Shirley Browne

Ethel Cromwell

Katie Conrad

Ginger Dokos

Eric Woodruff

Donna Faust

David Fly

Joan Heyer

Mike Lillmars

Chris Manuel

Jeane McKenna

Steve Mika

Johnny Nelson

Langen Neubacher

Marty O'Leary

Garrett Owler

Chloe Poe

Ben Ryan 

Beverly Shands

Brooks Ward

Diane Warhover

 


Friends & Family

Carrie Gurley

Martha Ramsay Huff

Michael & Mary Leiweke

Logan Nelson

Ben Ryan

Allison Shortlane 

Shirley West

Birthdays

November 27

Don Woehle

November 28

Eric Beisel

Lucy Ryan

November 29

Kurt Feigley

November 30

Shaun Reno

December 1

Amy Kilpatric

Heather Monnig

 Julie Park

December 3

Elias Beisel

Steve Sehie


Anniversaries

November 29

Ann and Brent VanConia

December 2

Lucinda & Ronald Cobb

Our Prayer list requests and updates should be e-mailed to the parish office. Names will be left on the prayer list for one month unless the parish office is notified.


Note: the Intercession Prayer Book is now available for people to write their

prayer requests.

Pastoral Care


In case of a pastoral emergency, please call the parish office at 314-821-1806. For pastoral emergencies after office hours, call the parish office and press "7" to be connected to the priest-on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In case of severe illness, hospitalization, when a person is near death or at the death of a member of the church, please notify the clergy as soon as possible in order to secure the ministrations of the church.

Transition Prayer


Almighty God, who knows our needs even before we ask, grant us a spirit of faith and courage, that we may have the strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; look graciously on this parish family and send forth your Holy Spirit to guide us to be of one heart and mind, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Online Giving

We are grateful to everyone who is keeping their pledge current. Your generosity is gratifying and inspiring. To give online please click the link below and checks may be mailed to 514 East Argonne, Kirkwood, MO 63122. If you are out of work and unable to make your pledge, we understand. Please let the parish office know.

Giving is easier than ever. Just click below.

Select your desired fund from the drop down menu
and follow the prompts to complete your donation.
Donate Now
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The iMessenger is a weekly publication of Grace Church. If you have information you would like included, please contact the church office by Wednesday before noon.
Grace Episcopal Church
514 East Argonne Drive
314-821-1806  
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