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grace episcopal church
galena, illinois
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Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Pentecost
November 7, 2021
Holy Eucharist, 10:30 am
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November 7, 2021
The State of Illinois has officially issued a directive for masking at indoor gatherings for all who are two years old or older regardless of inoculation status. Out of concern for those who cannot yet be vaccinated or whose immune systems are compromised, we respectfully request that you comply and wear a mask indoors that covers your nose and mouth.
Our diocese has requested that each church regularly review the CDC map that has
four stages of COVID risk and make decisions accordingly about safety precautions.
Jo Daviess County's risk factor (and that of the entire state of Illinois) is now in the highest category.
The only other precaution reinstated at this time is to suspend contact during the Peace.
Please be cautious and also be prepared for changes at any time.
Social hour is suspended.
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Ministers of the Service
Members & Guests, Celebrants
Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider
Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Carmen Ferguson, Lector
Donna Davis, Intercessor
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Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
Eric Kallback, Vestry Coordinator
Ann Berry & Amy Hardwicke
Altar Guild
Maren Coates, Greeter
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Rector's Ramblings
As the holiday season approaches, many thoughts turn toward giving. Giving not only in terms of the gifts that we buy for our loved ones for Christmas, but, perhaps, end-of-year donations to help organizations we support and/or people who are in need.
This year, we have a wonderful opportunity through our United Churches of Galena partnerships to make a very real difference in the lives of many people.
As we all know, medical bills can quickly cripple those who suffer serious diseases. And many families can be overwhelmed by medical debt. Approximately 30% of the poor skip needed medical treatment due to fears over their inability to pay. Others cut back such necessities as food, clothing, heat or housing so they can attempt to pay off their medical bills. Still others take on extra work or an additional job or use up most or all of their savings. Medical debt lingers on a person’s credit report and negatively impacts their ability to purchase or rent a home, buy a vehicle, secure a loan, or even gain employment.
There is help. It is a not-for-profit called R.I.P.Medical Debt. In the seven years since its inception, more than $5 billion in debt has been forgiven. To learn how this works, please see the article that Jim McCrae has written for his congregation. R.I.P. Info
As an Advent project, moneys will be raised by our churches to donate to R.I.P. We already have one $5,000 gift from a member of 1st Presbyterian Church that will turn into $500,000 of debt forgiveness. This may seem too good to be true, but the evidence is clear and compelling.
Our Grace Outreach Ministries have committed to a donation; I will be giving personally as well as from the Rector's Discretionary Fund. If you wish to join me, a tax deductible contribution can be made to Grace with "R.I.P. Medical Debt" in the memo line.
May some families' Christmases be made brighter this season!
As I write, we are finishing up the installation of our Zoom streaming system. There will be a few tweaks in the coming days, and, no doubt, some glitches as we get used to something new. I am hoping that those on Zoom will see an improvement on Sunday! Please let us know!
See you in church,
Gloria+
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SUNDAY! DON'T FORGET!
Events this Week:
Sunday 11/7
Holy Eucharist 10:30am online and in-person
Social Hour suspended at this time.
Monday 11/8
Poetry Group 2:00pm
Tuesday 11/9
Compline online 8:30pm
Tom & Pat Golden's Anniversary
Wednesday 11/10
Midweek Worship online and in-person 7:30am
Morning Study Group on Zoom 10:00am
Alex Kerkhoven's Birthday
Thursday 11/11
Richard Babcock Mem.Yarn Ministry 1:30pm
Friday 11/12
Centering Prayer online 9:00 am
Saturday 11/13
Choir Practice 10 am
Important Links:
Office Hours
9:00am-Noon, Tuesday through Friday
Rector Office Hours
10:30am-3:00pm Tuesday through Thursday
Mondays and other times by appointment
ROTA (11-7-21 to 4-24-22)
Website: includes a password protected members' portal where most recent Vestry minutes, financials, and Grace Church Directory are found.
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Rector Search Committee Members
Steve Coates,
Pete Stryker,
Co-chairs
Greg Anderson
Teresa Burke
Elizabeth Ludescher
Dave Mikelson
Joy Von Wolffersdorff
Their contact information is available in the church directory on our website at this link: directory
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SEARCH COMMITTEE -- Small Groups Begin
A request from the Search Committee
If you have ever said – “Well, no one asked me”, be assured the Search Committee is asking you for your thoughts on the direction of Grace and the skills needed in our next rector.
Our first Small Groups Sunday is 11/7 at 12:30. Our second Small Groups Sunday is 11/21 at 12:30. The sign up posters are in the parish house. The session lasts about 90 minutes max. We need your voices.
A Search Committee member will be available before and after church with the sign-up sheets in the parish hall to answer any questions. If more convenient, feel free to call or email
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OUTREACH MINISTRY NEWS
GLORY PARISH ALTAR CLOTH BLESSING
Steve Dowe has created this beautiful altar cloth for the new Glory Parish church building. It will be blessed on Sunday and then delivered to the Diocese of Renk in South Sudan. We are hoping that Bp. Joseph will be able to join our worship on Zoom. Jackie Kraus, our Diocesan representative for the Chicago/Renk diocesan partners will join us on the 7th.
RICHARD BABCOCK MEMORIAL YARN MINISTRY BLESSING
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The bins across the front of the church on Sunday morning will hold the work of the members of the Richard Babcock Memorial Yarn Ministry. The hats, mittens, scarves and blankets are tagged, sorted & put into bins and bags for blessing at Grace this Sunday Nov 7th. They are ready for distribution the week of Nov 8th to Galena Food Pantry, Shelter Care Ministries in Rockford, Riverview Center in Galena, Dubuque Rescue Mission and Opening Doors in Dubuque.
Well done, everyone! Thanks for your contributions to this ministry!
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United Churches of Galena--HELP NEEDED!
The Board of the United Churches of Galena is made up of clergy and lay representatives of all churches that wish to participate in this ecumenical group. You may know UCG best from its Food Pantry--by far its largest project! Or from its annual Hunger Luncheon and Christmas Concert that are fund raisers for the Food Pantry--both of which have not taken place during this pandemic.
There are other events and projects, though, that some or all of the member churches engage in. Joint services at Thanksgiving, Good Friday, and the World Day of Prayer; the Apple Tree project that provides back packs and school supplies to those who need them in the Galena schools; a Community Assistance Program for residents in need of help paying utility bills, rent, and other day to day living expenses.
Grace Church is in need of a representative--at least during this transitional time between rectors. Grace has been a member since the beginning. The meetings of the Board are on the first Thursdays of each month at from 10:30 - 11:30 am from September through June. The location is rotated amongst the churches. If you might be interested in serving in either a temporary or longer term capacity, please contact the Rector.
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ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN
There will be one more personal reflection offered by a parishioner in Sunday worship on November 7. This Sunday will be Terri Jackman.
Watch for a letter from the Sr. Warden including a pledge card this week so that you may bring the Perfect Gift -- your pledge--to church on Sunday, November 21 to be dedicated to God for the furtherance of ministry at Grace Church. Please use these materials as you prayerfully discern your promise to the church.
This year, the first mailing included information for those who must receive Required Minimum Distributions from their IRAs and pension funds. It is possible to direct your pledge from such a distribution, in which case the amount pledged will not be included in your taxable income.
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FELLOWSHIP NEWS
SOCIAL HOUR SUSPENDED
Coffee and conversation has been suspended due to COVID.
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FORMATION NEWS
We are a group that studies spiritual subjects, including the Bible. All are welcome to join us to enhance their knowledge of spirituality and explore how to apply it to their lives. Lately we’ve been studying the Gospel of Luke. Anyone needing a Zoom invitation can contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com).
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COMPLINE on Zoom 8:30pm on Tuesdays
On Tuesday evenings, at 8:30 pm, Lynn Giles leads a service of Compline. She has been participating in the service that has previously been offered to the Diocese of Chicago by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. This service of the Daily Office in our Book of Common Prayer is a brief, contemplative service that is ideal for prayerful letting go of the cares of the day and preparing for a restful night. Find the link button above.
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MEDITATIVE PRAYER 9:00am on Fridays
Looking for a way to improve your prayer life, to open your heart, mind and soul to the Holy Spirit? Consider joining the Centering Prayer Group Friday mornings for about forty minutes of meditative prayer: twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by Lectio Divina.
Contact Greg Serwich (gserwich@gmail.com) for a Zoom invitation which includes a description of these types of prayer.
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WORSHIP:
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
I Kings 17:8-16: God instructs Elijah to go and stay with a widow from Zarepath and her son. When he asks her for food, she says she only has a little oil and flour, which she and her son will eat before they die. Elijah assures her that, if she makes him a small loaf first, the oil and flour will not run out. She does what he asks, and their food does not run out.
Psalm 146: A psalm encouraging praise and trust in God’s care, justice, and rule, and warning against trust in human leadership.
Hebrews 9:24-28: Christ entered into heaven, offering himself once as the sacrifice for human sin. Then, he will appear a second time to save those who wait for him.
Mark 12:38-44: Jesus warns against the legal experts who seek honour, and who cheat poor widows and show off with long prayers. Then he comments on a poor widow who places a small offering in the collection box, saying that she has put in more than anyone else, because she has given out of her poverty.
There are two specific applications of today’s readings on a local level. The first is the challenge to be engaged in the work of justice and compassion in our own communities and churches, where rich and poor often live and worship side by side. We must be careful how we measure the “success” of our churches – not by wealth and power, but by commitment to God’s Reign – and we must ensure that we embody in our neighbourhoods, the compassion and generosity of Christ. The second application has to do with where we place our faith, and how this impacts how we live. The Scriptures contrast our trust in human leadership and resources with trusting in God. Whatever we may do to ensure that we have life’s necessities, we always need to remember that it is ultimately God in whom we must trust – as the poor widow did. However, this trust does not mean that we do nothing, but we actively do what is necessary to provide and protect our lives, while trusting God’s guidance and empowerment to sustain and enable us. In both cases, the trust that God seeks is very different from that of the religious leaders, who claim faith, but live by corruption and exploitation.
thumbnails and commentary excerpted from sacredise.com
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ZOOM POETRY GROUP 2:00pm on Mondays
A Zoom Poetry meeting from Grace Church has been organized and meets Mondays at 2:00pm. This is not specifically a Grace ministry, but a number of Grace members and friends are part of it If you are interested, write Carol Poston at poston@sxu.edu or call her at 815-777-0220.
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An Episcopal Wednesday service of Morning Prayer 10/27/21: Eric Kallback, Officiant; Debbie Kallback, Homilist & Intercessor.
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An Episcopal service of Holy Eucharist 10/31/21: The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Richard Luther, Intercessor; Greg Serwich, Lector; Bill Foltz, Thurifer; Robin French, Music Director; Nancy Cook, Erben Organist; Melanie Hoffman, Trumpet. |
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An Episcopal Service of Holy Eucharist 10/24/21, The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Presider; The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon; Debbie Kallback, Intercessor; Steve Coates, Lector; Robin French, Music Director; Nancy Cook, Erben Organist; Phil Jackman, Clarinet. |
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Hybrid worship has resumed for both in-person and Zoom congregations in line with Diocesan guidelines and Phase 5 of the State of Illinois COVID recovery.
For those present in the Church:
Please put your smartphone or other device in airplane mode so that our
internet capacity is reserved for our online streaming.
Don't forget to wear your mask if you intend to sing!
For those on Zoom:
Please mute yourselves before the Prelude begins and immediately after the Peace. This prevents other participants on Zoom from being distracted by conversation
and background noise.
Those who will join us on Zoom will receive the usual e-mail invitation with a link to the day's bulletin.
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Vestry:
Lynn Giles, Senior Warden
Richard Luther, Jr. Warden
Jim Berry, Treasurer
Crystal Mason, Clerk
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
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Staff:
The Rev. Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
The Rev. Linda Packard, Priest Associate
The Rev. Diane Luther, Deacon
Nancy Kenney, Parish Administrator
Robin French, Music Director
Nancy Cook, Erben Organist
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Charlotte Stryker: Worship
Elizabeth Ludescher: Communications
Nancy Cook: Outreach
Eric Kallback: Building & Grounds
Crystal Mason: Pastoral Care
Phil Jackman: Fellowship/Parish Life
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The Rev Dr. Gloria Hopewell, Rector
Cell Phone: 773-988-3497
Grace Episcopal Church Office:
107 S. Prospect Street
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-2590
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