We are an Open and Affirming church. Every one of every age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, or economic status is invited to join us as together we live out the Gospel message of love, forgiveness, service, and justice.

A Message from The Rev. Tina Rathbone

Like many of you, I have been spending a lot of time each day reading about Israel and Palestine. And – like many of you – I find myself feeling overwhelmed and hopeless when I do. So much suffering! So much pain! So much grief and understandable rage! I do not know what to do besides pray, and walk, and call up my friends who are more closely connected to Israel or to Palestine and then do my best to listen – and actually hear – them. Sometimes this takes just a couple of minutes. Sometimes it takes far longer. But always it feels right: one small real thing I can do to lighten another’s load. I found this simple beginning to a simple poem the other day, and it has been helping me remember how much small, real actions like this can count. Perhaps, if you recite it outloud, it will help you too?

Giver of peace,

teach us to see ourselves

in the face of the other,

that we may learn to be

patient with fault

generous with love

sparing with anger.

Help us to understand

that our little lives

are potent with great good,

that we are healers in Your image,

that reaching out in need of You

to others more in need,

we find You near.

--Barbara D. Holender

GIDEON'S GARDEN

CHURCH SCHOOL

In Church School, we listened to a story and learned the hymn, “I Sing A Song of the Saints’ of God.” We discussed the significance of remembering the people we have loved who have died. We asked, why do we celebrate All Saints’ Day in church? A child answered, “It’s when we remember people we’ve loved who have died, and we carry them in our hearts with love.” We also talked about Baptism and made cards to welcome our newest member into our community with Jesus. 

Gracious God, we thank you for our time together today. Thank you for all we have learned from the saints past and present. Help us to remember that we are part of the communion of saints and are to help bring the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Amen.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bible Study

from the Lectionary 

begins today

Tuesday, November 7th at 7:00 pm on Zoom

Images from

ALL SOULS DAY

at Grace

An All Souls Day

baptism

WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

The Zoom address is the same

for ALL the Worship Schedule,

and for ALL Grace Church programs.

The Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

November 12, 2023, at 10:00 AM

In person & live-streamed on ZOOM

For Zoom, Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Please visit our website: 

https://graceberkshires.org/visitor/

for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.

Click here for WEB site ROTA

Contemplative Eucharist, Wednesday at 10:00 AM

In person at Grace Chapel and on Zoom

For Zoom: Click Here

Bible Study Tuesday, November 7, at 7:00 - 8:00 PM

For Zoom: Click Here

Centering Prayer, Thursdays at 5:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

For Zoom: Click Here

Encouraging a practice of silence and stillness we focus on practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina using scripture, art and music. All are welcome.

OPPORTUNITIES to GIVE or VOLUNTEER

Since the start of the current Israel-Hamas war, Episcopal Relief & Development has been supporting long-time partners in the Holy Land including Al Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, to provide emergency medical support in Gaza. Despite being hit by two explosions that damaged buildings and claimed hundreds of lives, the hospital is still serving those who are in need of care. Episcopal Relief & Development stands with the brave staff of Al Ahli Hospital as they risk their lives to help others.

Please pray for peace in the Holy Land and consider making a contribution to the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund to help meet the growing needs of all people in the region.

Scan this QR code to make a contribution:

Download QR Code in English (.zip)

We read an essay called "The Mission of the Church" about vocation. In a world of globalization and artificial intelligence, both of which are 'anti-human,' the authors argue that "the mission of the church is the work of the whole community as it engages in a praxis of defense of the human, the contemporary proclamation of the Good News." Our discussion focused on the idea of 'the defense of the human."

VOCATION AS DEFENSE OF THE HUMAN.

Dear God of love

You send out your spirit to help us minister to one another.

We thank you for the inspiration

We pray that we notice our own actions

So that it makes a difference.

AMEN

SUNDAY MORNING

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 25:1-13



Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Jerusalem, my happy home (Land of Rest)

Saint Clement's Choir, Philadelphia Choral Concert: Saint Clement's Choir - Howells, H. / Bax, A. / Horsley, W. / Harris, W.H. / Stanford, C.V. / Ferguson, W. (Hymns of Heaven and Earth) ℗ 1998 Sono Luminus Released on: 1998-01-01 Artist: Matthew Glandorf Choir: Saint Clement's Choir, Philadelphia Conductor: Peter Richard Conte Composer: Traditional Composer: Peter Richard Conte Composer: Annabel Morris Buchanan

Exquisite arrangement and singing here by the all professional St Clement's Episcopal Church Choir in Philadelphia, from a commercial recording by Naxos. The organist, conductor and arranger is Peter Richard Conte who also often gives concerts on the gigantic Wannamaker organ in what is now Macy's Department store.

The Tune "Land of rest" adapted and harmonized by Annabel Morris Buchanan. is an American folk hymn and can also be sung in canon.

John

GRACE CHURCH

Please include in your daily prayers this week:

Members of the Parish Family:

Rick Gore; Sarah Sieber; Margaret O’Clair, Doreen Hutchinson; Meredith Haider; Mimi and Dick Alford; Linda White; Stacey Thomas, and her children, Claire, Mark and Johnny; Mark Anderson; Rosemarie Blakely; Barbara Gore; and Barbara Turner

Others we love: Susan Bunce, Mary Booton’s sister; Bishop Michael Curry; Diane Ramirez; Joe Olds; Sara Miles and her wife Martha; Jerry and Karen Ericson, John Ericson’s parents; Kristen Mary, beloved cousin of Jainee McCarroll; Carl and Laura Forsberg, beloved friends of Steve and Andrea White; Kelly & Elijah; Denise Chandler; James Driscoll; Livia Driscoll; All those grieving the death of Jack Stedman, Wendy Reeve, and Ed Hunt; Cynthia Griesing, Holly Murray’s mother; Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; Sophia, grieving the sudden death of her son.

Those who have died: Claude Sansaricq, beloved Godfather to Monique Kirchoff; Olga Milligan, beloved member of St. James; Richard William Jorgensen, beloved grandfather of Joel Jorgensen; Tom Jacomb, beloved friend of Tina Rathbone; Vincent Pelletier, a beloved family member of Kevin Rosero and Dessida Snyder; Arlene Symons, beloved friend and neighbor of Andrea and Steve White; Ed Hutchinson, beloved husband of Doreen; Mattie Marina Bowens; Justine Harari; Claire White; Jeanne Litterio; Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl; Joe Merola; Jim Driscoll; Wendy Reeve; Ed Hunt.

Our world: For the people of Israel and Palestine, especially all those who have been killed, and the people who love them. May peace, justice, and a new way forward take hold in the hearts of those with authority. For all those who have died or have lost someone they love in weather events across the globe, especially the people of Morocco and Libya. For the people of Ukraine and all other places of violence and war, that peace may prevail and human fear and suffering diminish. For all victims of gun violence and institutionalized racism in this country, and also for those who inflict gun violence on others. For all who are alone, afraid, or despairing. For prisoners, unhoused people, newly arrived immigrants, and all our neighbors, near and far.

The many ministries of our local community and the Diocese of Western Massachusetts: For our partners at St. Paul's and the Revs. Libby Wade and Jane Tillman; Christ Trinity and the Rev. Erik Karas; our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher; and the Mampong Babies' Home; St. John’s, Williamstown; Inquirers, Postulants and Seminarians Tough Love, Amherst; Bishops’ Executive Secretaries

Together (B+E+S+T)

The Church's wider mission:

Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Laura and Eric Jordahl, 11/7; Viola Bagnaschi, 11/9.



FLOWER DEDICATIONS!

Please place your dedications in an envelope and include the name of the person you wish to honor.

Please note that your $35.00 contribution toward the flower purchase can be sent to the Grace Office or placed in the Offertory Collection.

An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires

67 State Road/P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230

Grace Church Parish Administrator: Ms. Andrea Saville White

You can reach the church office by email: office@graceberkshires.org 

and by phone: 413-644-0022.

The Rev. Tina Rathbone

Rector

revtina@graceberkshires.org

Ms. Andrea Saville White

Parish Administrator

office@graceberkshires.org 

Mr. Joel Jorgensen

Gideon’s Garden Director

gideonsgarden

@graceberkshires.org

Ms. Lee Cheek,

Keyboardist

Mr. John Cheek

Choir Director

OFFICERS

Senior Warden ........Pennie Curry

Junior Warden ........Laura Jordahl

Treasurer ..................Sue Gore

Clerk ...........................Mary Anne Grammer

VESTRY - AT LARGE

Class of 2024..........Anne Andrews, Dutch Pinkston

Class of 2025..........Cathy Haywood

Class of 2026..........Mary Booton, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider