Grace Notes
Second Sunday of Easter

April 12, 2026

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THIS WEEK'S READINGS
Acts 2:14a,22-32Psalm 161 Peter 1:3-9John 20:19-31

Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist (bulletin)

Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist

ABOUT EASTERTIDE . . . The season of Easter is the celebration of the central truth of the Christian faith, that Christ is risen from the dead.  It is an historical fact that Jesus was crucified.  It is the core of the Christian faith that he rose from the dead.  But in the liturgical tradition of the Church, these are not things of the past or abstract theories.  The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is remembered and made present in our worship, and manifested in our common life today and always.

Grace Church follows the tradition of the Church in celebrating Easter for fifty days: from the Great Vigil of Easter through the Day of Pentecost. During this season Alleluias are multiplied, fasting and abstinence is suspended, and the general confession is omitted from the liturgy.

“Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega.
His are all times and all ages. To him be glory and dominion through all eternity."

During Eastertide we will sing the Sequence, Victimae Paschale laudes, which dates from the 11th century and is one of only four medieval sequences to survive the liturgical revisions of the Council of Trent (a fifth was added in the 18th century).

Thank you to our volunteers for this Sunday

Leslie Bisdale, acolyte
Anne Palmer, usher
Anne Palmer, reader
Leslie Bisdale, altar guild
Theresa Okunlola and Ingrid Davis, coffee hour
Larry Sunden and Aelicia Yeates, counters

OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . the sick and those in need, especially Anna Maida, Amy Bryant, Audrey Pfranger, Wesley Endo, Theresa Peter, Kristi-Ann McGrath, Lewis Aldridge, Carol Reynolds, Chris Nordone, Adam Strauss, Jennifer Wright, Francis Royer, Mariam Kamal, Ann Hopper, Dave D'Orazio, Mitch Mann, Thomas Petrullo, Daniela Parisi, Chris Spilker, Suzanne Morris, Lauren and Callie Manlapig, Charlotte Wilson, John Whitlock, and Gaylord Hitchcock, sometime rector of Grace Church.

For those celebrating birthdays especially Alexandra M. Mueller (4/15), Olubunmi Okunlola (4/15), Justin Hedin (4/17), and Collin Roache (4/18) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Lesley & Jason Whyard (4/13).

For those who have died especially Grace Schulhafer (4/12), Edward F. Simmons (4/12), Sarah Whiting (4/12), Mary Schmeltz ( 4/13), George Turrell (4/13), Albert F. Witte (4/13), Melvin H. Coleman (4/14), David R. Evans, Jr. (4/14), Charlotte Hein (4/14), Frank Goffredo (4/15), Frances Wickenden (4/15), Daniel Young (4/15), Tim Raynor Morton, priest (4/16), and Estelle Scott (4/18).

Flowers on the altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God and in honor of the birthday of Alexandra M. Mueller.

PRAYER LIST REQUESTS . . . To add any names to the parish prayer list, please send an email to this address with the name of the person to be prayed for, your name, and a brief description of the person’s health or other situation (note if long-term or chronic). Names are listed for four weeks, and then rotate off, but they can be added again as needed.  If you have questions, please speak with the wardens or Father Anthony.

April 19
9 AM Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

April 26
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

May 3
9 AM   Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

April 10
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

CONTACT INFORMATION . . .

The Rev. Father Anthony Puca, Jr.
Rector
gecrector@gmail.com
201-664-0407

Kathryn MacCourt
Parish administrator, Organist and Choirmaster
kmaccourt@gmail.com
201-417-1653
 
The Reverend Deacon Len Roberts
leonard_roberts@rocketmail.com
973-901-8822
 
Grace Church Wardens
Larry Sunden - larry@sunden.com, 201-960-1433
Cindy Waneck - cindylw137@gmail.com, 201-819-3095

JOIN THE JOURNEY: Sacred Ground Dialogue Series . . . What does it mean to build the Beloved Community in our world today? We invite you to join Sacred Ground, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in our shared faith. This small-group journey explores the complex history of race and racism in America while weaving in threads of our own family stories and spiritual identities.
 
Key Features of the Curriculum

  • Film & Reading-Based: The course utilizes a curated online curriculum of high-quality documentary films and readings.

  • Diverse Perspectives: Participants study Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American stories.

  • Personal Reflection: Opportunities to share personal stories, experiences and family history.

  • Spiritual Grounding: The journey is rooted in the call to faith, hope, and love, seeking racial healing and reconciliation.

  • When: April 23 and 30; May 12, 21 and 28; June 4, 18 and 23

  • Where: Zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8451295802 +1646 558 8656,845 129 5802

  • Contact: Father Anthony at gecrector@gmail.com

Please review the syllabus (click below) to review the learning material that will be used in this class. We will have less sessions than suggested due to scheduling issues and we will not be able to cover all of the material as presented.  Father Anthony will have an updated syllabus prior to the beginning of the class.
 
Please contact Father Anthony if you plan to participate in this class. We are hoping to have at least 8 people registered for this class.

WESTWOOD CARES FOOD PANTRY . . . The Westwood Cares Food Pantry is requesting the following items: Canned chicken, Canned tuna, Stews and soups, Beans and chili, Peanut butter, Sauces Cereal, Rice and pasta, Noodles, Granola bars, Dessert mixes, Juice, Shelf-stable milk, Cleaning products, Laundry detergent, Paper products, Personal care items, and Pet food. If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Len.

PLEDGING . . . We have the capability of making a donation online through Vanco! Click on the link: WebPay Link.

Please be sure to visit and like our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gracewestwood.org/

You can help Grace attract new members by simply sharing our posts on your own page. Please help us grow and share a post.

Pastoral Emergencies
please contact Fr. Anthony Puca at 267-980-3480

FROM THE BISHOP . . . Holy Week shows us how to face hard things. Jesus never avoided the hard things. We have hard things to face right now, and Holy Week gives us a pattern to follow in facing them time – always remembering what follows is redemption and resurrection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRijAjlmKjc

https://dioceseofnewark.org/bishops-vlog/this-lent-remember-who-you-are/

WEEKLY JUSTICE ACTION NEWSLETTER . . . The Justice, Peace and Racial Reconciliation Commission weekly action newsletter summarizes upcoming events and activities for involvement. There are actions every day to support a moral budget, immigration rights, voter registration, economic and environmental justice and more. 

Commission’s Webpage

INFORMATION FROM THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK . . . To subscribe and receive The VOICE Online by email please go to https://dioceseofnewark.org/subscribe

At the very top of the page, you’ll see a box to type in your email address.  Click on the “Sign me up” button and you will be taken to a page where you can subscribe to receive The VOICE Online as well as other e-newsletters.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH . . . For news and official statements from the national church, a few key websites are listed below.

Episcopal News Network. The most up-to-date news in the Episcopal Church - https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/
 
Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Public Policy Network. News and official statements from the Episcopal Church concerning political and public policy issues - https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/

Episcopal Migration Ministries - https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/episcopal-migration-ministries/

Episcopal Relief and Development - https://www.episcopalrelief.org/

Official website of the Episcopal Churchhttps://www.episcopalchurch.org

Grace Episcopal Church

9 Harrington Avenue, Five Corners
Westwood, NJ 07675
201 664-0407
www.gracewestwood.org

“Called to re-member and share God’s love and grace”