Grace Notes
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 17, 2025
Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Jeremiah 23:23-29, Psalm 82, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-56
THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday
10 AM Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament (bulletin)
ABOUT THE SEASON AFTER PENTECOST . . . The Season after Pentecost is the “ordinary time” of the Church, the time of the Church’s pilgrimage on her way to the Kingdom of God. During these weeks between Pentecost and Advent the Church explores her life, role and place in the narrative that began with Creation (and the fall) and leads to the Redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Church by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost to be Christ’s Body, carrying out Christ’s mission, until his coming again.
OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . . the sick and those in need, especially Immanuel Charles, Lainey Martin, Mariam Kamal, Kathy Nathan, Ann Hopper, The Rev. James Warnke, priest, Gary Stubbs, Nancy Mohr, Rae Palladino, Dave, Mitch Thomas Petrullo, Daniela Parisi, Michael Shumway, Chris Spilker, Gina DeMarsico, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Charlotte Wilson, John Whitlock, and Gaylord Hitchcock, priest.
For those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.
For those who have died especially Jill Marie Wallerius (8/17), Muriel (Mickey) Hafemann (8/18), Lincoln Dowdie (8/18), William A. Butz, deacon (8/19), Thomas Denty (8/20), Jemima Arnold (8/21), Josephone Olaleye (8/21), John Perini (8/21), and John Batista Gennaro (8/22)..
PRAYER LIST REQUESTS . . . To add any names to the parish prayer list, please send an email to kmaccourt@gmail.com 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.
Thank you to our volunteers for this Sunday
Antonio Brugnoli, acolyte
Akin Okunlola, usher
Tom Bisdale, reader
Trish Landi and Ingrid Davis, altar guild
Beth Storz, coffee hour
Akin Okunlola and Tom Bisdale, counters
UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE
August 24
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist
August 31
10 AM The Holy Eucharist
September 7
10 AM Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
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
Akinola Okunlola - aokunlola@gmail.com, 201-926-3677
Larry Sunden - larry@sunden.com, 201-960-1433
Open House Committee - Grace Church is planning an Open House to be held in early October 2025 and we are looking for help to make this special day a success. The Commitee is looking for help with planning and implementing the Open House as well as assistance with set-up and breakdown for this important day. Please contact Deacon Len if you are interested in joining the committee by sending an email to leonard_roberts@rocketmail.com.
WESTWOOD CARES FOOD PANTRY . . . Grace Church is trying to increase our donations to the Westwood Cares Food Pantry. Please try to bring 1 item per week and we will ensure that the Food Pantry receives your items. The following items are in need: Coffee, tea, juice, pancakes, pancake syrup, chicken in a can, potatoes, rice, detergent, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, paper towels, toilet paper, oil, snacks, cookies, cereal (hot and cold), mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. The Pantry does "not " need any canned vegetables or beans since they have enough currently. If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Len.
PLEDGING . . . We have the capability of making a donation online thanks to a deal negotiated by the diocese with 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 . . . God's gifts are for sharing. Bishop Hughes reflects on her time at a gathering hosted by the Iona Collaborative in the Diocese of Texas, where leaders are exploring how the Episcopal Church might share its gifts more generously. She invites us to see money, buildings, and all we have as gifts from God – meant not only for our own joy, but to bless our neighbors, our parishes, and the wider Church.
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 Church Leaders on immigration executive orders - https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/letter-from-episcopal-church-leaders-on-trump-administration-immigration-executive-orders/
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/
Official website of the Episcopal Church - https://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”