Grace Notes
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
October 25, 2026
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; 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
Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46
Sunday
Sunday
10 AM Family Eucharist (bulletin)
Stewardship reflection, Larry Sunden
Stewardship Bible Study after Mass led by Father Anthony
Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Alon White, celebrant
SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . is held at 10 AM each Sunday for grade school age children (kindergarten to 5th grade). After their lesson and activity, the children will join the congregation for communion.
2026 STEWARDSHIP BIBLE STUDY: PLENTY GOOD ROOM . . .
How do we live out a theology of abundance in a world driven by scarcity? Inspired by the 2026 TENS Stewardship theme, Plenty Good Room, we will explore how the love of God in Christ transforms our view of generosity. Join us for this four-week series as we study scripture and share insights. No preparation is needed—all are welcome!
We will meet after Mass in the large classroom on October 11, 18, 25, and November 8.
Father Anthony
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.
Thank you to our volunteers for this Sunday
Ben Martin, acolyte
Larry & Daisy Toppin, ushers
Leslie Bisdale and Ingrid Davis, altar guild
Trish Landi and Paula Ricca, coffee hour
Larry Sunden and Aelicia Yeates, counters
Akin Okunlola and Tom Bisdale
OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . the sick and those in need, especially Vivienne Dobney, Dan, Haiyan Wang, Paul Sobeck, Anna Maida, Amy Bryant, Audrey Pfranger, Wesley Endo, Theresa Peter, Carol Reynolds, Chris Nordone, Adam Strauss, Jennifer Wright, Francis Royer, Mariam Kamal, Ann Hopper, 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 Jaclyn Sobeck Bertolino (10/25), James Gemmato (10/26), C.J. Hoffman (10/28), and Timothy Hoffman (10/28) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Thomas & Kimber Gibson (10/27), Ben & Liza Martin (10/29), Steven & Laurie Wietzke (10/29), and Rebecca & Michael Perricelli (10/31).
For Maya Madeleine Cooper and Jack Henry Cooper who will be baptized on November 1.
For those who have died especially William P. Whall (10/25), Ellen McCormick (10/26), Rosa Frazier (10/27), Robert Peter (10/27), Frederick Arnold (10/28), Bertha Gagne (10/29), and Helen P. Jewell (10/30).
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.
November 1 - All Saints
9 AM Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist with baptism and Sunday School
November 8
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
The Rev. Joyce McGirr, celebrant
Stewardship Bible Study after Mass led by Mother Joyce
November 15 - Stewardship Ingathering
10 AM Family Eucharist
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
Making Space is an Invitation
A year ago I began practicing yoga at a studio near my home. The instructor is a grounded, gifted practitioner who sets the tone for movement, relaxation, and growth. Her class has grown in popularity and sometimes we are packed a bit close in the space. If someone comes in a little late, we all adjust our mats and make space graciously- although in my heart I grumbled at the inconvenience of it. That is, until I was stuck in traffic and arrived the very minute class was starting and opened the studio door to find the room full. I closed the door and felt frustrated. Darn traffic! I stood outside alone in my disappointment when the door opened and a fellow student waved me in, mouthing the words: “we made room for you.”
I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I hurried to the open space and rolled out my mat. Another person smiled and waved at me. It almost felt like too much to bear- this grace-filled way that my fellow students offered plenty good room for me to enter and find the balance I craved.
Making space for one another, without judgment, creates a powerful connection in community. I no longer grumble in my heart as a latecomer arrives because I’ve been there. And, I hope they feel the acceptance I felt as we slide our mats to make more room.
There is plenty good room for us to accept one another, just as we are right now. I pray that in all aspects of our life in community, and especially in our faith community, we learn to wave one another in and with a gentle smile mouth the words: “we made room for you.”
Questions for Reflection:
How might we shift a grumbling heart into a welcoming wave?
The Rev. Cn. Dina van Klaverenis Canon for Development at the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
and is a past-president and member of the Board of Directors for TENS.
WESTWOOD CARES FOOD PANTRY . . . Currently the Pantry has ample supply of canned vegetables, beans of any kind, and pasta but would welcome receiving the following items: cold cereal, stew in a can, Spam, canned chicken, jello, pudding, cake mix, icing, brownie mix, flour, sugar, oil, coffee, potatoes, rice, Parmalat milk, detergent, soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, snacks, cookies, juice, and canned fruit.
If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Len.
TAKE A TURKEY TO HELP THE WESTWOOD FOOD PANTRY! . . . Grace Church is trying to increase our weekly contributions to the Westwood Cares Food Pantry. In the back of the Sanctuary is a collection basket for food, hygiene products, etc. Sitting above the basket is a poster on a tripod that has “Little Cardboard Turkeys” with a food item, hygiene product, and other related items printed on the Little Turkey. Parishioners are encouraged to “take a turkey” as a reminder to bring that item to Grace Church the following week. You can either keep the turkey as a future reminder or post the turkey back on the poster and take another turkey if desired. Thank you all for making the contributions to the Westwood Food Pantry a success!
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
In the event of a pastoral emergency, please contact Fr. Anthony Puca at 267-980-3480.
FROM THE BISHOP . . . Preparing for what lies ahead. What does meal prepping have to do with our spiritual lives? Bishop Hughes draws a connection between preparing lunch for a busy day and preparing our hearts through scripture and prayer, reminding us that the words of faith we carry with us can sustain us in anxious and uncertain times.
YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2jNq6Q6G98&t=4s
MONTHLY PRAYER VIGIL AT DELANEY HALL . . . On the fourth Sunday of each month at 3 PM, our diocese will hold a brief prayer vigil outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility.
If you are not able to join us in person, we will do our best to live stream the vigil to the diocesan Facebook page. You can also pray at the same time from wherever you are, in solidarity with us.
Guidelines for attendees: https://dioceseofnewark.org/monthly-prayer-vigil-at-delaney-hall/
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.
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 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”