Grace Notes
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 13, 2026
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THIS WEEK'S READINGS
Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:1-13, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35
Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist (bulletin)
The Rev. Joyce McGirr, celebrant
Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist
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
Larry Toppin, acolyte
Gene Muller, usher
Gene Muller, reader
Trish Landi and Ingrid Davis, altar guild
Theresa Okunlola, coffee hour
Larry Sunden and Tom Bisdale, counters
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 Ashley Menniti (9/14), Beth Storz (9/15), Marshall K. Mueller (9/18) Brendan Weaver (9/19) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Anthony Puca and Paula Ricca (9/14).
For those who have died especially Arthur T. Howells (9/13), Florence Stewart (9/13), Richard C. Jones (9/15), Janice Vogt (9/15), Florence Mann (9/16), Michael F. Rehill (9/16), Anne R. Alcorn (9/17), Elaine Martin (9/18), and Caroline Bielenda (9/19).
Flowers on the altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God and in honor of the birthday of Marshall K. 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.
September 20
10 AM Family Eucharist
September 27
9 AM Children's Service
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
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
In the event of a pastoral emergency, please contact Fr. Anthony Puca at 267-980-3480.
FROM THE BISHOP . . . A Word of Encouragement on September 11, 2026
Dear Companions on the Faith Journey,
On this day, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, a heightened sense of remembrance and reflection has been present in news, social media, and our own memories. Even with over two decades of distance, the stories of shock, tragedy, horror, and heroism bring us right back to that day.
We have learned to live with the sorrow, grief, and despair of that day and its memory. The fact that we carry on, however, does not mean we have forgotten those we lost that day. We also remember those who have died or continue to suffer in the months and years after the attacks due to illnesses related to search, rescue, and recovery efforts.
With gratitude we remember the extraordinary sense of unity that enveloped our nation when we pulled together as one people of these blessed United States. This anniversary may be especially tender for some of us. And for some who were too young to remember or were born in the years since, this day may seem unfathomable.
I hope that you will be kind and gentle to yourself and those around you. Your unique response in remembering September 11 is to be honored and held carefully by you and your companions on the journey. We all remember and reflect in different ways.
Know that I pray regularly for the peace and protection of all God’s people. Today, I especially ask for God’s comfort and peace for all who mourn. And I pray that we might live again as one people, united in our care and concern for each other.
Our Loving God in heaven, you see our struggles and enter our troubles and terror alongside us. Give us the courage to mourn, the strength to care for family, friend, and stranger alike, and the willingness to carry your healing presence into every place marked by the tragedy of terror. Through the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Grace and peace,
The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes
Bishop of Newark
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”