Grace Notes
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 14, 2024
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
1 Samuel 3:1-20, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17, John 1:43-51
THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
(all services at Grace Church unless otherwise specified)
Sunday, January 14
9 AM The Children’s Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School, bulletin
Wednesday, January 17
9 AM The Holy Eucharist with Healing
ABOUT EPIPHANY SEASON AND THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD . . . A season of four to nine weeks, from the Feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 6) through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The length of the season varies according to the date of Easter. The gospel stories of this season describe various events that manifest the divinity of Jesus. The coming of the Magi is celebrated on the Epiphany. The Baptism of our Lord is observed on the Sunday after Epiphany. The gospels for the other Sundays of the Epiphany season describe the wedding at Cana, the calling of the disciples, and various miracles and teachings of Jesus. The Last Sunday after the Epiphany is always devoted to the Transfiguration. Jesus' identity as the Son of God is dramatically revealed in the Transfiguration gospel, as well as the gospel of the baptism of Christ. We are called to respond to Christ in faith through the showings of his divinity recorded in the gospels of the Epiphany season.
- courtesy of “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians”
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.
OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . . the sick and those in need, especially The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop, The Rev. James Warnke, priest, Stephanie Luciani, Christian Davis, Shawn Davis, Felix Wroten, Julie Pryor, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Nancy Mohr, Roseanne Levine, Jenafer Medina, Charlotte Wilson, Rich Landi, John Whitlock and Gaylord Hitchcock.
For the those celebrating birthdays especially Charles Herbert, Jr. (1/18), Lesly Newton (1/18) and Vicky Lupino (1/20) and for those celebrating anniversaries.
For those who have died especially Kathryn Zalesky (1/14), Franz Rummel Colwell (1/15), Robert Peter (1/16), Avis Marie Poovey (1/16), Al Oldham (1/17), Henry Kusel (1/18) and Margaret A. Howells (1/20).
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.
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS . . .
January 14
10 AM The Holy Eucharist
January 17
9 AM The Holy Eucharist with Healing
January 21
9 AM The Children’s Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist
January 24
9 AM The Holy Eucharist with Healing
January 28
9 AM The Children’s Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist
January 31
9 AM The Holy Eucharist with Healing
CONTACT INFORMATION . . .
The Rev. Father Anthony Puca, Jr.
Rector
gecrector@gmail.com
201-664-0407
Kathryn MacCourt
Grace and Holy Trinity 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
ANNOUNCEMENTS . . .
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED . . . We are in need of volunteers for the Helping Hand Food Pantry on Monday nights and Saturday mornings. Responsibilities include filling grocery bags from pre-printed lists for pantry clients. Students age twelve and up may volunteer and receive community service credit for the time they work. There are stairs involved, but accommodation can be made for those who can't manage them.
Can you spare a few hours a month (or a quarter) to help feed our neighbors? Please contact Patty Bradley at 201-315-5401 or at arlin.bradley@me.com.
While there are always needs for a variety of food items, the following are always needed:
Cake and Brownie Mix
Boxed Potatoes
Canned Fruit
Apple Sauce
Ketchup, Mustard, & Mayonnaise
Bagged White Rice
Pancake Mix, Syrup
Flour, Sugar, & Oil
Coffee
Shelf Stable Milk
Canned Meats
Pasta
Meat Sauce
Chunky Soup
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Cookies & Crackers
Shampoo, Conditioner & Toothpaste
Pump or Bar Hand Soap
Paper Towels, Facial Tissues, Toilet Paper
Diapers size 5, 6 & 7
Cleaning Products & Laundry Detergent
Supermarket Gift Cards
Please ensure all food donations are within their expiration dates.
NEW SCHEDULE FOR FATHER ANTHONY . . . As we consider our finances for 2024, it will be necessary to reduce my hours as we move forward. Please see the schedule below. I typically work in the morning to early afternoon but sometimes it is necessary that I work evening hours as well. I will adjust my hours based on need. I typically do not respond to non-emergency calls or texts on days off or on work days after 5 pm. In the event of an emergency, you can contact me at any time of the day on my cell phone at 267-980-3480. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Peace,
Father Anthony
Sundays: 6 hours.
Mondays: Off
Tuesdays: Off
Wednesday: 5 hours
Thursdays: 4 hours
Fridays: 5 hours
Saturdays: Off
GRACE CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 . . . All Grace Church parishioners are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting on January 28 in the Small Parish Hall following the 10 AM service. We will do the important business of reviewing 2023 financial documents, present the 2024 budget, and have an important discussion on the future of our church.
14th ANNUAL FREEDOM SHABAT SERVICE . . . Friday, January 12, 7:30 PM at Congregation B'nai Israel, 53 Palisade Avenue, Emerson, NJ.
All are invited to join at Congregation B'nai Israel for a meaningful and inclusive evening of prayer, song, learning, and community, in honor of the Sabbath, justice, and freedom. The "Freedom Shabbat" service, held on the Friday night of Martin Luther King weekend, incorporates traditional Jewish Sabbath prayers, ecumenical readings, new & familiar melodies, and participation by visiting clergy from a variety of faith traditions.
Please bring friends, neighbors, and lovers of freedom of every background. Together, we will honor the lives and legacies of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. These two spiritual giants were friends who shared a deep commitment to the equality and dignity of all people. We will celebrate their brotherhood and their strengths, including activism, kindness, and wisdom.
Please stay after the service for fellowship and refreshments. If you are able, please bring socks, gloves, scarves, and coats for distribution to neighbors in need. - Rabbi Debra Orenstein
COFFEE HOUR . . . will follow the service. If you are able to help with this ministry please contact
Grace Church: Ingrid Davis - ingren58@gmail.com or 973-809-8272
PLEDGING . . . We also now have the capability of making a donation online thanks to a newly negotiated deal by the diocese with Vanco! Grace Church Click on the link: WebPay Link or use the Give button on our Home Page.
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 1-267-980-3480
FROM THE BISHOP . . . How can we be a witness to Christ's light? Bishop Hughes says, "I want to invite you this Advent to think about where you need light, and also to think about where you are asked to witness to the light.... How can we share the light that we know? How do we share the hope that is within us, the hope of God's love and mercy and compassion that we know exist even in a world that is deeply, deeply fractured and troubled?"
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.
The most up-to-date news in the Episcopal Church http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/
News and official statements from the Episcopal Church concerning political and public policy issues http://advocacy.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”
Contacts
The Rev. Father Anthony Puca, Jr., Rector 201-664-0407 (gecrector@gmail.com)
Mrs. Kathryn MacCourt, Parish Administrator, Organist & Choirmaster 201-417-1653 (kmaccourt@gmail.com)
Mr. Akinola Okunlola, Warden 201-926-3577 (aokunlola@gmail.com)
Mr. Larry Sunden, Warden 201-960-1433 (larry@sunden.com)