Grace Notes
Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THIS WEEK’S READINGS

Acts 11:1-18Psalm 148Revelation 21:1-6John 13:31-35

THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP SCHEDULE

10 AM Family 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).

OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . . the sick and those in need, especially The Rev. James Warnke, priest,  Gary Stubbs, Nancy, Rae Palladino, Robert Young,Sr., Jennifer, Haiyan, Dave, Thomas Petrullo, Daniela Parisi, Michael Shumway, Greg Hutchinson, Catherine Gooch, Larry Toppin, Howard Goldin, Chris Spilker, Lexi Manning, Gina DeMarsico, Christian Davis, Shawn Davis, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Charlotte Wilson, Rich Landi, John Whitlock, and Gaylord Hitchcock, priest.

For those celebrating birthdays especially Graham Gardner (5/22) and Matthew Liddle (5/24) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Cindy Waneck & Bob Erickson (5/19) and Christine & Randy Scott (5/23).


For those receiving the sacrament of Baptism in the upcoming weeks: Esther Rose, Emma May Flynn, and Charlotte Brendel Cox.


For those who have died especially Mary Sewalk (5/18), Florence M. Butz (5/19), Elizabeth K. Demarinis (5/19), Gertrude Gardner (5/21), Darius A. Davis (5/22), and Adelaide Del Valle (5/23).

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

Ben Martin, acolyte
Liza Martin, usher
Jordan Howell, reader
Lesly Gannelli and Trish Landi, altar guild
Lorie and John Menniti, coffee hour
Akin Okunlola and Aelicia Yeates, counters

May 25
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

May 29 - Ascension
7 PM online service TBD

June 1
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

June 8 - Pentecost
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

June 15 - Trinity Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

June 22 
10 AM Family Service with Baptism

June 29
9 AM The 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
Akinola Okunlola - aokunlola@gmail.com, 201-926-3677
Larry Sunden - larry@sunden.com, 201-960-1433

SAVE  THE DATES: May 16 & May 17 . . . The Diosese of Newark continues to celebrate our 150th Anniversary.

We speak of Stewardship as  a year around discipline; did you know that 5% of our total annual income is given to support our diocese in a monthly offering? To have a show of support and representation to our Diocese we are offering sharerides to 2 of the final events this year.

1. CONCERT: May 16, 7pm at Christ Church in Short Hills
2. WORSHIP SERVICE Former Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry: May 17, 10:30am at St. Peter's in Morristown.

We look forward to hearing from you and will need head counts for these days.

Contact: call or text:
Chris Scott-201 286-0014 
Theresa Okunlola-201 707-5841

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.

GRACE CHURCH'S SUMMER EVENTS sponsored Parish Life . . . Don't miss out, use that saved PTO day and mark your calendar!

  • June 25th, departing the church at 10:30am for an afternoon at the Cloisters. This excursion will include a boxed lunch and an inside tour. Kids are free. 

  • July: Akin and Theresa Okunlola will host a BBQ at their place on a Sunday after Mass. 

  • August: Kids Day in Pascack Brook County Park. Food, games with prizes, and a bouncy castle! The committee would like parents' input! 

Please text or call Chris Scott @ 201.286.0014 if you would like to join in planning.

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.

CROSS ROADS DAY CAMP AT CHRIST CHURCH RIDGEWOOD . . . Click here for more information.

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
Deacon Leonard Roberts - 973-901-8822
Larry Sunden, warden - 201-960-1433
Akin Okunlola, warden - 201-926-3677

FROM THE BISHOP . . . Join us for our special weekend! Bishop Hughes shares her excitement over the events this Friday and Saturday celebrating our diocese's 150th anniversary, reflecting on our past and looking forward to our future.

YouTube video

Video transcript

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 ordershttps://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 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”