Grace Notes
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 8, 2024
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; 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
Isaiah 35:4-7a, Psalm 146, James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37
THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist (bulletin)
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.
THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL RETURN ON SEPTEMBER 15 . . . Sunday School will be 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, Larry Toppin, Lesly Gannelli, Diane Tekirian, Howard Goldin, Chris Spilker, Lexi Manning, Gina DeMarsico, Stephanie Luciani, Christian Davis, Shawn Davis, Felix Wroten, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Nancy Mohr, Roseanne Levine, Jenafer Medina, Charlotte Wilson, Rich Landi, Lorie and John Menitti, John Whitlock and Gaylord Hitchcock, priest.
For those celebrating birthdays especially Gary Stubbs (9/6), Christine Brooks Scott (9/8), Daisy Toppin (9/9), Khooshe Khayati (9/11), Kevin Cameron (9/12), Ashley Menniti (9/13) and Charles Keil, Jr. (9/14) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Anthony Puca & Paula Ricca (9/13).
For those who have died especially especially Margaret Hafemann (9/9), Rebel Noone Rummel (9/11), Adele Damerell (9/12), Arthur T. Howells (9/13) and Florence Stewart (9/13).
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.
The Rev. Anthony Puca, Jr., rector of Grace Episcopal Church, with his wife, Paula, and son, Anthony III, at Fort Jackson, SC, after his graduation ceremony August 16. Click here to read the article in this week's Pascack Press.
September 15
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
September 18 (Wednesday)
9 AM The Holy Eucharist
September 22
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
September 25 (Wednesday)
9 AM The Holy Eucharist
September 29
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
October 2 (Wednesday)
9 AM The Holy 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
Akinola Okunlola - aokunlola@gmail.com, 201-926-3677
Larry Sunden - larry@sunden.com, 201-960-1433
ANNOUNCEMENTS . . .
ADULT CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION AND REAFFIRMATION . . . In the spring of 2025, adult parishioners who have not yet been confirmed will have the opportunity to receive the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation. Confirmation is for those who feel called to "express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (BCP, p. 860). Adult parishioners will also have the opportunity to be formally received into the Episcopal Church or to reaffirm one's baptismal vows. Reception is for those who have already been confirmed in another church, but are now active in the Episcopal Church and would like to officially become an Episcopalian. Reaffirmation is for those who have already been confirmed and received into the Episcopal Church and now feel called to publicly reaffirm their baptismal vows and to be presented to a bishop for a blessing.
Classes will be offered in the fall of 2024 and winter 2025 to learn about Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation and the history, spirituality and structure of the Episcopal Church. Please contact Fr. Anthony if you are interested in exploring Confirmation or Reception.
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.
DIOCESAN 150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION . . . The Diocese of Newark Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee is planning a series of events for the Fall of 2024 through the Spring of 2025. The first event is a BBQ at Crossroads Camp and Retreat Center Center, 29 Pleasant Grove Rd., Port Murray, NJ 07865 on Saturday, September 21 from 10am to 4pm.
The event is $20 a person or $60 for a family of 3 or more; kids 5 and under eat free. There will be lots of great activities, such as bouncy house, swimming pool, kickball, volleyball, archery, hiking, high ropes and much more. Register and pay for the BBQ, at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZsWoaSH0wQ3W-SGmfM4ID4T4u1Ub6BqA3qhLlc4OgWMIRkA/viewform
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 . . . That September feeling.
Bishop Hughes reflects on the back-to-school season as a time for a fresh start, drawing parallels to the desire for renewal in life and in church communities.
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)