Grace Notes
First Sunday after the Epiphany
The Baptism of our Lord
January 4,2025
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17
THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday - THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
10 AM Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament (bulletin)
Flowers on the altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God
and in memory of the birthday of Daryl and Daren Toppin.
Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist
ABOUT EPIPHANY SEASON AND THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD . . . The word epiphany means manifestation. The Epiphany was originally observed in the Eastern Church as the feast celebrating the manifestation of Christ as God’s Son at his Baptism, the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (the Magi representing the brightest of the Gentile world) and the manifestation of his miraculous power by turning water into wine. The first Sunday following the Epiphany celebrates particularly the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, and is the last feast day in the celebratory Incarnation cycle. Subsequent Sundays will use green vestments and are commonly known as “Ordinary Time.”
OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . . the sick and those in need, especially Carol Reynolds, Chris Nordone, Adam Strauss, Jennifer Wright, Francis Royer, Mariam Kamal, Ann Hopper, The Rev. James Warnke, priest, Dave D'Orazio, Mitch Mann, Thomas Petrullo, Daniela Parisi, Michael Shumway, Chris Spilker, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Charlotte Wilson, John Whitlock, and Gaylord Hitchcock, priest.
For those celebrating birthdays especially John Beck (1/12), Lily Valentine (1/11), Zelma Wilson (1/12), Peter Stokes, Jr., and Ellington Joseph Alston-Roache (1/13) and those celebrating anniversaries.
For those who have died especially Bernard Newman, priest (1/11), Jerry Delaney (1/13), William Vietheer (1/13), Kathryn Zalesky (1/14), Franz Rummel Colwell (1/15), Robert Peter (1/16), Avis Marie Poovey (1/16), and Al Oldham (1/17).
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
Leslie Bisdale, acolyte
Antonio Brugnoli, usher
Mary Sunden, reader
Lesly Gannelli and Theresa Okunlola, altar guild
Akin Okunlola and Trish Landi, counters
UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE
January 18
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
January 25 - 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
10 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
GRACE CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 . . . All Grace Church parishioners are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting on January 25 in the Large Parish Hall following the 10 AM service. We will do the important business of reviewing 2025 financial documents, present the 2026 budget, elect parish leadership, and discuss the year ahead.
During the meeting we will have our Annual Potluck Luncheon. Please bring an appetizer, entrée, dessert, or beverage of your choice for the luncheon. Contact Christine Scott by phone (201-286-0014) or email (chrscott20@gmail.com) by Friday, January 23, and let her know what item you will bring. Thank you!
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.
OUR ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP SEASON AND PLEDGE CAMPAIGN IS ONGOING . . .
If you would like to submit your pledge card digitally please fill out the form by clicking here.
If you prefer, you can find printed pledge cards in the narthex.
REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FROM BEN AND LIZA MARTIN . . . Ben and Liza will be part of Team FORCE at the RunDisney 10k this February. Team FORCE specifically works to improve the lives of the millions of individuals and families facing hereditary cancers. This is done through education, support, advocacy and research efforts.
They have requested support FORCE from anyone in the Grace Episcopal family who would be interested in helping them in their fight by making a donation through the links below.
https://teamforce.facingourrisk.org/fundraiser/6537930
https://teamforce.facingourrisk.org/fundraiser/6537929
Thank you for any support you can give!
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
please contact Fr. Anthony Puca at 267-980-3480
COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, AND STORY . . . By the Rev. Canon Margo Peckham Clark. While Bishop Hughes is on sabbatical, Canon Clark steps in to offer some thoughts to ponder as we continue in this new secular year, and in our new Christian year as well. Read her reflection.
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 Church Leaders on immigration executive orders - https://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 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”