Grace Notes
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
October 26, 2025
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Sirach 35:12-17, Psalm 84:1-6, 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18, Luke 18:9-14
THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
and Sunday School (bulletin)
Wednesday Eucharists will resume on November 12.
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.
OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . . the sick and those in need, especially Adam Strauss, Jennifer Wright, Francis Royer, Mariam Kamal, Kathy Nathan, 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 James Gemmato (10/26), C.J. Hoffman (10/28), and Timothy Hoffman (10/28) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Thomas & Kimber Gibson (10/27), Ben & Liza Martin (10/29), Steven & Laurie Wietzke (10/29), and Rebecca & Michael Perricelli (10/31).
For those who have died especially Ellen McCormick (10/26), Rosa Frazier (10/27), Robert Peter (10/27), Frederick Arnold (10/28), Bertha Gagne (10/29), Helen P. Jewell (10/30), and Hazel Wallace (11/1).
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
Antonio Brugnoli, acolyte
Akin Okunlola, usher
Erin Murphy, Sunday School
Tom Bisdale, reader
Leslie Bisdale, altar guild
Paula Ricca, coffee hour
Akin Okunlola and Tom Bisdale, counters
UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE
November 2
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School - All Saints' Day
November 9
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
November 16
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School
November 23
10 AM The Holy Eucharist - Family Service - Christ the King
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
THE NECROLOGY . . . will be read during the All Saints' Day service on Sunday, November 3. Please submit names for the list no later than Tuesday, October 28. You can either email this list to kmaccourt@gmail.com or leave a written list in the church office.
How My Soul Sings Out Through Artwork
"Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high."
- Hymn “Tell out, my soul”
I have a limited time on this earth, so it has been my goal to wake up every day and use my God given talents to the best of my ability. I don’t think I am alone when I say I doubt myself in this process, but I do keep striving to create something that I hope will touch the lives of others and bring to recognition the light I see in the world around me. God is light to me. From an artist’s perspective there is no color without light. I am thankful for the light because I love color .In my travels I have learned to appreciate the differences of others and what they and their different surroundings, and lifestyles have to offer to all of us. I like to paint these and hope that my viewers can see the light that shines in them too. We are all people of God and I hope this shows in my art.
I also like to capture the light in landscapes. Whether it is shimmering water on the Caribbean Sea, a river in Virginia, lights on a dark road, or in a house late at night. That light tells me we are not alone. God is nearby. There is nothing to fear.
I am not a portrait artist, but I do like to paint people. I try to paint the light that shines in their souls. Eyes tell us so much about a person. Recently, I have been painting the neighbors at my mother’s memory care facility to recognize those lives who were once full.
Their light should not be forgotten.
I do believe that something greater than me has guided me through this creative process using me as a paint brush to tell a story. I love that relationship. It is pure joy.
Ellen Sinclair is from Virginia Beach; married to Deacon Carter Sinclair and now attends Eastern Shore Chapel after having been at Emmanuel Church for 8 years while Carter served as Deacon.
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.
Mark your calendar . . . Stewardship Ingathering November 9, 2025
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
FROM THE BISHOP . . . Sharing the gift of unity. Bishop Hughes reminds us that as we prepare for the season of giving, the best gift we can share during this time of division is our unity – our oneness with God and with one another through Christ.
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”