Grace Notes
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
August 3, 2025
O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church, and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succor, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21
THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist (bulletin)
Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist with Healing
Thursday
7 PM Praying the Scriptures (online)
Where: Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8451295802 Meeting ID: 845 129 5802
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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 Immanuel Charles, Kathy Nathan, Mary Sunden, Ann Hopper, The Rev. James Warnke, priest, Gary Stubbs, Nancy Mohr, Rae Palladino, Dave, Thomas Petrullo, Daniela Parisi, Michael Shumway, Chris Spilker, Gina DeMarsico, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Charlotte Wilson, John Whitlock, and Gaylord Hitchcock, priest.
For those celebrating birthdays especially John Dowdie, Jr. (8/4) and Mary Sunden, and those celebrating anniversaries.
For our six youth who will attend Crossroads camp this week in Ridgewood.
For those who have died especially Augusta Gemmato (8/4), Olajide Esho (8/6), Robert L. McCormick (8/6), Aural Gibson (8/6), Vera Sewalk (8/7), Edward H. Carlson (8/8), and Fred N. Schmid (8/8).
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
Warren Hirstius, acolyte
Akin Okunlola, usher
Mary Sunden, reader
Lesly Gannelli and Theresa Okunlola, altar guild
Ingrid Davis, coffee hour
Akin Okunlola and Aelicia Yeates, counters
UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE…
August 10
10 AM Liturgy of the Word and Sunday School
August 17
10 AM Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
August 24
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist
August 31
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
PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES . . . During the summer months, we will pray the scriptures together online using the contemplative practice Composition of Place. This method of prayer, associated most commonly within Ignatian spirituality, emphasizes the use of imagination and engaging the senses to place oneself into a scriptural passage. This practice helps deepen one’s experience of scripture and draws one closer to God in prayer. The meetings will take place on the first and third Thursdays of the month and will last for about an hour.
The next meeting will be at 7 PM on August 7.
Click on the link for more information on this practice: https://cruxnow.com/commentary/2023/07/in-composition-of-place-we-engage-in-conversation-with-the-living-god
Where: Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8451295802 Meeting ID: 845 129 5802
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Open House Committee - Grace Church is planning an Open House to be held in early October 2025 and we are looking for help to make this special day a success. The Commitee is looking for help with planning and implementing the Open House as well as assistance with set-up and breakdown for this important day. Please contact Deacon Len if you are interested in joining the committee by sending an email to leonard_roberts@rocketmail.com.
THE PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE . . . would like to shout out a Thank You to our picnic hosts Theresa and Akin Okunlola for opening their home, and pool, to us! It was also great to see, and taste, all the wonderful food everyone brought!
Thanks to Randy as the barbecue chef d'jour! Thanks to Matt as lifeguard on duty! And all the helping hands for set-up and break-down, leaving the Okunlola's property somewhat intact.
See you all next year! Will you be hosting?!
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.
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.
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
please contact Fr. Anthony Puca at 267-980-3480
FROM THE BISHOP . . . We may be afraid, but we're going to do it anyway. Bishop Hughes speaks candidly about a challenge many of us face but rarely name: fear. Whether it's fear of speaking up, taking action, or even praying, she reminds us that fear doesn't disqualify us from God's call – it’s often part of the journey – and she encourages us to “do it anyway... and do it afraid.”
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”