Grace Notes
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 16, 2025
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Malachi 4:1-2a, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19
THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School (bulletin)
Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist
SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . is 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.
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 Gina Marie Peter (11/18), Thomas William Randall, II (11/18), James Gibson (11/18), and Jean Gibson Monnecka (11/18) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Donald & Maureen Wandell (11/21).
For those who have died especially especially Victoria F. O'Brien (11/16), Jill Marie Wallerius (11/16), Anna Porsche (11/16), William A. Butz, Deacon (11/17), Thomas Denty (11/18), Winnie Mueller (11/18), Jemima Arnold (11/19), Phyllis Farrington (11/20), Josephone Olaleye (11/21), Eleanor Thomas (11/21), John Perini (11/21), and Kenneth Weaver, III (11/22).
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
Evans Roache, acolyte
Antonio Brugnoli, usher
John Beck, Sunday School
Jordan Howell, reader
Trish Landi and Ingrid Davis, altar guild
Paula Ricca, coffee hour
Larry Sunden and Trish Landi, counters
UPCOMING SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE
November 23
10 AM The Holy Eucharist - Family Service - Christ the King
November 26 (Wednesday)
7 PM The Holy Eucharist - THANKSGIVING EVE
November 30
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School - Advent 1
December 7
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School - Advent 2
December 14
9 AM The Children's Service
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School - Advent 3
December 21
10 AM The Holy Eucharist and Sunday School - Advent 4
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
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.
DINNER AT DOMANI'S ON THANKSGIVING EVE . . . Larry Sunden has booked the private room at Domani’s restaurant in Hillsdale for a dinner following the Thanksgiving Eve service at Grace Church. All parishioners and friends of Grace are invited to join. Please contact Larry (larry@sunden.com or 201-960-1433) no later than Monday, November 24 to reserve a spot.
ADVENT BREAKFAST AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ON NOVEMBER 30 . . . Grace Church has been invited to join the people of Holy Trinity Church, Hillsdale, for their annual Advent breakfast after the 10 AM service on 11/30. The church is located at 326 Hillsdale Avenue. They would like to like to get a headcount if possible! RSVP's and volunteer signups (setup, cleanup, or cooking) should call or text Dave Bradley at 201-281-0668, Russ Chapman at 201-286-7527, or Mark Loblanco at 845-707-3846.
All are welcome and we're delighted to have you!
ADULT EDUCATION AND STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE CHURCH . . .
LECTIONARY STUDY GROUP
Every Sunday as we gather together in worship, we hear various readings from both the Old and New Testaments which form our understanding of God and inform who we are as God’s people. The challenge that many of us encounter as we hear Scripture during worship is that without some familiarity or context, the readings can be difficult to understand. The Lectionary Study Group is an opportunity to discuss themes and prepare for the Sunday liturgy with others in community. This is not a Bible Study, but a lectionary reading group for those who are hoping to gain some background with the readings before Sunday and ultimately to deepen their worship experience.
Lectionary Study Group meetings will be on Zoom on the following Thursdays at 7 PM:
December 4 and 18
STUDY GROUP WITH BISHOP CARYLE HUGHES, XI BISHOP OF NEWARK
Subject content to be determined
Bishop’s Study Group meetings will be on Zoom on the following Tuesdays at 7 PM
January 20 and 27
February 3 and 10
SACRED GROUND
Sacred Ground is a film and readings based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family history, economic class, and political and regional identity. The program is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
Sacred Ground: Meetings will be on Zoom on Thursdays at 7 PM except where noted.
April 16, 23, 30
May 21 and 28
May 31 Sunday hybrid meeting after church service.
June 4 and 18
June 21 Sunday hybrid meeting after church service.
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 . . . We know how to persevere. From prayer to advocacy to feeding the hungry, Bishop Hughes reminds us that perseverance is more than surviving hard times – it’s trusting God’s ongoing work through us to bring hope and transformation.
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”