Grace Notes
January 2012
Prayer Closet
Grace Church Family Photos
January 2012 Newsletter - printable PDF
Diocese of Chicago Newsletter
Weekly Schedule
9:00 am, Sundays - Sung Eucharist in the Church
10:50 am, Sundays - Worship Service at Avonlea Cottages
5:30 pm, Wednesdays - Soup, Salad, Study
4:00 pm, Thursdays - Prayer Group
4:00 pm, First Fridays - Stations of the Cross
Grace Church Annual Meeting and Brunch
Sunday January 22, 2011 after the 9 am service
Election of Officer, Approval of 2012 Budget, Reports of Vestry Members.
Episcopal Night Fundraiser
The Latin American Social Club, January 27,
4—8 pm
We will be holding a fund-raiser through the courtesy and
help of The Latin American Social Club at their facilities at
2708 W Lincolnway from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, January
27th.
Volunteers will be needed to help serve and to make
desserts to sell. Contact Sue Lee or use the sign-up sheet in
the Parish Hall.
The menu will include Taco’s and/or
Tostada’s with beans and rice for $5. Cheese Nacho’s will be available for
$2.50. Extra items for the dinner at
$1.25.
Entertainment will be provided
by Fr. David and friends.
Vestry Meeting: Jan 17 at 6 pm
Soup, Salad, and Study, 5:30 pm, Wednesdays
We are studying
the Epistle to the Hebrews. The theme of
the Epistle is the finality of God’s
revelation in a Son who is the heir and
agent of creation, who radiates God’s
glory because he bears “the very stamp of
his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power.”
This group enters into very lively discussions, enjoys great
fellowship and wonderful food which on occasion turns into
a veritable feast! Come, join the fun!
Prayer Group and Stations of the Cross
The Prayer Group meets Thursdays at 4 pm in the library and begins with the Rosary and ends with Commpline.
We are now offering prayers for healing and other
special needs in the Chapel as folks come back from
communion on Sundays.
The group also offers Stations of the Cross on the first
Friday of each month at 4 pm
Helpful Inspirational Material
Deb has started a blog that includes Daily Inspiration, Help with Topics A to Z, Information, Sayings & Stories, and a Store with links to online resources: Bibles, Bible studies, Prayer,a Grief Guidebook, and more. Check it out by clicking on the link, Helpful Inspirational Material.
Altar Flowers
To provide flowers for the altar call or email
Jenny Espinoza (contact info available in the newsletter). The
cost of memorial flowers is $35.
Flowers do so much to enhance our
worship and our appreciation of the
world in which we live.
Father David on vacation in Dallas from January 9th
thru the 13th and in Las Vegas March 1-5.
Thanks!
A big thank you for all the thoughtful gifts we received over
the holidays. May you all be blessed with abundance.
—FR. DAVID & ELIZABETH RUDE
Make a Joyful Noise
I would like to thank everyone
for helping to make the
Christmas Sing-along and bake
sale such a phenomenal
success. Thanks to Brian and
Ellen for the music, Leah for the
song sheets, Juli for handling the sales; to the vestry for the
support and encouragement and all of the wonderful
Women of Grace for baking, and baking, and baking some
more. And to Pat Fecht, aka the Cookie Monster!
We earned $327.00 on the sale which is amazing.
Response was wonderful and we're already planning for
next year.
Once again, THANK YOU ALL.
—BETTY MCARDLE
Sterling/Rock Falls Ministerial Association
This wonderful fellowship of local clergy will meet here at
Grace Church on February 7th at 9:30 am. Our featured
speaker will be one of our own, The Honorable Charles
“Skip” Lee, Mayor of Sterling. This mutually supportive
group is instrumental in creating many fine events in the
area. One such item is The Pastor’s Corner in the Gazette
which appears most Saturdays on the community page.
Another is the ecumenical worship held just before
Thanksgiving each year. This year almost $500 was given
for the support of the Food Bank. Recently, Fr. David was
elected Treasurer of the Group. The President is The Rev.
Al Campbell of the Rock Falls United Church of Christ
and Vice President is The Rev. Msgr. Thomas Dzielak of
St. Andrew’s Church in Rock Falls.
One of the newest members is Lt. Cindy Marquis, Corps
Officer of the Salvation Army. Welcome to the twin cities,
Cindy.
Food Pantry
I have said before that the food ministry is not only needed
but has taken on a life of it’s own. In December we served
93 families with 316 members. Between the Sauk Valley
Food Bank and the Salvation Army, we have more produce
including three cases of collard greens. We found one lady
who gradually took all 3 cases. We have also shared our
abundance with the local nursing home. Our congregations
remains faithful in donating canned goods as well as
monetary gifts.
I’m going to mention several donations but we appreciate
all donations. There was a donation in honor of Donald
Card. I mention this because the food pantry was important
to Don. He has given faithfully, no matter what has
happened in his life. We also received money from the
StringAlongs 1953 High School Class and the CGH Main
Clinic Coding Department. We have also received a $538.
donation including some other large personal donations.
We received toys from Laurie Wyatt at the General Dollar
store, also Donna Faye Boehm donated crafts and Bears.
There have been many other donations, all are appreciated
and I do not wish to overlook anyone. We continue to ask
for donations and prayers as we go into the New year. On
Football Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, 2012, we will
collect cans of soup. We will collect soup all of the month
of January. Last year we had about 5,600 cans of soup. We
call this Souper Bowl Sunday
--EDYTHE GEIGER, FOOD PANTRY CHAIR
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The Epiphany
Of all the possible human experiences, an epiphany is
one of the most wonderful, startling, stunning and
delightful. The dictionary defines it as a sudden, intuitive
perception of or insight into the reality or essential
meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple,
homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
One of the best known occurred to Archimedes as he
was taking a bath prompting him to run naked down the
street screaming, “Eureka!”, which means, “I found it!” So
many of my personal epiphanies have occurred while
mowing the lawn like the time I realized my Mom didn’t
make beef stew. It was left-over pot roast which was why it
was so wonderful and had such a unique flavor that I
hadn’t been able to duplicate.
In Church life, we use the term to commemorate the
revelation of the Christ-Child’s true identity to the world.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and
we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father,) full of grace and truth.
We remember the revelation to the astrologers from the
East as we sing “We Three Kings”. They had followed the
star to a distant land. So powerful was their epiphany that
they brought valuable gifts fit for a king.
But as wonderful as this tradition is, it pales in
comparison to a personal revelation of Jesus in your own
life. Such an epiphany has been life changing for everyone
who experiences it. It has produced wonderful music like
“Amazing Grace” and “Blessed Assurance”. William
Booth’s epiphany created The Salvation Army. The
epiphany of William Wilberforce signaled the beginning
of the end of slavery in Britain. The Christian Faith
continues from one generation to the next only because of
that supernatural event we call an epiphany in the lives of
individuals. The Church has a technical name for that
phenomena, “conversion”. The Baptists describe it as
being “born again.” Other’s refer to that moment as
being “saved”.
Whatever you call it, that’s when that new, abundant and
eternal life begins to unfold in all it’s endless wonders and
possibilities. The good news is that Epiphany is available to
anyone who will seek and knock and ask. As the bible puts
it, “if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved !”
And in the words of Jesus, “Fear not, little flock; ...it is
your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
—FR. DAVID+
News from Peg
After a delightful few weeks in Hawaii we
returned home to a more demanding
schedule than I’ve had in years. The
Commission on Ministry has required 500
hours of Clinical Pastoral Education for me
which really means working as a Chaplain
30 hours a week at KSB hospital in Dixon.
If you run into me there you’ll see me in a clergy collar. I’m
not trying to impersonate an officer! KSB requires it for
easy identification.
Blessings to all for a wonderful and
exciting New Year at Grace Church.
—Peg
New Bishop, New Visit
At the 2011 Convention of the
Diocese of Chicago, The Rt. Rev.
Jeffrey Lee announced that The Rt.
Rev Carl Christopher "Chris" Epting
has been called as the assisting
Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago
He served the Diocese of Iowa as
bishop coadjutor and diocesan bishop
from 1988–2001, and as the Deputy
for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations for the
Episcopal Church from 2001-2009. He will perform his
duties on a part-time basis. He lives near us in the Quad
cities.
It was also announced that Bishop Epting will make an
official visit here at Grace Church on October 28th. This is
the time to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal
Church or two renew your Baptismal vows. Let Father
David know if you have any interest in participating in this
manner.
Ministry for Shut-Ins
Our lay Eucharistic visitors have been busy visiting those
who are unable to get to Church. So far our team consists
of Peg Williams, Monica Delgado, Debbie Duerst, Genaro Zamarippa and Marge Smith. If you would like to participate speak to our
ministry team leader, Peg Williams. Those to pray for, and
perhaps send a note to, are Jean Hammett, June Parks,
Sally Schuneman, Darrell Johnson and
Kathy Wasson
The Prayer Chain for 2012
Often we have need of immediate prayer support and the
prayer chain provides the means. To get your prayer into
the chain, call Debbie Duerst at 815-626-0301 or on her
cell phone at 815-590-6224.
Prayer Closet
For Healing: Jessica, Merideth, Bea,
Melinda, Lynn, Alma, Owen, Jon, Allen,
Gena, Laurell, Cindy, Arlene,
Roger, Sandi, Sally, Chad, Helene,
Laura, Eugene, Nolan, Scott and
Marilyn.
For the homebound: Sally, Helene and
June.
For Employment: Emily, John, Melissa, Tim, Jenifer, Romone,
Calvin, Arturo, Robert, Andrew, Tiffany, Donny,
Jeremy, Rommee and Steve.
For Special Needs: Monica, Robert, Gary, Harold, Jim,
Mary, Tom, Rachel, Olivia John, Leslie, Jeni, Amelia,
Keith, Justin, Pat, Carol, Shelby, Bonnie, Jenifer, Jeremiah
and Marissa.
For members of the Armed Forces: Jackie, Jordan. Greg,
Matt, Raymond, Jamie, Alex, Ryan, David, Robert, Larry,
Chris, John, Don, Julie, Eric, Marcus, Andy, Mike, Jennifer,
Jaunte, Roger, the 1644th Transportation Company
and the 102nd MP Company.
For those preparing for Holy Orders: Peg Williams, Brian
Prall; for Lay Ministry: Elizabeth Rude
For those celebrating birthdays: John Bradley Dillon, Patrick
Dillon, Andrew Miller, Alex Delgado, Ted Kontos,
Mary Ann Lee, Marlowe Adami, Jennifer Dillon
Wehrstein
For those celebrating anniversaries: Fr. David & Elizabeth
Rude
For the faithfully departed: Rebecca Tomczak, Sarah
Friends of Grace Church
Sterling Commercial Roofing
2704 North Locust
Sterling, IL 61081
815-626-7744
Call Kevin Froeter today for all your roofing needs.
Grummert's Hardware
424 Locust
Sterling, IL
Schilling Funeral Home
Our Family Serving Your Family
702 1st Avenue
Sterling, IL
Ed King and Sons
Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning
8 W 5th St
Sterling, IL
Wal-Mart
4115 East Lincolnway
Sterling IL
815-626-7200
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