News for December 14: Messiah Sing Along, and more
Messiah Sing Along
The fifth annual Messiah Sing Along at Grace Church is Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 PM. Come add your voice to our volunteer chorus while our slate of soloists perform Handel’s arias and recitatives. If you have your own score please bring it, although we will have copies for you to borrow as well. Our voices will be supported by the Cumberland Orchestra and conducted by Lynn Swanson.
Soloists are: Yue Yin, soprano; Aliyah Auerbach, mezzo-soprano; Jonathan Pilkington, tenor; and Brandon Graham, bass.
All ages and musical abilities are welcome. Grace encourages families to come with their children to hear or sing Messiah! For families that prefer it, free childcare will be available for children age 4 and under from 2:45 until 4:30 PM.
Caroling & Christmas Party
Children, youth, and their families are invited to spread some Christmas cheer, caroling at Lanier Village Estates on Wednesday, December 17. We will gather in the parish hall at 5:30 PM for dinner and fellowship. Anyone who would like to participate in a white elephant gift exchange should bring an unmarked, wrapped gift. The gift should not exceed $15. This year’s theme is: Giver’s Faves. Gift some of your favorite things that others would love.
We will caravan to LVE and sing carols in their chapel at 6:30pm. Bring a friend!
If you plan to attend, please let Fr. Brandon know.
Solstice Eucharist at Linwood
Building on the last creation-centered Eucharist, we will gather at Linwood Nature Preserve at 8:15 AM on Sunday morning, December 21 for a Holy Communion to observe the Winter Solstice. The Solstice itself falls on that Sunday, so it gives us an opportunity to mark both the longest night of the year as well as the point when the days begin growing longer. It is a powerfully symbolic time of the year, and we’ll take the opportunity to share prayers together as we spend time in nature.
Deadline Christmas Flowers & Greenery
Sunday, December 14 is the deadline to make a contribution toward Christmas flowers and greenery. If you would like to make an offering, please submit both the online form and your donation ($50 suggested minimum).
Contributions may be made in thanksgiving for or in memory of loved ones, friends and family and acknowledgement will be included in the worship bulletins on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Trees
Years ago we began a tradition of decorating a Grace Family Tree. The tree is located in the nave so we may enjoy seeing it whether we participate in services in person or via the livestream. If you are new to Grace, haven’t yet contributed an ornament, or would like to contribute another, please bring one in and hang it on the tree or drop it by the parish office so we can hang it for you. Consider writing your name, and perhaps the year, somewhere on the ornament or on a ribbon attached to the ornament.
Grace also has a chicken tree (yes, a chicken tree!) in the parish hall. If you are out and about and run across an ornament that fits the theme, consider adding it to the tree.
At the end of the season, all ornaments for both trees are stored at Grace to be put back on next year. Don’t miss this chance to leave a small Christmas legacy at Grace.
Parish Office Holiday Hours
Monday, December 15 – Thursday, December 18: 10 AM – 4 PM
Monday, December 22: 10 AM – 4 PM
Tuesday, December 23: 10 AM – 4 PM
Wednesday, December 24: closed
Thursday, December 25: closed
Monday, December 29: 10 AM – 4 PM
Tuesday, December 30: 10 AM – 4 PM
Wednesday, January 31: open by appointment only
Thursday, January 1: closed
A reminder that the office is always closed on Fridays.
Next Week’s Newsletter a Double Issue
Next week’s issue of the newsletter will cover all events and news of the parish from December 21 until January 3. The deadline to submit information is Monday, December 15 at 9:00 AM. There will NOT be a December 28 newsletter emailed on Friday, December 26. (Please note that, although newsletters are emailed on Fridays, they always have a Sunday issue date.)
The first newsletter of the new year will be dated January 4 and the deadline for that newsletter is Monday, December 29 at 9:00 AM.
Dates for Your Calendar
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
- December 21 Outdoor Eucharist
- December 24, 25, 28, January 4 Christmas Worship
- January 16-18 Women’s Retreat
- January 25 FOM hosts UNG Faculty Recital
- February 1 Annual Parish Meeting
The Glimpses of Grace Podcast
We invite you to explore the podcast on Spotify (or your podcast app of choice) or here on this website!
This post highlights events and news of the parish. For full news, we invite you to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.