News for December 21: Christmas at Grace, and more
Good News of Great Joy! Christmas at Grace
Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24
Our family friendly service at 4 PM will feature a pageant that will serve as The Liturgy of the Word. The pageant will be followed by Holy Communion. A special musical prelude, featuring young musicians from the community, will precede the service.
Our traditional Midnight Mass at 10 PM remains a highlight of the year, with Holy Communion and music with choir, brass, and organ. The Grace Parish Choir and Gate City Brass will present a concert of beloved classics preceding the service. The concert will begin at 9:30 PM. If you have never had the opportunity to come to Midnight Mass, let this year be your year!
Please note that mild incense may be used at the 10 PM service.
Both services on December 24 will be streamed to our website and Facebook. If you attend online, please visit our Grace@Home page for links to worship bulletins.
Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25
Join us in the nave at 10 AM on Christmas Day for a simple, spoken Holy Eucharist.
First Sunday after Christmas: Sunday, December 28
Services will be held at their normal times of 8:15 and 10:45 AM on the First Sunday after Christmas. We will continue sharing in carols throughout Christmas Season, and the readings offer an opportunity for continued reflection.
Please note there will be no Christian Education classes and no Children’s Chapel offered December 28.
Second Sunday after Christmas: Sunday, January 4
We will return to our full Sunday schedule on the Second Sunday after Christmas. Join us for Rite I Eucharist at 8:15 AM, Christian Education classes at 9:30 AM, and Rite II Eucharist with carols at 10:45 AM. Children’s Chapel will be held during the 10:45 AM service.
Solstice Eucharist at Linwood
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.
Holiday Schedule Updates
- There is no Compline on December 23 or 30.
- There is no noon Eucharist on Wednesdays, December 24 or 31.
- The in-person Centering Prayer group will not meet on Wednesdays, December 24 or December 31.
- There is no Children’s Chapel on Sunday, December 28.
- Christian Education classes will not meet on Sunday, December 28.
Prayers for Peace
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On Sunday, December 28, we will have a time of prayer during the normal Forum time, 9:30 AM. We will meet in the Chapel. During this time, we will offer triad prayers for peace in the coming year. I invite you to join us in this gentle, reflective gathering and join your voice with the voices of your brothers and sisters in prayer.
Please feel free to invite friends and family.
Blessings!
Sister Genevieve Lynn, OSB
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 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.
No Newsletter Next Week
There will be no newsletter emailed next week. The first newsletter of the new year, dated January 4, will be emailed on Friday, January 2. The deadline to submit information for that issue is Monday, December 29 at 9:00 AM.
Dates for Your Calendar
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
- December 24, 25, 28, January 4 Christmas Worship
- January 16-18 Women’s Retreat
- January 25 FOM: 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.