News for November 23: Christ the King, Lessons & Carols, and more
Christ the King Sunday
Grace Church Friends of Music will welcome the Georgia Boy Choir to lead us in a Choral Eucharist on Christ the King Sunday, November 23, at 10:45 AM. In a Choral Eucharist service, certain texts of the liturgy are sung by the choir only. In the case of this service, Georgia Boy Choir will sing the Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei written by Grayston Ives in addition to other anthems throughout the service.
Georgia Boy Choir, under the direction of David White, is an internationally acclaimed touring choir comprised of middle school through high school boys. The Georgia Boy Choir is recognized as achieving the highest possible standard of musical excellence, while instilling in its members a life-long appreciation of music; an abiding love of beauty; a keen sense of respect for themselves and others; and the self-discipline necessary to become effective leaders in their families, their communities and the world.
Parish Office
The parish office will be closed on November 26 & 27. Happy Thanksgiving from the staff and clergy!
Food Pantry
Thank you to everyone who has donated food for the Gainesville Hall Community Food Pantry located on Oak Street. We will continue our collection of canned fruit, canned green vegetables, canned corn, 3.5 oz cans of tuna, pasta noodles and empty egg cartons through November 30. Checks/cash donations can also be made to the church office or online.
Advent Wreath Making
On Sunday, November 30, parishioners of all ages are invited to come make Advent wreaths together from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Parish Hall.
There is no need to sign up. Wreath forms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. One wreath per household please and a $10 minimum suggested donation would be welcome, to offset cost of forms, candles and greenery.
You may wish to bring supplies, such as ribbon, pinecones, floral/craft picks and sprays, etc. from home to personalize your wreath and to share with others. Additional greenery to share from your garden would also be welcome. You will also find it very helpful to bring small pruning scissors.
Join us to celebrate the beginning of Advent and a New Church Year.
Advent Lessons & Carols
The parish choir will offer Advent Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 7 during the 10:45 AM worship service. All are welcome.
This beautiful service, deeply rooted in the Anglican tradition, is meant to help us prepare for Christmas. The readings and carols focus our attention on the coming of Christ in our lives. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival”, and this season invites us to pay attention to all the ways the Spirit’s presence transforms us so that we live with more hope in the world.
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.
Special Solstice Eucharist at Linwood
Building on the last creation-centered Eucharist, we will come together at 8:15 AM on Sunday morning, December 21 for a time of 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. We’ll know the weather as we get closer, and we’ll plan on having hot chocolate for those who are there. Look for more information in the coming weeks.
Food Delivery Assistance
Thanks to so many for reaching out to see how they can help with food delivery and assistance, and thanks to those who contributed additional funds to the discretionary account. If you would like to be included in the Grace Food Delivery Team, please submit your name and contact information on the form at the link below and we can be in touch.
Gainesville Glows Volunteer Opportunity
Grace Church has filled all the November 30 volunteer spots to greet guests at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville inaugural holiday light display Gainesville Glows: Lanterns and Lights! If this opportunity sounds interesting and you are available to volunteer on December 21, please contact contact Trish Andrews at tandrews@atlantabg.org or 470-834-1999. Volunteers should be at least 18 and are welcome to explore the show when not on shift! please Volunteers should be at least 18 and are welcome to explore the show when not on shift!
The Unity Project
The Unity Project, a partnership between the city of Gainesville, Good News Clinic, 9th District Street Exit Ministries, North GA Works, and Good News at Noon, is well underway in preparation for serving unhoused women and the elderly in our community.
Dr. Paul Klas is leading a team of residents and physicians to set up a Street Med Clinic to serve this population. Volunteers are need to serve as intake staff. There is no licensure required to serve in this role. There will be some training required. If you feel led to join us in serving or just want more information, please contact Paul Klas or Stacy Morley.
Christmas Flowers & Greenery
Beautiful flowers and greenery enhance our celebration of The Nativity of Our Lord at Grace Church, and you can help make that celebration special. Contributions to our Christmas flower and greenery fund may be made in thanksgiving for or in memory of loved ones, friends and family. Notice of your donation will be included in the worship bulletin on Christmas Eve.
If you would like to make an offering, please submit both the online form and your donation ($50 suggested minimum) by Sunday, December 14.
Christian Education
Children
Godly Play I (3-6 years old) meets in room 109 of The Grace Center.
Godly Play II (7-9 years old) meets in room 111 of The Grace Center.
Youth
Youth age 10-13 meet in room 126 of The Grace Center.
Youth age 14-18 meet in room 115 of The Grace Center.
Adults
The Sunday Forum meets in the parish hall.
Parenting with Grace meets in the conference room.
Dates for Your Calendar
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
- November 30 Advent Wreath Making
- December 7 Advent Lessons & Carols
- December 7 Diocesan Confirmation
- December 13 Patrick Kelley Memorial Blood Drive
- December 14 5th Annual Messiah Sing Along
- December 17 Christmas Caroling
- December 21 Outdoor Eucharist
- December 24, 25, 28, January 4 Christmas Worship
- January 16-18 Women’s Retreat
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!
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