We share in the grief and horror of people across our country and, indeed, around the world in the wake of last night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas. We have spoken with our Bishops United Against Gun Violence colleague and brother in Christ, Bishop Dan Edwards of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, and we have offered him and the people of Nevada our prayers and promises of assistance. We stand in solidarity with the diocese and the people of Nevada as they cope with this massacre….read full statement here
Tour de Grace Fall Bike Ride
Sunday, October 8, 2017, All ages are invited to participate! Guides will be with each group for direction. The ride will begin approximately
45 minutes after morning worship is finished. Eat some pizza after worship and we will begin the ride shortly after. There will be a shorter and a longer route – maps will be available! Dessert and water will be available on Windmill Island during your route – it is the halfway mark. Helmets are required! Water will also be available! Join in the fun and enjoy nature! Please see the Sign-Up sheet in the commons or contact the office at 616-396-7459 to help us track numbers of riders.
Blessing of the Animals
On Sunday, October 1st at 5:00pm we will gather in the spirit of St Francis to bless God’s creatures. So bring your dogs, cats, hampsters, horses…any of God’s creatures for this lovely (and short given the attention span of some of the attendees) service of prayer, song and blessing. All are welcome so bring friends! And please be sure for the safety of all of the animals that your animal is on a leash or in a carrier or crate.
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Reformation But Were Afraid to Ask
Sunday Forum on Sundays, October 1 & 15: Dr. Janis Gibbs, Associate Professor of History and Co-Director of the Fulbright Program at Hope College has as one of her teaching specialty areas, ‘Reformation Europe. ‘ Professor Gibbs will join us to explore the Reformation, offering a basic overview as well as an opportunity to explore the complex relationships among religion, politics and power and ways in which that phase of Christianity is reflected in today’s structures of faith. Dr Gibbs will be focusing on Martin Luther on October 1st and John Calvin on the 15th. Join us 9:15-10:15 in the lower level Forum Room.
Kick Off Sunday is September 10th!
Join us this Sunday, September 10th as we kick off a new program year. Services of Holy Eucharist will be at 8:15 and 10:00 with the first Sunday of Choir and Blessing of the BackPacks and a kids’ sermon at the 10:00 service. The Annual Parish Photo will be taken on the parish lawn at 11:15 and the Parish Picnic (lunch provided by Fellowship Commission) complete with Kick Off Kick Ball will begin at about 11:30 at Moran Park. Dress comfortably, bring your backpack to be blessed, have a lawn chair or picnic blanket handy and come join the fun! All are welcome.
Memorial Service for Stafford Keegin
On Thursday, September 7 at 11:00am we will come together at Grace to give thanks for the life and celebrate the new life of Stafford Keegin. The service will be preceded by a visitation in the parish Commons at 10:00am. Following the service there will be a reception in the church undercroft. Join us as we remember this man who was husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend. “O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Stafford. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The Martin Pasi Organ
Since April 24th, organ builder, Martin Pasi has been with us at Grace installing and voicing the new organ. The organ will be complete soon and Martin’s final Sunday with us will be May 28th. We will thank him at the 10:00 service that day as he prepares to head home to Roy, Washington. Our first Sunday with the full organ will be on Pentecost Sunday, June 4th. That morning we will welcome the Spirit, celebrate baptisms and Holy Eucharist and bless the new Pasi organ as it supports our prayer and song. That afternoon, June 4 at 3:00pm the Grace Chamber Choir, Grace musicians and Music Director Steve Jenkins will host the first of many recitals. This recital will feature anthems that the choir has sung through the year and special pieces by Steve, the Grace String Trio and other musicians. Join us!
Summer Service Schedule
Remember that this Sunday, May 28th we shift to our summer schedule with services at 8:15am and 10:00am. Nursery is provided at the 10:00 service. See you Sunday!
Grace Celebrates Earth Day at Outdoor Discovery Center
Remember that Sunday, April 23rd Grace’s Creation Care team invites everyone to come to the Outdoor Discovery Center following the 10:30 service to honor Earth Day with hikes, games and a barbecue! This is a great event for kids (of all ages!) Join us as we give thanks, care for and celebrate the wonder of God’s creation.
Holy Week and Easter at Grace Church
Palm Sunday (April 9) 8:15, 10:30AM
Join us for the blessing of the palms, a triumphal procession into the church, the narration of the Passion of Our Lord, and a celebration of Holy Communion. The 10:30 service will begin in the Church yard—weather permitting.
Maundy Thursday (April 13)
This year our monthly Feeding America ministry is on Maundy Thursday and so we will feed hungry people as we remember Christ’s mandate to “love one another.” Come as early as 4:30 to help prepare supper and any time after that to help with the distribution of eight thousand pounds of food to over one hundred and fifty families. Everyone is invited to eat supper through the time of food distribution and then at about 7:00, we will enter in to the more formal service of Maundy Thursday. We will hear the lessons of the day, wash feet, and celebrate Holy Communion as we remember the actions and promises of Jesus’ Last Supper. We close the evening with a stripping of the altar in preparation for Good Friday.
Good Friday (April 14), 7:00PM
Join us as we mark the crucifixion of our Lord with the Story of the Passion, solemn reflections, prayers, and song. The offering from this service will be given to The Church in Jerusalem. Stations of the Cross will also be available in the Sanctuary from 9:00am to 6:00pm for those who would like to come for silent prayer.
Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday
Easter Vigil (Saturday, April 15), 9:00PM
Gather with us at sunset in the Church yard as we kindle a fire in the darkness and process in to listen to the Biblical story of God’s saving actions. At the news of Christ’s resurrection, we shout “Alleluia!”, ring bells, sing praises, and celebrate Holy Communion. (Bring your bells!) A celebratory cheese, wine and dessert feast will follow this service. Sign up in the Commons to bring desserts!
Easter Sunday Service (April 16), 10:30AM
We gather in the good news of Christ’s resurrection, celebrating Holy Communion and offering our thanks and praise to God with prayers and songs of “Alleluia!”
It’s Time for Tulip Time!
It’s that time again, Grace Church! Time to get your Dutch on, break out the Tulip Time spirit, and sign up to help at Marketplaatz, our ONLY fundraiser for youth ministries and one of the ways in which Grace Church is out there and visible for community members and tourists alike. Funds raise cover some youth events and half the cost of our Youth Pilgrimage (families and youth contribute to pilgrimage costs also). This year, Marketplaatz will be at Evergreen Commons (due to Civic Center renovation) and so access will be easier for those who work and there is a REAL KITCHEN AND DISHWASHER for us to use! Follow this link to sign up for some slots and know that Grace youth and families are involved and INCREDIBLY grateful for the efforts of so many.
Water Justice – Trinity Institute 2017
Join us at Grace for the webinar conference of Trinity Institute 2017, “Water Justice” from Wednesday, March 22 through Friday March 24. This event will be streamed live from Trinity Episcopal Church in New York. Detailed information including the list of speakers and schedule for this one evening, two-day event can be found here. The Wednesday evening program will be preceded by supper at 5:45 and Holy Eucharist for all who would like to join us. On Thursday and Friday lunch will be ordered for those who would like it. All are welcome.