Author: kstoutworks
Apr. 10 ~ Good Friday Reflections
*In an effort to keep our community safe, Grace Church services and all musical rehearsals are suspended through March 31st, 2020. Please check back here and the Grace Church Facebook page for alternative online worship experiences.
Other church-sponsored meetings are also cancelled through March 31st. AA will continue to meet. Please contact the church office for more details: 802-775-4301.
We gather to reflect on the themes of Good Friday through poetry and discussion.
When: Good Friday, April 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
About: In the early first century Christian church, every Friday was a special day of prayer and fasting. Not until the fourth century did the Friday before Easter become a special observance originally called ‘Great Friday’ or ‘Holy Friday’. But why would this sad day on which Jesus was crucified ever be called ‘Good Friday’. In the early church, the Friday before Easter was referred to as ‘God’s Friday’, and over the years, ‘God’s’ was replaced with ‘Good’. But to this day, many Christians do find a transcendent good in the awful realities of Jesus’ crucifixion. His sacrifice on the cross highlights humanity’s inhumanity to each other. The horror of the crucifixion, in grim juxtaposition to Jesus’ innocence and martyrdom, only serves to magnify that inhumanity. This year, we will explore the dramatic themes of Good Friday through poetry and reflection in the candle-lit beauty of Grace Church Sanctuary. Our hope is that the collective conscience of the human race is inspired to never repeat the cruelty, but increase in justice and love.
March 22, 2020 – Worship Service
Online Worship
You are all very important in the life of Grace Church. Please know that during this very strange time, each of you is thought of often. I know you are all thinking of each other as well. Please stay in touch. If you need anything: a human voice on the phone or a face on FaceTime, a cheerful note, then please let Grace Church know via email or telephone (775.4301).
In the meantime, the Grace Church team have put together a very inspiring and comforting service for this Sunday that will be posted on our website at gracechurchvt.org under “About Grace > Online Worship Services” & under “Blog”. Follow our Grace Church Facebook page @GraceChurchVT for updates and our worship service videos.
PEGTv will also air the latest service on Sunday mornings at 11:30 a.m. Check their schedule for more information.
Attention to volunteers and those in need: Visit Rutland County Mutual Aid website. This is a community site that connects people in need with people who can help.
Apr. 9 ~ Maundy Thursday Service
*In an effort to keep our community safe, Grace Church services and all musical rehearsals are suspended through March 31st, 2020. Please check back here and the Grace Church Facebook page for alternative online worship experiences.
Other church-sponsored meetings are also cancelled through March 31st. AA will continue to meet. Please contact the church office for more details: 802-775-4301.
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
When: Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
About: Maundy Thursday Service of Communion and Tenebrae
The Sanctuary Choir, Grace SSAA choir and Joyful Noise offer a service of Lessons and Carols for Maundy Thursday. The anthems reflect the Seven Last Words of Christ, which this year will be paralleled with the creation story. The wide variety of anthems include music from Estonia, Ireland and Weston Priory (Vermont).
Mar. 19 ~ Pot Luck & Travelogue
Cancelled
Please join the Spiritual Growth and Music Ministries for a Travelogue & Pot luck dinner.
When: March 19, 2020
Pot Luck Dinner – 5:30 p.m.
Travelogue – 6 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Fellowship hall
About: Alastair will explore the southwest counties of central England and Northern Wales. These areas are rich in castles, stately homes and famous monuments such as Avebury, Stonehenge and Salisbury, Hereford and Gloucester Cathedrals.
The travelogue is preceded by a potluck dinner at 5:30pm. Please bring a salad or side dish that can be shared with 8-10 people.
All are welcome.
May 17 ~ AGO Organ Recital
Cancelled
When: May 17, 2020 at 3 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
About: Alastair Stout will offer an organ recital in association with the Vermont Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He will perform works by Bach, Franck, Langlais and Mathias on the Grace Church Aeolian Skinner organ. He will also play his own Five Pieces for Organ, which he began writing in 1993 and finished in 2020.
