Grace Congregational UCC, Rutland, VT
God is still speaking, United Church of Christ
All are welcome to a joint organ recital given by William Gower-Johnson, Alastair Stout and John Riddle.
When: Friday, November 22, 2019 at 7 p.m.
Where: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Rutland, VT
About: In honor of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music and musicians, and in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Russell organ at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church three local organist will offer this organ recital, which will include works by Bach, Franck, Part and Gershwin.
Free admission.
All are welcome to the annual Rutland Area Chorus’ performance of Handel’s Messiah at Grace Church, Rutland.
When: December 8, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
We are located on the corner of Court and West. For parking, enter our lot from
West Street. Street parking is also available on Court Street.
The handicap entrance may be accessed through the north side portico of Grace Church via the parking lot. The elevator is located in the central part of the building.
About: The Rutland Area Chorus will present Handel’s Messiah on December 8 at 3:30 and 7 p.m. All are invited to this wonderful annual celebration of the coming of the Messiah! The concert will also feature O Sing Unto the Lord by renaissance composer, Henry Purcell, and the winning work of the Grace Church Composition Competition, O Emmanuel by Michael Sitton. Dr Sitton, Dean of the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY, describes his work:
‘O Emmanuel is a setting of a text based on the Advent “O Antiphons,” for mixed choir, chamber orchestra, a solo quartet employed to sing an unaccompanied recurring refrain. It is a predominantly lyrical setting, with a quiet opening and closing, and encompasses a variety of moods and textures reflecting each verse of the text. Instrumental support is primarily provided by string ensemble, with additional support and added color from organ and timpani. A pair of oboes are featured both as solo instruments and for occasional doubling and obbligato material. While the text clearly ties to the Advent tradition and to Hebrew and Christian scriptures, the content is largely nonsectarian in its thrust and speaks to universal aspirations of hope and longing.’
We are excited to welcome back the Onion River Jazz Band!
When: November 17 at 10 am
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
About: We are excited to welcome back the Onion River Jazz Band to lead our 10 am morning worship on November 17th. They will accompany the Sanctuary Choir as well as offer upbeat hymns and songs. The handbell choir will also play a gospel medley. Invite a friend to Grace Church to experience this exciting contemporary style of worship.
Join us for Fold Music Sunday.
When: November 3 at 10 am
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
About: We are honored to have John Kirk and Trish Miller joining us for Folk Sunday on November 3 at 10 am. John and Trish will accompany the TTBB and Sanctuary Choirs in beautiful arrangements of Shenandoah and The Silver Rain, and offer traditional tunes for the prelude and postlude.
Please join the Spiritual Growth and Music Ministries for a potluck dinner and travelogue on October 17 at 6 pm in the Grace Church Fellowship Hall. Barb Kirk and Tegan Kirk-Elkin will present their travels through the Emerald Isle. Free, please bring a dish to share.
Join us on All Saints’ Day for a celebration of lives of those that have died this past year.
When: Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 at 7 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
About: Under the direction of Dr Sherrill Blodget, Grace Church Sanctuary Choir and the Castleton University Chorale will offer Gwyneth Walker’s cantata, Songs of Faith, for choir, soloists, organ and brass. During this time, we will remember those who have died through music, poetry and prayer.
On Sunday, September 8, Grace Church celebrated 15 years of dynamic ministry with John and Tracy Weatherhogg, as they dissolved their call to the church. John and Tracy have chosen to move on to other opportunities while remaining in the community where they have raised their three children.
John and Tracy leave Grace Church with a rich legacy from their ministry. Together they led the church through many difficult times, many joyous times, and many celebrations of new babies, funerals, and weddings. Their legacy includes extensive outreach work in the Rutland community which will be continued by members of the church, including a monthly free dinner for the community, and work with the Farmacy Program, the Vermont Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity and 350VT, among others. They provided leadership on interfaith projects and programs. They also worked closely with other regional churches and organizations on issues of social justice and reform. A global impact was felt from their help shepherding the creation and operation of a children’s home and school in Kenya.
Grace Church will welcome an interim minister, and will launch a national search for a new minister as they embark on a new chapter in a long and rich history encompassing nearly 250 years.
