Events – Grace Congregational UCC, Rutland, VT

Celebrate Advent with us!

Handel’s Messiah, TODAY at 3:30 and 7 pm: The Rutland Area Chorus will be presenting Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 3, 2023, at 3:30 pm and 7 pm. The concert will also include the world premiere of Messiah Born anew festive overture for chorus, soloists, organ, hand bells and orchestra by Alastair Stout. Freewill offering accepted. All welcome! No tickets this year; seating is first come, first served. See the Rutland Herald article

Advent Handbell Service, Sunday, Dec. 10 at 10 am: The Grace Church handbell choir, Tintinnabula, will offer seasonal music during the 10 am worship service. Bring a friend to worship to hear this quintessential Christmas sound!

Lessons and Carols, Sunday, Dec.17 at 10 am: Please join all the Grace Church choirs for a service of Lessons and Carols during Sunday morning worship.The story of the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus is told in readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with beautiful anthems and familiar carols. The service first took place in Truro Cathedral in 1880 and has since been celebrated in churches and cathedrals throughout the world. It is most famously broadcast from King’s College,Cambridge, and heard by millions of people world-wide.

Longest Night Service,Tuesday. Dec. 19 at 7 pm in Chapel: In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we need a space to slow down, gather our wits, and re-center ourselves on Love and Blessing. For many of us, this season carries mixed emotions, and on some days, we feel overwhelmed with the weight of loss, grief, and the suffering in the world. Our“Longest Night” service gives us a safe space and a set-aside time, to acknowledge all the feelings we have, and open ourselves to receive acceptance, understanding, and comfort from God — and from ourselves. Join us in the Grace Church Chapel for a time of inspiration and encouragement.

**Christmas Eve Services, December 24 at 10 am and 8 pm**
Bring your family to the 10 am service this Christmas Eve. This is a family-friendly service with Festival Brass music, choir and children’s Christmas pageant. Service will be followed by a festive hospitality time.

The Candlelight Evening Service begins at 8:30 pm this year, with a 8 pm Musical Prelude. We will all share in the beauty and comfort of lighting candles and singing “Silent Night”as the wonder and mystery of Christmas unfolds.

Learning with Grace: Book Discussion Group

Learning with Grace will offer a book discussion group over the course of five Sundays following coffee hour on November 12, 19, 26 and December 10, 17.

The focus of our discussion will be centered on the book Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations by Richard Wagamese. It’s a lovely book made known to us by Charlotte Gladding who says “these meditations have stimulated a lot of thinking for me. My hope is to share this book as a point of personal pondering and a source of discussion. What does it mean to steward the earth? Just what is my/our relationship with all that inhabits the earth? And many more questions. Please join me on this spiritual journey toward a greater understanding of our relationship with creator and all of her creation.” Pastoral Intern Lynn Pilcher will co-lead the group with Charlotte.

10 books have been purchased. A donation for part or all of the cost of the book ($20) is appreciated, but not necessary. Books can also be ordered through Phoenix Books in downtown Rutland. We hope you will join us!

Service of Installation for the Reverend Tyrrell M. Hanley

…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…

Service of Installation of the Reverend Tyrrell M. Hanley, sponsored by the Southwest Association of the United Church of Christ

The Reverend Paul Sangree, Associate Minister of the Vermont Conference

Beverly Anderson

Mike Roberts, Grace Congregational UCC Council Chair

Pastor Karen Braeutigam, First Congregational Church of Fair Haven

The Reverend Mary Woodman, Member of the SWA Committee on Church Ministry

The Reverend Tyrrell M. Hanley, Pastor at Grace Congregational UCC, Rutland

Alastair Stout, Minister of Music at Grace Congregational UCC, Rutland

Grace Sanctuary Choir

June 10 – Rev. David J. Dean

A service of worship to the glory of God celebrating the life of the Reverend David J. Dean can be viewed on our Facebook page. Click the link below:

https://fb.watch/lBd4ih07AQ/

Order of Service:

David Dean funeral 6.10.23 Download

Grace Church Spring 2023 Rummage Sale

Thursday, May 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to Noon (Bag Sale)

The Rummage Sale is held in Fellowship Hall

Donations will be accepted in Fellowship Hall beginning on Monday, May 1 between 8 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. NO donations after Wednesday, May 10 at noon! We are looking for household items, clothing (clean, dry, wearable), small appliances (in good working condition), linens, jewelry, and children’s toys and games. No sharp knives, televisions, microwaves, text books or encyclopedias.

Please bring your own bags.

Set-up and Sales Help Needed!

Set-up help is needed to set up and sort Monday through Wednesday, May 8-10, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sales help is needed on Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12
Clean-up help is needed after the sale on Friday, May 12

For more information please contact Mary Doyle (772.4834), Sue Best (779.2632), or the Church Office (775.4301).

Thank you!

Spring 2023 Intergenerational Family Outing

NOTE: Sorry, this event was postponed due to rainy weather. We will let you know when this event will be rescheduled.

Sunday April 23, 12pm – 2pm

Meet us at the Japanese Gardens in Hubbardton at noon on Sunday April 23rd. Pack a picnic lunch and bring camp chairs/blankets to sit and enjoy your lunch near the parking lot. Then enjoy a hike around the trails or just hang out and enjoy the company and views.

This is a fair weather event. For park info and directions, see https://www.vtstateparks.com/taconic.html, and for more information.

Watch for upcoming Grace Good News for more reminders and info.

December 24, 2022 – Christmas Services

Join us for our Christmas Eve Family Service at 6 p.m. as members of our youth choir offer upbeat Christmas anthems. The choirs will help lead the traditional Christmas story told through drama and song! Arrive early to hear a prelude of favorite seasonal songs offered by special guests Ben Green and Richard Sweet with Alastair Stout on piano.

Later that evening, at 10:30 p.m., the Sanctuary Choir will offer a Musical Prelude, joined by guest instrumentalists for this beautiful and uplifting music. The Candlelight Evening Service begins at 11 p.m. We will all share in the beauty and comfort of lighting candles and singing “Silent Night” as the wonder and mystery of Christmas unfolds.

December 4, 2022 – Messiah

Grace Church Fall 2022 Rummage Sale

Thursday, October 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, October 7 from 9 a.m. to Noon (Bag Sale)

Donations will be accepted in Fellowship Hall beginning on Monday, September 19 between 8 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. NO donations after Wednesday, October 5 at noon! We are looking for household items, clothing (clean, dry, wearable), small appliances (working), linens, jewelry, and children’s toys and games. No sharp knives, televisions, microwaves, text books or encyclopedias.