Prayer Group – Grace Congregational UCC, Rutland, VT

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.

2020 Lenten Services

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.

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020
Ash Wednesday Services, 7 AM (Chapel) and 5:30 PM (Sanctuary). Rev. Bob Boutwell officiating. Mark the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Worship Service as we enter the Lenten discipline through a Service of Prayer and Ashes.

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020
Women’s Ministries Breakfast and Service of Prayer and Reflection, 8:30 – 10AM, Parlor. Join us as we gather for a time of fellowship and an opportunity for silence, prayer, and preparation as we begin the season of Lent. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the service to follow. Rev. Linda Kulas will lead us in this service.

Thursday, April 9, 2020
Maundy Thursday Service, 7-8PM

Friday, April 10, 2020
Good Friday Service, 7-8PM, 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. Thus we are redeemed.

Sunday, April 5, 2020
Palm Sunday, 8:30AM & 10AM

Sunday, April 12, 2020
Easter, 10AM

Dec. 22 ~ Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness

Chances are, someone you loved dearly has died. Have you found the need and the confidence to speak your beloved’s name with faith and a spirit to hope? It may be the first Christmas without family members or friends who have recently died. A space and time is needed to acknowledge the sadness and grief, but also to be reminded you are not alone. The Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness provides an opportunity to do just that. Join us on Sunday, December 22, at 4 pm in the Grace Church Sanctuary for a time of healing, encouragement hope and inspiration.

Some Celebrate – Some Grieve – All Remember

When: December 22 at 4 pm
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary

Nov. 3 ~ Songs of Faith for All Saints

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.

Nov. 4 – All Saints’ Sunday

When: November 4, 2018 at 7:00pm

Where: Grace Church sanctuary

About: A Celebration of Lives for All Saints’ Sunday

Grace Church Sanctuary Choir, Castleton University Chorale and soloists, will present an evening of music and poetry to celebrate and remember the lives of those who have died. Under the direction of Dr. Sherrill Blodget, the choirs will perform Antiono Vivaldi’s Gloria, accompanied by Alastair Stout on the Grace Church organ. Between the movements of the Gloria, specially chosen poems will reflect on the lives of loved-ones who have died this past year.