O Come, Let Us Adore Him
Dec 01, 2011
Our celebration this Christmastide begins with our Christmas Eve services on Saturday, December 24th: service of carols at 7:30 p.m., and Christmas Eve Vigil & Family/Children’s Eucharist at 8:00 p.m.
We will then gather again for Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day at one combined service at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, December 25th (coffee hour on 12/25 at usual 9:30 a.m. time). Please plan to join us to celebrate Jesus this Christmas season!
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word; Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Fr. Rod+
Summer Thanks
Jul 01, 2011
We usually begin to think about stewardship in the fall of the year; but summer is also a good time to begin recalling all that God has done for us and to take stock of all the blessings God has bestowed upon us. The fruits of a successful harvest first begin to develop through the health and strength of the plant that sends its roots deep into the soil as it receives generous amounts of water and sunlight. In like manner, God’s Spirit takes root in our lives and develops fruit as we follow Christ and serve as members of his body the church. As St. Paul writes in his letter to the church at Galatia, these fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5.22-23a). In our call to service in the church, all of these gifts of the Holy Spirit work together and each gift enables and flows into the other--this includes our participation in stewardship--whether our giving is monetary, or giving of talent and time or all of these. As we gear up for our annual stewardship drive, you’ll begin to learn about the many and varied ways you can participate in the effort. Listen for announcements on Sundays and watch for more information in future issues of Grace Notes. To begin your stewardship journey into next year, start by giving thanks for all God’s blessings in all the forms they come to you, and think about tangible ways you can return thanks to God by giving of yourself--giving of yourself as an offering of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
VBS 2011
Jun 01, 2011
Grace Church is part of a cooperative of five churches in the Carlsbad area that offers Vacation Bible School to our church families and wider community each summer. The other participating congregations are First Presbyterian Church, Carlsbad Mennonite Church, First Christian Church and St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church. This year we are excited to host VBS at our parish from Tuesday, June 21 through Friday, June 24, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We would love for you to be a part of it and there are many ways you can be directly involved.
If you would like to volunteer to help with any of the activities during the week please contact the church office at 885-6200. Although, if you are unable to be with us, there are other ways you can help such as bringing desserts for the Friday night barbecue, June 24 or by making donations to the nursery. In preparation for Vacation Bible School, we are also cleaning, organizing, and refurbishing our church nursery! This is yet another great opportunity to reach out to our community during VBS and perhaps attract some younger families to our congregation. However, we need your help to create a safe and fun environment for our small visitors!!!
Here’s how you can help: please donate new or gently used toys for ages 0 to 3, particularly ones that are basic, educational, and easily cleanable (for example: building blocks, wooden toys, puzzles, stackable toys, board books, etc.). Please DO NOT donate stuffed animals or any toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard. We are also in need of plastic storage bins with lids of various sizes. If you have any of these things collecting dust around the house or would like to add one or two of these needed items to your shopping list, please consider donating them to our nursery. You can also make a monetary donation for the purchase of new equipment. If you have any questions, please contact the church office (885-6200). Please have your donations to the nursery by Sunday, June 19. We appreciate any contribution you can make to create a more attractive, family friendly environment for our growing church family! Please also consider joining us for our VBS closing-day picnic/barbecue Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. on the church lawn. As always, your prayers and participation are greatly appreciated!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
If you would like to volunteer to help with any of the activities during the week please contact the church office at 885-6200. Although, if you are unable to be with us, there are other ways you can help such as bringing desserts for the Friday night barbecue, June 24 or by making donations to the nursery. In preparation for Vacation Bible School, we are also cleaning, organizing, and refurbishing our church nursery! This is yet another great opportunity to reach out to our community during VBS and perhaps attract some younger families to our congregation. However, we need your help to create a safe and fun environment for our small visitors!!!
Here’s how you can help: please donate new or gently used toys for ages 0 to 3, particularly ones that are basic, educational, and easily cleanable (for example: building blocks, wooden toys, puzzles, stackable toys, board books, etc.). Please DO NOT donate stuffed animals or any toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard. We are also in need of plastic storage bins with lids of various sizes. If you have any of these things collecting dust around the house or would like to add one or two of these needed items to your shopping list, please consider donating them to our nursery. You can also make a monetary donation for the purchase of new equipment. If you have any questions, please contact the church office (885-6200). Please have your donations to the nursery by Sunday, June 19. We appreciate any contribution you can make to create a more attractive, family friendly environment for our growing church family! Please also consider joining us for our VBS closing-day picnic/barbecue Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. on the church lawn. As always, your prayers and participation are greatly appreciated!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
121 Years Young!
Feb 01, 2011
2011 marks the 121st anniversary of the founding of Grace parish and the construction & completion of the original stone church--our worship space to this day! As you all know, January 30th marked another milestone, the 118th annual meeting of our parish. We met for a combined celebration of sung Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. followed by the annual meeting and a veritable feast in the parish hall.
The new and returning members of the vestry elected & presented (and officers appointed & elected) that day are as follows: Richard Pagano as Senior Warden, Jeff Neal as Junior Warden, Judy Waldrop as Clerk, Amy Calvani, John Heaton, Jr., Alveretta Hoenicke, Meg Milligan, Linda Pruit and Dean Ricer. Additionally, the three candidates elected as Diocesan Convention delegates are Franni Neal, Kathy Milton and Sue Pagano (alternate). Let us give thanks to God for all his goodness and loving-kindness to our parish family, and give him thanks for providing our parish with such wonderful leadership to take us into 2011 and beyond!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
The new and returning members of the vestry elected & presented (and officers appointed & elected) that day are as follows: Richard Pagano as Senior Warden, Jeff Neal as Junior Warden, Judy Waldrop as Clerk, Amy Calvani, John Heaton, Jr., Alveretta Hoenicke, Meg Milligan, Linda Pruit and Dean Ricer. Additionally, the three candidates elected as Diocesan Convention delegates are Franni Neal, Kathy Milton and Sue Pagano (alternate). Let us give thanks to God for all his goodness and loving-kindness to our parish family, and give him thanks for providing our parish with such wonderful leadership to take us into 2011 and beyond!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Unto us a Child is Born
Dec 01, 2010
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This child spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah (9:6) is none other than the child Jesus who we anticipate this Advent and celebrate during Christmastide.
Our celebration begins with Christmas Eve services on December 24th, Children’s Eucharist at 5:30 p.m., service of Christmas carols at 8:30 p.m., and the Christmas Eve Vigil & Eucharist at 9:00 p.m. We will then gather again for Holy Eucharist on Sunday morning December 26th at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. (no services on December 25th).
“O Divine Child Jesus! As you called the shepherds to your crib by your wonderful star, so you called me today to the adoration of your divinity and humanity . . . . Eternal Father, I offer to your honor and glory, and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, love and all the virtues of the Child Jesus; I thank you, I love you, and I bless you tenderly for this ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
For unto us a child is born!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Our celebration begins with Christmas Eve services on December 24th, Children’s Eucharist at 5:30 p.m., service of Christmas carols at 8:30 p.m., and the Christmas Eve Vigil & Eucharist at 9:00 p.m. We will then gather again for Holy Eucharist on Sunday morning December 26th at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. (no services on December 25th).
“O Divine Child Jesus! As you called the shepherds to your crib by your wonderful star, so you called me today to the adoration of your divinity and humanity . . . . Eternal Father, I offer to your honor and glory, and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, love and all the virtues of the Child Jesus; I thank you, I love you, and I bless you tenderly for this ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
For unto us a child is born!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Episcopos
Nov 01, 2010
The consecration of a new bishop in The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande is a perfect time to discuss what a bishop is. The Episcopal Church, of which Grace Episcopal Church is a part, is organized around bishops, and, as in the New Testament Scriptures the word translated into English as “bishop” is the Greek word episcopos--it becomes evident where the word “Episcopal” comes from.
Fr. Michael Vono+ was consecrated +Bp. Michael Vono on October 22, 2010, the sixth bishop of our diocese. As our bishop he is now shepherd of all the people of God in our diocese and pastor’s pastor to the clergy. The historic theology of the office of bishop, or episcopal office, is known as apostolic succession. That is, in the truest Gospel sense of the word, a bishop is a successor to the apostles of Jesus who entrusted the church to able ministers who were to perpetuate the mission and teaching of the church.
So in reality a bishop is much more than someone who visits our parish once or twice a year and much more than someone who ordains and confirms from time to time. A bishop is a representative of Christ in the same office as the original apostles who walked the countryside of Judea and beyond 2000 years ago. +Bishop Vono is just such a person among us.
As he continues the ministry of the apostles' teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2.42), we have a window into the ancient-yet-living tradition of the church through the millennia. As St. Paul said to his successor St. Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus (in 1 Timothy 5.11, 12), so also, the call echoes through history to our new bishop and his flock in the Rio Grande, “But as for you, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Fr. Michael Vono+ was consecrated +Bp. Michael Vono on October 22, 2010, the sixth bishop of our diocese. As our bishop he is now shepherd of all the people of God in our diocese and pastor’s pastor to the clergy. The historic theology of the office of bishop, or episcopal office, is known as apostolic succession. That is, in the truest Gospel sense of the word, a bishop is a successor to the apostles of Jesus who entrusted the church to able ministers who were to perpetuate the mission and teaching of the church.
So in reality a bishop is much more than someone who visits our parish once or twice a year and much more than someone who ordains and confirms from time to time. A bishop is a representative of Christ in the same office as the original apostles who walked the countryside of Judea and beyond 2000 years ago. +Bishop Vono is just such a person among us.
As he continues the ministry of the apostles' teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2.42), we have a window into the ancient-yet-living tradition of the church through the millennia. As St. Paul said to his successor St. Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus (in 1 Timothy 5.11, 12), so also, the call echoes through history to our new bishop and his flock in the Rio Grande, “But as for you, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Stephen Ministry
Oct 01, 2010
everal weeks ago our parish decided to enroll in the Stephen Series system of lay caring ministry, developed by Stephen Ministries, a nonprofit religious and educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. We will be developing a lasting program of caring ministry through the Stephen Series system of training and organization. This model of ministry is already working in thousands of congregations throughout North America and is equipping laypeople to minister to others who are in need.
As we begin our journey in the Stephen Series, members of our parish who sense a call to this vital ministry will be encouraged to undertake 50 hours of training in Christian caring skills under the guidance of the community of churches in Carlsbad already involved in Stephen Ministry. This training will prepare the participants to care for others, covering such areas as how to maintain confidentiality, how to deal with people experiencing crises, and many other areas of concern. A Christ-centered approach to caring and the need to care for the whole person will be stressed throughout the training.
This will be an exciting time for Grace Church. The Stephen Series will not only multiply the amount of caring ministry that goes on in our parish, but will also deepen the level of participation by laypeople in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. If you have questions about this new form of ministry we are undertaking, please feel free to ask me. In the meantime, I would like you to keep our parish in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare for this major step forward in our lay caring ministry.
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
As we begin our journey in the Stephen Series, members of our parish who sense a call to this vital ministry will be encouraged to undertake 50 hours of training in Christian caring skills under the guidance of the community of churches in Carlsbad already involved in Stephen Ministry. This training will prepare the participants to care for others, covering such areas as how to maintain confidentiality, how to deal with people experiencing crises, and many other areas of concern. A Christ-centered approach to caring and the need to care for the whole person will be stressed throughout the training.
This will be an exciting time for Grace Church. The Stephen Series will not only multiply the amount of caring ministry that goes on in our parish, but will also deepen the level of participation by laypeople in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. If you have questions about this new form of ministry we are undertaking, please feel free to ask me. In the meantime, I would like you to keep our parish in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare for this major step forward in our lay caring ministry.
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Farewell and Welcome
Sep 01, 2010
+Bishop Frey will be with us on Wednesday, September 22 at 5:30PM to receive new members into Grace Church and The Episcopal Church. Please mark your calendar and plan to be with us. Following the service will be a farewell reception for +Bishop Frey and his wife Barbara as this will be their last visit to Grace before their assignment in our diocese is complete. At this reception we will also celebrate and welcome those received that evening as the newest members of our Grace Church family.
Soon we will also be welcoming our new bishop into the diocese. Bishop-elect Michael Vono will be consecrated Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande on Friday, October 22 at 11:00AM. The consecration service will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Albuquerque and a reception will follow at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque.
In conjunction with the consecration eucharist, the diocesan convention will begin one day prior on Thursday, October 21; the Grace delegation will arrive in Albuquerque on Wednesday (10/20)--the evening before the beginning of the convention business sessions. Our parish convention delegates will also represent Grace Church at the consecration.
If you would like to travel to Albuquerque to attend the Friday service, please RSVP at Diocesan House, Albuquerque at 505-881-0636 on or before October 8.
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Soon we will also be welcoming our new bishop into the diocese. Bishop-elect Michael Vono will be consecrated Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande on Friday, October 22 at 11:00AM. The consecration service will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Albuquerque and a reception will follow at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque.
In conjunction with the consecration eucharist, the diocesan convention will begin one day prior on Thursday, October 21; the Grace delegation will arrive in Albuquerque on Wednesday (10/20)--the evening before the beginning of the convention business sessions. Our parish convention delegates will also represent Grace Church at the consecration.
If you would like to travel to Albuquerque to attend the Friday service, please RSVP at Diocesan House, Albuquerque at 505-881-0636 on or before October 8.
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Safeguarding God's Children
Aug 01, 2010
If you are even slightly interested in children’s ministry in the church, I urge you to attend the upcoming Safeguarding God’s Children training in September. Grace Church has been chosen to host this course for the Southeast Deanery of The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. The training, which is free for all who attend, will be from 8:30AM to 4:00PM on Saturday, September 11, 2010 (lunch is provided).
All potential Sunday school teachers and nursery attendants are required to attend this training. Please call the parish office at 575-885-6200 to reserve your space. As we reenergize our efforts to provide Christian education for all ages, we look forward to setting this primary foundation for our children’s and youth ministries here at Grace. We also look forward to hosting people from our Deanery and around the Diocese as they seek to enhance their preparedness for these vital ministries of the church.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend Safeguarding God’s Children on Saturday, September 11. I look forward to seeing you there!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
All potential Sunday school teachers and nursery attendants are required to attend this training. Please call the parish office at 575-885-6200 to reserve your space. As we reenergize our efforts to provide Christian education for all ages, we look forward to setting this primary foundation for our children’s and youth ministries here at Grace. We also look forward to hosting people from our Deanery and around the Diocese as they seek to enhance their preparedness for these vital ministries of the church.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend Safeguarding God’s Children on Saturday, September 11. I look forward to seeing you there!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Grace Online
Jul 01, 2010
Gracecarlsbad.org has been a live domain name on the web since before January 2010 but was not widely advertised because it has been under various stages of development and construction between then and now, was transported via MacBook from Tulsa to Carlsbad, etc. Grace Church extends many thanks to Frank Christel, Director of Broadcasting at The University of Tulsa (Carol’s Father and my Father-in-Law) for his development work, donating the domain name, web development software and an Apple MacBook computer containing the master copy of the website for use by our parish webmaster. Because of this generous donation, Grace Church now has a permanent presence on the internet!
Go to http://gracecarlsbad.org to check it out as soon as you finish reading this article. I invite you to visit regularly for updates. Gracecarlsbad.org is a public website; however, soon to come, Grace Church’s secure (password protected) website will also be available for parishioners only. On this site you will be able to access lector, chalicer and acolyte schedules . . . and much more.
Stay tuned!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+
Go to http://gracecarlsbad.org to check it out as soon as you finish reading this article. I invite you to visit regularly for updates. Gracecarlsbad.org is a public website; however, soon to come, Grace Church’s secure (password protected) website will also be available for parishioners only. On this site you will be able to access lector, chalicer and acolyte schedules . . . and much more.
Stay tuned!
Grace & peace,
Fr. Rod+