200 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511-2396 I 281-331-5657 I 281 ...

200 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511-2396 I 281-331-5657 I 281-331-0143 fax I www.gracechurchalvin.com

O ne Go d — O ne Fami ly — O ne T ab le

The Altar Guild to be Honored The Feast of the Presentation, Candlemas, Sunday, February 2

The Altar Guild is that team of Parish folk who set

up for liturgies, and put things away afterward.

They care for linens, vestments, silver, brass, hymn

boards, and the hangings on altar, lectern and

pulpit. What would we do without them?

There are eight members on the guild, and that

number should be 13 at least for an ideal sharing of

the tasks. Consider joining the Guild. Women, men

and teens are welcome to train. Simply contact the

Parish office, or let S. Wayne Mathis, Guild Direc-

tor, know of your interest. The commissioning,

February 2, is to bless and to honor these faithful

sisters and brothers in Christ. They are a blessing to

us, week in and week out, and we thank them.

February 2014

The Outpost

Catch us on Facebook Grace Episcopal Church Alvin

In this Edition

Vestry Highlights Page 2

Rector’s Article Page 3

Programs and Offerings Page 4

February Calendar Page 6

Parish Prayer List Page 7

Seasonal Themes, Silence, and Other Features of Liturgy

by David W. Price

The Worship and Liturgy Council has been

discussing elements of our Sunday corporate

worship, which has prompted us trying some

new things in our Liturgy. For one thing, we are

regularly using alternative phrases in offertory

sentences, blessings and prayers to hold up

themes that come through our Scripture lessons

of the day.

At the Eight O’clock service, we are exercising

the alternatives provided in Rite I of the Book of

Common Prayer, using Eucharistic Prayer II in

place of Eucharistic Prayer I. It still has the

Elizabethan language of the rest of Rite I liturgy,

while giving some other phrases and emphases

to keep things fresh. We will switch back to

Prayer I in mid-March when Lent commences.

At the Ten-Thirty service, we have been using

alternatives for the confession and post com-

munion prayer found in the approved Episcopal

resource, Enriching Our Worship 1. For the

season of Lent we will use a Eucharistic prayer

from the same recourse. For both services, the

desired benefit is for us to stay tuned-in and

attentive during our opportunities for worship.

Another feature that we are trying out in liturgy

is the use of silence after readings, allowing a

moment of quiet reflection. This can let some

aspect of the lesson just read aloud soak in. At

other times, it be a moment of clearing that

allows us to listen more actively to the next

lesson read. In any case, silence, though not a

common experience in our busy culture, can be a

rich opportunity in our worship experience.

Remember that corporate prayer, or common

prayer is a time of engaging God as a unified,

whole body. Be aware of the communion we

enjoy with the Holy One, and with one another.

Ministries

Altar Guild Director:

S. Wayne Mathis, [email protected]

Congregational Care Council

Deacon CarolAnn Mills, 281-756-8009 Lydia Quiroz, [email protected] Mary Smith, [email protected]

Liturgy & Worship Council

John Bergmann, 281-331-6908 Mary Smith, [email protected]

Media & Communications Council

John Bergmann, 281-331-6908 Donna Tate, [email protected]

Mission & Outreach Council

Ken Havens, 281-585-3327 Lydia Quiroz, [email protected] Aubrey Stokes, musicofthenight1086

@yahoo.com Donna Tate, [email protected]

Spiritual Formation Council Kati Garner, [email protected]

Frances Lamb, 281-814-0867 or [email protected]

Deacon Joe Mills, [email protected] Aubrey Stokes, musicofthenight1086

@yahoo.com

LEM Scheduler: Leah Jones, [email protected]

Vergers:

John Bergmann Kati Garner

S Wayne Mathis

Vestry: Mary Smith, Senior Warden 2014 [email protected] Aubrey Stokes [email protected] Frances Lamb 281-814-0867, [email protected] Kati Garner, [email protected]

Ken Havens, 281-585-3327 Lydia Quiroz, [email protected] Jim Callan, [email protected] JR Denson, [email protected] Jo Nell Parker, [email protected]

Income $223,470.12

Expenses 218,331.70

Gain (Loss) $ 5,138.42

Celebrate Life

VESTRY VOLITIONS The vestry met at its regular meeting on Tuesday evening, January 21 in the church office. Order of business included an orientation of the new members of vestry, and a review of the duties of vestry members. A Corporation Meeting of the Church required by the State, was opened and named the rector, Senior Warden, and Clerk of the Vestry, as officers. The Treasurers report with figures reported at the bottom of the center column of this page. A report on the Property Acquisition Project indicated that closing on the old Entex building was imminent and would be completed by the end of the week January 24. Ministry Council Reports were heard, and an outline of Diocesan Development Team for Youth and Children’s ministries, scheduled for February 16-18 was reviewed. Vestry Liaisons to Councils are in process, and will be further determined in the month to come. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm in the church office. These meetings are public and anyone is welcome.

Complete minutes are posted on the Parish Hall Bulletin Board.

The Office: Hours: M-F 9:00-1:00

The Staff Rector: The Reverend David W. Price [email protected] Youth Minister: Ryan Perry [email protected] Deacon: CarolAnn Mills [email protected] Deacon: Dr. Joseph M. Mills [email protected] Organist & Music Director: Len DePrang, [email protected] Parish Administrator: Danny Hermann [email protected]

Outpost Edi tor: Par ish Of f ice Staf f I o f f ice@gracechurchalv in.com I 281 -331-5657

3 Josh Weber

3 Steven Whitacre

6 Lydia Quiroz

8 Nathan Thompson

9 JR Denson

9 Kerri Flex

10 Sara Scott

12 Robbie Price

13 Mark Patterson

13 Linda Thurmond

14 Heather Mathis

15 Naomi Hall

16 Vicki Ennis

16 Maedell Ercums

17 Claire Peebler

19 H. Carver Mathis

21 Tracy Mitchell

27 Jan Schneider

Ha

ppy

Bir

thda

y

Ken and Betty Havens 2/9

James and Laurel Joseph 2/10

Bob and Oney Armstrong 2/19

Joe and Joan Rossano 2/20

Our Numbers: Year to date

December 31, 2013

A Few Moments with Father David…

Blessed, to be a Blessing: The Outreaching Church

The Mission and Outreach Council is charged to consider the ways our parish

can be involved in service, in the name of Christ. As the Body of Christ, we

are being formed into Christ’s image. Jesus taught his disciples that the Son of

Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for

others. The Incarnate God was born to us, so that the a saving grace could

reach us. God who was complete in God’s self, would make his love known

and experienced to his fallen creatures, and draw us into his saving embrace.

In the same way, we as the church are not to keep to ourselves, but to branch

out in redemptive action to others. We are most truly the Body of Christ, when

the Word is made flesh through our action in the community. When Yahweh

made the sacred covenant with Abraham in Genesis, the patriarch was told that

his line, his descendents would be blessed, to be a blessing to all peoples and

all nations. His family was not blessed for their own sake alone, but that all the

families of earth would be blessed. Outreach is a principle intrinsic to our

Biblical heritage, and intrinsic to the very nature of God.

We enjoy opportunities for outreach when the Grace Guild guides us into

serving through gift boxes and food care-packages to the veterans residing at

the DeGeorge Center in Houston. We reach out with other food drives so that

the Alvin Food Pantry can be strong in its assistance to the hungry in our

community. We reach out through the EYC projects in our area, and through

their Mission Trips in the summer.

The Outreach Council is aware of parishioner

desire to do more people to people ministry of

service. We are therefore developing an initiative

called Grace For the Streets, which will open

avenues for Grace Church folk to get out there with

hands on projects. We are planning trips to serve at

The Beacon a downtown Houston ministry of

Christ Church Cathedral, and to serve at Lord of

the Streets, a ministry of Trinity Church in

Midtown. Recently a half a dozen Grace Church

members joined others at Crossfit Alvin on

Highway 6 to help with their Project Honey Badger, preparing care-packages

to send to active service men and women. Listen up for these opportunities,

and jump in. You are blessed, and I know how you love to be a blessing to

others. The God of the Universe reached out to us in Christ, and is forming us

to be community of outreach.

David +

Grace Episcopal Church

One God

One Family

One Table

Vision

Grace Episcopal Church

seeks to deepen relation-

ships with God, bring

individuals together into a

family that builds up one

another in love and

support, and actively serve

our neighbors and

community

Mission:

In this family of faith God

brings together individuals

in all stages of their spiri-

tual life to form an inclu-

sive family. As a family, we

encourage growth in rela-

tionships with God, others,

ourselves, and the creation,

in that we

Practice invitation to

God’s table,

Welcome and incorpo-

rate those who come,

Work together to worship

the Lord in powerful

liturgy,

Challenge, encourage

and teach one another,

and

Build one another up for

ministry in and

beyond the church.

Discretionary Funds at Grace

The rector and deacons are involved in

many aspects of outreach in the church

and in the community. One avenue of

their assistance to people in need is

through the their respective discretion-

ary funds. Both accounts are funded

principally by special donations, and

monthly first Sunday “loose plate

offerings”—the currency and specially

designated checks among the

offerings—always go to these outreach

accounts.

Stewardship Corner Among the blessings we enjoy at

Grace Church is the wonderful way

that people are generous with gifts of

time, abilities and financial contribu-

tions to the life of the parish. Every

talent that goes into ministry at church

events and programs, and every hour

spent, and every offering made is a

symbol of thanksgiving to God for

our life. The portion we give to God

through the church stands for our

gratitude for the whole that we have

been given.

Game Night Friday, February 14, 7:00 p.m. Loving, Christian Fellowship

Okay so it is not the sweetheart kind of

love, but loving Christian Fellowship is

commended by Holy Scripture, so plan

to come for the Game night, all adults

and teens are welcome. Even if board

games are not

your cup of tea,

come for the

c o n v e r s a t i o n

and refresh-

ments; not eve-

ryone will be

involved in a

game. Bring a snack and, if you wish,

your favorite board game, a deck of

cards, or dominos. Visit with your

friends, and enjoy the evening. Bever-

ages will be provided. There will be a

signup sheet for snack, at church on

Sundays.

Parish Prayer List

Beginning February 2, The Parish Prayer

list will be published monthly in the

Outpost, page 7, and will not appear in

the weekly Sunday service leaflet. Please

use this list in your own life of prayer, as

you intercede on behalf of others.

Sunday Evening Bible Study

7:00-8:30p.m.

At the Deacons’ home at 205 Hillcrest

Dr. in Hillcrest Village, this lively

group resumes its weekly sessions on

February 9th with a new focus of study

to be announced. . Just bring your fa-

vorite Bible or two. For more informa-

tion, please call 281-334-7905 or 281-

756-8009.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph Mills Sunday Morning Adult

Study on Christian Faith

Q. How is the Holy Spirit revealed in

the New Covenant?

A. The Holy Spirit is revealed as the

Lord who leads us into all truth and

enables us to grow in the likeness of

Christ..

Where is this material from? Why...it is

from the Outline of Faith, or Catechism

found in our Book of Common Prayer.

Wouldn’t you like to delve into discus-

sion on material such as this? Deacon

Joe Mills is leading the study of the

Episcopal Catechism during the 9:15

a.m. Sunday School hour in the church

office. In an number of weeks he will

resume study topic of the Sunday Bible

readings.

Take a Turn at Hospitality

We like to encour-

age people to stay

after services for a

few minutes of fel-

lowship. Consider

helping by bringing

the refreshments for these “Take 10”

sessions. As of the time of this writing,

there are a few spots open in February.

We have coverage for the following

days:

Feb. 2. - 8:00am Mills

10:30am Mills

Feb. 9 - 8:00am Hoffman/Peebles

10:30am Parker/Gass

Feb. 16 - 8:00am Delcambre

Sign up on the list on the bulletin

board. We need help for the late ser-

vice on Feb. 16, and for both services

from February 23 and all the Sundays

in March. Pastry—coffee cake or treat

of your choice, would be lovely.

Jesus instructed the twelve, saying, “Freely you received,

freely give.” —Matthew 10:8

Learn to Paint at Grace Church The Painting Class begins anew on

February 24, meeting weekly on

Mondays through March 24. The

course of study this round:

“Birdbath with Roses”

Cost: $60 total for all six sessions

Instructor: Heather Roy

The work that you produce will truly

surprise and please you. Ask Jane

Hoffman, Chris Patterson, Phyllis

Wall,, Nan Doerr, Jan Bettes Schnei-

der, Mark Patterson, Ruby Adams, or

any of our folks who have produced

painted pieces in Heathers’ class. Sign

up by calling the parish office, or by

signing the list posted in the parish

hall.

E Y

C

Wednesdays! 6:30-8 pm For Grades 6-12, Meal provided*

Dear Parish Members, please kindly

consider providing supper for 10-15 young adults for their EYC meetings. This is a fabulous expression of our love and support. There is a sign-up sheet on the Parish Hall Bulletin Board or you may contact Ryan Perry at 713-203-2020 or [email protected].

George Washington’s

Birthday Breakfast

The Richard Oliver Chapter of the

Brotherhood of Saint Andrew will host

its annual Washington’s Birthday Men

and Boys Breakfast on Saturday, Febru-

ary 22. This is a traditional observance

of the Brotherhood.

All men and boys of

the parish are invited

and encouraged to at-

tend. They are most

welcome to invite men

and boys from outside

the parish. We will

begin with breakfast in

the parish house at 8:00 A.M.., then

Morning Prayer will follow in the

church at 9:00 A.M. There will be a pro-

gram about George Washington follow-

ing Morning Prayer. Washington was a

very active member of the Anglican

Church during the Colonial Period and a

very active member of the Episcopal

Church after the American Revolution.

He served many times as a Vestryman of

Pohick Parish in Fairfax County and

often attended Christ Church in Alexan-

dria, Virginia. Come join us of prayer,

fellowship, and delicious food.

Scrapbooking Event: Saturday, February 22nd

10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Getting memories expressed in an album

is quite an art. This is one of our events

that allows people to get that creative

part of yourself flowing. Those floating

photos in your house will finally have a

place to live, where you can enjoy seeing

them and be grateful for those life

experiences. There are materials on hand

from Creative Memories to purchase.

The six hour event is only $15 and

includes lunch. Express yourself, enjoy

yourself. Ask Jennifer Price about it and

get signed up.

Grace Church E.Y.C.

Every Wednesday 6:30—8pm Hey Youth: Come for the fun, for the learning, for the food, —dinner is provided—always delicious!

Save the Date—Mission 2014: “Week of Hope” June 15-20

with St. Thomas College Station

Breakfast Tacos

First Sunday of Every Month

The youth will sell these delicious treats to parishioners. Look for them on February 2nd and March 2nd. Proceeds go for Mission 2014: Week of Hope, Austin.

Our Youth Group • E.Y.C. • Episcopal Youth Community

Grace Guild and Gold Guild Merge

The Grace Guild and the Gold Guild have combined together under the

name with more history, “The Grace Guild” This meetings for this

women’s guild are on the third Thursday of each month at 10:00 A.M.

in the Parish Hall. The standing events already established are the food

drive for the DeGeorge Center, U.S. Veteran residence in the summer,

the drawing for the handmade quilt in the fall, leading up to December,

and the Christmas boxes for the DeGeorge Center. The guild has new

crafts all the time which they employ in various ministries. All parish

women are invited to come to the meetings. The next one is Thursday,

February 20th when the ladies will prepare cards out of parishioner

photographs to send as greetings to those pictured.

Sunday School Primary ages 3-5

Kinder and First grade Second thru Fourth grade

Junior High School

School is Cool where Jesus Rules!

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8:00 H.E. 9:15 Classes for all 10:30 H.E. No Deacons' Bible

Study tonight

Painting Class, 9-11:00 Litt. & Worship 6:30pm

Rector’s class 11am

Scout 400, 7pm, PH

ALANON, 7:30pm, Parlor

Cubs 6pm

EYC, 6:30pm

Choir Practice, 7:30pm,

Mission/Outr’ch 7pm

Council of the Dioc. Of Texas, Galveston

Council of the Dioc. Of Texas, Galveston

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 8:00 H.E. 9:15 Classes for all 10:30 H.E. Deacons' Bible Study,

7pm, Mills' home

Painting Class, 9-11:00 Liturgy and Worship, 6:30pm

Rector’s class 11am

Media & Comm. 6:15

Scout 400, 7pm, PH


Cubs 6 pm

EYC, 6:30pm

Spir’l Form, 6:45pm

Choir Practice, 7:30pm

Rector’s Class 7pm

Game Night - 7pm

Spaghetti Bistro, BSA Troop 400 6:00 p.m.

16 Pres. Day

17 No School 18 19 20 21 22 8:00 H.E. 9:15 Classes for all 10:30 H.E. Diocese Team: Listen-ing Group #1, 5:30pm

Group #2, 6:30

Dioc. Team Listening Group #3, 9am, Parlor Dioc. Team: Listening Group #4, 5:30pm Group # 5, 7:00pm

Rector’s class, 11am

Scout 400, 7pm, PH


Youth Commission

7pm, Parish Office

Cubs 6pm

EYC, 6:30pm

Congr. Care 6:45pm



Geo. Washington’s Birthday Breakfast for Men and Boys 8-10am Scrapbooking—P.H. 10am-4pm

23 24 25 26 27 28 8:00 H.E. 9:15 Classes for all 10:30 H.E. Deacons' Bible Study,

7pm, Mills' home

Painting Class, 9-11:00 Rector’s class 11am

Vestry, 7pm, Parish Off.

Scout 400, 7pm, PH


Cubs 6pm

EYC, 6:30pm



Troop 400 BSA—Italian Bistro

Feb. 15th, 6-8pm, $??

Grace /Dio of TX Children and Youth

Assessment Process, Feb 16-18

Let us pray

for the Church

and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love and reveal your glory to the world.

Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby; Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Katherine Jefferts Schori; Diocesan Bishop, The Right Reverend C Andrew Doyle; Bishop Suffragan, The Right Reverend Dena Harrison; Bishop Suffragan, The Right Reverend Jeff Fisher; Grace Rector, The Reverend David W Price; Grace Deacon, The Reverend CarolAnn Mills; Grace Deacon, The Reverend Dr. Joseph M Mills; Priest, The Reverend Nan Doerr, Priest, retired Grace Youth Minister, Ryan Perry Grace Music Director and Organist, Len DePrang

Guide the people of this land, and all of the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours and grant that we may serve Christ in them and love one another a he loves us.

Our Administrators, Altar Guild, Bible Studies, Children’s Ministries, Christian Education, Cursillo, Community Outreach, Daughters of the King, Family Promise, Gold Guild, KAIROS Prison Ministry, Lay Ministers, Music Ministry, Senior Saints, Youth Ministry, Vestry, and all others serving you.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation...

Betsy, Lennie, Bob & Oney Armstrong, Bob Baker, Bill & Rose Mary Barrier, Margaret Barrier, Jacob Border, Lynne Bruner, Craft Family, Lucille Dixon, Jan & Ted Doerr, Jay Fitch, Denny Gideon, Kitty Haner, Bill Harris, JoAnn Hocking, William Hoffman, Linda Hykel, Ross Jones, Marjorie Lawrence, Christine Mats, Matt McGuinness, Means Family, Tom Mills, Reid Morgan, Mildred Morris, Chris Morrison, Mary Morrison, The Paul Morrison Family, Stacey Nicholson, Sharon O’Connor, Pat Odom, Bob Peebles, Steve Perrin, Abby Perry, Kimberly & Drake Popham, Catherine Proctor, Reimer Family, Chad Rogers, Joe Rossano, Robert Rost, Gracie Shepherd, Betty Jo Smith, Kerry & Leanna Smith, William Stidman, Drew Stuart, Shelby Stuksa, Jim Tostanoski, Gail VanCleve, Fran Van Winkle, Vera Weston, Bill Wicker, Mary Frances Wissner.

Our college students in their journey.

Andrew Price, University of Texas, San Antonio Aubrey Stokes, University of Houston Brittney Steiner, Alvin Community College Cameron Schlegel, Lyon College Carver Mathis, Alvin Community College Elizabeth Russell, Texas Tech University Grace Windsor, Alvin Community College John Evans, Texas A & M Linda Thurmond, Alvin Community College Virginia Stokes, Texas Tech University

Protect and guide all who serve in the military.

Mickey Alcantara (USMC), Scott Barrier (USAF), Scott Bean, Christian Blevins, Jason Bryan, Chase Capehart. Robert Carnie (USN), Ryan Cross, Clayton Crouch, David Dezso, Glen Dockal (USA), Raymond Dugan (USN), Mitchell Goodnight, Matt Hefner (USN), David Hefner (USA), Lance Henderson, Eric Heitz (USA), Keith (USN) Kurt (USMC), Casey McKay, Adam Miller, Ben Meyer (USCG), Shon O’Connor, Tara Parker, Daniel Popham, Ryan Popham, Jonathan Prater, Nick Ritch (USA), Manual Rodriguez, Josh Sager (USAF), Kaitlyn Saunders (USA), John Swanson , William Thompson, Ray Turner, Steve Wilson (USAF), Clint Zgarba (USN)

Our expectant mothers.

Nicole Kelinske, friend of the Peebles Sandy Alexander Means, daughter of Donna Alexander

Guide and protect our First Responders.

Other prayer concerns:

Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.

Matthew 21:22

200 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511-2396

Services

Sunday Worship 8a.m. Rite I

9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Rite II

Morning Prayer

7a.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mon-Sat.

Evening Prayer*

6pm Daily *Healing prayer Wednesdays

Diocesan Upcoming Events and Area News

Conspire Conference 2013, Dec 6

St. James’, Houston, ECW Author Luncheon

and Holiday Market, Dec 7

Boxing Day Pub Mass, Dec 26

YES #113, Jan 17

Night with the Rockets, Jan 24

Diolog, The Texas Episcopalian monthly

magazine, available online at epicenter.org

Member of

Episcopal Diocese of Texas’ epicenter.org;

National Episcopal Church, episcopalchurch.org;

Worldwide Anglican Communion,

anglicancommunion.org;

Alvin-Manvel Ministerial Alliance, ministerialalliance.net.

One God - One Family - One Table

Need a ride to Church? Please call Deacon CarolAnn Mills at 281-756-8009

200 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511-2396 I 281-331-5657 I 281 ...

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