Grace Notes
June 5, 2025
Unlike the Father and the Son, whose relationship is somewhat intuitive, it is difficult to get a grasp of who, exactly, the Holy Spirit is and the role it plays in our lives and the Trinitarian life of God. Even selecting the proper pronoun is difficult. The grammatical gender in Hebrew is feminine, neuter in Greek, and masculine in Latin. From our readings for Pentecost Sunday, we know that the Spirit is…unruly. He causes a sound like a violent wind, puts flames on top of the apostle’s heads, and enables people to speak other languages. She brings prophecies, visions, and dreams.
Anglican theologian Sarah Coakley, in her book, The Broken Body: Israel, Christ, and Fragmentation, writes: “at the climax of his long argument about sin, justification, law and baptism in Romans, chs. 1-8 [including our lesson for today] Paul suddenly introduces one of the most profound discussions of prayer in the Bible, indeed arguably in the whole classic Christian corpus.”* We are unable to pray so the “Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (8:16) Later in the chapter Paul writes, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words” (8:26) These passages have informed Christian spiritual practices for many centuries. They emphasize that it is the Spirit, by transforming us into the likeness of Christ, that moves us to pray as we ought and not according to our selfish desires.
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (BCP, p. 251)
Jim Jeffery
Calendar
Thursday, June 5, 2025, Yarn Group, 10 A.M.
Thursday, June 5, 2025, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist, Rev. Jerry O’Neal presiding
Sunday, June 8, 2025, 9 A.M. Adult Education in the Parish Hall.
Sunday, June 8, 2025, 10 A.M., Holy Eucharist, Mother Joan Smoke presiding
Thursday, June 12, 2025, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist, Rev. Jerry O’Neal presiding
Announcements:
News
Connie will be gone until June 10th. Please contact David Blakely, our junior Warden, if there are any emergencies.
New Windows for the Parish Hall
Grace Church recently had the second-floor windows replaced, and we are scheduled to have the building trim painted. These items were planned and budgeted. As often happens with aging buildings, additional needed repairs have been discovered. All the windows in the Parish Hall require replacement. The estimated cost is $7,000, which is not in the budget. We would like to have the window replacements done as soon as possible, before there is any water intrusion. Fortunately, funds have been made available to match donations up to $3,500. Any donations towards the “windows” fund are greatly appreciated! Please designate “windows” on the memo line of the check.
Morning and Evening Prayer via Zoom
Morning Prayer is said Tuesday and Saturday mornings at 9 A.M. Evening Prayer is said Wednesday evenings at 8 P.M. Please contact Andy Bonnell at [email protected] if you would like to join these Zoom meetings.
Gathering Grace
A big thanks to everyone who helped at yesterday’s Gathering Grace meal. We served 96 meals of Quiche, bran muffin, fruit cup, and lemon bars. Your help was greatly appreciated by all who came for the dinner, and by the rest of the crew!
Sundays throughout June are on the sign-up sheet. Please note when you are available–and noting when you are NOT available is just as important for the cooks-in-charge to round up extra help. Thank you!!!
A Better Way. Needs for June/July.
Children are out of school and items are needed to keep them entertained. Please consider donating some of the following – sidewalk chalk, ankle skippers, activity books, flip flops, bubble wands, jump ropes, frisbees, balls, yo-yos, and nerf footballs. Dollar Tree and Dollar General have these at a reasonable price. Thank You!
Daughters of the King
We will meet on Friday June 13 at 9AM at Cafe at the Crossing for breakfast.
On June 26 we will meet at the church or on Zoom for our monthly meeting beginning with a bring your own dinner at 6:30 and a short meeting beginning at 7. The topic for the program is a discussion of a book by Steven Charleston, a Native American bishop.
Adult Education
Next Sunday, June 8, there will be a study of the lessons appointed for that day. Bring your favorite Bible and concordance. No lectures, just respectful questions and discussions of meanings and applications for today. These study sessions will begin at 9:00 A.M. on Sunday mornings in the parish hall.
Christian Ministries. Needs for June.
Cereal and oatmeal, peanut butter, Ramen noodles, spaghetti, pasta sauce, mac and cheese, canned soups, and toilet paper.
Yarn Group
The Yarn Group will meet every first and third Thursday of the month at 10 A.M.
Kitchen Needs
Blue Recycling Bags – Have any lying around you don’t need? We use them in various rooms at church and our supply is almost gone. Place any you can share in the Church kitchen.
Diocesan News:
- See the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis website for news and upcoming events. Home – The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
- In memory of the Rev. Jacqueline “Jackie” Means.
Celebrations!
Anniversaries
Charlotte and Charlie Mason June 6
Birthdays
Ian McMillan June 12
Guidelines for Grace Notes
Please submit items for Grace Notes by 8 P.M. Tuesday for Thursday publication
* Coakley, Sarah. The Broken Body: Israel, Christ, and Fragmentation (Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2024), 97.