Grace Notes
August 21, 2025
The feast of St. Bartholomew is August 24th but is transferred and celebrated on August 25 this year. Little is known about St. Bartholomew except that he appears in lists of Jesus’s twelve apostles in the New Testament. He is often identified with Nathaniel who appears in John’s gospel and so expands his biography. In chapter one Nathaniel, on hearing of Jesus’ origins exclaimed, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” In the next verse, as Philip brings Nathaniel to Jesus, Jesus says, generously, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Jesus tells a surprised Nathaniel he knows who he is because he saw him under a fig tree before Philip called him. (Was Jesus also aware of Nathaniel’s slur?) Nathaniel responds by confessing that Jesus is the Son of God.
There are many legends about Bartholomew/Nathaniel. He is said to have spread the gospel in India, where he left a copy of Matthew’s gospel, and in Armenia where he was martyred by flaying and beheading at the command of King Astyages. St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of many including tanners and bookbinders, a macabre association considering the manner of his death.
Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Image: The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew. Print made by José de Ribera. 1624. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Jim Jeffery
Last week I referred readers to an article by Daly Walker. The link was inconveniently placed at the bottom of Grace Notes and may have been missed by some. I apologize! Here is the link:
Walker, Daly. “The Power of Stories to Change Attitudes: a reflection by fiction editor Daly Walker,” intima, August 8, 2025, https://www.theintima.org/blog/dalywalkerintimacrossroads
Calendar
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist
Saturday, August 23, 2025, 9:00 A.M. Morning Prayer on Zoom
Sunday, August 24, 2025, 9 A.M. Adult Education in the Parish Hall.
Sunday, August 24, 2025, 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist
Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 9:00 A.M. Morning Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 8:00 P.M. Evening Prayer on Zoom
Thursday, August 28, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist
Thursday, August 28, 2025, 6 P.M. DOK meeting
Announcements
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.
Daughters of the King
The next DOK meeting is Thursday, Aug. 28th at Karen Sullivan’s at 6. It is a picnic with the main dish being chicken provided by Karen. Please bring a dish to share.
Gathering Grace
Thanks to all who helped with our Gathering Grace meal last Sunday. We served 165 meals of baked spaghetti, cottage cheese, salad, and brownies! We appreciate all of your help to accomplish that!
Sundays through the end of September have been added to the sign-up sheets. Please help out the cooks in charge by noting your availabilities or non-availabilities when you know your schedules.
Thank you!
Sunday School
We need volunteers to teach children’s Sunday School once or twice a month. Please consider making this worthwhile donation of time.
Volunteers Needed for Pride Day
September 6, 2025, 1-5PM. Come help us at the Grace booth as we spread the word about our loving and accepting congregation. Please contact Katherine Mitchell or Connie Turner for more information.
A Better Way. Needs for August.
A Better Way – August Needs – ankle socks (adults and children), hair elastics, loofahs, baby wipes, school supplies (folders, pencils and ball point pens), dog and cat toys (A Better Way clients are able to have their pets with them).
A BIG THANK YOU from A Better Way – Because of your generous donations, your support empowers us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families in crisis, helping them find peace, healing and brighter futures.
Adult Education
Next Sunday, August 24, 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 August.
Pillows, blankets, cereal, hamburger, peanut butter, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, toilet paper. If you donate hamburger, please place it on the bottom shelf of the hospitality refrigerator.
Yarn Group
The Yarn Group will not meet next week, August 21.
Diocesan News
See the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis website for news and upcoming events. Home – The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Episcopal Church Links
Happy Birthday!
Mike Ashley August 21
Lisbeth Mitchell August 24
Happy Anniversary!
Mary and Mark Mordue August 28
Guidelines for Grace Notes
Please submit items for Grace Notes by 8 P.M. Tuesday for Thursday publication