Parish Office Telephone No. (914) 949-2874   Fax No. (914) 949-1202 Grace Episcopal Church / La Gracia 33 Church Street, White Plains, NY 10601 Monday to Friday 9:00 AM — 3:00 PM   Clergy and Staff   The Rev. Judith Lee, Interim Rector The Rev. Adolfo Moronta, Associate Priest, ext. 14  The Rev. Deacon Martha Jane Dunphy, Deacon Ms. Maria Campos, Secretary, ext. 10, mcampos@gracechurchwhiteplains.org Mr. Peter Roberts, Director of Music, ext 18 Mr. Arturo Ortiz, Director of Music, La Gracia Ms. Marilyn Castillo, Vocalist, La Gracia Mr. Taurino Juarez, Sexton, ext.13   Vestry Members   Joseph Gallo - Sr. Warden Malik Bradford - Jr. Warden Hilary Fleming - Treasurer Sorraya Sampson Elliot - Clerk   Malik Bradford, Sorraya Sampson Elliot,  Hilary Fleming, Karen Odom, Marisol Ortega, Amy Auld Owens, Michael Heffner, Charlotte Roberson, Daisy Calderon, Trisha McGuinness

The Fourth Sunday of Easter April 22, 2018 Earth Day Autism Awareness Month Our liturgy can be found in the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355. Prelude Salvation now has come to earth J. S. Bach Hymn #400 All creatures for our God and king [all verses] The Easter Acclamation Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Hear the call of God: The Spirit of God calls us into community, and to join in loving care for all those around us. We accept God's call, and we rejoice in the gift of community. Hear a challenge for today: The Earth is stressed by the heavy impact of human use. The whole of God's creation is groaning, crying out in pain. We name the Earth as part of our community. We extend our love to all of God's creation. People of faith, gather now to worship God the creator and redeemer of the world. Gather now to be transformed by God's compassionate love. We praise with joy our creator, God of justice, love and peace! Collect for Purity Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen Gloria in Excelsis Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. The Collect of the Day Almighty and everlasting God, whose Son is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy spirit, lives and reigns, one God, Amen. THE WORD OF GOD The First Lesson A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (4:5-12) When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. ‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, The Word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures * and leads me beside still waters. 3 He revives my soul * and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Second Lesson: A Reading from the First Letter of John [3:16-24] We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Sequence Hymn: #411 O Bless the Lord my soul The Holy Gospel The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to John [10:11-18] Response: Glory to You Lord Christ. ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’ The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to You Lord Christ. The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee The Nicene Creed BCP 358 Prayers of the People Blessed God, whose love calls the whole creation into covenant relationship with you, and who puts in our hands responsibility for the care of the earth and each other: we pray for all to whom you have given life and being, saying: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace For the well-being of the earth; for its resources of water, air, light, and soil, that they may be tended for the good of all creatures, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For the waters of the earth; for their careful use and conservation, that we may have the skill and the will to keep them clean and pure, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For the mineral, soil, and energy resources of the planet, that we may learn sustainable consumption and sound care of the environment from which they come, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For the animals of the earth, wild and domestic, large and very small, that they may know the harmony that sustains all life, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For all who shape public policies affecting the planet and the health of all people, that they may consider wisely the well-being of those who cannot advocate for themselves, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For all those engaged in conservation and in labor that depends on the resources of the earth, that the health, fruitfulness, and beauty of the natural world may be sustained alongside human activity, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For the people of your world who are ill, or in danger, pain, or special need, especially those living with autism, and for all who suffer as a result of the unjust or intemperate use of the earth’s resources, that we all may one day live in communities of justice, compassion, and peace, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For the gifts of science and technology, and medical research and for those who practice these skills in teaching and in medical research, that they may be wise, visionary, and compassionate in their work, we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For the creatures and the people of the earth whose lives and deaths have contributed to the fruitful abundance of this planet we pray: Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. For those who cannot speak, who are rejected, misunderstood or overlooked, and whose disabilities disguise extraordinary gifts, that we may share the wisdom and mystery that is you have given us, Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. Priest: Gracious God, Grant that all your people may have in them the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, and guide us into harmony in all our relationships through loving-kindness and the wise use of all that you have given; for you are drawing all creation into communion with you by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Peace Announcements Anthem Easter Song of Praise Richard Shephard Sing choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing! Around God’s throne exult in harmony! Now Jesus Christ is risen from the grave! Salute your king in glorious symphony. Sing choirs of earth! Behold your light has come! The glory of the Lord shines radiantly, Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death! The night is past the day of life is here! Sing church of God! Exult with joy outpoured. The gospel trumpets tell of vic t’ry won! Your savior lives: He’s with you evermore! Let all God’s people shout the long A-men. Hymn #412 For the beauty of the earth THE HOLY COMMUNION Eucharistic Prayer C BCP 369 Sanctus and Benedictus Barrie Cabena Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364 At the Breaking of the Bread Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia. Anthem Christ Hath a Garden Gerald Near Christ hath a garden walled around, A paradise of fruitful ground. Chosen by love and fenced by grace From out the world’s wide wilderness. Like trees of spice his servants stand, There planted by his mighty hand: By Eden’s gracious streams that flow To feed their beauty where they grow. Awake, O wind of heav’n and bear Their sweetest perfume through the air: Stir up O south, the boughs that bloom, Till the beloved Master come: That he may come, and linger yet Among the trees that he hath set; That he may evermore be seen To walk amid the springing green Hymn #416 For the beauty of the earth The Prayer of Thanksgiving Eternal God, by the power of your Word you created all things, and by your Spirit you renew the earth. Give now the water of life to all who thirst for you and nourish with the spiritual food of bread and wine all who hunger for you, that our lives may bear the abundant fruit of your heavenly reign; through Jesus Christ, the first born from the dead. Amen. Sending forth of the Eucharistic Visitors: In the name of this congregation I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body because we share one bread, one cup. Amen. The Easter Blessing The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. Hymn #405 All things bright and beautiful Dismissal Postlude Christ is Arisen J. S. Bach ________________________________________ Ministers of the Liturgy Celebrant & Preacher The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Assisting Priest The Rev. Adolfo Moronta Organist & Choir Director Peter Roberts Lectors 8AM Barbara Wiggins, Linda Heusser 10AM Hillary Fleming, Carlos Muñoz Intercessor: Audrey Taylor Eucharistic Ministers 8AM Oscar Bunche 10AM Sandy McAllister, Rudye Breach Acolytes 10AM Jean Chambers, Spencer Carden, Waverly Mangum, Kendal Mangum, Harrison Richards, Ivana Richards Ushers 8AM Stuart Madden 10AM Jo-Ann Boylan, Gloria Chang, Giovanni Green, Michael Heffner, Andrea Spencer Eucharistic Visitor: Sandy Gadsden McAllister Coffee Hour Melanie and Dan Lynch Assistant: Sylvia Simon & Cynthia Brown Nursery Care is available during the 10:00 AM service. ________________________________________ The altar flowers this morning are given by Joseph and Linda Gallo in celebration of their Wedding Anniversary. ________________________________________ If you are visiting with us for the first time, we welcome you to Grace Church! Our liturgy is found in the Book of Common Prayer. Our communion is open to all baptized Christians. Please take the time to fill out one of our visitor cards which the ushers have available. Your presence is a blessing to us; may our worship together be a blessing to you. Grace Church Prayer List: We hold the following people in prayer: KeAsia Boyles, Corine Bradley, Canon Percy Brathwaite, Joe Brown, Bernice Burton, Jennifer Toppin-Canner, Bill Coggins, Inez Dale, Janine Daughtry, Bill Dunphy, Cathy Dunphy, Sandra Esannason, Clara Harmon, Marie Huckabry, William Jackson, Jr., Ivy John, Eugeniy Kaufman, Trisha McGuiness, Canon Blake Rider, Gladstone Reid, Leroy Reid, Renee Reid, Uriel Reid, Norman Stanton, Susan Stanton, Laura Stix, Barbara Vigliotti, Stacey Vitale, Natasha Vodyanitskaya, Marthe Watkins, Barbara Wiggins, Charles Wiggins Bethel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: Verna Brown Cedar Manor, Ossining: Robert Auld Serving in the Armed Forces: Kenny Duffy, Denny J. Edmondson, David Packer, Sgt. Christopher Vigliotti, Gunnery Sgt. Les Yearwood. Please call the Parish Office or contact Sandy Gadsden McAllister if you would like to place someone’s name on our prayer list. Birthdays April 22 Hailey Claire Lynch April 23 Chinyere Benz ________________________________________ Sundays in April April 22nd 8 & 10 AM Earth Day Celebration & Autism Awareness Day: Wear Blue! 11:15 AM Coffee Hour with a presentation on Autism Awareness 11:45 AM Vestry Meeting - Library 4:30 PM Downtown Music: 30th Anniversary Concert April 29th 10:00 AM Prayers for Healing Mother Judith will be away. Fr. Adolfo will be celebrant & preacher Sundays in May May 6th 10:00AM Anahaita Kotval, Executive Director of Lifting up Westchester 11:15 AM Parish Forum with Anahaita Kotval May13th 9:00-10:00 AM Mother’s Day Brunch sponsored by the Men of Grace 10:00 AM Family Service May 20th The Feast of Pentecost: Wear Red! Last Choir Day 11:30 AM Annual Parish Brunch at La Bocca Ristorante 4:30 PM Downtown Music: Young Artists’ Program May 27th Memorial Day Weekend ________________________________________ THIS WEEK AT GRACE Monday- April 22nd 8 & 10 AM Earth Day Celebration & Autism Awareness Day: Wear Blue! 9:50 AM Sunday School Classes - 2nd floor classrooms 11:15 AM Coffee Hour with a presentation on Autism Awareness 11:30 AM Rite 13 – 2nd floor classroom J2A – Meet in Parlor 11:45 AM Vestry Meeting – Library 4:30 PM Downtown Music: 30th Anniversary Concert – A gala reception follows. Tuesday- April 24th 12:05 PM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Wednesday – April 25th 1:30PM-3PM Bible Study – Library 7:30PM-9PM Bible Study – Library 7:30 PM La Gracia Prayer Group Thursday – April 26th 12:05 PM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Friday, April 27th 9AM-3PM Parish Office closed Saturday- April 28th Noon We welcome in Holy Baptism Vadeilin R. Gonzalez, Yareli A. Gonzalez, Lindsey K. Gonzalez   Announcements for the Week of April 22, 2018 What’s New This Week? Thank You! to Malik Bradford, for his service as a member of Vestry and as Junior Warden. Malik has resigned as Junior Warden effective April 15th finding that he wants to give more priority to his family and more general service to Grace. Thank you! To the Building and Grounds Committee for an excellent presentation at the Parish Forum last Sunday. It was well-conceived, informative and coherent, and it made clear what maintenance and repair work needs to be done, and why. TODAY: We are observing Earth Day and calling attention to Autism Awareness We are wearing light blue in recognition of people living with autism. We have included prayers for Earth Day and for those living with autism in our service, and Melanie and Dan Lynch will give a brief presentation with a video on autism during coffee hour. TODAY: 4:30 PM Downtown Music 30th Anniversary Concert: Three Concertos and A World Premiere: A World Premiere of work for orchestra and narrator, commissioned and narrated by Robert Sherman, caps this anniversary celebration. A gala reception follows. Order your tickets at www.DTMusic.org Mother Judith will take vacation time this week: Thursday April 26th through Monday April 30th Wednesday April 25th: 1:30-3 pm & 7:30-9 pm: Bible Study on the Book of Acts [Chapters 10-12] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has invited Episcopalians to share a study of the Book of Acts during the weeks between Easter and Pentecost. We are following the outline and reflections in A Journey Through Acts, ed. Marek Zabriskie (Forward Movement, 2018), which is available on Amazon and from the publisher. Register NOW: April 30th: 7 – 10 PM Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Training: Grace Church will host this training for leaders, teachers, and liturgical ministers from local churches. This course incorporates the latest science and teaches one how to respond to breathing (choking) and cardiac emergencies to help victims of any age - adults (about 12 years and older) and pediatric (infants and children up to 12 years of age). Those who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate for Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED valid for two years. The cost will be $50. You may register online at www.gracechurchwhiteplains.org, or contact Marisol Ortega, or call the parish office. Join Today! chatwith-grace A new Snapchat group chat for J2A/ High school teens* connected with Grace/La Gracia. Share snaps, be creative, feel connected, tell stories etc. *chatwith-grace will be monitored by an adult. Last Week to Sign Up: Annual Spring Brunch at La Bocca on May 20th 11:30 am-1:30 pm The Grace Church Welcome Committee welcomes you to Spring Brunch at La Bocca on Sunday, May 20th from 11:30am –1:30pm. The cost will be $40 for adults and $25 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free. Please write your check out to Grace Church with La Bocca in the memo section . Payments are due by May15th. Reserve your place by April 29th. Please see Ella Fitzgerald after the 8am service or Sylvia Simon after the 10am service. Looking Ahead Soles 4 Souls: Wearing Out Poverty Grace / La Gracia will be collecting new and gently used shoes for Soles4Souls in the blue box near the entrance of the church until Sunday, May 6th. Soles4Souls is a non-profit social enterprise based in Nashville, TN and a registered 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS. Its mission is to create sustainable jobs and provide relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. Their vision is to disrupt the cycle of poverty and to serve those in need, create opportunities, and protect the environment. Deadline for donations: May 6th To learn more, see www.soles4souls.org. May 13th – Deadline for Angelus submissions: The next Angelus welcomes any contributions from the congregation. Please contact Mary Baker at marygene57@msn.com May 5th – Hosts needed! - Grace Church will participate in the Diocesan Sacred Sites Project. We will welcome visitors in the afternoon, 1 PM-4 PM, with a special demonstration of the organ by Peter Roberts 3-4 pm. Please contact the parish office or Joe Brown if you can serve as a host for any part of this afternoon. May 5th – 5 PM - First Saturdays at Grace: We will observe Cinco de Mayo with Eucharist in the Renaissance Square Garden with a Mariachi band. May 6th: Parish Forum with Anahaita Kotval, Executive Director of Lifting Up Westchester Anahaita Kotval will preach at the 10 AM service and will lead a discussion at a parish forum after the 10 AM service. She will also speak with the congregation at the 8 AM and 12:30 PM services. May 10th: Book Club Update: The Book Club will discuss its May selection, Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirshman on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 pm in the church library. Interested in joining the Book Club? Contact Karen Odom (karenodom@yahoo.com) May 13th Mother’s Day Breakfast & Family Service & Episcopal Charities Sunday: The Men of Grace will celebrate the Mothers of Grace with a special breakfast between the services. We will also join with other churches in the diocese to support 47 parish-sponsored feeding programs in this region. We will have special envelopes for contributions to the outreach of the Episcopal Church throughout the United States. May 20th The Feast of Pentecost: Wear Red to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Followers of Christ. This will also be the last day for the Choir to sing for the 10 am service. We celebrate their gifts today. June 10th – 10 AM Recognition of Graduating Seniors and Sunday School Teachers June 17th – Father’s Day Breakfast – sponsored by the ECW. Please let Melanie Jackson know if you can help. General Information: E-mail news: In upgrading our Microsoft software, some email addresses were inadvertently deleted from our database. And our new weekly e-newsletter may be going to your SPAM folders. If you or anyone you know is not receiving parish emails, please contact Maria Campos at mcampos@gracechurchwhiteplains.org or 914-949-2874. Paying Pledges by check or online We now offer the opportunity to pay your pledge through PayPal on our website (www.gracechurchwhiteplains.org/Giving). If you pay by check, please note the current posted date and write your pledge number on the memo line. To arrange automatic payments of your pledge, please contact Maria Romeo in the parish office (mromeo@gracechurchwhiteplains.org). Counters There is an urgent need for counters. The task is not difficult. You will be a member of a two-person team and are only required to count once a month after church service. The task usually takes less than an hour of your time. We especially need individuals familiar with Excel. For more information please contact Jim Brown at Brown12West@yahoo.com.

The Spring 2018 Angelus

Featuring Everett Suttle and Daniel Kirk-Foster (black link below). https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/1WGlr00jBdZjCUXrrQh2BGEKGy37GZw0unTnRxmattS Please consider donating to the Grace Church Organ Restoration Fund (blue link below). http://www.gracewhiteplains.org/giving/ (Organ Restoration in Memo Please)

Restoring hope to Westchester County’s men, women and children in need by providing them with food, shelter and support– and lifting them to greater self-sufficiency with dignity and respect. Vision Statement Lifting Up Westchester respects the dignity and full potential of every individual. We assist those struggling to overcome the challenges of poverty, homelessness, hunger, health and education. We work with men, women and children as they create their own unique path to a more fulfilling, healthy and independent life. Striving to never turn anyone away, we enlist the generosity of a caring community through donations and volunteerism. https://www.liftingupwestchester.org/our-mission-vision/

Clips from Recent Concerts - 2016/2017 Season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUm1TV3BnaE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWohxaB6yDQ&feature=em-subs_digest About DTMusic http://dtmusic.org/ Downtown Music at Grace is a non-profit performing arts organization located in the heart of White Plains, NY, a small city located a half hour north of New York City. Downtown Music was founded in 1988 by Timothy Lewis, Music Director and Organist of Grace Church. The mission of Downtown Music is to provide an oasis of art and culture in the heart of White Plains. The organization's current programs include Noonday Getaway Concerts, half- hour concerts taking place on Wednesdays at noon; Weekend Discoveries , which are full length concerts taking place on Sunday afternoons or Saturday evenings; Concerts on Tour, our outreach program consisting of 30+ concerts annually in nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers; and Downtown Music’s Arts-In-Education Program, a series of three concerts specially designed for schoolchildren in grades K-12. Downtown Music’s roster of artists features high-quality professional musicians who enjoy the opportunity to make music in an intimate, beautiful setting. Many of our artists have performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and major international venues. Resident Ensembles Our three resident ensembles enable Downtown Music to offer a more diverse program of music. Downtown Sinfonietta is composed of professional musicians from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and other major New York ensembles, and performs several concerts throughout the season. Downtown Music Chorus features 16 professional singers, drawn from the ranks of New York’s finest choirs. West Point Brass, a small ensemble of eight players, is called on for special celebratory performances throughout the season. Guest Artists Downtown Music provides a prestigious showcase for professional musicians, 70% of whom return often to perform. Guest artists include internationally-recognized artists and local professional performers across a wide spectrum of musical talent. Noted for its diversity of programming, Downtown Music stars have included Mariachi Real de Mexico, the Voices of Ascension, several members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, as well as jazz great Jay Hoggard.

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Reflections from some of our seasoned members.