The Outpost Like us on Facebook! May, 2013
~ Open Doors, Open Hearts, Share with us the miracle of God’s Grace. ~
200 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511-2396 I 281-331-5657 I 281-331-0143 fax I www.gracealvin.com PENTECOST, MAY 19
To celebrate God’s gift of his Holy spirit to us, we again bring our families together for one worship service at 10:00 a.m. followed by our annual Grace Pentecost Picnic tradition. Bring your favorite side to share with the main course and dessert of watermelon and popsicles. Helping hands are needed for set up and clean up.
“Jesus said, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’” John 13:34-5 Jesus’ commandment to love one another is so obviously the hall-mark of Jesus’ message...yet one of the hardest rules to follow! Probably Jesus found it pretty diffi-cult at times, too. Yet, he continued to hold it up as a goal, an ideal, the expression of our highest self. We can do the same, not letting our inability to be always faithful to this commandment stop u from continu-ally trying to follow it. Too, it is Jesus’ love, not yours or mine, we just need to give Him room.
Happy
Mother’s
Day
May 12
Sharing Faith Dinner
Friday, May 17, 6:30 p.m. How has your faith impacted your life? We all have a story to tell. Sharing our stories deepens our own faith as well as gives others a tangible picture of God in action in the 21st century. In cooperation with the Diocese, Grace is having its Sharing Faith Dinner in the Parish Hall. Please join us for a delicious home-cooked meal and great conversa-tion around the table. We are looking for table hosts to decorate the table, volunteers to help prepare the meal and table moderators. Please say “Yes!” when called. Need a ride? Gotcha covered. Want to help in other areas? We would love to have you! Have a question? Let’s hear it! Please c on t ac t Ma r y S m i t h a t [email protected] or 281-968-7074.
About the Picnic… Bring your board games, croquet, horseshoes, washers, picnic clothes, swimsuits, towels and sunscreen for the kiddos. There will be a water slide, wading pool and water and lawn games for the children.
Love offerings are welcome to offset the cost of the meat and waterslide. Please make your check payable to Grace and note “Pentecost” in the memo.
Stewardship
Corner
Thank you for your generous prayers, cookies and support during our last KAIROS Prison Ministry Weekend. Please contact Don Richardson or Deacon Joe Mills for more information.
The April 28 plate offering was sent to The American Red Cross Hear t o f Texas chapter for the citi-
zens of West, Texas. Thank you for your prayerful support.
Office Hours: M-F 9:00 -1:00 [email protected]
Rector:
The Reverend David W. Price [email protected]
Youth Minister:
Ryan Perry [email protected]
Deacons:
CarolAnn Mills [email protected]
Joseph Mills
Parish Administrator: Danny Hermann
Organist & Music Director: Len DePrang
Vestry: Donna Tate, Senior Warden
John Bergmann, Junior Warden 281-331-6908
Aubrey Stokes
Frances Lamb 713-854-1047
Kati Garner
Ken Havens
281-585-3327
Lydia Quiroz [email protected]
Mark Patterson
Mary Smith [email protected]
Altar Guild Director:
S. Wayne Mathis [email protected]
Outpost Editor:
Marian Macha Brown [email protected]
Deadline for Outpost articles is the 20th
of each month Please send corrections
From the Rector’s Desk
May 17
th –19
th
Weekend of Faith and Spirit O Holy Spirit, by whose breath life rises vibrant out of death: come to create, renew, inspire; come, kindle in our hearts your fire. You are the seeker’s sure resource, of burning love the living source, protector in the midst of strife, the giver and the Lord of life.
The Day of Pentecost—the fiftieth day after Easter—is May 19th this year. Every year at Grace Church we celebrate our parish anniversary on this day of the Holy Spirit. Having been founded in the year 1896, we now observe our 117th year as a congregation. How cool is that? Eleven plus seven: eleven decades and seven years. What a long, faithful ministry continuously serving as an outpost to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is going to be a big weekend; you have to be here!—total participation. The Sharing Faith Dinner on Friday, May 17 and Com-bined Eucharist and all Parish Picnic on Sunday, May 19. First, sign up for Grace Church’s Sharing Faith Dinner. This is a Diocese-wide event. While many parishes in the Diocese will gather earlier in the week, we will gather Friday, May 17th in the Parish Hall for a delicious dinner and wonderful conversation. We envision filling twelve tables. Look for the twelve large stones in church, like the ones the twelve individuals, one from each tribe, took from the Jordan, when Joshua crossed with Israel into the Promised Land (Joshua 4). We will get the commitment from twelve table hosts to welcome guests and facilitate faith-sharing conversations at their tables. Listening to how faith has impacted lives will strengthen our community bonds and our faith. Pentecost Day, Sunday, May 19, will have one service at 10:00 a.m. followed by an All-Parish Picnic. Look for the children to have a special teaching role in the service with a Pentecost Pageant enacting the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the disciples, giving birth to the divinely empowered church. For all of us it will be a renewal of our baptismal vows, and glorious celebration of how we are variously gifted to make up the Body of Christ. By the Holy Spirit and only by the Spirit are we the Church, bringing Good News to the world. In you God’s energy is shown, to us your varied gifts make known.
Teach us to speak, teach us to hear; yours is the tongue and yours the ear.
Flood our dull senses with your light; in mutual love our hearts unite.
Your power the whole creation fills; confirm our weak, uncertain wills.
(Hymn 502; Words: Rabanus Maurus; Translator: John Webster Grant)
Father David t
Our Numbers: Year to date
March 31, 2013
The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it— you have founded them.
Psalm 89:11
The April and future meetings are now organized around the five focal points we identified during our Lenten suppers: Liturgy & Worship, Spiritual Formation, Mission and Evangelism, Congregational Care and Communica-tions. Items discussed included Sports Blessing and Social Media Sundays in April with special emphasis on our annual Pentecost Service and Picnic Activities in May. Areas of focus included the upcoming Sharing Faith Dinner Conversations and The Conference at Camp Allen May 3-5. There is a Vestry Workshop and Retreat scheduled for May 11. Facilities and maintenance discussions focused on kitchen recycling, painting rooms and room assignments and creating a coffee bar in the Parish Hall. The next vestry meeting is Tuesday, May 17 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the church office.
Complete minutes are posted on the Parish Hall Bulletin Board.
O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. Psalm 139:1-2
Need a ride? Contact Deacon CarolAnn Mills at 281-756-8009
VESTRY VOLITIONS
1 Cynthia Hanselman
Ashlye Mathis
5 Jane Hoffman
6 Rusty Beasley
8 Fay King
9 Don Hoffman
Richard Oliver
10 Mary Smith
14 Adelaide Lyons
16 Jared Nauck
17 Ron Hall
18 Randy Smith
20 Karlis Ercums
23 Cynthia Cobb
24 Joyce Bergmann
26 Jessica Cross
30 Bruce Hammond
Happy Birthday!
Greg & Pauletta Jeter 3
John & Joyce Bergmann 13
George & Jennifer Harpole 13
Jim & Jana Callan 17
Ron & Margaret Hall 23
Karlis & Maedell Ercums 31
Robert & Tamra Evans 31
Wedding Anniversaries
Deacons Bible Study, The Parables, Sundays, 7 7:00 pm 205Hillcrest All Welcome
Stars & Stripes Ukulele band members Marjorie Lawrence and Grace Collins will be featured on Channel 11’s Great Day Houston, Monday, May 2, 9:00 a.m.
In honor of our Nation’s birthday, July 4, we are collecting groceries and donations for veterans living at the DeGeorge Center. Please contact Dorothy Campbell at 281-482-6632 for more information.
July 4
DeGeorge Center
May 2
Stars & Stripes
Ladies
Night Out
Friday,
May 3,
7 pm
Parish
Hall
For information please contact Leah Jones at 281-881-4853 or s id leah@comcast .ne t
Cursillo dinner Monday
evenings— In and around the
Alvin area. For information about joining them, Please contact Kati Garner at 281-543-2012 or [email protected].
Income 70,366.45
Expenses -52,798.43
Gain (Loss) 17,568.02
Choir practice! Wednesdays 7:30-9 p.m. Please contact Len DePrang 281-978-0603. Cool robes & special seating!
E Y C
Convergence, June 26-29 A leadership gathering for students 9-12th grade at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, 6500 St. Stephens Dr, Austin, Texas. Cost is $125. Register online at www.epicenter.org/youth or contact Ryan Perry at [email protected] for more info.
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to the Houston Art Car Parade on Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The parade is free, but you are encouraged to bring $25 for merchandise, snacks, and drinks. Bring sunscreen, hat and folding chair or something to sit on if you want to sit down. Please contact Ryan Perry at [email protected] for more info. M
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Thank you Grace family for donations to our KAIROS Cookie Event! We mixed and stirred and baked and prayed over large quantities of deli-cious chocolate chip cookies!, and took the opportunity to decorate placemats.
ALVIN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, Friday, June 7, 8:00 p.m.
FRIENDSWOOD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, Sunday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
GLENDA DAWSON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION Friday, June 7, 5:00 p.m.
MANVEL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, Saturday, June 8, 8:00 p.m.
PEARLAND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION Friday, June 7, 2:00 p.m.
SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION Friday, June 7, 7:30 p.m.
MISSIONPALOOZA 2013: Bastrop, TX
Youth are invited to participate in the Diocese of Texas disaster relief program for the citizens of Bastrop, Texas, whose lives were severely affected by the wild fires. Junior high youth will landscape, plant trees and minister to the families. Senior high youth will remove debris, make minor renovations and construction.
July 21-26 6-12
grades Fee: $250 $50 deposit
due Now
Contact Ryan Perry at
713-203-2020
Top Chef? Medium Chef? Take-out, Chef? Please sign-up to feed our Youth during our summer meetings. A schedule is posted in the Parish Hall. Graduation
Sunday is May 26! Please contact Kati Garner at 281-543-2012 or [email protected]
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
GREAT ALVIN CLEAN-UP May 11, 8:00a.m.-1:00p.m. ACC Campus Large Trash Pick-up available for all City of Alvin Residents with water bill proof of residence For more informa-tion call 281-388-4299 MOTHER DAUGHTER SLEEP OVER May 10, 6:00 p.m., $20 per person Alvin Senior Center Girls aged 12 and under bring your mom to the 5th annual Mother /Daughter Sleepover. Tickets must be purchased by May 9. SENIOR SENIOR PROM May 21, 7:00p.m. $7 per person Senior Center, Ballroom music and hors d’oeuvres NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY May 12
June 28, July 26, August 23, 8pm, Free Summer Movies Alvin Memorial Stadium. Pack a picnic and bring your blankets and chairs. FATHER SON CAMPOUT June 14-15 5:30 pm National Oak Park, Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased by June 13 Alvin-tx.gov/parks and recreation
...“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Matthew 8:19b
Jennifer Weaver is so excited to tell you about the upcoming retreat! After our last Ladies Night Out, she went right to the phone (or website) and found a great weekend getaway for the Grace Girls and daughters, mothers, grands and friends at the Diocese of Texas’ Mustang Island Conference Center in Corpus Christi. We need your $65 deposit by Friday, May 2, at the Ladies Night Out event. For more information, please access www.dwtx.org or contact Leah Jones at [email protected]
Grace Women’s Retreat September 6-8, 2013 Episcopal Conference Center Port Aransas, Texas
Ladies Night Out
Friday, May 2, 7:00 p.m. Wine and Cheese Childcare available
Please feel free to bring your favorite tidbit to share. We had so much fun at our last event, do come again and bring a friend! If the weather permits, we may move to the pavilion. For information, please contact Leah Jones at [email protected].
Did you know…
There are faithful, devoted, ecumenical
prayer warriors who gather every Thurs-
day between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. to pray
and praise for our churches, church
families, prayer lists, local, national
and world events. The group is open to
anyone. For more information, please
contact Deacon CarolAnn Mills at 281-
756-8009 or [email protected]..
Holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming. For all ministers and the holy people of God, we pray to you, O Lord. Presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Katherine J 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 Joseph M Mills; Grace Youth Minister, Ryan Perry Grace Music Director and organist, Len DePrang
For those in positions of public trust, especially our President, Vice President, Governor, and Mayor, that they may serve justice and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord. For the mission of the church, that in faithful witness it may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O Lord: Our Administrators, Altar Guild, Bible Studies, Children’s Ministries, Choir, Christian Education, Cursillo, Daughters of the King, Family Promise, Gold Guild, Kairos Prison Ministry, Lay Ministers, Senior Saints, Youth Ministry, Vestry, and all others serving you.
For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends and neighbors; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace and health, we pray to you, O Lord. Paula * Bob and Oney Armstrong * Metta Barrell John Bergmann * Susan Biles * Jacob Border * Lynne Bruner * Craft family * April Darling * Kris Ercums * Jay Fitch * Tracy Grogan * Kitty Haner * Bill Harris * Ann Inglis * Stephanie Jones * Austin Kessinger * Frances Lamb Pat Martin * Christine Mats * Tom Mills * Reid Morgan * Junior Morris * Mildred Morris * Bob Peebles * Catherine Proctor * Wanda Prouty * Joe Rossano * Mary Ann Sanchez * Rachel Saunders * Drew Stuart * Ellie Telliferro * B.W. Thomas * Ruth Warren * Brandon Weaver * Jennifer Weaver
FAMILY PROMISE Families living in the ‘wait’ of a home of their own.
For our expectant mothers: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may ser-vice Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Denise Richardson, Don and Ivey Richardson’s daughter in law; Tabatha Rongey, friend of Grace
The Diocese of Texas Conference and our Grace family attendees
Sharing Faith Dinner guests, hosts , and preparation Our college students in their journey Aubrey Stokes, University of Houston Brittney Steiner, Alvin Community College Carver Mathis, Blinn College Elizabeth Russell, Texas Tech University Grace Winsor, 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 on foreign soil: Mickey Alcantara Scott Barrier, US Air Force Scott Bean Christian Blevins Jason Bryan Chase Capehart Christina Capehart Ryan Cross Clayton Crouch David Dezso Glen Dockal, US Army Raymond Dugan Brandon Fletcher Mitchell Goodnight Matt Hefner, US Army David Hefner, US Army Lance Henderson Eric Heitz Adam Miller Ben Meyer, US Coast Guard Shon O’Connor Tara Parker Daniel Popham Ryan Popham Jonathan Prater Manual Rodriguez Josh Sager, US Air Force Kaitlyn Saunders John Swanson William Thompson Ray Turner Travis Ward, US Marine Corp Steve Wilson, US Air Force Clint Zgarba, US Navy
Pray
without
ceasing
May Calendar of Events
Sundays, Rite I, 8:00 a.m.
May 5
Crucifer, LEM G Barker
Lector G Barker
Intercessor G Barker
Ushers The Hoffmans
Vestry L Quiroz
May 12
Crucifer/LEM T Peebles
Lector T Peebles
Intercessor T Peebles
Ushers P Wall, F Van Winkle
Vestry J Bergmann
May 19—Pentecost
Crucifer/LEM
All Church Picnic and one service at
10:00 a.m.
Lector
Intercessor
Ushers
Vestry
May 26
Crucifer/LEM K Garner
Lector K Garner
Intercessor K Garner
Ushers The Havens
Vestry K Havens
Lay Ministry Schedule
Please check-in with the Vestry Person of the day.
Prepare your readings
Check for additions to the intercessory prayers list.
If you are unable to serve, please secure your substitute and notify the Church office immediately.
Sundays, Rite II, 10:30 a.m.
May 5
Chalice A Stokes, D Richardson
Children’s Church M Smith
Crucifer Elizabeth
Gospel Colby
Intercessor D Richardson
Lesson I, Psalm A Stoke
Lesson II D Richardson
Ushers The Callans
Vestry M Patterson
May 12
Chalice K Garner, R Smith
Children’s Church M Smith
Crucifer Daniel
Gospel Josh
Intercessor K Garner
Lesson I, Psalm J Parker
Lesson II K Garner
Ushers L Bruner, D Tate
Vestry D Tate
May 19—Pentecost 10:00 a.m.
Chalice T Peebles, S Jones
Children’s Church M Smith
Crucifer Kyle
Gospel David
Intercessor T Peebles
Lesson I, Psalm L DePrang
Lesson II T Peebles
Ushers The Callans
Vestry A Stokes
May 26
Chalice R Smith, D Richardson
Children’s Church M Smith
Crucifer Elizabeth
Gospel Josh
Intercessor JR Denson
Lesson I, Psalm J Callan
Lesson II JR Denson
Ushers The Callans
Vestry F Lamb
For information on serving in one of these areas, please contact Kati Garner at 281-543-2012
W 1 Meals on Wheels
TH 2 Stars & Stripes,
Channel 11, 9 a.m.
F 3 Diocesan Conference Weekend
ECW Ladies Night Out, 7 p.m.
S 4
S 5
M 6 Art Class, 9 a.m.
T 7 Pastor's Bible Study, 11 a.m.
Alanon, 7:30 p.m.
W 8 Cub Troop 400, 5:30 p.m.
Scout Troop 400, 7 p.m.
Choir practice, 7:30 p.m.
TH 9
F 10
S 11 Youth trip to Art Car Parade
Vestry Workshop & Retreat
S 12 Mother’s Day
EYC, Noon
Deacons' Bible Study, 7 p.m.
M 13 Art Class, 9 a.m.
T 14 Pastor's Bible Study, 11 a.m.
W 15 Cub Troop 400, 5:30 p.m.
Scout Troop 400, 7 p.m.
Choir practice, 7:30 p.m.
TH 16 Gold Guild, 10:00 a.m.
F 17 Sharing Faith Dinner
S 18
S 19 Pentecost & Family Picnic
EYC, Noon
Deacons' Bible Study, 7 p.m.
M 20 Art Class, 9 a.m.
OutPost Articles Due
T 21 Pastor's Bible Study, 11 a.m.
Vestry Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
W 22 Cub Troop 400, 5:30 p.m.
Scout Troop 400, 7 p.m.
Choir practice, 7:30 p.m.
TH 23
F 24
S 25
S 26 EYC, Noon
Deacons' Bible Study, 7 p.m.
M 27
T 28 Pastor's Bible Study, 11 a.m.
W 29 Cub Troop 400, 5:30 p.m.
Scout Troop 400, 7 p.m.
Choir practice, 7:30 p.m.
TH 30
F 31
200 W
Lan
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7511
-2396
Open Doors , Open Hearts, Share with us the Miracle of God’s Grace.
Services
Sunday Worship 8:00 a.m. Rite I
9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Rite II
Morning Prayer 7:00 a.m. Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. Saturday
Evening Prayer* 6:00 p.m. Mon-Sat
*Healing prayer Wednesdays
Diocesan Upcoming Events and Area News
The Conference, May 3-5
Sharing Faith Dinners, May 16
Convergence, June 26
Episcopal night with the Houston Astros, June 28
Summer Camps at Camp Allen, campallen.org
Missionpalooza, Bastrop, TX, July 21-28
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