Welcome to Grace Church

We look forward to meeting you personally. We are a friendly community of Christians whose mission is to share the healing love of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We welcome visitors and want to make your time with us a blessing. Thank you for joining us in this service of worship.

What kind of Church is this?
Grace Church is a Christian church in the Anglican tradition with historic roots in the Church of England. Our fellowship is characterized by a confidence in the authority of the Old and New Testaments, with basic beliefs summarized in the historic creeds of the Christian Church. We follow the Biblical plan for church order, with spiritual oversight provided by Bishops and local leadership shared by lay persons, Priests, and Deacons. We celebrate the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion in obedience to the teaching of Jesus Christ. We welcome worshippers from all denominations and those who are seeking a deeper relationship with God.

How can I participate in the Service?
On Sundays, our ushers will give you a printed order of service, called the bulletin. It will list page numbers in the blue Hymnals and the red Prayer Books. The scripture readings can be found in the inserts in the bulletin or in the pew Bibles. We customarily stand when we sing, sit to hear lessons, sermons, or announcements, and stand or kneel when we pray. We follow the service in the Prayer Book and participate audibly in the people's responses, including the "Amen" at the end of each prayer. Stand, sit, and kneel as you feel comfortable. Worshippers who are hearing impaired will find audio enhancement headphones on tables at the front and rear of the church. Please ask the ushers for assistance.

May I take Communion?
All adults and children, baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are welcome to receive Communion. At the direction of the ushers, please come to the altar rail, kneel, or stand there, and receive the Communion Bread (a wafer) in your open hands. After consuming the bread, receive the cup, guiding it to your lips for a small taste of wine or the wafer may be dipped in the wine. If you do not want to consume the wine, just make a sign of the cross over the cup. Adults and children who have not been baptized are encouraged to come to the altar rail, cross their arms over their chests, and receive a blessing. Children who do not receive Communion are encouraged to accompany their parents to the altar rail, and similarly receive a prayer of blessing. The clergy are happy to talk with any interested person about baptism.

What about the children?
We welcome all children here. From 10:00 until 11:00 am every Sunday during the school year, we offer Christian Education for the children. There is a nursery program designed especially for preschoolers (from 18 months old). Your child will enjoy age appropriate activities in a Christian framework.

For school age children and youth, Sunday School is available from 10:00 until 11:00 am every Sunday, from September through June. Please ask the ushers or a member of our congregation to direct you to the children’s programs located downstairs in the classrooms. At 11:00 am, all children and youth rejoin their families for a service of Holy Eucharist.

All adults who interact with children have received Safe Church Training.

How can I learn more about Grace Church?
When you worship with us, please fill out the Visitor's Card and place it in the offering plate or give it to one of the ushers after the service. After each 10:00 am Sunday Service, there is coffee and fellowship in the Parish Hall, and we hope you will join us there. We want you to have a chance to meet our clergy and active members, all of whom will be glad to answer your questions about our church and its ministries.

The clergy and staff are available for appointments during the week. Please feel free to call the church office at 860.388.0895 or email us at grace.episcopal@sbcglobal.net. Clergy are available to make pastoral calls to local hospitals or to meet with you at a convenient time and place. Please let us know how we may help you.

Can you tell me where...?
-- Access for the disabled: there is a ramp located a the back of the Parish Hall.
-- The Parish Hall (Merrill Hall) is located behind the sanctuary, next to the foyer.
-- Restrooms are located in the Hudson Room (off the foyer), in Merrill Hall, and at the bottom of the foyer stairs.
-- The Parish Office is located in Folsom House, the brown house next to the Church. Office hours: 9:30 until 1:30 Monday through Thursday, 9:30 until 12:30 Fridays (9:30 until 12:30 during July & August).

What time are your services?
Sunday Services
   8:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
   10:00 am Holy Eucharist (Rite II) followed by
       Coffee Hour, time of fellowship in Merrill Hall
Wednesday Service of Public Healing
      10:00 am Service of Public Healing
Services are also held on all major church holidays.

The Ministers of Grace Church: The Congregation
The Rector: The Rev. Charles L. Hoffman, D. Min.
The Associate Rector: The Rev. Ellendale M. Hoffman, D. Min.
Pastoral Associate: The Rev. Judith A. Cowper, M. Div.
Minister of Music : Christina Burnham, J. D.
Parish Secretary: Christina Hellier
Sexton: Cheryll Schiavone

© 2010 Grace Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.
Please contact the webmaster@graceoldsaybrook.org

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