Spiritual Resources
Chapel 5/6-5/27
Chapel 5/6-5/27
Please join us for LIVE chapel each week during the month of May. Chapel will be held over Zoom at 12:45 on Wednesdays.
Please join us for LIVE chapel each week during the month of May. Chapel will be held over Zoom at 12:45 on Wednesdays.
Online Worship Resources:
Online Worship Resources:
Grace Episcopal Church, Silver Spring
You can access Sunday Morning Prayer at 10:30 a.m. and a Hymn Sing at 6:30 p.m. There is a service of Healing Prayer on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
In person worship is canceled through May 16. However, under the tab "worship & music," you will find links to webcasts of services and sermon archives. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated online at 11:15am
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
All public worship has been suspended as of March 16. However, there is a message from Bishop Mariann Budde in response to the coronavirus as well as a variety of resources for prayer and devotion
The Church of the Epiphany, D.C.
To access Virtual Church with Epiphany, go to the website and subscribe to Epiphany’s YouTube Channel or to Epiphany’s newsletter. You can worship with the parish digitally on Sundays at 8:00 and 11 a.m. A Daily meditation from members of Epiphany is offered via YouTube, as well as a daily sung service of Compline.
The Avowal
As swimmers dareto lie face to the skyand water bears time,as hawks rest upon airand air sustains them,so would I learn to attainfreefall, and floatinto Creator Spirit's deep embrace,knowing no effort earnsthat all surrounding graceThe Avowal
-Denise Levertov
The Other Side of the Virus, An Opportunity to Awaken...
The Other Side of the Virus, An Opportunity to Awaken...
Yes there is panic buying.Yes there is sickness.Yes there is even death.But,They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again.They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood so that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love.So we pray and we remember thatYes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate.Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness.Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness.Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soulYes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love.Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.Today, breathe.Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic- The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love.Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing.- Written by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 13th 2020
They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood so that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love.So we pray and we remember thatYes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate.Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness.Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness.Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soulYes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love.Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.Today, breathe.Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic- The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love.Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing.- Written by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 13th 2020
GEDS Chapel 4:22:20.docxChapel 4/22/20
Chapel 4/22/20
Chapel April 22.mp4
Chapel March 18, 2020
Chapel March 18, 2020
Grace Episcopal Day School ChapelWednesday, March 18, 2020
Good morning! Welcome to Chapel! This is Nana Susan. I see you in my heart and my mind, sitting together in the Multipurpose Room. I smile. Ms. Smith is ready to accompany our Opening Hymn:
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.I’ve love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
Mindfulness: Listen for the sound of the singing bowl, in your mind, memory, heart. When you hear it, focus on your breath. Breathe in deeply through your nose; out slowly through your nose. Follow your breath a few times, in, out, as you listen to the bowl sing. We get quiet together, on the inside and on the outside.
Opening Prayer: Dear God, open my eyes to see what is beautiful, my mind to know what is true, and my heart to love what is good. For Jesus’ sake, amen.
Story and Homily: Jesus’ Appearance is Changed on the Mountaintop (Matthew 17:1-8)
Story: Jesus has just told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem where he will be arrested, will suffer and die, and on the third day be raised again from death to life. Now, six days later, he has led three of his disciples, Peter and James and John, up a high mountain to be with him and pray. On the mountaintop, Jesus’ face begins to shine like the sun, and his clothes become dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah, two great leaders who lived long ago, appear next to Jesus, talking with him. Peter, James and John are stunned. Peter says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let me make shelters for us, and we can stay in this wonderful place forever!” But even as Peter is speaking, a cloud bright cloud filled with light comes over them. A voice comes from the cloud: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” When the disciples hear the voice, they are overcome by fear and fall to the ground. But Jesus comes and touches each of them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” They look up and they see only Jesus himself, alone. Then they all go back down the mountain, together.
Homily: The disciples, and many other people, have seen Jesus perform many miracles by now. He has healed the sick, people who were blind or deaf, who could not walk; has fed more than 5,000 men, women and children with five loaves of bread and 2 fish; calmed a storm when they were in a boat on the sea, and more. But they have never seen anything like this! What they are seeing is Jesus shining with his divine power, with the light of God. The light is coming from inside Jesus. They are seeing his holiness, his “God-ness.” They are seeing the whole of who Jesus is: Son of Man and Son of God. Moses and Elijah are God’s chosen leaders and messengers who lived long, long ago. Moses led the people of God away from Pharaoh to freedom and new life. Elijah was a great prophet who spoke God’s message to God’s People. Jesus is even closer to God than they. From the bright cloud, God speaks directly to the disciples, telling them to trust Jesus completely. It’s no surprise that the disciples are so afraid. But Jesus comes to them and touches them, healing their fear, at least for now. Fear of what they have seen and heard: the light, the cloud, the voice; whatever may come when they go back down the mountain. Peter would have liked to stay in this beautiful scene forever, but Jesus knows they have to go back down into the world to keep on showing God’s Light and Love for everyone. Even in hard, scary times, the Light and Energy of God’s Love and Life are with us, to protect us, to give us strength and courage and hope. And that Light, Energy, Love and Life are in every one of us. Everyone made in God’s image, everyone a child of God, with the power to help and to heal with kindness, compassion and love.
Hymn: We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God (repeat). We are marching, Oo we are marching in the light of God (repeat)
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’, siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’ (repeat). Siyahamba, Oo, siyahamb’ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’ (repeat). Student Prayers: Grade 2 would have offered their prayers this morning. But today everyone is invited to offer your own prayer. Here is a “prompt” to help you get started:Dear God, thank you that your Light and Love live in me and in every person; help me to remember and to look for your Light and Love when . . .
Grade 2 Prayer: "Dear God, Thank you for shining your light brightly in our lives. Help me to shine my light on others by by being kind to others during this hard time while we have to stay in our house."
I encourage you to share your prayer with your family and friends and teachers; and if you would like to share it with me, I would be honored. We all need each other’s prayers.
Birthdays: [Names]We ask your blessing on these children today, shower them with love in work and play; bless these children who to us are dear; be with them throughout the year. Amen.
Blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
(Numbers 6:24-26. This blessing was given to Moses by God, for the priests to bless the people.)
Hymn: May joy and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now, And God bless you and keep you forevermore.
Dismissal: Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Good morning! Welcome to Chapel! This is Nana Susan. I see you in my heart and my mind, sitting together in the Multipurpose Room. I smile. Ms. Smith is ready to accompany our Opening Hymn:
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.I’ve love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
Mindfulness: Listen for the sound of the singing bowl, in your mind, memory, heart. When you hear it, focus on your breath. Breathe in deeply through your nose; out slowly through your nose. Follow your breath a few times, in, out, as you listen to the bowl sing. We get quiet together, on the inside and on the outside.
Opening Prayer: Dear God, open my eyes to see what is beautiful, my mind to know what is true, and my heart to love what is good. For Jesus’ sake, amen.
Story and Homily: Jesus’ Appearance is Changed on the Mountaintop (Matthew 17:1-8)
Story: Jesus has just told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem where he will be arrested, will suffer and die, and on the third day be raised again from death to life. Now, six days later, he has led three of his disciples, Peter and James and John, up a high mountain to be with him and pray. On the mountaintop, Jesus’ face begins to shine like the sun, and his clothes become dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah, two great leaders who lived long ago, appear next to Jesus, talking with him. Peter, James and John are stunned. Peter says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let me make shelters for us, and we can stay in this wonderful place forever!” But even as Peter is speaking, a cloud bright cloud filled with light comes over them. A voice comes from the cloud: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” When the disciples hear the voice, they are overcome by fear and fall to the ground. But Jesus comes and touches each of them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” They look up and they see only Jesus himself, alone. Then they all go back down the mountain, together.
Homily: The disciples, and many other people, have seen Jesus perform many miracles by now. He has healed the sick, people who were blind or deaf, who could not walk; has fed more than 5,000 men, women and children with five loaves of bread and 2 fish; calmed a storm when they were in a boat on the sea, and more. But they have never seen anything like this! What they are seeing is Jesus shining with his divine power, with the light of God. The light is coming from inside Jesus. They are seeing his holiness, his “God-ness.” They are seeing the whole of who Jesus is: Son of Man and Son of God. Moses and Elijah are God’s chosen leaders and messengers who lived long, long ago. Moses led the people of God away from Pharaoh to freedom and new life. Elijah was a great prophet who spoke God’s message to God’s People. Jesus is even closer to God than they. From the bright cloud, God speaks directly to the disciples, telling them to trust Jesus completely. It’s no surprise that the disciples are so afraid. But Jesus comes to them and touches them, healing their fear, at least for now. Fear of what they have seen and heard: the light, the cloud, the voice; whatever may come when they go back down the mountain. Peter would have liked to stay in this beautiful scene forever, but Jesus knows they have to go back down into the world to keep on showing God’s Light and Love for everyone. Even in hard, scary times, the Light and Energy of God’s Love and Life are with us, to protect us, to give us strength and courage and hope. And that Light, Energy, Love and Life are in every one of us. Everyone made in God’s image, everyone a child of God, with the power to help and to heal with kindness, compassion and love.
Hymn: We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God (repeat). We are marching, Oo we are marching in the light of God (repeat)
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’, siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’ (repeat). Siyahamba, Oo, siyahamb’ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’ (repeat). Student Prayers: Grade 2 would have offered their prayers this morning. But today everyone is invited to offer your own prayer. Here is a “prompt” to help you get started:Dear God, thank you that your Light and Love live in me and in every person; help me to remember and to look for your Light and Love when . . .
Grade 2 Prayer: "Dear God, Thank you for shining your light brightly in our lives. Help me to shine my light on others by by being kind to others during this hard time while we have to stay in our house."
I encourage you to share your prayer with your family and friends and teachers; and if you would like to share it with me, I would be honored. We all need each other’s prayers.
Birthdays: [Names]We ask your blessing on these children today, shower them with love in work and play; bless these children who to us are dear; be with them throughout the year. Amen.
Blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
(Numbers 6:24-26. This blessing was given to Moses by God, for the priests to bless the people.)
Hymn: May joy and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now, And God bless you and keep you forevermore.
Dismissal: Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.