Grace Episcopal Church, Carlsbad, New Mexico

10/10/2026

Please join us Sunday, October 11, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
The 20th Sunday after Pentecost – Holy Eucharist – Rite II – Proper 23
– 11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour
– 11:30 a.m. Vestry Meeting
Live-streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/735221770217463

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

10/07/2026

Midweek Meditation for Grace Church – October 7, 2026

St. Francis of Assisi 03 ~ Repairing the Church, Opening the Heart – Feast Day October 4

By The Rev. Fr. James Brzezinski

Francis of Assisi (c. 1182–1226), a prosperous merchant’s son, once sought military glory. Christ led him toward poverty, humility, and service. He founded the Friars Minor, the “lesser brothers,” desiring to be among the least of God’s servants. (Adapted from Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006)

At San Damiano, Francis heard Christ’s summons from the crucifix: “Francis, go and repair my house.” He began with stones and mortar. His life would also help renew the Church through the Gospel. (Benedict XVI)
Where might that work begin in us?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, KJV). To be poor in spirit is to come before God with open hands, acknowledging our need of His mercy. What resentment, desire for recognition, or need to be right are we holding too tightly?

Saint Augustine prayed, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Confessions I.1) Francis’s search for glory became a willingness to approach those he had avoided.

Remembering his service among people with leprosy, Francis wrote: “that which had seemed to me bitter was changed for me into sweetness of body and soul.” (Testament)

Let us linger here. Might Christ be waiting in the person we find difficult, the suffering we would rather pass by? We need not wait until love feels easy before offering mercy.

Let us pray before the crucified Lord, allowing His patient love to reveal our wounds and our hope.

This week, bring one strained relationship before Him. Ask for grace to listen, forgive, or begin again. The Church’s renewal begins with us and our faithfulness.

With Francis, let us give thanks: “Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks, and serve him with great humility.” (The Canticle of the Sun)

Let us pray.

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - Collect for St. Francis ~ Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006

10/07/2026

Please join us on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – 10:00 AM for Holy Eucharist - Rite I

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi transferred from October 4th

In the Passion Chapel

The service will be live-streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/735221770217463

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant thy people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of thee, delight in thy whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

10/04/2026

Please join us Sunday, October 4, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost – Holy Eucharist – Rite I – Proper 21
– 11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour

Live-streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/735221770217463

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

10/02/2026

09/29/2026

A Midweek Meditation for Grace Church – September 30, 2026

Saint Michael and All Angels – God’s Messengers and Protectors — Feast Day: September 29

By The Rev. Fr. James Brzezinski

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”— Hebrews 1:14, KJV

The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels invites us to give thanks for God’s loving care, including the help we cannot see. Scripture describes angels as messengers and servants of God, sent to minister to his people. Their service draws our attention to the One whose love they make known.

Angels and human beings are distinct creations of God. We do not become angels when we die. Through Christ, we are called to be saints, sharing in God’s glory while remaining the human creatures he made us to be. The word saint means a holy one, which is why we also call Michael “Saint.” Angels and human saints worship together, each within the order God has appointed.

Michael’s name means “Who is like God?” His name invites us to humility and trust. Whatever our strength or weakness, our lives rest in God’s hands. We can ask for help and receive it with gratitude.

Saint Antony of Egypt taught that “a good life and faith in God is a great weapon.” These words encourage us to meet our daily struggles through prayer, kindness, generosity, and faithful service. — St. Athanasius, Life of Antony, §30

Such faithfulness grows through practice. God desires our company, and prayer makes room for us to attend to his presence. We bring words or silence, thanksgiving or sorrow. We pray while walking, working, resting, or sitting quietly. As we return, we deepen our response to the covenant love God has first offered us.

The angels serve God in their appointed ministry. We serve him here through the human lives entrusted to us. This week, may we make time for prayer, offer someone kindness, and give thanks for the company of heaven.

Collect for Saint Michael and All Angels

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as thy holy angels always serve and worship thee in heaven, so by thy appointment they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. – The Book of Common Prayer 1979

09/29/2026

Please join us on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – 10:00 AM for Holy Eucharist - Rite I

The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels transferred from September 29th

In the Passion Chapel

The service will be live-streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/735221770217463

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as thy holy angels always serve and worship thee in heaven, so by thy appointment they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

09/27/2026

Please join us Sunday, September 27, 2026 – after Holy Eucharist at 11:15 a.m. for Coffee Hour where we will have a special presentation on the 2026 Belize Archery Camp by Erich Koenig and Sydney Evans.

Grace Church supports the missionary efforts Erich Koenig and the ministry team of Centershot Belize and Pastor Kenny at San Ignacio Baptist Church.

Erich has joined members of First Baptist and other churches in this mission outreach. Last year Grace Church gave substantial support to Erich's Mission trip to Belize and this year we gave generous support for the 2026 Archery Camp with over 10 scholarships for the campers and support for the team and operations of the camp.

We are enjoying this outreach on a continuing basis. This is an exciting way we participate in the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Centershot Ministries operates in Belize as a faith-based program partnering with local churches to teach Olympic-style archery as a tool for sharing the Gospel. It provides training, equipment, and curriculum for youth and adults, featuring, for instance, a “Rescued” archery program led by Pastor Kenny in San Ignacio.

Key Aspects of Centershot Belize:
• Purpose: Centershot uses archery to connect with communities, often featuring 11 steps to archery success alongside Bible studies.
• Location & Activity: Programs have been established in various parts of the country, including in San Ignacio, to host camps, competitions, and training for local instructors.
• Partnerships: The ministry engages with local leaders, such as Pastor Kenny at San Ignacio Baptist Church, to run these initiatives.
• Impact: It has been described as a "first ever" initiative in certain parts of Belize to reach children and families with the message of Jesus.
Centershot Ministries in Belize is part of a global effort to utilize the "LifeBow" to teach the Gospel, as featured in Centershot Ministries' official site.

09/27/2026

Please join us Sunday, September 27, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
The 18th Sunday after Pentecost – Holy Eucharist – Rite II – Proper 20
– 11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour
– Presentation on the Belize Archery Camp 2026 by Erich Koenig and Sydney Evans

Live-streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/735221770217463

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

09/23/2026

A Midweek Meditation for Grace Church — September 23, 2026

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist 02 – Feast Day — September 21

By The Rev. Fr. James Brzezinski

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” — Matthew 9:9

There is something wonderfully simple about the calling of Saint Matthew. Jesus sees him. Jesus calls him. Matthew rises and follows.

Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector when Jesus called him from the custom-house. Tax collectors were often despised as collaborators with Rome and were suspected of enriching themselves at the expense of their own people. Yet Matthew immediately left his former life to follow Jesus and later welcomed him to a meal with other tax collectors and sinners. Tradition holds that Matthew later carried the Gospel beyond Judea and was honored as a martyr, although the circumstances of his death are uncertain. — adapted from Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006

But Jesus saw more than a tax collector.

Saint Bede the Venerable wrote that Jesus saw Matthew “through the eyes of mercy and chose him.” Christ did not look upon Matthew merely according to his occupation, reputation, or past. He looked upon him with mercy and saw the man Matthew could become.

Perhaps this is where Matthew’s story becomes our story.

We so easily define ourselves by what has already happened: our accomplishments, failures, disappointments, sins, responsibilities, or even the expectations others have placed upon us.

Christ sees more.

And then comes the invitation: “Follow me.”

Saint John Chrysostom observed that Christ knew Matthew’s heart and knew the moment when Matthew would respond. The Lord who called Matthew knew precisely when to call him.

The same Lord knows us. Sometimes Christ calls us to something new. Sometimes he calls us more deeply into the vocation we already have. Sometimes his call is simply to rise from whatever has kept us sitting still and take the next faithful step with him.

Matthew rose.

The man once known chiefly as a tax collector became an Apostle, an Evangelist, and a witness to the grace of God.

The Gospel does not begin with our worthiness. It begins with Christ seeing us, loving us, calling us—and our willingness to rise.

Today, may we hear again the voice of Jesus:

“Follow me.”

And by his grace, may we rise and follow.

Let us pray.

We thank thee, heavenly Father, for the witness of thine apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of thy Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. — The Book of Common Prayer 1979