218 North 6th Street Muskogee, OK 74401 | 918-687-5416
Welcome to Our Church!
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ himself.” – St. Benedict
St. Benedict was right. The church isn’t a private club for the chosen few; rather, our doors and our hearts are open for everyone and to everyone. We strive to welcome each person who comes our way as we would welcome Jesus, for God often comes to us in the appearance of a stranger.
Our faith community is a joyful mix of people with differing backgrounds and perspectives, united together in a common love of God and a love for our neighbors. Chances are, there’s someone like you at Grace. We are single, married, married with kids, divorced, remarried, empty-nesters, widowed, gay, lesbian, transgendered, old, young – you name it, we are here. We are “young in the faith”: just beginning to ask questions, “teens in the faith”: just now piecing together who we are and what it means to follow the Lord, “maturing in the faith”: exploring our gifts and serving others for the Lord, and “mature in the faith”: reflecting on what we have been and done as we look back on our lives in our winter season of grace.
There is someone like you at Grace!
People of all backgrounds, races, abilities, and beliefs are part of the Grace family. Our welcome doesn’t end at the door of the church. All persons are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at Grace, not just Episcopalians – everyone. Join us at the Lord’s Table this Sunday.
We gather for worship at 8:30 am and 10:30 am on Sunday morning, 10:30 am in the summer. Nursery Care is available from 9:15 am to noon.
Click here for our map, and for written driving directions
Feel free to contact us by email for more information. We look forward to greeting you at Grace this Sunday!
Location / Directions
Grace Episcopal Church
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Worship at Grace
Our worship is centered on celebrating Holy Communion and Holy Scripture. We have two Sunday services, a Rite I service at 8:30am without music, and a Rite II service at 10:30am with organ and choir. During the summer months, there is one combined Rite II service with organ but no choir. Our liturgy and music tend to be more traditional Episcopal and Anglican; however, we occasionally enjoy music from other Christian traditions. All are welcome, including children, are welcomed at Communion.
The Rector is usually assisted by one of our two Deacons, by our Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and of course our active corps of Acolytes. Worship is enhanced by our talented organist who also directs the faithful members of a four-part choir. We are especially proud of our two-manual Austin organ which was originally installed in 1960, and has recently been refurbished. A small bell choir performs for special services during the Christmas season. Fellowship is shared after the services at Coffee Hour, and in months with five Sundays, a Fifth-Sunday Potluck.
Sunday Service times
Rite I – 8:30 AM
Rite II – 10:30 AM
Coffee Hour: 11:45 AM
Ministries
The word liturgy means the work of the people and worship is the work of the people. Lay people of all ages and skills participate in worship at Grace Church. The following gives an introduction to each of the participants in making our Sunday gatherings holy and sacred.
Acolytes
Acolytes carry the cross, torches, and banners in procession and assist the ordained ministers at the altar. Training is required and is offered twice a year. Grace Church encourages aspiring members to be familiar with Episcopal liturgy or to reside in the congregation for at least one year.
For more information, e-mail the Acolyte Coordinator.
Lay Readers (Lectors)
Lay readers (or lectors) read the Old and New Testament lessons at the Sunday morning liturgies, and other special readings such as the Passion Gospel during Holy Week. A strong, articulate voice is required. Training is provided annually.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers wear vestments, take part in the processional in the liturgy, and serve at the altar rail or other communion stations. Typically they administer the chalice while the rector and a deacon administer the bread.
For more information on Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers, e-mail the Rector or call the office at 918-687-5416.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is a volunteer group of the parish whose ministry is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish. Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services, and clean up afterwards. Altar Guild members also supervise the decoration of the altar with flowers.
For more information, e-mail the Head of the Altar Guild.
Choir
Our choir meets every Wednesday at 7:00 pm for rehearsals (no audition needed) and sings at the 10:30 service every Sunday, as well as at special liturgies and concerts. Read more about our music and listen to samples here.
For more information about joining the Grace Church Choir, contact the Choir Director.
Clergy
Priests and Deacons are ordained to serve congregations. Priests celebrate the Eucharist and other sacraments. Deacons proclaim the Gospel, lead the prayers of the people, and lead the congregation in pastoral care and outreach to the community. The rector of a congregation must be a priest or a bishop.
Bishops, priests, and deacons in the Episcopal Church may marry and they may be women. The freedom for clergy in the Episcopal Church to serve God and their congregations while living the way God created them is an enormous gift to the church.
Calendar
Very Big Slide and More Event
This is a street fair event for the Muskogee community, featuring giant slides plenty of summertime fun. The Very Big Slide event is designed to replace a typical summer VBS program. This is a chance to show the community who we are. We will need lots of volunteers to help with promotion, hospitality, setup, cooking, security and more. Please see Nancy Scott if you think you can help.
Blogs
- The Weely Grace General Blog addresses issues of church, culture and faith.
- The Science and Technology Blog contains columns from the end of the Weekly Grace emails working with current topics in science and technology along their intersection with matters of faith and morals.
- A third Recent Sermons contains sermons preached in the past ninety days.
Stewardship and Pledging
As people of faith, we are called to be grateful for all the blessings we experience in our lives. We are called to acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God. Each and every day we can be thankful for our friends, families, financial resources, and this fragile earth.
And because God has been so generous to us, we are called to be generous as well. Generous with our time, our talent, and our treasure. Grace Church provides one opportunity for us to be generous and to support God’s work in the world. Through our stewardship pledge to Grace Church, we respond to God’s generosity and we will be supporting important ministries in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and the world.
Please consider a pledge that reflects your standard of living. Proportional giving and even tithing 10% of your income is a standard in the Judeo-Christian heritage.
It is a way to acknowledge God’s blessings, transform the community and transform your life. People just beginning to develop the spiritual discipline of tithing often start with a smaller portion and build up year by year to 10%. Tithing in this way will change your life as well as others. Your stewardship pledge can be paid weekly, monthly, or annually. Grace Church gratefully accepts cash, check, or direct debit payments. You may give online through the form here. Your commitment of a definite amount helps you set your priorities and helps the parish plan a budget. Please join your family at Grace Church by making a generous pledge. Join us in practicing gratitude and generosity. Join us in changing lives.
