April 19, 2026
Third Sunday of Easter
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Sunday Readings
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Receiving God’s promise through baptism
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
I will call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13)
1 Peter 1:17-23
Born anew through the living word of God
Luke 24:13-35
Eating with the risen Christ
Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.
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Sunday Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Dennis Archer
Reader: David Brown
Deacon: Jim Anderson
Greeters: Dave & Carol Larson
Ushers: Bev Kieffer & Mary Jo Erickson
Livestreamer: Meg Loven
Sound Technician: Kevin Vail
Music Director: Nicholas Pierle
Organist: Mike Keeley
Coffee Hour: Marlys Scarbrough & Chet Alwes
Chancel Flowers: Kathy & Van Bowersox, To the Glory of God
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.
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Reminder:
- The pew pads and pencils are in each of the pews in the sanctuary during the month of April. Please fill them out each week while we work to get an accurate accounting of how many people are worshiping (in-person) at Grace each week.
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Save the Dates:
On May 3 during the 9:30 service the choir and special musicians will be presenting Buxtehude’s Alles was ihr tut mit Worten oder mit Werken.
On May 10 we will have a reception for Nick Pierle following the morning service. Nick has been our Music Director for 3 years and has now completed his doctoral studies at the University. We have been most fortunate to have had his expertise and his enthusiasm. He has gone above and beyond in working with other musicians and churches in the C-U community. We wish him the very best!
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING May 17th, 2026
Please plan to attend our next semi-annual Congregational Meeting on May 17th, 2026, at 10:45am (following the worship service). We will vote on Officer and at-large Council openings, Nominating Committee, the 2025 Audit Report, and Amendments to the Grace Lutheran Constitution as outlined below. The May 2025-2026 Annual Report will also be available. The meeting will be conducted in-person with a Zoom option to participate.
Marlys Scarbrough
Congregational President
Please see the end of the News and Events section in this GraceNotes for the full information on the proposed changes to the Grace Lutheran Constitution.
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Adult Sudnay School
Adult Sunday School
Interested in looking at how Matthew’s Passion account uses the Day of Atonement rite from Leviticus to make sense of Jesus? Want to look at how John evokes new creation by linking his Easter account with Genesis 1 and 2? Or should we talk about why forgiveness is the one specific instruction the resurrected Jesus gives his disciples in John? It’s time for another "Questions for Pastor" session (I like that better than “Stump the Pastor”) in which we talk about things that weren't preached on - or things that were. Bring your questions about our recent reading to the Hoffmeister Room this Sunday at 11:00.
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Faith Circle, This Tuesday April 21, 2026
Faith Circle meets on the third Tuesday evening of each month at 7 pm in the narthex. All are welcome. We begin the evening with refreshments (coffee and snacks provided by the hostess) and fellowship. The lesson leader presents the Bible study, beginning around 7:30 pm.
This month’s Faith Circle is on Tuesday, April 21. It is being hosted by Susan Monte, with Kathy Bowersox serving as this month’s lesson leader.
We collect an offering each month, which will support the ministries of WELCA (Women of the ELCA) as well as selected local and ELCA charities. We use the Bible study materials from Gather Magazine, a WELCA publication. Plan to attend and bring a friend!
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Good Shepherd Sunday, April 26, 2026
Sunday, April 26th has been designated as Good Shepherd Sunday; a special day each year to recognize and support Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI).
LSSI began in 1867 as an orphanage for children who lost their parents during a cholera epidemic. LSSI has been a leader in social services for over 158 years. In 2025, LSSI served 62,425 people.
Since its beginnings over a century ago, LSSI has become one of the largest statewide social service providers in Illinois. It is the social ministry organization of the three Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) synods in Illinois. Services and programs include: Foster Care, Family Support Services , Mental Health Services, Substance Use Treatment, Home Care services for senior adults, Affordable senior housing, Housing for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, Programs that help incarcerated individuals remain connected to their children and Case management for returning citizens.
Please consider making a gift to LSSI by donating online at lssi.org or by sending a check to the LSSI offices at 1001 E. Touhy Ave, Suite 50, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Thank you for your prayers and financial support of this program.
The Social Ministry Committee
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Blanket Sunday 2026, April 29 - May10
It has long been a tradition at Grace to recognize, honor, and remember the special women in our lives by purchasing a blanket in their name. The Social Ministry Committee is continuing this tradition on Sunday, April 29th through Sunday, May 10th (Mother's Day).
The blankets purchased are distributed around the world by Church World Service. CWS, founded in 1946, is a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Blankets provide warmth, shade, a way to carry belongings, and a defined space for women, children,and families who have been displaced due to natural or political disasters.
Blankets can be purchased for $10 in the narthex before or after services on April 29th, May 3rd, and May 10th. Cards will be available to share with your honoree and a display of the names of the women honored will be in the narthex. Checks should be made out to Church World Services and memoed "Blankets".
Thank you for your support!
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The Invitational Christian Webinar Series
With the Rev. Dave Daubert and Deacon Jason Fisher
Deacon Jason Fisher invites you to join communities of disciples from across ELCA Region 5 for an engaging webinar series exploring "The Invitational Christian" by Dave Daubert - a practical and hope-filled guide to sharing faith through authentic relationships. With this book and the three associated web sessions, we will develop an action plan for our communities of disciples.
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This series will equip leaders and members alike to look at how the biblical story grounds our stories as God’s people. It will help people tell their stories and be better at listening to each other’s stories. Through conversation, reflection, and real-life application, you’ll discover how small, intentional practices can open the door to deeper relationships and spiritual curiosity in your community.
Cost: FREE, but please register at The Invitational Christian Webinar Series. The Zoom link will be shared with those who are registered officially for the event.
Webinar dates:
· Session 1 with author Rev. Dave Daubert: April 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
· Session 2 with Deacon Jason Fisher: May 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (different Zoom link)
· Session 3 with author Rev. Dave Daubert: June 2, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Before the first webinar, we recommend that you get a copy Dave Daubert’s book "The Invitational Christian."
Book: FREE — Contact Deacon Jason (217-753-7915, jason.fisher@csis-elca.org) and he will purchase copies for those interested in attending.
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Grace Lutheran Game Nights in 2026
Gather with friends and enjoy an evening together! Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, from 6-8:00pm, a group meets for Games in the Narthex. The group gathers to enjoy each other's company and engage in card and board games. Mark your calendars!
The next date for Game Night is Thursday, April 23rd. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!
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Champaign Central Jazz Fest
Come hear Grace Lutheran's Maddie Thackery perform in the Champaign Central High School LAB Band and Central Jazz Ensemble next weekend.
Maddie plays on Friday 4/17 at 5:30pm & 9pm and on Saturday 4/18 at 8pm & 9pm.
Link here for more information on Champaign Central Music and the Champaign Central Music Boosters: maroons.org
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Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center
Work Days May 23-24 & May 30; Oregon, IL
"Every year, hardworking volunteers come together to help LOMC shine for another season of outdoor ministry. This year's work days will take place on the weekend of May 23-24 (lodging available Friday to Monday) and on May 30. Whether you’re an individual, a family, a church group, a scout troop, or any other group, you’re invited to join us for a day of service, fellowship, and fun!
The Memorial Day work weekend begins the morning of Saturday, May 23, with check in at 9:00 a.m. Check in will include time to settle into your lodging, enjoy coffee and donuts, and meet project leaders. Projects will be assigned and work started at 10:00 a.m. Projects will be worked on Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons, with free time to enjoy LOMC in the evenings. Meals on Saturday and Sunday are provided, with lodging available from Friday evening until Monday morning. Come for one or both days — whatever fits your schedule.
An additional work day is planned for Saturday, May 30, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. This one-day event provides a chance to finish up any remaining projects before summer camp begins. Enjoy donuts and coffee when you first arrive, and take a break with lunch at noon.
When you register for either opportunity, you will be invited to share what type of projects you would like to help with. We’d love to have you be part of these special days. Come help us care for camp and enjoy time in community!"
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING May 17, 2026
CONSTITUTION INFORMATION:
At its February 2026 meeting, the Congregation Council passed a resolution recommending that the congregation approve amendments that will bring Grace’s constitution into conformity with the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We adopted our current constitution on March 19, 2018, and at that time it conformed with the ELCA model constitution. Since then, ELCA Churchwide Assemblies in 2019, 2022, and 2025 approved updates to the model constitution. These updates include provisions that ELCA churches must make in their church’s constitutions. By amending our constitution to include these requirements, we can once again bring it into conformity with the model constitution.
You can view the draft amended constitution by clicking here CONSTITUTION. This draft conforms with the ELCA model constitution.
At CONSTITUTION, you can view our current (March 19, 2018) constitution in which yellow highlighter marks the required changes. It is important to note that there are no changes in any provisions except those required by the ELCA.
Alternatively, you can access these documents on the church website by clicking on Resources and choosing Grace Lutheran Constitution.
You can address questions about the changes or the process for effecting the changes to Van Bowersox at soxxos@sbcglobal.net.
Here is the resolution that Council recommends for approval at the congregation meeting on May 17, 2026.
Whereas,
the text of the constitution of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Champaign, IL, adopted March 19, 2018, is not in conformity with the required provisions approved by the Churchwide Assemblies of 2019, 2022, and 2025;
Resolved,
that the congregation approve amendments that will bring our constitution into compliance with the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America without making any changes in the following provisions that are not required and that uniquely describe our church’s structure and governance:
· paragraph C5.05 authorizing the mission endowment fund,
· chapter 1 on Name and Incorporation,
· chapter 10 on Congregation Meetings,
· chapter 11 on Officers,
· chapter 12 on Congregation Council,
· chapter 13 on Congregation Committees, and
· chapter 14 on Organizations Within the Congregation.
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Newsletter Copy Deadline
5:00pm Music Ministry Potluck (Narthex)
| | | | 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) | | | | |
10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)
6:00pm Game Night (Narthex)
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Prayer Requests
We have two formal ways of praying for one another at Grace. One is in the Sunday morning worship service, where we pray for people by name in the Prayers of Intercession. They will also be listed in the emailed and printed versions of GraceNotes, but not in the web version. Please send prayer requests for the Sunday-morning prayers to office@glccu.org. You may also submit prayer requests on our website at https://glccu.org/prayer-requests/.
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Using GLC Facilities
Our facilities are available for use by members and by outside groups. If you would like to use any part of the facility, please fill out a Facilities Use Request, found on the web site, and contact Karen in the office to ensure that it is on the calendar, so that the space is ready for you and that you are aware of how to adjust the appropriate thermostat.
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