Sunday Readings

1 Kings 19:9-18

The Lord speaks to Elijah on Mount Horeb

Psalm 85:8-13

I will listen to what the Lord God is saying. (Ps. 85:8)

Romans 10:5-15

Hearing and confessing the word of faith

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus walking on the sea

Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.



Sunday Worship Support

Presiding Minister: Pastor Janet Lepp

Assisting Minister: Eileen Herrstrom

Reader: Dan Lepp

Deacons: Jim Anderson and Nancy Marshall

Greeters: Bob & Emily Dorsey & Family

Ushers: Brian & Amy Nicely

Livestreamer: Jim Anderson

Sound Technician: Erick Loven

Organist: Mike Keeley

Music Director: Kyle Schrage

Coffee Hour: Mary Jo Erickson and Lois Wilken

Chancel Flowers: Bev Kieffer, To the Glory of God

For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office.

PB&J Sandwich Help

Once a month for several years, Grace Lutheran has been supplying the Salvation Army Canteen Run with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The Social Ministry committee would like to continue this ministry to the homeless in our community, but we are in need of a coordinator to keep this commitment going in 2027. We have had families, friends, and groups sign up or spontaneous groups after worship assembling these sandwiches. There are always people willing to help with this project, but we need someone to coordinate these efforts. If you can help or would like more information, please speak to Lois Wilken, Social Ministry Chair. Thank you!

Orphan’s Treasure Box Director, Beth Wendling,

to Speak at God’s Work: Our Hands Sunday, September 13th

Beth Wendling, Director of Orphan’s Treasure Box Used Bookstore, will speak at God’s Work: Our Hands Sunday, September 13^th. She will share the history and mission of the bookstore which sells donated books online and through its retail outlet. Profits support and fund ministries that help children locally and internationally who are in need. She will also discuss an impactful program at Orphan’s Treasure Box, “Re-Start”, which helps women in difficult situations. Beth will speak in the Fellowship Hall following the conclusion of Sunday’s church service.

This year is the 15^th anniversary of Orphan’s Treasure Box. Beth mentioned a connection with Grace Lutheran Church through the caring participation in the past of Grace volunteer, Jo Fleming. Please join us to hear about the unique mission and the impact of this faith-based organization and business.

Property Committee Needs Help With Outside Work This Summer

The Property Committee needs help keeping up with the gardening and weeds this season.  

The committee has divided the church property into sections to make it easier to assign the tasks. Mainly, we need helpers to pick weeds and do a general clean up of the sections. And maybe spread mulch.

We appreciate it if you can donate any amount of time, even an hour or two to help us. We supply the paper yard waste bags, preen, brooms, etc. Please bring gloves and small tools you may need.

The sections are:

• Front Entranceway - Each Friday morning: Mary Jo Erickson and Susan Monte
• Union St (North) Side: Jim and Ruth Anderson 
• Springfield Ave (South) Side: Tina and Jeff Fehrenbacher 
• Back Side of Building (West) Side: We do not have anyone assigned yet. 

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Jo Erickson, Susan Monte or Debbie Peterson. Thanks in advance. 

Grace Lutheran Game Nights, August 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 dates for Game Night are Thursday, August 13th and Thursday, August 27th. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!

Singers Invited to Audition

Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana (BACH) is seeking new singers and soloists for its upcoming concert season. Please pass the word along to anyone who might be interested!

The upcoming season begins with a collaboration with MIOpera of Bloomington-Normal and ends with a newly commissioned piece by Dale Trumbore, paired with its inspiration, J.S. Bach's Jesu, meine Freude. Details are on the Prospective Members page of the BACH website.

The BACH choir specializes in music of the Baroque, but performs music from all periods, striving for musical excellence and relevance to modern audiences. 

Choir Auditions

Choir auditions will be held on Sunday, August 30, from 3 to 5 pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Urbana (602 W. Green St., Urbana).

Use our online form to schedule an audition. You will receive an audition time via email.

You'll be asked to sing scales, sightread, and sing a short piece of your choice without accompaniment.

Auditionees are strongly encouraged to attend the Open Sing on Monday, August 24th, since it will be the first rehearsal of the season!

Soloist Auditions

Soloists can audition by submitting recordings by September 1 (no in-person audition). Complete our online application form.

Give BACH a Try: Open Sing Night

Monday, August 24, 2026

7:15–9:15pm

First Presbyterian Church of Urbana (602 W. Green St.)

Come see what BACH is like! Everyone is welcome at BACH's Open Sing Night, the

first rehearsal of the season. If you decide to audition, complete our Signup Form to set up an audition time.

Questions? Contact BACH Music Director Sarah Riskind at director@baroqueartists.org.

August 9 - August 16

Sunday, August 9

Grace Food Pantry Sunday

9:30am Worship - In Person & Live Stream (Sanctuary)

12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

Monday,

August 10

10:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

Tuesday,

August 11

6:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

6:00pm Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (Chapel)

6:30pm Sweet Adelines (Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday,

August 12

No Events Scheduled

Thursday,

August 13

10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)

6:00pm Game Night (Narthex)

Friday,

August 14

No Events Scheduled

Saturday,

August 15

No Events Scheduled

Sunday,

August 16

9:30am Worship - In Person & Live Stream (Sanctuary)

12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

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/.

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.