Readings and Psalm

Isaiah 11:1-10

From David’s line, a ruler bringing justice and peace

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace. (Ps. 72:7)

Romans 15:4-13

Live in harmony, welcoming one another

Matthew 3:1-12

A voice cries: Prepare the way of the Lord

At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.

Worship Support

Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp

Assisting Minister: Helen Repp

Cantor: Erica Ancell

Reader: Bob Dorsey

Deacon: Gail Hug

Greeters: Jeff & Tina Fehrenbacher

Ushers: The Grigorescu & Thackery Family

Livestreamer: Dave Brown

Sound Technician: Kevin Vail

Music Director: Nicholas Pierle

Organist: Mike Keeley    

Coffee Hour: The Fehrenbachers                  

Chancel Flowers: Carolyn Pater, To the Glory of God

For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.

Please Note:

• GRACE FOOD PANTRY URGENT NEED: The Grace Lutheran Food Pantry's client numbers have more than doubled over the past several weeks. The Pantry is putting out a call for donations of goods--in particular canned fruits and vegetables, beans, and peanut butter and jelly. Items can be dropped off in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday mornings, from 8-10am, from now through the month of December. Donations can also be left in the box in the front doorway vestibule M-F between 9am-2pm. Thanks!

• END OF THE YEAR GIVING TO GRACE: A friendly reminder that the end of the year is fast approaching. For Grace's accounting purposes, all donations MUST be received on or before Sunday, December 28th. This is the last Sunday of the year, and all final donations will be processed & prepared for deposit that day. If you are mailing a donation, please mail it early enough in December for it to be received in the office prior to Christmas. 

Please understand that any late-arriving checks that miss this December 28, 2025 deposit

deadline cannot be retroactively applied to your 2025 giving. (Even if your donation is dated in December 2025). We appreciate your understanding and planning ahead. Thank you, Gail Hug, Financial Secretary

Thank You!

The Food Pantry and Social Ministry would like to thank our generous congregation for the donations of personal care items. Our Pantry patrons will receive a special Christmas gift in their box during the holiday season thanks to all of you. 

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and Campus Center

is hiring an Office Administrator

"This is a part-time position for an individual who is detail oriented and committed to supporting a healthy ministry focused on the students at the University of Illinois.

This position focuses on the day to day operations of the ministry of St. Andrew’s, welcoming all who enter the space, and managing the use of the building. The Office Administrator will work closely with the Pastor to ensure the ministry is functioning behind the scenes. This position is on-site, generally 9:00 - 1:00pm daily, to establish regular office hours for St. Andrew’s."

Please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office for the full job description and contact information for applications and resumes.

This Saturday for Those Attending!

Brunch at St. Andrews Campus Ministry

Hosted by the Women of Good Shepherd Lutheran

The women of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church's December 6 Christmas brunch at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Student Center at 10 am.

Beautifying the Chancel for

Christmas at Grace

As we enter Advent, we are looking forward to the celebration of Christmas and the Christmas Eve service. We hope to again beautify the Chancel with poinsettias, Norfolk pines and greens. You may help participate by either giving a donation to the general Christmas flower fund and/or by purchasing a poinsettia or a Norfolk pine tree.

This year you may participate in three different ways:

· Give a donation of $15 or more to the general Christmas flower fund;

· Purchase a poinsettia for $15;

· Purchase a Norfolk pine for $30.

For each donation or the purchase of a plant, you will have the opportunity to make a dedication which will be included in the bulletins on Christmas Eve, on Sunday, December 28^th,^, and in Grace Notes.  

Shirley Traugott and Gloria Rainer will be available in the narthex on Sunday December 7th to receive your donations and for you to make your dedications. Please be prepared to pay at the time you sign up with exact money or a check.

The floral display will be in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve, on December 28^h and January 4^th. You may, however, take home a plant which you purchased any time after the December 24^th service. If the temperatures are below freezing, there will be plastic bags available in which to place your plant to protect it from the cold. 

Please make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church, memo Christmas flowers.

We thank you for your participation and support. 

If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Rainer. (Please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office for Gloria's contact information).

Greening of Grace! 

We invite everyone to participate in the "Greening of Grace" immediately following worship on both December 7 and December 14. On December 7 we will focus on the narthex, and on December 14, we will focus on the sanctuary. The more participants, the easier the tasks. Please mark your calendars and plan to help us "beautify" Grace for the Holiday Season and enjoy a time of fellowship as well.

Please reach out to Ruth Anderson or the Grace Lutheran Office with any questions! 

Free Advent Devotionals in the Narthex

Please choose an Advent Devotional that suits you and/or your Family. They can be found in the narthex, and are free as a gift from Grace Lutheran. Happy Advent Season!

Hymns of Susan Palo Cherwien

Upcoming Adult Education – December 7

Susan Palo Cherwien, who lived May 4, 1953 – December 28, 2021, was a poet and musician whose carefully crafted poetry has captured our hearts and imaginations through many of the hymns we sing during worship. We will explore her work and sing her hymns as we celebrate her remarkable gift of thoughtful and inspiring words that she has offered to the church and to the world.

We will be meeting in the church sanctuary. Please enjoy a cup of coffee over conversation and then join us in the church sanctuary around 11:00.

Janet Lepp, Instructor  

Brown Bag Bible Study

Because of various scheduling problems, our bi-weekly Thursday lunchtime Bible Study will end up being a monthly meeting this fall, with a delayed start on October 30. All meetings will be from 12:30-1:30 in the Narthex. We’ll continue our reading in Romans that we started last spring. There’s no preparation necessary. The remaining fall date is December 11.

Please bring your own lunch. (There’s a microwave in the kitchenette if you need to heat anything up.)

Grace Lutheran Game Night

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, December 11th. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!

December 7 to December 14

Sunday,

December 7

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

Durante Magnificat Concert During the Sunday Service

10:45am Property Committee Meeting (Chapel)

11:00am Adult Sunday School (Hoffmeister Room)

12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

1:30pm ELCA Advent Concert Prep Rehearsal (Sanctuary & Choir Room)

Monday,

December 8

10:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Finance Committee Meeting (Hoffmeister Room)

5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal (Choir Loft)

Tuesday,

December 9

6:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

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

6:30pm Sweet Adelines (Fellowship Hall)

7:00pm Council Meeting (Hoffmeister Room & Zoom)

Wednesday, December 10

7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Loft)

Thursday, December 11

12:30pm Brown Bag Bible Study (Narthex)

10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)

6:00pm Game Night (Narthex)

Friday,

December 12

No Events Scheduled

Saturday, December 13

1:30pm ELCA Advent Concert Final Dress Rehearsal (Sanctuary & Choir Room)

Sunday,

December 14

Grace Food Pantry Sunday

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

11:00am Adult Sunday School (Hoffmeister Room)

12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

1:00pm ELCA Advent Concert Set Up (Sanctuary & Choir Room)

4:00pm ELCA Advent Concert (Sanctuary)

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.

Pastor's Discretionary Fund

The Pastor's Discretionary Fund allows the church to offer financial assistance to people in our community. The office receives requests for help with rent, utilities, and other needs, and your donations make this important work possible! To donate to this fund, you can give online at https://glccu.org/donate/ or by mailing a check to the church office with "Pastor's Discretionary Fund" in the memo line.