February 9, 2025
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
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Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13]
Isaiah says, Here am I; send me
Psalm 138
I will bow down toward your holy temple. (Ps. 138:2)
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
I am the least of the apostles
Luke 5:1-11
Jesus calls the disciples to fish for people
The fifth Sunday after Epiphany continues to highlight unlikely instruments and circumstances appointed to reveal God’s glory. “Who will go for us?” God asks. A person of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising still, perhaps, is that we are also called.
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Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Claire Vail
Reader: Maddie Thackeray
Deacon: Kathy Bowersox
Ushers: Jim & Kathy Eckstein
Greeters: Joe Meyer & Erika Bilger & Family
Livestreamer: Jim Anderson
Sound: Kevin Vail
Music Director: Nicholas Pierle
Guitar Service Musicians: Dave Brown, Jack Wilkie, Michael Miller, Pastor Chris Repp,
Claire Vail, and Alma Dorsey
Coffee Hour: Marlys Scarbrough
Chancel Flowers: Debbie Peterson, In Memory of My Mother, Madeline Wojcik
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.
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Lutheran Social Services Under Attack
“A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on.” You might have heard that quote attributed to Winston Churchill or Mark Twain. It turns out that it is older than that, though difficult to pin down. And that’s probably because it describes a reality that is timeless and universal. Speaking falsehoods can lead to great damage. Shouting “fire!” in a crowded theater can cause a stampede that leads to injury and even death. You could correct the record and demonstrate beyond all doubt that there was in fact no fire, but the false report will have already done irreversible damage. And whether the shouter was mistaken or malicious does not change the damage.
You may have heard that over the first weekend of February, Elon Musk and Mike Flynn accused “the ‘Lutheran’ faith” of “money laundering” and “receiving illegal payments” from the federal government. These are false accusations that are easily disproved. But many people will not care to hear how Lutheran social service agencies’ partnership with the government actually benefits government efficiency in caring for the vulnerable, especially women, children, and immigrants. They will believe the false report either because it fits their preconceived notions (“government is bad,” “immigrants are bad,” “religion is bad,” “mainstream churches are bad”) or because that don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to investigate further, and because there is a tendency to defer to the rich and the powerful.
Our leaders have stood up quickly to say that there is no fire in the theater. Whether many will hear them or not, you at least, as a Lutheran, should hear them so that you are able to respond faithfully. Please take time to click through the links below to hear both what the false accusations are and how our leaders are responding. You should also know that Bishop Greg Busboom and his staff have arranged for weekly Zoom meetings of rostered leaders and Synodically Authorized Ministers over the next four weeks that I plan to attend.
+ Pastor Repp
Columbus Dispatch Article on the Accusations and Why they are False
Statement from LSSI President Mark Stutrud
Statement from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
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GRACE LUTHERAN FOOD PANTRY
40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
SPECIAL EVENT HOSTED BY THE
FOOD PANTRY BOARD!
Come help us celebrate 40 years of the Grace Food Pantry! This Sunday, February 9th, Grace Food Pantry Sunday, the Pantry Board will host a brunch.
Please join us after the service!
Watch for more events in the coming months.
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PLEASE NOTE, there will be no adult Sunday School this Sunday (February 9th) so that people can attend the Food Pantry Brunch! | |
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The Christmas Toilet-Tree Update
Thanks to the many generous contributions of toiletry items and monetary donations, the Social Ministry Committee was able to donate 71 toiletry bags containing shampoo, soap, lotion, and toothpaste to the Salvation Army's Canteen Run for distribution to people living without a home in our community. Your generosity also enabled us to donate 48 pairs of knit gloves and make a monetary donation of $40 for miscellaneous needs to the Canteen Run.
Thank you,
The Social Ministry Committee
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Games and Fellowship Evening
There is a new opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy an evening together! Beginning on Thursday, February 13, at 6 pm in the Narthex, a group will meet for Games and Fellowship. The group intends to gather twice monthly (watch the Grace Notes for specific dates) to enjoy each other's company and engage in card and board games. If you are interested, please add your name to the sheet in the Narthex or let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!
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Brown Bag Bible Study
Our bi-weekly lunchtime Bible study has resumed. It will be held on Thursdays, at 12:30 p.m. in the narthex on the dates below. We’ll be studying the book of Romans.
Future dates are:
February 20; March 6 & 20; April 3; May 1 & 15 (and 29 if we need it to finish the book.) Join us!
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February Stitch & Craft Dates
The Stitch and Craft meetings in February will be on Friday, February 14th and Friday, February 28th at
7 p.m. in the narthex.
Start 2025 off right by starting a new project. We can help each other to make the best articles, mittens, scarves, hats, chemo hats, blankets, or anything you choose.
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"As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we believe that God is calling us into the world – together. And with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference. ELCA Good Gifts is your opportunity to provide critical support to the ministries and programs that mean the most to you and the people you love.
ELCA Good Gifts are a creative, meaningful way to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. These gifts are real examples from projects currently supported through ELCA churchwide ministries: the ELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, ELCA New Congregations, ELCA Vision for Mission, ELCA World Hunger, Disability Ministries and Lutheran Disaster Response. Each of these programs is a long-term, partnership-based ministry that focus on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities."
Click the link or photos for more information! https://goodgifts.elca.org/faqs
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Two Ways to Help With the California Wildfire Disaster Response
click either image for more information
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February 9 to February 16 | | |
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Organ Repair (Sanctuary & Organ Loft) 9:00am-5:00pm
10:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)
1:00pm Worship & Music Committee Meeting (Pastor's Office)
6:30pm Finance Committee Meeting (Hoffmeister Room)
6:30pm Wood Carving Group (Kitchenette)
7:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
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Organ Repair (Sanctuary & Organ Loft) 9:00am-5:00pm
10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)
5:00pm Game & Fellowship Night (Narthex)
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7:00pm Stitch & Craft (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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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.
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