Readings and Psalm

Isaiah 42:1-9

The servant of the Lord brings justice

Psalm 29

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3)

Acts 10:34-43

Jesus’ ministry after his baptism

Matthew 3:13-17

Revelation of Christ as God’s servant

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.



Worship Support

Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp

Assisting Minister: Kathy Bowersox

Reader: Cindy Grigorescu

Deacon: Dan Lepp

Greeters: Meg & Erick Loven

Ushers: Carol & Dave Larson

Livestreamer: Dave Brown

Sound Technician: Kevin Vail

Music Director: Nicholas Pierle

Organist: Mike Keeley    

Coffee Hour: Kathy & Van Bowersox                   

Chancel Flowers: The poinsettias and Norfolk pines being used this week were provided by members of Grace Lutheran Church.

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

Reminder:



• The Budget Forum will be held on Sunday, January 18th at 10:45am in the Sanctuary



• The Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 25th at 10:45am in the Sanctuary

Adult Education this Sunday! Rescheduled from December 2025



Hymns of Susan Palo Cherwien

Adult Education – January 11

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 celebrate her remarkable gift to the church as we explore her work and sing her hymns.

Please enjoy a cup of coffee following worship and then join us in the church sanctuary around 11:00.

Janet Lepp, Instructor 

LSSI Christmas Gift Update



Thank you to everyone who contributed to the annual LSSI Christmas gift program for foster children. Contributions sent through the church totaled almost $1000 in gift cards to local stores and restaurants. While we don't have an official total, we know many people shopped directly through the LSSI online gift list to send toys and games to the LSSI office for distribution. You helped make Christmas special for many children in our area!

Thank-you!

Many thanks to all who helped take down the Christmas decorations last Sunday. It was a very efficient group effort. Everything is now safely tucked away for next Christmas season. 

Thank you to everyone who put together, participated in, and joined us for the Christmas events at Grace Lutheran Church! And thank you to Leanne Wichus for all of the beautiful photographs of Grace events throughout the year!

Dear Disciples of Jesus,

On this Twelfth Day of Christmas, I pray that the light of the Christ-child continues to shine brightly in your hearts, leading you and guiding you as we enter this new year.

I write to share with you that this coming Wednesday, Jan. 7, I will be traveling with a delegation of ELCA Bishops and Church Leaders to the Holy Land to share in the Service of Installation of the Rev. Dr. Imad Haddad as the new Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). The Service of Installation will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11.

In addition to participating in Bishop Haddad’s Installation, our time in the Holy Land will include visits with our Lutheran partners across the ELCJHL, International Church Leaders, and members of the Lutheran World Federation. We will be visiting Augusta Victoria Hospital and meeting with leaders at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Our travels will include a brief time in Galilee and Jordan. The purpose of our trip is to accompany our Lutheran siblings in Christ in the region and to listen and learn from their experiences. We will return home on Saturday, January 17.

Due to the current political situation in the region, we have been asked to limit our social media communications during our time there. My intention, however, is to write a daily travelogue of our experiences that I will share with you upon our return.

I ask for your prayers during our time away and invite you to include a special prayer of intercession during worship this coming Sunday, January 11 for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land upon the installation of their new presiding bishop.

I am most grateful for this opportunity to share with our Lutheran siblings in the Holy Land and for your prayers while we travel. I look forward to sharing our experiences with you upon my return.

Called in baptism +

Bishop Greg G. Busboom 

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 dates for Game Night are Thursday, January 8th and Thursday, January 22nd. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!

January 11 to January 18

Sunday,

January 11

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)

Monday,

January 12

10:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Finance Committee Meeting (Hoffmeister Room)

Tuesday,

January 13

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 (Hoffmeister Room & Zoom)

Wednesday, January 14

7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

Thursday, January 15

10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)

6:00pm Parish Life Committee Meeting (Zoom)

Friday,

January 16

No Events Scheduled

Saturday, January 17

No Events Scheduled

Sunday,

January 18

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

10:45am Budget Forum (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.