Readings and Psalm

Isaiah 49:1-7

The servant brings light to the nations

Psalm 40:1-11

I love to do your will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8)

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul’s greeting to the church at Corinth

John 1:29-42

Revelation of Christ as the Lamb of God

Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the one anointed by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal. We go forth to invite others to come and worship the Holy One and to receive the gifts of grace and peace made known among us.



Worship Support

Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp

Assisting Minister: Dennis Archer

Reader: Art Traugott

Cantor: Erica Ancell

Deacon: Tina Fehrenbacher

Greeters: Dave & Carol Larson

Ushers: Brian & Amy Nicely

Livestreamer: Meg Loven

Sound Technician: Kevin Vail

Music Director: Nicholas Pierle

Organist: Mike Keeley    

Coffee Hour: Gail Hug and Mary Jo Erickson                 

Chancel Flowers: Grace Schoedel and Gloria Rainer, In memory of our mothers, Ruth Grace Cool and Florence Louise Evans, who were both born on January 12, 1908

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

Reminder:



• The Budget Forum will be held this Sunday, January 18th at 10:45am in the Hoffmeister Room



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

• The Grace Lutheran Church Office will be CLOSED on Monday, January 19th, 2026 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Grace Lutheran Church

Treasurer's Report Summary

For the month ending

DECEMBER  2025

DEC  Income was MUCH  more than anticipated, - after 2 months of lower income. (Monthly budgeted $24,666.67) 

THANK YOU to all that gave this month to help  reduce our deficit.

DEC   Expenses were 10 K more than budgeted. 

(Monthly budgeted $28,744.66)

DEC  Net  SURPLUS  is  $ 46,920.13

Year-to- date Actual deficit has come down to  $ (-5,247.82) 

Respectfully Submitted,

Debbie Peterson

Treasurer 

Faith Circle - This Tuesday, January 20

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 January 20. It is being hosted by Dorothy Townsend, 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!

Grace Book Club

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 6pm

Our next read will be Original Blessing: Putting Sin in its Rightful Place by Danielle Shroyer, published by Fortress Press in 2016. Copies are being ordered, and once again we thank Thrivent for covering the expense of the books.

Danielle Shroyer holds a B.A. from Baylor University and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is an author, speaker, spiritual director, and respected pastor who now guides prayer retreats, teaches meditation, and leads workshops.

In the introduction, the author reminds the reader that Original Blessing is one of the most beautiful gifts Christianity has to offer the world. One reviewer calls this a “highly engaging and accessible book [that] challenges commonly held assumptions about sin and human nature with intelligence, clarity, wit, and deep respect for scripture and tradition.”

We will meet on Tuesday evening, January 27, 2026, at 6 PM in the narthex of Grace Lutheran Church. Please bring your own sack supper. Beverages and a light dessert will be provided. We hope you will join us! You may contact one of us ahead of time to reserve your copy of the book.

Janet Lepp and Eileen Herrstrom

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, January 22nd. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!

Join us online or in-person at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill. on Jan. 20, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. Central time for a night of centering multiracial voices from across the ELCA as we observe the 2026 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH). Presented by the ELCA in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, this free program will feature intentional storytelling through words and music and provide opportunities for deep listening, reflection and drawing closer together as fellow children of God.

Online attendees: No registration is required. A link to join virtually will be available on the NDORH webpage. In-person attendees: Space is limited, and registration is requested.

For more information, visit elca.org/NDORH.

January 18 to January 25

Sunday,

January 18

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

10:45am Budget Forum (Hoffmeister Room)

12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

Monday,

January 19

Grace Office Closed

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

7:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal (Choir Loft)

Tuesday,

January 20

Newsletter Copy Deadline

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

6:30pm Sweet Adelines (Fellowship Hall)

7:00pm Faith Circle (Narthex)

Wednesday, January 21

7:00am Food Pantry Truck Delivery (Fellowship Hall)

10:00am Comrades in Art (Narthex)

7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

Thursday, January 22

10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)

6:00pm Game Night (Narthex)

Friday,

January 23

No Events Scheduled

Saturday, January 24

No Events Scheduled

Sunday,

January 25

World Hunger Sunday

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

10:45am Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting (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.