March 16, 2025
Second Sunday in Lent
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Readings and Psalm
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
The covenant with Abram and his descendants
Psalm 27
In the day of trouble, God will give me shelter. (Ps. 27:5)
Philippians 3:17—4:1
Our citizenship is in heaven from where we expect a Savior
Luke 13:31-35
I have desired to gather Jerusalem as a hen gathers her brood
Though we sometimes doubt and often resist God’s desire to protect and save us, our God persists. In holy baptism, God’s people have been called and gathered into a God-initiated relationship that will endure. Lent provides the church with a time and a tradition in which to seek God’s face again. Lent provides another occasion to behold the God of our salvation in the face of the Blessed One who “comes in the name of the Lord.”
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Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Helen Repp
Reader: Russ Dankert
Deacon: Dan Lepp
Ushers: Joe Meyer & Erika Bilger & Family
Greeters: Erick & Meg Loven & Family
Livestreamer: Michael Miller
Sound: Kevin Vail
Music Director: Nicholas Pierle
Organist: Dana Robinson
Coffee Hour: Grace Schoedel
Chancel Flowers: Flowers are not provided by Grace Members during the Lenten season.
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.
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KV is seventy!
Please drop by the church anytime from 5:00-8:00 on March 29 to celebrate Kevin Vail's 70th birthday. (no gifts please. Your love and support is a gift beyond measure)
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Grace Lutheran Church Nominating Committee
The nominating committee is seeking volunteers to serve on the church council. We are in need of a new treasurer and a few at large position. If you are willing to serve or would like to nominate someone, please contact Claire Vail, Meg Loven, Nancy Marshall, or Kathy Bowersox.
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Lenten Soup Suppers
As has been our tradition at Grace, the Parish Life Committee will host "Lenten Soup Suppers" beginning at 6:00PM in the narthex. The remaining dates are March 19, 26, April 2 and 9. As in past years, we plan to offer crock pot soups and bread. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex. In recent years, two soup choices weekly have been adequate. Please consider helping by providing soup or bread, or by helping to set up or clean up on a date that works with your schedule.
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Midweek Lenten Services
Lenten Evening Prayer takes place on Wednesdays during Lent at 7:00 p.m. - now through April 9. We will again use “Behold, Your Light Has Come” as our setting for the service this year.
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Free Lenten Devotionals in the Narthex
Please choose a Devotional for Lent that suits you and/or your Family. They can be found in the narthex, and are free as a gift from Grace Lutheran. Past materials and new selections are available to choose from. May you have a blessed Lent.
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40 Days of Fasting -
40 Years of Grace Food Pantry
Lent is traditionally a time of fasting. The Grace Social Minstry Committee wishes to honor and support the Food Pantry's 40 years of giving to Champaign County residents with our Lenten Project.
We all have felt the increase in grocery bills and the Pantry is no exception. Fresh fruits and vegetables are necessary for a healthy diet, yet often are too expensive for those on limited budgets.
Social Ministry would like our Lenten Fast to supplement the Food Pantry with six weeks of healthy donations.
Please consult the chart below for food items and dates.
March 16 - Cabbage - 2 heads
March 23 - Potatoes - 5 lb bag
March 30 - Oranges - 3 lb bag
April 6 - Carrots - 1 lb bag
April 13 - Onions - 3 lb bag
A container will be in the Narthex for your donations.
Questions: Tina Fehrenbacher and Helen Repp
Thank you.
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GOD'S GIFTS; OUR HANDS
Meals on Wheels Help Needed!
Volunteers are needed for the week of Monday, March 24th through Friday, March 28th. Two people are needed for each of the days this week from 10:30 am to 12:30 am., one can sign-up as a driver and the other as a runner. Sign-up with a friend or family member and enjoy your time connecting with others. This is a great way to reach out to others in our community. The sign-up sheet will be on the table in the narthex.
Thank you for your help and support of this ministry.
Leanne Wichus, Social Ministry
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Adult Sunday School
From March 6 – April 6, the first five Sundays in Lent, Pastor Janet Lepp and Pastor Chris Repp will lead a 5-week study entitled “Making Sense of the Cross,” written and presented by Dr. David Lose, retired seminary professor and president. Pastor Janet Lepp has 10 copies of the participant book available at a reduced price, it can also be found at this link on Augsburg Fortress. It contains a series of dialogs that explore the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion and how it is good news for us. Although not absolutely necessary for participation in the class, it should help your immersion in the topic.
Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings (after the service) in the Hoffmeister Room!
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Brown Bag Bible Study
Our bi-weekly lunchtime Bible study has resumed. It is held on Thursdays, at 12:30 p.m. in the narthex on the dates below. We are studying the book of Romans.
Future dates are:
This Thursday, March 20; April 3; May 1 & 15 (and 29 if we need it to finish the book.) Join us!
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From Monday, March 3 to Tuesday, April 1, support your team’s campus ministry and help them earn points! Check back every Monday to see the standings! 100% of your donation will go to the Lutheran Campus Ministry site you choose to support!
Week 1 (March 3-9): $100 Gift Week
- Extra point for each gift over $100
Week 2 (March 10-16): New Donors Week
- Double points for all first-time donors (2 points instead of 1)
- Double points for all peer to peer referrals (6 points instead of 3)
Week 3 (March 17-23): Rivalry Week
- Ministries will be paired based on:
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o Traditional college sports rivalries and/or
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o Geographical proximity
Week 4 (March 24-30): Beat Your Average Week
- One bonus point awarded for every $10 above your weekly average
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Game Night
There is a new opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy an evening together! Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, from 6-8:00pm, a group will meet for Games in the Narthex. The group will gather to enjoy each other's company and engage in card and board games. The next date for this month is March 27th. 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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Stitch & Craft Tonight!
The Stitch and Craft meeting date in March will be Tonight, Friday, March 14th 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.
Sometimes a S&C meeting may be cancelled due to weather, conflicting dates, or a lack of members attending. In those cases an email will be sent out to those who have sent an RSVP email earlier. Also please send an email to Carol Larson if you are new to S&C to make sure there will be a meeting.
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Newsletter Copy Deadline
10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)
12:30pm Brown Bag Bible Study (Narthex)
6:00pm Parish Life Committee Meeting (Zoom)
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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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