May 18, 2025
Fifth Sunday of Easter
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Readings and Psalm
Acts 11:1-18
Peter’s vision: God give the Gentiles repentance that leads to life
Psalm 148
The splendor of the Lord is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)
Revelation 21:1-6
New heaven, new earth: springs of living water in the new Jerusalem
John 13:31-35
Jesus gives a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you
Easter initiates a new day. It anticipates a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ is making all things new. In the mystery of holy baptism God has made new people of us. Today Jesus invites us to see everyone in a new light—through the lens of love.
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Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Marlys Scarbrough
Cantor: Marlys Scarbrough
Reader: Jack Wilkie
Deacon: Dan Lepp
Ushers: Van & Kathy Bowersox
Greeters: Dave and Carol Larson
Livestreamer: Michael Miller
Sound Technician: Kevin Vail
Music Director: Nicholas Pierle
Organist: Dana Robinson
Coffee Hour: Kathy & Van Bowersox
Chancel Flowers: Bev Kieffer, In Honor of Mark, Keith & Lynn
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.
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Please Note:
- The Next Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting is on May 18, 2025
Please plan to attend our next semi-annual Congregational Meeting on May 18th, at 10:45am (following the worship service). We will vote on positions of Secretary, Treasurer, at-large Council members, and Nominating Committee, as well as the 2024 Audit Report. The May 2024-2025 Annual Report will also be available. The meeting will be conducted in-person with a Zoom option to participate. ~Marlys Scarbrough, Congregational President
- 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 positions. If you are willing to serve or would like to nominate someone, please contact Claire Vail, Meg Loven, Nancy Marshall, or Kathy Bowersox.
- Grace Lutheran Church Annual Reports are Now Available
You can now pick up a copy of the 2024-2025 Annual Report in the Narthex. Please look it over before the Congregational Meeting on May 18! The report provides an important review of the happenings, budgets and more throughout the church community over the past year.
- Summer Coffee Hour Fellowship
We are in need of people to host the upcoming after-service coffee hour on Sunday mornings throughout June. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you are available to help! We also need people to host during July and August if you are planning ahead and would like to help then too!
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Next Friday we are going to have a conversation about the future of Stitch and Craft. We will discuss the time of the meeting and if we should continue to have meetings. If you want to have a say in our future please make sure to come to our next meeting on Friday May 23, at 7:00pm in the Narthex.
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- MESSAGE FROM THE GRACE PROPERTY COMMITTEE:
The carpet in the main hallway at Grace Lutheran Church will be replaced beginning around 2 pm on Thursday, May 29th, and ending by about 8 pm on Friday, May 30th.
Here are some things to keep in mind for access and use of Grace Lutheran Church during this time period:
> Entry from the back door and south double-doors will be prevented, as will access to the hallway from the Narthex and from fellowship hall.
> Work will continue into Thursday evening. People attending the Brown Bag Bible Study (12:30pm) or Mutual Ministry Meeting (4pm) on Thursday will be restricted to the Narthex. There will be no access to the first-floor restrooms or to the elevator.
> Restrooms on the second floor will be available. Second-floor access would be by the stairway next to the main entryway.
- The GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH OFFICE will be CLOSED on Friday May 30th
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Pedal for a Purpose: Supporting Lutheran Campus Ministry
Pedal for a Purpose is back in 2025! From 2013-2018, our synod organized bicycle rides to visit Lutheran churches around the state and to raise awareness and funds for a number of different causes.
This year, due to a change in the funding to Lutheran campus ministries across the state, those in our synod are facing a shortfall. As our synod considers long-term solutions, you are invited to join us in filling the $24,000 gap for this year. Our ride will connect two of our synod’s campus ministry sites of St. Andrew’s at the University of Illinois in Champaign and Agape at Illinois State University in Bloomington. Here is our schedule:
Wednesday, June 4th
- 11:30 a.m. — Join us at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Campus center in Champaign for a lunch and presentation to learn more about their ministry. Free will offerings are welcomed for the meal.
- 1:00 p.m. — Depart for a 60-mile bicycle ride from St. Andrew’s in Champaign to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington.
- 7:00(ish) p.m. — Arrive at St. John’s for supper and hotel stays on your own.
Thursday, June 5th
- 10:30 a.m. — Meet at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington and bicycle to the Agape campus ministry at Illinois State University (less than 3 miles).
- 11:30 a.m. — Join us at Agape for lunch and a presentation to learn about their ministry. Free will offerings are welcomed for the meal.
- 1:00 p.m. — Bicycle from Agape to St. John’s Lutheran Church for the assembly. It’s less than 3 miles … we’ll make it to the assembly in plenty of time!
- 2:00 p.m. — Synod Assembly begins.
We need your help in closing the gap for campus ministry. Ask your church to make a donation and bring a check to the synod assembly. If you are bicycling with us, ask for sponsors to donate to our cause. During the assembly, we will have a stationary bike to show your physical support and a donation jar for financial support. Also, a number of synod staff and campus ministry leaders are willing to pedal for a price — bring your checkbook and make them break a sweat!
The meals at St. Andrew’s and Agape will be catered with the cost covered by generous donors. Pease RSVP by calling Faith Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, at 217-245-8919 by Saturday, May 31.
If you would like to bicycle with us from Champaign to Bloomington, this will be a significant ride. We will be riding at an average speed of 14 mph with a few comfort stops along the way. A support vehicle will join us along the route for assistance. For more information and to let us know you are riding with us, please contact Pastor Adam Dichsen at 217-245-8919.
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Brown Bag Bible Study
This session of our bi-weekly lunchtime Bible study is coming to an end. Plan to join for the final date on, Thursday, May 29 at 12:30 p.m. in the narthex. We have been studying the book of Romans.
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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 second May date for Game Night is Thursday, May 22nd. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!
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Congregational Meeting Following the Service
9:30am Worship - In Person & Live Stream (Sanctuary)
10:45am Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)
11:00am Adult Sunday School (Hoffmeister Room)
12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)
2:00pm ECIYO Rehearsal and Honors Chamber Recital Program
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7:00am Food Pantry Truck Delivery (Fellowship Hall)
10:00am Comrades of Art (Narthex)
| | | | 7:00pm Stitch & Craft (Narthex) | | |
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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