November 15, 2026
Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
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Sunday Readings
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
The day of the Lord
Psalm 90:1-12
So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Be alert for the day of the Lord
Matthew 25:14-30
The story of the slaves entrusted with talents
Our readings during November speak of the end times. Zephaniah proclaims that the coming day of the Lord will be filled with wrath and distress. Paul says it will come like a thief in the night and urges us to be awake and sober. Jesus tells the parable of the talents, calling us to use our gifts, while we still have time, for the greater and common good. In a world filled with violence and despair, we gather around signs of hope—word, water, bread, and wine—eager to welcome the good news of Christ’s coming among us.
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Sunday Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Helen Repp
Reader: Silvia Grigorescu
Deacon: Susan Monte
Greeters: Mary Jo Erickson and Russ Dankert
Ushers: Jim Fleming and Andy Grichnik
Livestreamer: Meg Loven
Sound Technician: Kevin Vail
Organist: Mike Keeley
Music Director: Kyle Schrage
Coffee Hour: The Repps
Chancel Flowers: Leanne & Ray Wichus, To the Glory of God
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office.
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THIS SATURDAY!
Fall 2026 Outdoor Cleanup Day
Saturday, November 14, 8-12 Noon
Join this family-friendly opportunity.
Coffee and donuts available!
Help tidy up Grace for the winter. Among the tasks, we will rake leaves, stack fallen branches, trim bushes, remove weeds, & cover A/C units.
Arrive early and help us finish by noon. On-site guidance will be available for questions. Please bring gloves, rakes, pruners and trimmers. Paper yard-waste bags will be provided. Bags will be moved to the Union Street curb for city pick-up.
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Faith Circle - This Tuesday, November 17th!
Faith Circle meets on the third Tuesday evening of each month at 7pm 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 approximately 7:30 pm.
This month’s Faith Circle is on Tuesday, November 17th. It is being hosted by Susan Monte, with Eileen Herrstrom serving as the 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!
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Adult Sunday School: Earthbound Session 3
We continue the Earthbound curriculum this Sunday with session 3, “Dominion/Domination” This session will explore how we understand the role we were created for in relation to the earth, namely as agents in God’s ongoing creative process who also are given responsibility for caring for the creation that God as called “good.” Join us at 11:00 in the Hoffmeister Room!
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Free Advent Devotionals in the Narthex - Starting this Sunday, November 15th!
Please choose an Advent Devotional that suits you and/or your Family. They can be found in the narthex, starting in mid-November, and are free as a gift from Grace Lutheran. Past materials and new selections will be available to choose from.
Happy Advent Season!
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LSSI Foster Youth Christmas Gifts
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is looking for help to provide Christmas gifts for approximately 185 children in their foster care program in Champaign and Vermilion counties. The format of the program this year will be a combination of last year's online shopping option as well as traditional "angel tree" tags with specific wish list items.
To contribute to this initiative, you can do any of the following:
1. Navigate to https://giftlist.lssi.org/campaigns/champaign-and-danville-christmas-giving/products to select and purchase specific gifts
2. Make a monetary donation with a check made out to Grace Lutheran and "LSSI" on the memo line
3. Purchase gift cards to Walmart, Target or any fast food restaurant and drop them off in the LSSI gift card box in the church narthex
4. Coming soon: wish list tags will be available in the church narthex in early November if you prefer to do your own shopping for specific children
The target date for all online gifts to be purchased is December 4 and any monetary donations or physical gifts to be delivered to church by Sunday December 6.
Please direct any questions to Amy Nicely or Brian Nicely (please contact the Grace Lutheran church office if you need their contact information). Thank you for your generosity and help in making this Christmas special for the LSSI foster care children!
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Stewardship Time is Here!
Stewardship is actually a year-round practice that covers not only financial support of our congregation, but also all of the other support our members provide: the time and talent you so generously share in all of the tasks involved in worship support, the behind-the scenes efforts to maintain and improve our property and building, and your presence at our services and other activities.
In all of those ways you have stepped up and pitched in. Thank you!
November is the time when we focus on financial support of Grace in advance of writing a budget for the coming year.
Pledge cards have been sent out in the mail, and there are Temple Talks during the Sunday morning services on November 1st, November 8th, and November 15th.
Pledge cards will be collected during the service on November 22nd. Please take time to consider this important part of our life together at Grace.
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November Fifth Feast Fellowship Dinner
Fifth Feast will take place on Sunday, November 29th at 5:00 at Mezza House in downtown Champaign. Fifth Feast is an opportunity to develop community with fellow members of Grace that takes place in months that have a 5th Sunday. Please sign up in the narthex so the restaurant can be prepared for us.
Mezza House is located at 132 W. Church Street, just west of the Art Theater. It is a relatively new family owned restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant serves generous portions and gives a small discount for paying with cash.
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WELCA Christmas Brunch
at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
The Women of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (2101 S Prospect Ave) warmly invite the women of Grace Lutheran Church to our annual WELCA Christmas Brunch!
- Date & Time: December 12, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
- Catering: A delicious buffet provided by Piato Cafe
- Cost: $24.00 for adults | $12.00 for children over 2
- Program: A joyful celebration of Christmas traditions, music, and a brief WELCA meeting.
Reservations & Details:
Reservations and payments can be made at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church office Monday through Friday, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
If you require childcare, please kindly notify the church office by November 23rd.
Church Office Phone: (217) 352-1732
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Greening of Grace!
Come help decorate for Christmas! We invite everyone to participate in the "Greening of Grace" immediately following worship on both December 6th and December 13th. On December 6th we will focus on the narthex, and on December 13th, we will focus on the sanctuary. The more participants, the easier the tasks. Please mark your calendars and plan to help us "beautify" Grace for the Holiday Season and enjoy a time of fellowship as well.
Planning Ahead
On January 3, 2027 we will be putting the Christmas decorations away until next year. Join us after worship during coffee hour. Please lend a hand when you can! Many hands make light work. Please reach out to Kathy Bowersox with any questions about either task!
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Grace Lutheran Game Nights, November 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!
Please Note: the next dates for Game Night fall in December 2026. There are no more game nights in November due to the Thanksgiving holiday. If you are interested, please let Jim Fleming know. Come and join us, and feel free to bring along your favorite game!
| | November 15 - November 22 | | | | |
7:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal (Choir Loft)
7:00pm Confirmation Class (Hoffmeister Room)
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6:00pm Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (Chapel)
6:30pm Finance Committee Meeting (Hoffmeister Room)
6:30pm Sweet Adelines (Fellowship Hall)
7:00pm Faith Circle (Narthex)
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7:00am Food Pantry Truck Delivery (Fellowship Hall)
10:00am Comrades in Art (Neathex)
7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
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10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)
6:00pm Parish Life Committee Meething (Zoom)
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Newsletter Copy Deadline
no events scheduled
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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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