November 23, 2025
Christ the King
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Readings and Psalm
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Coming of the shepherd and righteous Branch who will execute justice
Psalm 46
I will be exalted among the nations. (Ps. 46:10)
Colossians 1:11-20
Hymn to Christ, firstborn of all creation; peace through his blood
Luke 23:33-43
Jesus is crucified between two thieves: you will be with me in Paradise
Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of death Jesus opens the door to paradise.
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Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Eileen Herrstrom
Cantor: Eileen Herrstrom
Reader: Dennis Archer
Deacons: Nancy Marshall and Art Traugott
Greeters: Dave & Carol Larson
Ushers: Bev Kieffer & Mary Jo Erickson
Livestreamer: Michael Miller
Sound Technician: Kevin Vail
Music Director: Nicholas Pierle
Organist: Mike Keeley
Coffee Hour: The Dorsey Family
Chancel Flowers: Alice Hadley, In Memory of Henry Hadley
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.
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Please Note:
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The Grace Lutheran Church Office will be closed next Wednesday (11/26), Thursday (11/27) and Friday (11/28) for the Thanksgiving holiday. We hope that you have a wonderful celebration of thanks with your loved ones.
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URGENT NEED: The Grace Lutheran Food Pantry's client numbers have more than doubled over the past several weeks. The Pantry is putting out a call for donations of goods--in particular canned fruits and vegetables, beans, and peanut butter and jelly. Items can be dropped off in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday mornings, from 8-10am, from now through the month of December. Donations can also be left in the box in the front doorway vestibule M-F between 9am-2pm. Thanks!
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St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and Campus Center
is hiring an Office Administrator
"This is a part-time position for an individual who is detail oriented and committed to supporting a healthy ministry focused on the students at the University of Illinois.
This position focuses on the day to day operations of the ministry of St. Andrew’s, welcoming all who enter the space, and managing the use of the building. The Office Administrator will work closely with the Pastor to ensure the ministry is functioning behind the scenes. This position is on-site, generally 9:00 - 1:00pm daily, to establish regular office hours for St. Andrew’s."
Please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office for the full job description and contact information for applications and resumes.
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Early Advent Project
Social Ministry and the Grace Lutheran Food Pantry would like to give our 300+ monthly Pantry patrons a little holiday gift. Personal care items are often requested.
In the month of November, we will collect care items to distribute during Advent in December.
Items to be collected:
Nov 23- Deodorant
Nov 30- Bath size soap
The "grocery cart" will be in the narthex for your donations.
Thank you for your generous giving!
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Christmas Gifts for Children in the Foster Care Program at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is looking for help to provide Christmas gifts for children in their foster care program. The format of the program has been updated this year to streamline the logistics of collecting gifts. Instead of issuing separate wishlists to each sponsor, everyone is invited to browse the full list of requested items and purchase them directly. Most gifts will be tax-exempt and will ship for free directly to the LSSI office. LSSI will also gladly accept gift cards to big box stores or local fast food restaurants.
To contribute to this initiative, you can do any of the following:
- Scan the QR code or navigate to https://giftlist.lssi.org/campaigns/champaign-and-danville-christmas-giving/products to select and purchase specific gifts
- Make a monetary donation with a check made out to Grace Lutheran and "LSSI" on the memo line
- 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
The target date for all gifts to be purchased is December 3. Please direct any questions to Amy Nicely or Brian Nicely (please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office if you need either of 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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Brunch at St. Andrews Campus Ministry
Hosted by the Women of Good Shepherd Lutheran
The women of Good Shepherd Church would like to invite our sisters in Christ to our December 6 Christmas brunch at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Student Center at 10 am. We are delighted to host this event at St. Andrews (909 S. Wright St.) so you can all see the new church building that has just been completed. The brunch is catered by Piato and costs $22/ adult for quiches, mixed greens, fruit, pastries and beverages. Call Gail Block (please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office if you need her contact information) by 11/30 if you have questions, and to buy tickets. We hope you can join us.
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December Book Club
Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks
by Diana Butler Bass
Diana Bass holds a doctorate in religious studies from Duke University and has written eleven books, as well as articles in a variety of magazines and newspapers. Her work has received numerous literary awards. She also writes a weekly email column called The Cottage that is “part retreat, part think tank [and a] place for inspiration and ideas about culture, faith, and spirit.”
“There is no better response to this historical moment than cultivating gratitude. This book will show both why and how to do it, and in the process, you will get the extraordinary pleasure of Diana’s company, as she rediscovers the gifts that gratitude brings.”
—Ana Marie Cox
The Book Club will meet on Tuesday evening, December 2, at 6 PM in the narthex at Grace Lutheran Church. Please bring your own sack supper. Beverages and a light dessert will be provided. We hope you will join us!
Janet Lepp and Eileen Herrstrom
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Beautifying the Chancel for Christmas at Grace
As we enter Advent, we are looking forward to the celebration of Christmas and the Christmas Eve service. We hope to again beautify the Chancel with poinsettias, Norfolk pines and greens. You may help participate by either giving a donation to the general Christmas flower fund and/or by purchasing a poinsettia or a Norfolk pine tree.
This year you may participate in three different ways:
· Give a donation of $15 or more to the general Christmas flower fund;
· Purchase a poinsettia for $15;
· Purchase a Norfolk pine for $30.
For each donation or the purchase of a plant, you will have the opportunity to make a dedication which will be included in the bulletins on Christmas Eve, on Sunday, December 28th,, and in Grace Notes.
Shirley Traugott and Gloria Rainer will be available in the narthex on the Sundays of November 30th, and December 7st to receive your donations and for you to make your dedications. Please be prepared to pay at the time you sign up with exact money or a check.
The floral display will be in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve, on December 28h and January 4th. You may, however, take home a plant which you purchased any time after the December 24th service. If the temperatures are below freezing, there will be plastic bags available in which to place your plant to protect it from the cold.
Please make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church, memo Christmas flowers.
We thank you for your participation and support.
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THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who participated and generously contributed to our Chili Cook-off on November 2nd.
With your generous support, we were able to raise $3805 for the Grace Food Pantry.
Special thanks to our eleven cooks who shared their chili recipes, and to Tina Ferhenbacher who organized these contestants.
Special thanks to Dave Brown and Jack Wilkie for creating a festive mood with their music.
Special thanks to Gloria Rainer for underwriting the beautiful fall arrangements on the tables.
Special thanks to Marlys Alwes and Bruce Winter for their silent auction items.
Special thanks to Grace and Zach Wilken and Gail Hug for their time in counting the donations.
Special thanks to the Parish Life and Social Ministry committees and to the Food Pantry Board for all their work in making this event a success.
Alicia Winter was the chili cook-off winner, and Linda and Randy Laugges were the runners up.
But the big winner was the Grace Food Pantry!
It takes a team to support and keep this important ministry going!
Thank you for your support.
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Adult Sunday School
We continue the Reformation Roots series this Sunday at 11:00 in the Hoffmeister Room. This week is the bonus video, mentioned in last week’s video, on Martin Luther’s legacy. Then Next Sunday, November 30, will be another “Ask The Pastor” session on things that might have cropped up for you in recent readings that weren’t covered in the sermon.
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Hymns of Susan Palo Cherwien
Upcoming Adult Education – December 7
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 explore her work and sing her hymns as we celebrate her remarkable gift of thoughtful and inspiring words that she has offered to the church and to the world.
We will be meeting in the church sanctuary. Please enjoy a cup of coffee over conversation and then join us in the church sanctuary around 11:00.
Janet Lepp, Instructor
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Brown Bag Bible Study
Because of various scheduling problems, our bi-weekly Thursday lunchtime Bible Study will end up being a monthly meeting this fall, with a delayed start on October 30. All meetings will be from 12:30-1:30 in the Narthex. We’ll continue our reading in Romans that we started last spring. There’s no preparation necessary. The remaining fall date is December 11.
Please bring your own lunch. (There’s a microwave in the kitchenette if you need to heat anything up.)
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On The Way
On The Way resumed this fall on Thursday evenings. It began on
October 16, and will meet through mid-December.
On The Way is a faith-formation opportunity at Grace that connects new and prospective members with established members of our faith community. If you’re reading this, you’re a candidate for participating in On The Way!
Each 90-minute session begins with conversation on a topic of faith, continues with group reflection on a biblical text, and closes with communal prayer.
On The Way meets in the chapel, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The remaining fall date is December 11.
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Grace Lutheran Game Night
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, December 11th. 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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BACH MESSIAH SING-ALONG - November 30
Join in singing Handel’s famous choruses with fellow music-lovers — or just sit back and listen! We’ll provide the organist and soloists. Invite a friend or family member and share this wonderful holiday tradition. All singing abilities are welcome. Bring your own music, or borrow it at the door.
No ticket required. Doors open 30 minutes early. Come as you are; our concerts are casual
- Sunday, November 30, 2025
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4:00 PM 5:30 PM
- First Baptist Church in Savoy, 1602 S Prospect Ave, Savoy, IL
Sponsored by Bach: the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana
| | November 23 to November 29 | | | | 10:00am Food For Seniors (Fellowship Hall) | | | | |
Grace Lutheran Church Office CLOSED
No Events Scheduled
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Grace Lutheran Church Office CLOSED
No Events Scheduled
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Grace Lutheran Church Office CLOSED
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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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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