October 25, 2026
Reformation Sunday
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Sunday Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34
I will write my law in their hearts, says the Lord
Psalm 46
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)
Romans 3:19-28
Justified by God’s grace as a gift
John 8:31-36
Jesus says, Continue in my word and you will know the truth
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.
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Sunday Worship Support
Presiding Minister: Pastor Chris Repp
Assisting Minister: Eileen Herrstrom
Reader: Russell Dankert
Deacons: Jim Anderson and Dan Lepp
Greeters: Meg & Erick Loven
Ushers: Jeff & Tina Fehrenbacher
Livestreamer: Meg Loven
Sound Technician: Kevin Vail
Organist: Mike Keeley
Music Director: Kyle Schrage
Coffee Hour: The Dorsey Family
Chancel Flowers: Jim Fleming, In memory of Jo
For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, please contact the Grace Lutheran Church Office.
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Starting this Sunday, October 25th!
2027 Chancel Flower Sign-Up Time!
You are invited to help beautify the sanctuary with flowers for Sunday services in 2027. Remember a special date in your life or a special person with a personal dedication. You may dedicate flowers for more than one Sunday.
The cost of flowers for one Sunday is $50 and the florist supplying and delivering your arrangement to church is Fleurish on Walnut Street in downtown Champaign. After the service on the Sunday you dedicate flowers, you may take the floral arrangement home.
The sign-up will take place in the narthex on the Sundays of October 25th and November 1 following the church service. Listed here are the dates which are available for you to sponsor flowers. We do not use flowers during Lent and not during a few additional Sundays during the year. If you are unable to sign up at church, you may call Gloria Rainer and leave a message about the date you would like to sponsor flowers. Gloria will return your call and verify. If you reserve a date for flowers via a telephone call to Gloria, please send your check to her or place your check in the “Flower mailbox” labeled with Shirley Traugott’s and Gloria’s names. (You can contact the Grace Lutheran office if you need Gloria's contact information).
At the time you sign-up, please pay for the flowers using cash or a check. Make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church, Memo – Chancel Flowers.
Thank you very much for your support and participation! If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Rainer.
2027 Dates Currently Available to Sponsor Flowers:
*please note that now a few have been spoken for
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 7 only (due to Lent)
March: (no flowers are used during Lent)
March: 21 - Palm Sunday (Palms)
March: 28 – Easter (lilies and hydrangeas )
April: 11, 18, 25
May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
June: 6, 13, 20, 27
July: 4, 11, 18, 25
August: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
September: 5, 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21, 28
December: 5, 12, 19
| | This Sunday! From Pastor Chapman at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: | | |
Save-the-Date!
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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Adult Sunday School - Fall 2026
Curriculum Adjustment Information
We were not able to line up the Earthbound series so we are pivoting to the series, Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities
Beginning on October 25th we’ll be led through session programs designed to connect your faith to caring for God’s good earth.
Join us at 11 a.m. after the service in the Hoffmeister Room for our Adult Sunday School class! Meeting weekly throughout the year, unless otherwise noted.
FALL SCHEDULE:
October 25 – Caring for the Earth Series
November 1 – Bishop’s Holy Land Presentation
November 8 – Caring for the Earth Series
November 15 – Caring for the Earth Series
November 22 – Caring for the Earth Series
November 29 – Caring for the Earth Series
December 6 – St. Andrew’s Presentation
December 13 & 20 – TBD
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God's Work; Our Hands Follow-up:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
Once again the members of Grace have given generously to support the mission of Lutheran World Relief:
"Affirming God’s love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering." (Mission statement of LWR)
With your donations, we are able to send 50 school kits, containing; pens, pencils, spiral notebooks, scissors, pencil sharpener, ruler, and eraser to Lutheran World Relief. We are also able to share 75 personal care kits, containing; soap, towel, comb, nail clippers, and toothbrush. An additional gift of $1,750 is being given to Lutheran World Relief to offset shipping expenses.
These donations will be taken to the Central Illinois Ingathering at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Thomasboro on Saturday, October 31st.
Thank you so much for your generous support!
The Social Ministry Committee
| | A huge "THANK YOU" to everyone who pitched in to help us host the East/Central Conference Day! We did a fabulous job all the way around: the building grounds looked welcoming, the kitchen was a well oiled machine, and of course the technical aspects were flawless! | | |
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!
The next date for Game Night is Thursday, November 12th. Please note that there is only one game night in November due to Thanksgiving. 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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World Hunger Sunday
9:30am Worship - In Person & Live Stream (Sanctuary)
11:00am Adult Sunday School
12:00pm Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)
2:00pm ECIYO Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall & Hoffmeister Room)
3:00pm Mark Woolwine Piano Recital (Sanctuary)
5:00pm Hops & Hymns (Riggs in Urbana)
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10:00am Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)
7:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal (Choir Loft)
| | | | 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) | | | | |
10:00am Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)
5:00pm Mutual Ministry (Hoffmeister Room)
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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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