May 12, Seventh Sunday of Easter

Adult Sunday School

Pastor Repp recently participated in a training conducted by Reconciling Works (reconcilingworks.org) and now has a clearer understanding of the process recommended for pursuing Reconciling in Christ affiliation, as well as the philosophy behind it. Come learn what he found out this Sunday in the Hoffmeister Room, beginning at 11 a.m.

Readings and Psalm

Acts 1:1-1: Jesus sends the apostles

Psalm 47: God has gone up with a shout. (Ps. 47:5)

Ephesians 1:15-23: Eyes to see the risen and ascended Christ

Luke 24:44-53: Christ present in all times and places

In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.

Worship Support

Assisting Minister: Jo Fleming

Reader: Van Bowersox

Deacons: Nancy Marshall

Greeters: Brian and Amy Nicely

Ushers: Dave and Carol Larson

Livestreamer: Michael Miller

Sound: Kevin Vail

For the upcoming Worship Support schedule, see the spreadsheet found here on Google Drive.

Check Your Spam Folder

Please check your spam folder for messages from the office (office@glccu.org). I've learned that, in recent weeks, emails I've sent from this address have been going into some people's spam folders. So add the office email to your contact list or safe sender list so you don't miss anything! - Alex

Blanket Sunday and Mother’s Day, May 12

The Social Ministry Committee will again provide the opportunity to honor or remember your mother and other special women in your life with the gift of love and caring for the homeless, refugees, and those who have lost so much due to tornadoes and floods. Blankets can be purchased for $10 on May 12 in the Narthex. Call Helen Repp with any questions. Cards to send to honorees will be available.

Faith in Place: Food Justice

In Lent the Adult Sunday School class went through a curriculum developed by Faith in Place called Just Eating. One of our sessions focused on food access. Faith in Place is offering an opportunity to follow up on that by attending their May Monthly Call, this Thursday, May 16, at 6:00. Follow this link to register.

Grace Book Club Announcement

Inspired by Rachel Held Evans

The next book selection for the Grace Book Club is Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans.

Rachel has filled this book with stories from the Bible, which she has professed that she loves again. In the introduction she reminds the reader that “When you stop trying to force the Bible to be something it’s not – static, perspicacious, certain, absolute – then you’re free to revel in what it is: living, breathing, confounding, surprising, and yes, perhaps even magic.” She believes that the Bible is both inspired and inspiring.

We will be meeting to discuss this inspiring book on Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m.

Note: Inspired by Rachel Held Evans was published in 2018 by Nelson Books. This book can be purchased at any of your favorite bookstores and book sources (print and digital) including the Champaign Public Library.

We hope you will join us in reading Inspired and meeting with us in May for the discussion.

Janet Lepp and Jo Fleming

Remembering Bill

The Schoedel family invite all our Grace Lutheran friends to join us on Sunday, June 16, in person or virtually, to remember Bill Schoedel who died on April 1, 2024. Bill wished to have no funeral, just a party…so we will have a party, but it will be preceded by a hymn-sing (because we know Bill loved to sing hymns.) Please feel free to attend either the hymn-sing or the party or stay for both if you wish. There will be no ceremony or eulogy as Bill directed us. Attire is to be casual, as Bill himself would have dressed!

June 16, 2024

Hymn sing: 2 p.m.

Party: 3 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church

*For those who are unable to attend, the hymn-sing will be livestreamed on the church YouTube channel or Facebook page.

Stitch and Craft

Join Stitch and Craft tonight (Friday, May 10) at 7 p.m. in the narthex. Bring whatever project you wish to work on!

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.

May 12 to 19

Sunday, May 12

9:30 a.m.: Worship Service (in-person/livestream)

11 a.m.: Easter Coffee Hour Plus (Fellowship Hall)

12 p.m.: Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

2:30 p.m.: Conservatory of Central IL (Fellowship Hall)

Monday, May 13

10 a.m.: Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

6:30 p.m.: Finance Committee Meeting (Hoffmeister Room)

6:30 p.m.: Wood Carving Group (Kitchenette)

7 p.m.: Bell Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

Tuesday, May 14

6 a.m.: Food for Seniors (Fellowship Hall)

6 p.m.: Adult Children of Alcoholics (Chapel)

6:30 p.m.: Sweet Adelines (Fellowship Hall)

7 p.m.: Council (Hoffmeister Room/Zoom)

Wednesday, May 15

7 a.m.: Food Pantry Truck Delivery (Fellowship Hall)

10 a.m.: Comrades of Art (Narthex)

7 p.m.: Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

Thursday, May 16

10 a.m.: Food Pantry (Fellowship Hall)

6 p.m.: Parish Life Committee Meeting (Zoom)

Sunday, May 19

9:30 a.m.: Worship Service (in-person/livestream)

11 a.m.: Annual Congregational Meeting

12 p.m.: Women's AA (Hoffmeister Room)

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/.

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 Alex 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.