Beginning on September 14, at 7pm, the Monday Evening Bible Study group will read and discuss the Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.  We studied Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians in the spring of 2025, followed by Second Corinthians in the fall, and then the Letter of James as a counter-balance to Paul in the spring of 2026.  Since the Kerygma program placed Galatians and James in the same book, most of us already own the study materials.
     Galatians is one of Paul’s earliest writings (likely his first), believed to have been written in 48-55 CE, and presents Paul’s strong argument that all Christians are saved by God’s grace, received in faith, and not by works of the Jewish Law.  He therefore felt very strongly that Gentiles who became Christian were not bound by the Jewish Law, and especially rejected circumcision for them, as that would involve become Jewish first in order to become Christian.  All who believe are united in one family of faith, regardless of their prior social or religious backgrounds.  Lest Paul be accused of ruling out all demands of ethical conduct, he also claims that faith produces a transformed life in which human desires (“the desires of the flesh” – although not to be interpreted narrowly as many use that wording today) are put aside in a transformed spiritual life.
     Some of the best-known parts of the Letter are Paul’s direct confrontation with Peter on the question of eating with Gentiles, told from Paul’s own perspective, which is also related, but more gently, by Luke in Acts.  Another is his use of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac as an example of faith rather than obedience, which is the seeming conflict with James.
     Our guide in this seven-session focus on James is Carol J. Miller, who has become one of our favorite Kerygma authors, having guided us through three of the Gospels (except Matthew) and the book of Acts, as well as the Letter of James last spring.  She is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, retired after 40 years of parish ministry.
     The Monday night group has become close-knit group of members and non-members of Grace Lutheran Church over the years, but there is always room to add more to our circle.  We meet both in person in the Education Office and via ZOOM.  If you have not participated before and wish to join us, please contact the church office so we can order a course book for you.

Gospel Talk

Wednesdays from 7:30 -8:30am
​Our Wednesday morning bible study group discusses the gospel lesson for the upcoming Sunday. It is a small, but dedicated, group of members and non-members of Grace Lutheran Church. All are welcome

Men's Brew and Chew

First and Third Thursday of the month
7:15am - 8:45am
@ Glen Oak Cafe
479 Pennsylvania Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL

​We know—it’s early. But so is wisdom, caffeine, and mildly questionable life advice from your fellow men. Whether you’re a morning person or just excellent at pretending, come for the beverage, stay for the banter, and leave slightly more awake than when you arrived.
There’s no agenda, no pressure—just a good drink, good conversation, and a great excuse to be out of the house before anyone can hand you a to-do list.
Bring a friend, bring your jokes and stories, or just bring your need for caffeine. Hope to see you there!