Just some of the great stuff happening at Grace....

Whether you're looking for study, friendship, an opportunity to give back, or a place to worship, we have a place for you to plug in. Feel free to check out any of the opportunities below--or ask about starting something yourself!
(Check out the calendar page for more details on each event.)

Faith Formation/
Study

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Faith Formation for Youth
Sunday mornings
​9:15-10:00am
All ages thru high school.
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Faith Formation for Adults
9:15am Sundays, Great Room
Coming up in November:
We continue our exploration of what Lutherans bring to the faith mix. This is a great series for people considering Grace as a faith home. There will be lots of questions and great conversation!
11/18 – What do we believe about Confession? Part 1. This is a combined class with our middle-school confirmation students (fun, right??) to take a look at the Lutheran understanding of confession and forgiveness.  Is confession a sacrament? Do  Lutherans have individual confession? The answers might surprise you! Part 2 picks up in December.
11/25 - Intergenerational Event
Adult Forum is held in the Fellowship Room.  If you are not interested in attending the forum it is okay to walk through for a refreshment to take to another location.  If you are leaving the early service or arriving for the late service it is okay to walk through the forum.

Choir!!!
​Practice: Wednesdays, 
​7-8:15pm, Upstairs
​choir room
 and Sundays, 9:45am.
Sing at 10:15am service
Like to sing? All welcome, older kids too. Quality leadership with Bradford Thompson. Handbell choir opportunities for holidays. Fun, fellowship and worship enhancement, join us!!!

Monday Evening Bible Class
Starting on Monday, September 10, 2018, 7:00pm, the Monday Evening Bible Class will study the Old Testament Wisdom Book of Ecclesiastes. This 12-week study will continue through the beginning of December.  
​
What is Ecclesiastes?  The name of the Book is a translation of the title claimed by the writer, in Hebrew Qohelet, which could be translated gatherer, teacher or preacher.  The writer also identifies himself as the “son of David, king in Jerusalem,” a reference to Solomon, who was legendary for his wisdom.  On textual evidence, the book was probably written after the return of the Jewish people from exile in Babylon in 538 BCE.  The returned exiles participated in the economic growth of the Persian Empire.  This brought a new sense of individual growth, but tempered by the indifference of the larger society, the repetitiveness of life, and ultimately by the inevitability of death.  The ultimate solution is to acknowledge that we are not in control and accept the sovereignty of God.  Doesn’t this sound something like what we face in our own time?​
​
There is no course guide to buy.  The study guide is available on-line at:  http://www.usefulbible.com/ecclesiastes/ecclesiastes-12-week-study-guide.htm​
with a detailed outline here:  http://www.usefulbible.com/ecclesiastes/index.htm​
Printouts will be available for those who lack computer access.​
Please let Fred Warnke or Vince Hardt know if you are interested in joining this group.

​Worship

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Thanksgiving Eve
Worship Service
Wed, Nov 21, 7:00pm
A Thanksgiving Eve worship service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church . The night before Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for that comes from God, our Creator.

Worship Schedule
Worship services will be at 8:00am & 10:15am. 
​Faith Formation for all ages
​is at 9:15.

Worship Assistant Training
Are you interested in helping out with worship on Sunday mornings? We are having a quick Worship Training Session on Sunday, November 18, at 11:30-12:30 for anyone currently in a role, or interested in one. See sign-up in narthex.

Updated Hearing Assistance
​We have upgraded our Hearing Assistance system. We now have three receivers which will pick up the signal from the mics. You may use one of the earbuds we provide, or bring your own earbuds from home. If you have a hearing aid or cochlear implants, you can use one of the neck loops; simply plug the loop into the receiver and place the loop around your neck. (Note, your hearing aid must have a T-coil and be set to the “T” or “M/T” setting.)


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​Fellowship

New Church Directory
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for a photo for the new church directory. We have filled all of our available appointment times for the last photo session at Grace on Saturday, November 17. 
If you are still looking for an appointment time for your family please email Susan Jacobson at 
susan.lb.jacobson@gmail.com We will send out a list of alternate photo times that may be available through other local churches that are also having photography being done. If we have enough members that still need a photo taken, we may be able to get Lifetouch back for another session at Grace.  The more member photos we have in the directory the better! 

Intergenerational Advent Hymn & Carol Sing
Sunday, Nov 25
​9-10:00am, Narthex
Come join Becky and Bradford for music around the piano - we will sing old favorite hymns and carols to welcome the Season of Advent!

Grace Yoga with Becky! 
 Do you need to unwind from the hectic pace of life? Looking for a way to stretch and build muscular strength? Searching for a yoga class that offers a biblical view? Grace Yoga with Becky will begin on Tuesdays  from 6:15-7:15pm in the Narthex, next session from November 13-December 18 at a cost of $8 per class when purchased in a six-week bundle. Walk-ins are welcome at $10 per session. Please reach out to Becky Ficarella with questions and more details.
bficarella@graceglenellyn.org

Women of Grace
Thursday, November 29, 7pm
Reserve 22 (Village Links)
This is a monthly evening gathering open to all women of Grace Lutheran Church. We meet for drinks, appetizers and/or dinner.
Join us!

Faith & Friendship for November
has been CANCELED 
since it is the day before Thanksgiving and we will all be busy readying our stomachs for the big feast. Our next gathering will be December 19.

ONE VOICE Outreach Choir to Perform at Grace
Special Christmas Concert 
 Sunday December 2, 4:00pm
50 high school students from the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton area represent several houses of worship. Together these teens give their time and lend their hearts performing around Chicago, visiting Nursing and Retirement homes. The goal is to bridge the generational gap and create positive connections within their communities.
​All Grace members and friends are invited and encouraged to attend.

Music for Lessons & Carols Service
Sunday, Dec 6
10:15am service
Any students that would like to present an instrumental solo or duet are invited to share their talents during our Lessons & Carols Service on Sunday, Dec 6 during the 10:15m service. Please let Becky Ficarella know if you are interested!
​bficarella@graceglenellyn.org

Glen Ellyn Food Pantry and Grace Lutheran Church
HOLIDAY SHOPPE
We are excited to announce our very first Holiday Shoppe for low-income families and individuals on Saturday, December 8. Want to be part of the joy? You can, by helping us stock our store with the following items, which we know will be in high demand:

• Toys for ages newborn through 12 years old
• Electronics for ages 13-18 years old
• Winter Hats, Mittens, Scarves (men’s, women’s and children’s)
• Puzzles for children and adults
• Large-piece Jigsaw Puzzles for seniors
• Books for all ages
• Kitchen Essentials (towels, potholders, utensils, etc.)
• Bath Towels
• Blankets and Throws
• Household Tools (screwdrivers, hammers, etc.)
• Cash donations are also welcome!

Please bring gift donations to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry between 9am – noon Monday through Friday. Contact the pantry at 630.469.8668 with any questions. Thank you for your help in making this Holiday Season joyful for everyone! 

The Social Committee is involved in many different events throughout the year, and always in need of extra hands. If you are interested in helping out at any of our events, please indicate so by signing up on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Room. We hope to develop a list of volunteers we can go to when we need extra help. Thank-you!

Like Us on Facebook! 
Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn has a Facebook page and we would like you to like us! Stay in touch with events, ministries, ELCA news and check out the pictures!
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Sunday Morning
Coffee Hour,  from 8:00 until after the late service. Coffee, bagels/cream cheese and other treats will be served.  This is a great time for a little fellowship before moving on to your education hour activity!

Service
Opportunities​

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Gobble, Gobble!  
Contribution envelopes to make a donation for the Food Pantry’s turkey dinner distribution can be found at the end of each pew and in the narthex.  Donations to the pantry can also be made online at their website:  www.glenellynfoodpantry.org​

Thrivent Matching Donations for Wildfire Relief
Wildfires continue to burn throughout California, causing unprecedented devastation and destruction. Thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed, multiple deaths have been confirmed, and mandatory evacuations are in place for many communities.
When given the opportunity to help, Thrivent members are eager to help bring comfort to those in need. And, as a membership organization of Christians, Thrivent and your Thrivent Member Network (TMN) make it easy for you to do so:
Make a donation; Thrivent will match up to $250,000
Thrivent will match up to $250,000 in personal donations made online through Thrivent.com to specific disaster relief organizations helping with the recovery efforts. Thrivent will also pay processing fees, so 100% of your donation goes to help those in need.*
On behalf of your Thrivent Member Network, we thank you for your continued passion to help others with your generosity!
*Thrivent will match up to $250,000 in personal donations received by Jan. 31, 2019, or when the funding limit is met, whichever comes first. All payment processing fees associated with these personal donations will also be covered. 
Thrivent Member Network-Chicagoland Region
1411 Opus Place, Ste. 210
Downers Grove, IL  60515
(630) 598-2100
ChicagolandTMN@Thrivent.com
 
Save the Date! 
Heartland Center Blood Drive, Sunday, December 16, 9am-2pm

Drivers Needed for ESSE 
Personable and reliable drivers are needed part-time to transport seniors to the Adult Day Care Center at Faith Lutheran, Glen Ellyn.  Center is open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm.  Flexible hours, $14 an hour with mileage reimbursement.  Please contact Cathy at ESSE, 630-260-3773.

Does your company match charitable contributions? 
It’s a good way to multiple the affect your donation can make!  Contributions for Lutheran Disaster Relief in support of Hurricane Florence victims can be made through Grace Lutheran’s website.

PADS Volunteer Service
Thank you all for your support of PADS - we do have about seven open slots for food so if you would like to participate, or know of a family that would (they do not have to be a member of Grace), please let me know. The next PADS date is Thursday, December 6  Donna Jacobo   donnahjacobo@yahoo.com

​Glen Ellyn Food Pantry
The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is in need of volunteers. Their greatest need right now is volunteers willing to pick up food donations from local retailers. Please contact Terri Venzon, Supervisor of Food Pantry Operations, if you can volunteer.  630.469.6988 GEFPServices@GlenEllynFoodPantry.org  www.GlenEllynFood
​Pantry.org

The Wooly Knitters are thankful for the yarn Grace members have been donating for their cause.  Any amount and any color are always welcome and can be left in the church office.  The Wolly Knitters are a charity knitting group that meets every Tuesday from 1-3pm at Grace.  They have made and donated over 3,000 hats, scarves, mittens and afghans to local veterans and to community groups, including Hines VA Hospital, Operation Support Our Troops Illinois, PADS, Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, Serenity House, Children's Home and Aid, Family Resource Center/Wheaton, and others. They try to provide free yarn to their knitters in return for their time and beautiful work and the group can always use yarn or monetary donations to keep them going. In addition to the contributions to our community, we have shared information and friendship which has enriched the lives of our members, and we would always welcome new knitters (or crocheters) to join us each week.  Please feel free to call 630/624-6002 for more information.

Need help for PADS
​this year!  
We would like you to be a part of the PADS community to help the homeless. This only requires a couple hours of volunteering the evening of the first Thursday or morning of the first Friday of the months between September and May at First Presbyterian on Main street in Glen Ellyn. We have four types of shift that you can volunteer for. This volunteer time is especially useful for kids or for adults needing community service hours.
You can volunteer for our Dinner shift to set-up, serve, and clean up between 6pm to 10pm. If you are a night owl we have a 10pm to 2am shift or 2am to 5am shift. These generally quiet shifts consist of being there to provide any assistance or making sandwiches for the guests that they will receive in the morning when they leave.
If you are an early bird the 5am to 7am shift includes setting-up and making breakfast, serving breakfast, and cleaning up. This is a difficult shift to find volunteers for and we would really appreciate you spreading the word.
If you do not have time to volunteer for any of these shifts you can always cook or buy drinks and foods. We assign a type of food that may be for dinner, breakfast, or lunch and you can request if you want to cook or just buy something.
Any little bit of time can help our church sustain our contribution to this program.
For questions or sign up please contact the appropriate person below:
About shifts please contact Joe Jacobo by phone, 630-740-4527, or email at jl1jacobo@yahoo.com.  About food please contact Donna Jacobo by phone, 630-740-4542 or 630-790-1612, or email at 
donnahjacobo@yahoo.com.

After many years of faithful service, Doris Nelson is planning to step down from her role as Grace Lutheran’s representative on the Board of Directors with ESSE 
(www.esseadultdaycare.org) and is looking for a Grace member to step up and take her place.  All churches that support ESSE are required to have representation on the board.  Please contact Doris to learn more about what is involved.  Thank you. 
 DorisNelson433@icloud.com 

Mission Quilts for
Lutheran World Relief​
In 2017, LWR distributed over 305,000 quilts to people arriving in refugee camps! It's their bed, coat, shade, protection against mosquitos and shelter from the rain - their everything! Quilts come from congregations like ours, you don't have to know how to run a sewing machine; if you can cut fabric or tie a knot, you can be a part of providing comfort to a child who has fled home.
If you're interested in starting a LWR quilt group here at Grace, please contact Pastor Melody. What a great way to make new friends, build fellowship and be a part of something wonderful!
https://lwr.org/
get-involved/quilts

Circle of Care Ministry
Would you be willing to lend a helping hand during a difficult time by providing meals for those in need and their families? As a need arises, Pr. Melody would like to have a list of volunteers that she could call upon.  Please contact Barbara in the Grace office to have your name and contact information included on the Circle of Care list.  Thank you. 

The Pill Bottle Ministry
In an effort to get the thousands of pill bottles we have out of our church and into the hands that truly need them, we have scheduled several evening sessions for everyone to come out and help prepare pill bottles for shipping.  Pill bottles need to be sorted, labels removed, washed, and then packaged for shipping to remote areas around the globe. These bottles provide patients the opportunity to safely transport and store their medications. Please join us every Tuesday evening from 6-7:30pm in the gym foyer and gym kitchen.

​Purchases from the Feed My Starving Children MarketPlace provide fair wages to hard-working artisans and life-saving FMSC MannaPack™ meals for starving children around the world. Check out their merchandise for sale at fmscmarketplace.org.

Ministry on the Margins,
The Autism Ministry
We are looking to meet with families impacted by Autism, having conversations about what a positive worship experience would look like for their family. All families impacted are welcome. Contact Sue Pagnoni at e2sue@hotmail.com or 
​630.878.4780. Also let us know if you are interested in this ministry.

SMILE.AMAZON.COM
Amazon has a large variety of gifts that are perfect for Valentine's Day including electronics, jewelry, clothing, and more.  Please support Grace Lutheran Church when you shop online.
smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2496438 and Amazon donates to Grace Lutheran Church.

Grace's Altar Guild is looking for more members. If you are looking for a way to help out at church, altar guild is a great place. The commitment is flexible and the task is interesting and meaningful. If you think you may be interested, talk to Cathy Milleville or Pastor Melody.