Scroll down for special events, classes, worship, and service opportunities

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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Confirmation Parent & Student Meeting
​Wednesday, Sept 11, 7pm 

First Wednesday Night Confirmation
​October 9

Faith Formation for Adults
Starts up Sunday, Sept 15
Coming Up at Adult Forum 
A big part of Christian discipleship is responding to the world around us. That call is complicated when we are flooded with information—and sometimes unsure how to tell the difference between fact and frenzy. Our fall series (led by Pastor Melody, who did her undergraduate work in the School of Journalism at Indiana University) continues our conversation on how we get our information, how opinions are formed, and how we can learn to sort through all the chatter. We’ll also look at how we talk together about difficult and sometimes controversial social issues as people who love Jesus, and who often disagree with each other. 
Sept. 15 – Faith and Media: How People of Faith Get Their News
            How can we measure bias? How do we know which news sources are reliable? How do you tell the difference between “news” and opinion?
Sept. 22 – Intro to the Work of the Metro Chicago Synod Anti-Racism Team
            Pastor John Hildner is a current member of the Synod’s Anti-Racism Team and will introduce some of the basic concepts and tasks of the work. (Pastor Melody previously served on the Team.)
Sept. 29 – The Echo Chamber
            How does our use of social and news media affect our understanding of current events? What role does neurobiology play?

Choir!!!
Like to sing? All welcome, older kids too.
Practice
8:30am Sundays
7:00pm Wednesdays
Quality leadership with Bradford Thompson. 
NEW MUSIC OPPORTUNITY!!
Generations Choir!!!
Fun new music program for  people of all ages to join. This will be a monthly opportunity to gather all ages, including our youngest members, to learn and rehearse on new song and present it on the following Sunday during the 9am service. This group will typically meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Songs chosen will appeal to all ages, sometimes with instruments, snapping and clapping of hands. Great way to involve the entire family!!!
Also...
Handbell choir opportunities for holidays. Fun, fellowship and worship enhancement, join us!!!

Monday Night Bible Study
Isaiah was to start last week but the books had yet to be printed so hopefully starting Monday, September 16, 7:00pm, the Monday Evening Bible Study group will read and discuss the second and third parts of Isaiah.  This follows our study of Isaiah 1-39 in the spring of 2018.  The study materials for which we have been waiting are still available.
 
Each part of Isaiah is unique.  Building on a common theme which includes devotion to God alone and concern for one's neighbor, the three parts reflect the pre-exile, Babylonian exile and return from exile periods of the history of Israel.  We will use the Kerygma study guide, which relates the themes of each lesson to masterpieces of Christian art from the centuries.

The Monday night group has become cohesive over the years, sharing treats and conversation as well as our Bible study.  Still, there is always room for more, and we will make you feel welcome.  See Mark Hamilton or Vince Hardt if you have not participated before and wish to join us now.  We will make sure there are sufficient course guides available.

​Worship

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Fall Worship Schedule
Starting Sunday, Sept 15, with one Service at 9:00am. Faith Formation for all Ages afterward at 10:15am.
Also - full worship service on the third Wednesday of each month after the Faith and Friendship lunch (11:30am). 

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Travelling?  You can find an ELCA congregation at www.elca.org/
​FindACongregation.  You may search by city, state, or zip code

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.)


 

​Fellowship

​Grace Yoga
Summer Session 2
Tuesday Sept 10
​This 6-week session will be $48 or a $10 drop in fee is always available. Yoga is a wonderful practice of body, mind and spirit. It is for everyone, not just the flexible!

Run4Home
Grace has a team running for DuPage PADS this Saturday, 9/14, and we would love any support either through fund-raising or walkers/runners to join us.  Thank you.  Lisa Goertzen
https://fundraise.dupagepads.org/team/252909

​Faith & Friendship
will meet on Wednesday, September 18 at 11:15am.  A worship service with communion will follow the luncheon.  All are welcome.

Women’s FaithTalk  
Join us on Thursday, September 19 from 10:00-11:30am for Women’s FaithTalk, a conversation and study group facilitated by Pastor Melody. This is a place to ask questions, share ideas, and build community. We’ll talk about scripture and tradition, current events, comparative religions, spirituality - wherever the Spirit takes us! We’re not limited to Grace members, or to any particular faith tradition; seekers and skeptics who want a place to explore spirituality are welcome too. The only requirements are a commitment to listen and share in a context of intentional and deep respect.

Run 4 Home 10K & 5K Run, 5K & 1K Walk
Saturday, September 21st 8:00am
703 W. Liberty, Wheaton.  Bring your family, friends, congregants and co-workers to DuPagePads 15th Annual Run 4 Home. The 10K and 5K CARA certified race and USATF certified course appeals to serious runners, casual joggers and walkers. This family friendly event includes a 1K Family Walk and Kids Corner featuring games, prizes, face painting and more.
Register to run or walk at https://fundraise.dupagepads.org/event/dupagepads-15th-annual-run-4-home/e227640
DuPagePads needs over 225 volunteers on race day! Groups are welcome! Sign up to volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c49acab28a5fe3-dupagepads4

Women of Grace
Thursday, September 26
7:00-9:00pm 
Reserve 22 in Glen Ellyn. Come gather with women from Grace Lutheran Church for snacks and refreshments. Fingers crossed in hoping we may be blessed with beautiful weather to enjoy the outdoor seating area. Friends are always welcome!

NEW MUSIC OPPORTUNITY!!
Generations Choir!!!
Fun new music program for  people of all ages to join. This will be a monthly opportunity to gather all ages, including our youngest members, to learn and rehearse on new song and present it on the following Sunday during the 9:00am service. This group will typically meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Songs chosen will appeal to all ages, sometimes with instruments, snapping and clapping of hands. Great way to involve the entire family!!! First rehearsal and dinner - Wednesday, Oct 16, 6pm. First music during the service, Sunday, Oct 20.
Contact Becky Ficarella with questions - 630.469.1555 x17, bficarella@graceglenellyn.org

Flower Chart for 2019
Please consider signing up for a Sunday or two! Bouquets are still $15 each. Please indicate on the chart how you would like your flowers acknowledged in the bulletin - in honor of, in memory of, etc.

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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Service
Opportunities​

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New Quilting Ministry
Grace is starting a quilting mission this fall on the first & third Wednesday mornings of each month from 9:30-11:15am. All are welcome - no experience needed.  This is just a friendly gathering of people looking to help others. On the third Wednesday of the month you are invited to stay for our Faith and Friendship luncheon followed by a full worship service with music and communion.
We are accepting donations of the following:   Blankets, medium/lightweight; Sheets,any size; Thread; Fabric; Large Clear Bins with lids; Working sewing machines
Please contact Michele Fenske at eksnefm@yahoo.com with any donations.

Do you like to paint? 
​The exterior of our west entrance needs to be scraped and painted.  You can check out the job at any time and then contact the church office if you are interested in taking on this project.

Wanted: small, travel size toiletries for PADS
to use in their outreach to the homeless members of our community.  As you travel, please bring back any unused soaps, shampoos, etc. from your hotel room and put them in the basket under the table in the Narthex.

Carole LoGalbo, our Parish Counselor, has moved to a new office.  She is sharing an office with the Parish Counselor at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn.  This offer came at a time when Grace is considering various mission partners for its space and there is a need for flood remediation in our building.  Her contact information remains: 630-668-4594 and carolelogalbo@gmail.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

Grace Council Notes
The Grace Council would like to propose three possible ministry outreach programs for the congregation's consideration.  Any new program will need involvement and support from the congregation to be successful. Here are the three ministries options proposed:

• Community quilting group for Lutheran World Relief
• 'Adulting' Classes, for young adults to learn basic skills in cooking, sewing, repairs, etc.
• Computer Basic Skills Classes for seniors and/or the immigrant community

Please respond to Susan Jacobson at susan.lb.jacobson@gmail.com or Barbara Sudds in the church office if you are interested in any of these ministries or have a passion for something else that you think we should try. We will gather additional information on how we can best start the new ministry once we understand where the congregation's interests are.

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.

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.


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 Monday and 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.

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.