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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Faith Formation for Adults
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. 
November 17 – ELCA Social Statements: Racism
      Like abortion, this is an issue that keeps coming back. We’ve been talking about it a long time in the Church—but the conversation may not be exactly what you thought it was.
November 24th - Sound Meditation offered in the Great Room
Local Sound Practitioner and Glen Ellyn Native, Karen Tlusty will be offering Sound Meditation in the Great Room.  A Sound Meditation or Sound Bath is a meditative experience in which you sit in a chair, or may lay on the ground while soaking in the vibrations of a variety of instruments including; tibetan singing bowls & Native American Flute... The vibrations and frequency experienced create a calming effect, which can help to aid the effects of anxiety, insomnia, stress, and illness. Sit back and relax after service. You will be so glad you didn't miss this!

Sound Meditation: Everything in the universe is made of vibrations. By taking the time to surround your body in sound vibrations you can restore vital energy that is depleted during daily activities and align yourself on a cellular level to your Divine Truth. By listening deeply you can Quiet the mind, Clean and clear your light body, Revitalize the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies, Remove blocks and patterns that no longer serve you, Receive guidance from your inner source of knowing Honor the commitment of self care and self love. Join us for a unique sound meditation utilizing the Native American flute, Tibetan bowls and other instruments to create a heightened meditation space. When we still the body and open our hearts and minds to sound vibrations, we can connect with our deepest source of wisdom, one that empowers and guides us to manifest our highest potential.
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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.

Thanksgiving Eve
Worship Service
Nov 27, 7:00pm
Faith Lutheran Church, GE. 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 which comes from God, our Creator.

A mid-week worship service takes place at 12:30pm every week using the lessons from the previous Sunday.
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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

Faith & Friendship
Wednesday, Nov 20, 11:30am
Everyone of any age is welcome to join us for good food and good fellowship.  Come join us!

Women's FaithTalk
Thursday, Nov 21
FaithTalk hosts a special, 4-hour class to watch the movie Kingdom of Heaven, a fictionalized account of the 12-century Crusade in which the Muslim military leader Saladin reconquered Jerusalem after the Christians had held the city for 88 years. It’s a fascinating look at how the dynamics of politics, greed, war, and faith have played out in the history of Christian-Muslim relations. Because of the length of the movie, we will meet at 10:00, watch the first half of the movie, then break for a simple soup lunch at noon before finishing the film and sharing discussion. We will wrap up around 2:00.

Women of Grace
This month we will meet at Santa Fe in Glen Ellyn
from 7-9pm.
Thursday, Nov 21,
​We will gather at Santa Fe restaurant in downtown Glen Ellyn for fellowship, snacks and a beverage. Friends are always welcome!

Family Open
Gym Night
Friday, Nov 22
6:30-8pm
​Feel free to bring bikes or scooters. We will have bags, hula hoops, balls, etc. Come let your children run off the week so you can sleep in a little the next day! :) 

Grace Yoga
Fall Session 2
Tuesday, Nov 19
​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!

Boy Scouts of America,
Troop 45 Pancake Breakfast
of Glen Ellyn is hosting their 67th Annual Pancake Breakfast on December 7. This is the annual all you can eat fundraising event held by Troop 45 to fund the youth programs for the year. Breakfast will be held at 8am until 12pm at First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn (Corner of Duane and Forest). The Troop will be selling tickets door to door around Glen Ellyn on November 2nd and the 9th.  Tickets will be available for sale by Scout as well as at the door. Tickets are $5. Children under 7 are free.

Poinsettias are now
available to order
The Poinsettias will be on the altar December 22nd through Christmas Eve worship and can be brought home after your evening service. The order form to order a Poinsettia plant is in the bulletin or you can contact the church office and indicate your order and a dedication.  Plants are $15 each and can be ordered in red or white.  Indicate your color preference and the number of each you would like.  December 8th is the last day to place an order.

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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Towel Collection for Holiday Shoppe:  Holiday Greetings!  
The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry will be distributing toys to children in our service area again this year. This Holiday Shoppe event will be different from last year, as only children between 3-15 years old will be receiving gifts donated by the Humanitarian Service Project. However, we thought it would be nice for adults to have a special gift to take home from the Holiday Shoppe event this year. As such, the pantry is asking for donations for NEW TOWEL SETS (bath towel, hand towel and washcloth) that will be distributed to each family attending the Holiday Shoppe.   Who doesn’t need and enjoy new bath towels?
The pantry is hoping to collect an ample supply to provide larger families with two or more sets per family.  You can purchase towels as sets or separately if you wish, and tie them together with a festive holiday ribbon.  The target is 300 towel sets from the Food Pantry’s 14 member churches.
Donations may be brought to Grace on either Sunday, December 8 or 15. There will be a collection bin in the Narthex.  The Holiday Shoppe will take place on Thursday, December 19 from 1-7pm. 

Share Your Blessings...
When the pilgrims first settled in America they celebrated a meal with the native Indians, giving thanks for the bountiful harvest. The turkey became a symbol of that first Thanksgiving feast. Fast forwarding to the 21st century, America is now made up of many different ethnic groups, each giving thanks according to their culture. The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry’s goal at this time of year is to provide complete Thanksgiving meals of choice to those struggling to celebrate the holiday. Your contributions will enable the Pantry to assist those requesting help. If you know anyone unable to provide Thanksgiving meal for their family, please have them contact the Pantry at 630-469-8668. Flyers and contribution envelopes are located in the narthex and bulletins. The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry is very grateful for the strong support it has received from the community of Grace for the past 40 YEARS!  We wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.

AmazonSmile
Remember to shop at AmazonSmile when making purchases online. In order to browse or shop at AmazonSmile, customers must first select a charitable organization. Here is the link for Grace Lutheran:
http://smile.amazon.com/
​ch/36-2496438 
When you sign on, you will see “Supporting Grace Lutheran Church” in the upper left hand corner. Then just shop as you normally do. There is no cost to Grace or to you, the customer. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the Amazon-Smile Foundation will donate a percentage of your purchase amount to Grace.

Building Users Wanted
The gym at Grace is available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings as well as various other times during the week and on the weekend.  We also have classrooms that are available during the day and evenings. If you know of anyone looking for weekly space; music, basketball, arts, theatre, darts, exercise, dance, instruction, etc. please have them contact the church office at
​630-469-1555 or info@graceglenellyn.org.

​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

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.

New Quilting Ministry
Community Quilters:  Community Quilters meets on the first & third Wednesday mornings of each month from 9:30-11:15am. All are welcome - no experience needed. 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.

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

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.