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
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 winter 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. 
Coming up in
Adult Forum
April 5 & 12 – No Class
(spring break and Easter)
Coffee and fellowship is still on during Spring Break. On easter, join us for a light Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt!.
April 19 & 26 
Joint Class with Confirmation: Law & Gospel. a a chance to revisit this Luther Classic with the questions you've discovered over the years. How important is each? How do we live with both at the same time? 

Womens' FaithTalk
Second Thursday
of the month
TBD, 10:00-11:30am
April 9 is Maundy Thursday, the first day of the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, 
good Friday, Celebrations of the Resurrection). These days are the most important worship experience of the Christian calendar, so we'll explore their meaning and their role in Christian faith. 

Monday Night Bible Study
The Study of Hebrews 
resumes this coming Monday, March 30, 7pm, using Session 3 from our study book, via the electronic platform  
GoToMeeting.  Details have been sent to the regular participants.  Anyone else interested in joining, please contact Mark Hamilton kandm1053@comcast.net
or Vince Hardt, vvince2001@hotmail.com.  Thereafter, we will meet on each Monday evening except when Council is meeting. [Appears next Council meeting is April 6 as Council will be meeting twice per month during the current situation.  We will send dates as we know them.]

Wednesday Morning
Bible Study has Resumed
Tim Stephan has offered to take the lead on this class.  Class meets every Wednesday at 7:30am in Becky’s office.  The code to the handicap door for this class is 6473#.  Thank you Tim!

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!!!

​Worship

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Worship Schedule
NO WORSHIP SERVICES 
Update on reopen TBD

Easter Service
If we miss Easter (as it seems likely we will), we will celebrate Easter on our first Sunday back together, no matter when that is! In the meantime, after Palm/Passion Sunday (when we’ve “run out” of Lent) Pastor Melody will choose texts and prepare a sermon for each Sunday. After our Easter celebration we will pick up with the liturgical calendar at the current date.

Grace Together
Dear Friends at Grace,
While the COVID-19 virus is impacting all of us, we want to make you aware of resources available online at Grace. This is a difficult time for all of us creating much anxiety and worry. We need to hold each other in love and prayer. Online at 
www.GraceGlenEllyn.org 
Some spiritual health resources are available including:
Lent Series:  Praying the Labyrinth
Sunday Sermons:  Pastor Melody is recording video sermons while community worship is suspended.
Music for Meditation:  Director of Music Bradford Thompson is periodically uploading piano instrumentals for you to use for devotions or centering time. 
Listen to Amazing Grace, It Is Well With My Soul, and an original composition, Trust.
While people must stay home and avoid social contact, some may be unable to acquire the basics they may need. If you are in need of assistance, you can request assistance through the Grace Lutheran website,
graceglenellyn.org  under Service Opportunities, choose CIRCLE OF CARE.  There is an option there to receive help or offer your services.

Tentative
Holy Week Schedule
April 5, Palm Sunday
9:00am
April 9, Maundy Thursday 7:00pm
April 10, Good Friday
7:00pm
Resurrection of the Lord Easter Day:  April 12 - Worship at 9:00am followed by refreshments in the Fellowship Room.
Easter Egg Hunt @ 10:30am
Bring a basket and join in the fun! Find eggs filled with stickers and special treats! No candy or sweets will be in these eggs. We will hand out a fruit snack to children after the hunt is complete. See you there!

Traveling?  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’s Website
is being updated almost daily with new resources, including instrumental and sing-along music from Bradford; coloring pages for relaxing, meditation and prayer; coloring pages for little ones; links to videos and articles to help you manage stress and anxiety; and, of course, Wednesday and Sunday sermons from Pastor Melody.  And more resources are in the planning, so check back often!  Resources are available online at 
www.GraceGlenEllyn.org
​Reminder:   Liturgy, sermon, and children’s bulletin will be available on the website Sunday morning.

Grace Building Closed
Friday, April 3
The Food Pantry has hired a cleaning company to disinfect the main floor of our building.  We do not know if any chemical odors may reach the upper or lower levels so we are asking that no one enter the building that day.  Thank you.

​Generations Choir
Bring a potluck item to share for dinner. We will meet for dinner from 6:00-6:45pm and then sing in the balcony from 6:45-7:15pm. Young and old are invited! You do not need to read music to join this group.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
 March: No Generations due to midweek Lenten worship.
 April: Rehearsal is tentatively Wednesday, April 29, presenting at worship on Sunday, April 19.  
 May & June: Generations is on break!
 July: Rehearsal is Wednesday, July 15, presenting at worship on Sunday, July 19.
 August: Rehearsal is Wednesday, August 12, presenting at worship on Sunday, August 16.

All Ages Barn Dance
Tentatively Sunday, April 19
2:00-3:30pm
Come join us in Grace's Gym for the last barn dance of the season! This is a great workout and a joyful time for all. Bring a friend and step to the beat!

Women of Grace
Tentatively Thursday, April 23
7:00-9:00pm
Moveable Feast in Wheaton
Come join us for fellowship and food. Bring a friend and join the fun!
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Community Quilters
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
of the month
9:30-11:15 am
Creating quilts for Lutheran World Relief.
We are accepting donations of fabric (any size and shape), sheets and thread.
These quilts provide hope and comfort to people who have lost everything. You can be a part of someone's Good News! Hope to see you soon..

Flower Chart for 2020
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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Circle of Care
While the COVID-19 virus is spreading through our community and forcing people to stay home and avoid social contact, this affects many that have not been able for various reasons to acquire the basics they may need.  If you are in need of groceries, sundries, or even gas put in your car, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.  
There is no fee for the service of shopping and delivery. The person who is able to help you with your needs will arrange a method of payment for the goods with you.  This may include cash, check, PayPal, Venmo.
You can request assistance through the Grace Lutheran website graceglenellyn.org  under Service Opportunities, choose CIRCLE OF CARE.  There is an option to offer your services or receive help.
Thank you and stay well,
Sooz Hufnagle

CROP Walk Update
This mission has not changed due to COVID-19 and, in fact, the need for local and global food supply is even more imperative - so let's stay focused and do everything we can to raise funds to fight hunger!!
The event on May 3 will adapt to the limitations in place at that time - while we cannot predict exactly - we have decided the following:
1) LET'S WALK on May 3 at 1pm separately but together in our cause!!
You can walk anywhere and any distance - but let's all walk at 1pm.
You can walk 3 miles in a park or 1 mile in your neighborhood or 3 feet in your living room!!
ACTION: Sign-up on this web-site so we can see everyone who will be walking!! Or contact me, Mike Pertle, and I can sign you up!!
Even family and friends in other cities and states can participate!!
There will be no gathering or check-in - just walking!
2) DONATE - Please continue to encourage people to donate to this cause. This web page enables on-line contributions and we welcome donations now through May!!
ACTION: Send this link to family and friends anywhere in the U.S. who want to help support our local and global food supplies!!
If you sign up to walk - they can donate directly to you - or to Gary Church as a whole. Any amount is appreciated!!
To donate, sign up to walk, or both – website is available now!!
crophungerwalk.org/glenellynil/garyumc2020
What's important is that we remain purposeful to this cause and stay in community even if we are not physically together! Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 3 to participate any way you can!

Community Vacation Bible School
 June 22-26
First Congregational Church
We are excited to announce that Grace will continue our VBS partnership with First Congregational Church and Faith Lutheran Church. This year Community VBS will take place at First Congregational Church, just one block north of Grace on Forest Avenue. Registration can be found at the following link: https://forms.gle/8SRv38WhYLVWMZ2K7

​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

​Wooly Knitters
We are a charity knitting group called Wooly Knitters, and we meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00-3:00pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Avenue in Glen Ellyn. We have more than 15 members and we make hats, scarves, mittens and afghans to donate to local veterans and 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, and others. We try to provide free yarn to our knitters in return for their time and beautiful work and can always use yarn or monetary donations to keep us 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 me at 630/624-6002 or via email at robinbella@ymail.com. Thanks so much for your consideration.  
Robin Bellezzo

The Pill Bottle Ministry
This ministry is moving forward under the direction of Mark Hamilton. The ministry meets every Tuesday evening from 6-7:00pm in the gym kitchen. Additional volunteers are always welcomed and needed! If you know someone who needs Community Service Hours, they can contact Mark at 630-841-2941 to schedule their service.

​The “Glovebox Bundles”
​that were assembled on November 9th at the Thrivent office of Rob Granner are available in the narthex. These bundles contain items that a homeless person could use so while you are driving and see someone asking for a handout you can open your glovebox and offer a bundle.   Thank you Rob.

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.

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

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.

​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.

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.