Social Events and Announcements
ASH WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. members of Grace's worshiping community will observe the ancient ritual of the imposition of ashes. Following an extended confession after the sermon, worshipers who wish to will be invited to come forward and have ashes imposed on their foreheads in the form of a cross. Both an extended absolution and communion will follow the imposition of ashes. The purpose of this ritual is to remind us of our baptismal identity. We hope you'll join us Ash Wednesday evening.
FOOD, FUN AND SONG!
Grace will have a potluck dinner followed by a hymn sing-along and a bounce house for the kids on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. This will multi-generational fun for everyone! More information will be coming about this event in February!
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS
There will be Lenten soup suppers February 29 through March 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the Grace Fellowship Hall. Please sign up in the Narthex if you would like to bring soup or bread or if you can help clean up.
MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES
Each Wednesday evening during the season of Lent, February 29-March 29, Grace will offer a 30 minute midweek service from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. This year midweek worship will combine a traditional vespers service, including the celebration of light, with a contempoary reader's theater being written by Pastor Roger.
CHILI MAKING DAY
On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, it is time for our semi-annual chili making day for the Emergency Shelter for Homeless Men (T.I.M.E.S.). Workers are needed for the early shift (8-9:30 a.m.), or the late shift (9:30-11 a.m.) in the Grace kitchen. Approximately 30+ gallons of chili will be prepared by WELCA (Grace Women) and donated to the Shelter. Also needed are 2 pound contributions of lean hamburger, browned with 2 cups of choped onion. Please deliver any hamburger donations to the Grace Kitchen refrigerate by Sunday, February 26, 2012.
DAY OF SERVICE
Mark your calendars! Coming March 3 is the Grace Day of Service. The Social Ministry Committee encourages you to sign up to make no-sew blankets at Grace Lutheran Church that Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fleece donations of one yard or bigger are needed. The blankets are then used at local women's shelters. Also on that day we will be cutting material to be used for the educational kits we sew and fill in late summer/early fall.
M&M (Meet and More) POTLUCK LUNCHEON
M&M will be held in the newly remodeled Narthex following late worship on Sunday, March 4, 2012. This "come as you are" potluck is for all members and visitors to Grace to get to know each other. Visitors, just bring your appetites, yourself and your family (our treat). Members, bring a dish to share. Come as you are. Enjoy!
FIRST WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Meet with Pastor every 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. for a verse-by-verse study of Galatians. Bring your Bible. We meet in the northwest corner of the Narthex. The next study will meet on March 7, 2012.
SPRING RETREAT
Join with women from throughout our synod for our annual Spring Retreat on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Camp Griesham near Hartsburg, Illinois. Our Synodical Mission Chairs are planning a relaxing event centered around what it means to show hospitality to others. If you would like to attend, please contact the church office for information.
VOLLEYBALL OPPORTUNITY
Grace Lutheran gal/guy Volleyball team looking for a gal that can play most Wednesday nights from January 25 to April 18. Match start times could be at 7:30, 8:15, 9:00 or 9:45 p.m. Matches are played at the Leonard Rec Center in Centennial Park. Transportation is available if needed.
BE A DELEGATE
The Nominating Committee is gathering names of interested confirmed members who would be willing to be a delegate to the Central/Southern Illinois Synod Assembly on June 7-9, 2012, in Springfield, Illinois. The commitment would be to attend the assembly from Thursday-Saturday and the conference meeting - usually Sunday afternoon, mid-March. The congregation will elect these delegates at the January Congregation Meeting. If interested, please contact any one of the Nominating Committe.
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
For the month of February, our food pantry is currently in need of boxed cereal, granola bars, and monetary donations for the purchase of food items, more volunteers to help in the pantry, and more plastic bags/paper bags/boxes to package the food. Please place your food donations in the large brown tub provided just inside the entrance. Stop in any Thursday for a visit to see what we do. We are also in need of additional volunteers to work in the Pantry on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 12:30, once a month or once every two months, and for hardy souls to help unload the food truck from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank each third Wednesday of every month from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Contact any Pantry Board Member for more information if you are interested.
YOUR 2012 GIVING ENVELOPES
Your 2012 Giving Envelopes are available on the narthex table. Please be sure to pick them up. If you have any questions, please contact the Church Parish Worker.
MISSING
Some of Grace's audio gear is missing - a couple of microphones, a small mixing board, hum eliminator, microphone stand and the speaker used as a monitor for guitars. These are normally kept locked in an upstairs room. If you have borrowed any of these items and have forgotten to return them, would you please do so. Thank you.
KNITTING FOR ALL
Our summer knitting group was so much fun, we've decided to keep meeting and sharing our knitting knowledge. We will be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 7 p.m. in the Narthex. This group is open to all women and girls who are interested in knitting. All levels of experience are welcome. We learn lots by sharing our knowledge and skills.
NAME A GRACE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Want to name a Grace Volunteer of the Month? A box and nomination form is located in the Narthex for you to fill out and slip the form into the box. This volunteer's name, possibly a photo and description will appear in our monthly Good News Newsletter. This will give you an opportunity to honor a special Grace Volunteer and for all of us to celebrate. Please name a volunteer once only, per year.
GRACE 100 YEAR ORNAMENTS
We are celebrating our 100th year! In honor of this occasion, we have available a beautiful commemorative ornament that you can display on your wall, Christmas tree, etc. It is a 3 1/2" oval ceramic ornament with a drawing of Grace Church on both sides and an accompanying ribbon and gift box. The cost is $8 each. If you would like one, please see Cathy Berschinski following worship in the narthex.
ONE LOAF
A new schedule for communion breach volunteers will be mailed in November. Over the past years the same small group of people have contributed the bread. But our group for both services has shrunk and we need help. The commitment is for one loaf of bread (purchased at your favorite grocery) every 4-6 months. All instructions are mailed to you. The procedure is painless. Please consider helping out. Let the church office know if you are interested in joining this group.
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!
Our church is a very busy place and used by many members and groups. SO.....
- When you use something, please remember to return it to where you found it. If you use it up and need more, please notify the office staff so that they can purchase more or put a note in the Property Committee mailbox.
- Also, just a reminder, each group is responsible for cleaning up after themselves. This includes taking out the trash and returning the room to the way it was when you started your activity.
- Our cleaning service comes three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights). SO, IF YOUR GROUP HAS MADE A MESS, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE AREA IS CLEANED UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
- Also, please check to make sure all windows are closed and all doors are locked and lights out before you leave the building.
THANKS!
GRACE PROPERTY PROJECTS
Do you ever see something at Grace that needs fixing? If anyone in the congregation sees something that needs to be fixed or cleaned around the church, please stop by the Office Workroom and complete a form available in the mailbox slot titled "Grace Property Projects." The form asks you to describe the item to be cleaned or fixed, the date you are reporting it, your name and phone number so we can follow up if the items need more explanation. Thanks for helping to keep Grace repaired and shining!
PARTNERING AGAINST HOMELESSNESS
Partnering Against Homelessness is a group of individuals from several area churches who have come together to offer help to the homeless in our area. The main focus of the group is the Canteen Run. Volunteers use the Salvation Army canteen truck to bring food, clothing and blankets to the homeless living on the streets of Champaign-Urbana. The "Runs" are made on Mondays and Thursdays between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. each week during the winter months. If you would like to volunteer for the Canteen Run, please contact the church office for contact information. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please write a check to the Salvation Army and note "Canteen Run" on the memo line. The current needs for the Canteen Run are men's xlarge-2xx coats and sweaters, warm blankets, warm gloves and hats, trial size lotion, toothpaste, disposable razors, snack crackers, and snack fruits.
COFFEE HOUR
Isn't Coffee Hour pleasant in the remodeled narthex? If you are willing to prepare or purchase the snacks, but arriving early enough to get the coffee brewed doesn't fit your schedule, please make that note on the sheet or contact Cathy Digges to be teamed up with an early bird. Likewise, if setting it all up works for you, but you want to make it to Sunday School on time, let Cathy know and she will find a partner to job-share with you. Your help is appreciated!!
NEW PHOTO RELEASE FORM
Grace has instituted a Photo Release Form to allow us to post pictures of church events on our Web Page. Photos will not be posted on the Grace Web Page unless the individuals pictured have signed Photo Release Forms on file in the office. Blank forms are available in the Narthex, and can be turned into the church office. More details can be found on the back of the form.
ELCA WORLD HUNGER
Every 4th Sunday of the month is World Hunger Sunday at Grace. This is a time to pray about world hunger and an opportunity to give. World Hunger envelopes are provided in the sanctuary pews for your convenience should you want to make a donation to alleviate hunger in our world.
Please refer to our church calendar for a complete listing of all upcoming social events.
