Pastor’s

Corn

erFaith and PoliticsA lot of things come together on the calendar in No-

vember, and once every four years we get something extra: the election of a new president, or sometimes the reelection - a first-term president. The final days of the current election season are upon us, and I think that there is a consensus that this has been the nastiest, most con-tentious presidential campaign in living memory. That is an important qualification, however, because I do not believe that is the worst election our country has gone through – at least I pray that that will not prove to be the case. After all, the election of Abraham Lincoln in November of 1860, now almost universally considered to be one of our greatest presidents, was unacceptable to the southern states, which seceded from the Union the following spring, beginning four years of civil war.

God forbid that we should go down that road again. Our nation is deeply divided politically these days, and there are always people eager to exploit divisions in order to benefit themselves, no matter the costs to oth-ers, or to future generations. And they want us to do the same, to follow their lead. Selfishness and self-cen-teredness are deeply ingrained in our culture and in our personal experience. The way our economy works depends upon them. The entire advertising industry is dedicated to convincing us that we deserve to indulge our appetites and our whims. And let’s be honest, that’s not a very hard sell.

Let’s also be honest and call it what it is: a manifes-tation of our sinful condition. Our baptismal vocation, however, calls us to not be the people our culture is calling us to be. Baptized into the death and resurrec-tion of Jesus Christ, we are called in an entirely differ-ent direction: away from sinful selfishness and towards God and our neighbor. We shouldn’t pretend that that is an easy calling, because it’s not. We shouldn’t even pretend that it’s realistic or practical, because it isn’t. Without God’s help it’s a lost cause.

We are convinced, though, that God not only calls us in Holy Baptism, but also empowers and makes possible the life to which we are called, and for which we were created in the first place. In Jesus Christ God speaks a different Word into the chaos of our present reality, a Word of love and forgiveness, a Word of hope that God has not abandoned us, but is at work even here, even now in the midst of chaos, in the midst of di-vision, in the midst of hatred and hopelessness – maybe even in the midst of our fraught political process. Could

that be?It is our conviction as the baptized that we are the

body of Christ, agents of our Lord’s presence and ac-tivity in the world for the sake of the world, agents of love and forgiveness, of kindness and faithfulness, in concrete and everyday sorts of ways. And that extends even to the voting booth. Now, I’m not going to tell you how to vote, and not only because that might get us into trouble with the IRS. In previous years I would have said, “I won’t tell you how to vote, but just make sure you do vote.” But I’ve changed my mind on that score. Now I advise this: If you are going to vote, make sure that you exercise this power (because it is a power) not on your own behalf, not in your own interests, but in the interests of others and of the greater good.

If you plan to vote only for politicians and referen-da that serve your own interests at the expense of oth-ers, or out of anger or spite, then I would prefer that you didn’t vote at all, because I see that merely as a perver-sion and exploitation of our system of government, not to mention a manifestation of sin. That doesn’t mean that there is only one right way to vote, one particular candidate in each race that is God’s choice. I have long believed that people of good faith can vote selflessly and end up on the opposite side of a particular issue or candidate, and I still believe that. God has called us into the world as it is to be witnesses to the world as it should be, a new world that begins at the foot of the cross, where Jesus Christ faced down the evil and chaos of our sinfulness not with more of the same, but with death and resurrection that disarm evil and chaos and open up a new reality. May we trust that promise and act accordingly, not only on election day, but also in the months and years ahead.

November 2016 GoodNewsGrace Lutheran Church / 313 S. Prospect Ave. / Champaign, IL 61820 / www.gracelutherancu.org

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Food Pantry update The Pantry is seeking the following volunteers:

distribution volunteers for Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., once a month; unloaders for the truck the third Wednesday of every month from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m. and restockers once every six weeks with the time being flexible. The Pantry Board wishes to thank the congregation for their continued support of food, personal services and financial contributions. Our congregation and its volunteers provide a vital service to our community. This service is successful only through your support. Again, thank you for your prayers and monetary support.

Remember the second Sunday of every month is Food Pantry Sunday and the third Sunday every month is World Hunger Sunday. Your gift to help alleviate hunger in our community/around the world helps make a difference.

Grace will be having a special holiday giveaway in December. The pantry is asking for contributions of boxed stuffing mix and whole corn. Any monetary and food items are welcome as always but we would like to put the emphasis on the stuffing.

Your pantry board: Kathy Bowersox, Bob Koch, Karen Krusa, Carol Shupp, Royce Wilken

2017 Chancel flower sign-upOct. 30 and Nov. 6 will be Chancel Flower Sign-

up for 2017 in the narthex. Please stop by the table between services. Contact Gloria Rainer at 217-352-6115 with questions. Flowers will again be provided by Fleurish. Cost will be $45. Sign up to help beautify the chancel throughout the year in memory or celebra-tion of family or friends.

Poinsettia sign-upPoinsettia sign-up will be Nov.

27 and Dec. 4. Cost will be $10 again this year. Contact Gloria Rainer at 217-352-6115 with questions.

Social Ministry CommitteeIn October we: completed and sent to Lutheran World Relief:

40 personal care kits and 60 school kits assisted a Syrian refugee with grocery weekly

shopping and driving practice were among an interfaith community group

which welcomed a Congolese refugee family - GLC provided the bathroom supplies and money for four bus passes worked with an interfaith community group

building two houses with Habitat for Humanity…we also began raising funds toward our $2,000 before March, 2017 commitment for the Habitat projects (checks should be made out to Grace Lutheran Church memo Habitat Interfaith Build) through Bread for the World, sent 16 letters to

our legislators focusing on the nutrition and health of mothers and children around the world.Coming in November: Christmas gifts for foster children through

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. the mitten tree…donating warm mittens for

needy community children. possibly two more refugee families arrive in

the community and will need some assistance.If you would like more information about social

ministry projects, or if you would like to join the com-mittee please contact Grace Schoedel at 217-367-8798 or g.schoedel@comcast.net The social ministry com-mittee meets five times per year: the second Thursday of November, January, March, May and September. Our next meeting is on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

Coffee and dessertThe Women’s Bible Study will meet the third

Thursday of the month beginning in November. Join us for dessert and coffee in the narthex on Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.

Christmas servicesThe Worship and Music Committee is thinking of

eliminating the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service this year due to decreasing attendance. Please let the committee know if you have comments or questions. Also note that Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Sun-day this year and we will have only one service those days at 10 a.m.

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Christmas gifts for childrenLutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) has

once again asked Grace families to provide Christmas gifts for children in their foster care pro-gram. Last year our church provided gifts for well over half of the children in the program! Sign-ups to sponsor a child will begin in early November. Gifts are due back at the church no later than noon on Sunday, Dec.4. If you can’t return them that day, please contact Brian or Amy Nicely at 217-714-4903 or amy.nice-ly2@gmail.com to make arrangements to drop them off sooner.Things to keep in mind while shopping:

• LSSI recommends that each child receive three gifts valued at approximately $15 each. One gift should be a practical item (like clothing), and the other two should be fun items.

• You can use the wish list you’ll receive when you sign up to sponsor a child as a shopping guide. Sometimes the wishes are cost-prohibitive, but they’ll still give you an idea of the child’s interests, so you can pick something that fits within the budget.

• All gifts should be left unwrapped or placed in a gift bag.

Thank you for your generosity and help in making this Christmas special for the LSSI foster care chil-dren!

Pastor’s drop-in hoursUnless otherwise announced, Pastor Repp will be

available for drop-in visits in his office (i.e. no ap-pointment necessary) on Mondays from 1-3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Of course you are always welcome to make an appointment to meet with him at other times.

Youth Work Day, Nov. 5The Property Committee is asking all youth to sign

up and attend a work day on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. This will be followed by a time for lunch and fellowship, noon to 1 p.m. Use one of the sign-up sheets around the church, look on the bulletin board by the Rainbow Room, or sign up online. Information on the online sign-up was sent out last week. There will be indoor and outdoor projects. Parents are welcome to join the youth.

“Coffee and Conversations” resumes

As promised, “Coffee and Conversations” are being offered again this fall to provide an opportunity for the GLC family to connect with Pastor Repp and Helen. Please consider participat-ing in one of these sessions, especially if you were unable to participate in a previous one. Please see the display schedule in the narthex. Any-one interested in hosting can claim a date. You can host in the narthex or in your home. Please clarify the location on the schedule.

WELCA newsFaith Circle resumes monthly meetings

The Circle is scheduled to meet on the third Tues-day evenings of the month, weather permitting. Meet-ings are held in the narthex beginning with coffee and fellowship at 7 p.m. A brief business meeting at 7:30 p.m. precedes the Bible study, using materials from the monthly publication entitled “Gather for Faith and Action,” published by WELCA. Offerings we collect support selected GLC projects, local helping agencies, and the WELCA organization at the national level.

Below is the schedule for hostesses and lesson leaders:Date Hostess Lesson leaderNov. 15 Kathy Bowersox Nancy ReinertsenDec. 20 Pat Larsen ALL SHAREJan. 17, 2017 Carol Shupp Robyn Di Pietro-WellsFeb. 21 Jo Fleming Carol ShuppMarch 21 Bonnie Hummel Robyn Di Pietro WellsApril 18 Laurinda Osterbur Sue KozlowskiMay 16 Nancy Reinertsen Jo Fleming

Anyone interested in subscribing to the “Gather” publication should go to gathermagazine.org or call 844-409-0576. The cost of a subscription is $15 for ten issues per year.

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Grace Mitten Tree As the cold weather arrives, so does our concern

for children without warm clothing. Please bring your donations of mittens, gloves, hats and scarves to the Mit-ten Tree in the Narthex. They will be given to children at the Francis Nelson Health Center in Champaign.

Questions? Con-tact Marcia Licquia at marcia@licquia.com or 217-840-3371 for your social ministry committee.

Thanksgiving Eve Service Mark your calendars for the Thanksgiving Eve

Service at 7 p.m. on Nov. 23. Our friends from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will join us.

Pie fellowship announced There will be pie fellowship immediately after the

Thanksgiving eve service. Please sign up to bring pie, Cool Whip and/or apple cider and to help set up or clean up. Sign-up will be in the narthex next starting Nov. 6.

Social Ministry needs clothingFeeling thankful this fall? Social Ministry offers

opportunities to express it. Don’t have items? Consid-er going to resale shops.

• Winter is coming: For the Canteen Run we are collecting:

• Men’s Underwear, all sizes but especially size 3X.

• Socks and socks and more socks.• Coats, large sizes but especially 3X.• Blankets.

For Danville Correctional Center “Going Home” Pro-gram we are collecting:

• Trousers or jeans, all sizes, new or gently used.• Shirt, all sizes, new or gently used.• Light jackets, all sizes, new or gently used.Every year 500 men are released from Danville

Correctional Center dressed in trousers, shirt and light jacket. Some men do not have family able to send these items. Chaplain Chris has asked for our help in providing this clothing.

We will have tubs in the narthex to receive your donations!

Habitat Build

Oct. 26

Van Bowersox, Tim Marty, Ann Marty, Derek Pankau (back), Pastor Chris Repp and Helen Repp at the Habitat Build.

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Scripture readingsSunday, Nov. 6Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 The holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom.Psalm 149 Sing the Lord’s praise in the assembly of the faithful. (Ps. 149:1)Ephesians 1:11-23 God raised Christ from the dead and made him head over all the church.Luke 6:20-31 Jesus speaks blessings and woes.

Sunday, Nov. 13Malachi 4:1-2a A day of blistering heat for the arrogant; a day of heal-ing sun for the righteous.Psalm 98 In righteousness will the Lord judge the world. (Ps. 98:9)2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Do not be idle, but do what is right for the sake of Christ.Luke 21:5-19 Jesus speaks of wars, endurance, betrayal, and suffer-ing for his sake.

Sunday, Nov. 20Jeremiah 23:1-6 Coming of the shepherd and righteous Branch who will execute justice.Psalm 46 I will be exalted among the nations. (Ps. 46:10)Colossians 1:11-20 Hymn to Christ, firstborn of all creation; peace through his blood.Luke 23:33-43 Jesus is crucified between two thieves: you will be with me in Paradise.

Sunday, Nov. 27Isaiah 2:1-5 Weapons of war transformed into instruments of peace.Psalm 122 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1)Romans 13:11-14 Salvation is near; time to wake from sleep.Matthew 24:36-44 The sudden coming of the Son of Man.

Sign up for Fall Work DayThe Fall Work Day is scheduled for Nov. 12. There

will be both indoor and outdoor projects. A listing of some of those projects will be available in late Oct. to help you plan what you want to do. Look for the online sign up information this week, or sign up on the paper sheets in the Narthex. We need many hands to do the work.

Caption photo on right: Natalie Pankau and her daughter Evelyn painted parking lot

markings - you are never too young to serve.

Prayer & Praise• Harry Clem*, ongoing health issues.• Gail Dahlstedt, sister of Kathy Hamel*, facing

personal challenges.• Kathy Hamel*, with health concerns. • Margaret Harms*, ongoing health concerns.• Brian Henry*, with health concerns.• Oscar Hsu, son-in-law of John and Jan Ison* and

husband of Jennifer Ison*, undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.

• Rosemary Kempin, sister-in-law of Karen Krusa*, recovering from open heart surgery.

• Taylor Lykins*, daughter of Gina and Todd Lykins*, sister of Jason Bluhm,* and granddaughter of Syndey Bianchini*, making progress.

• Jess, sister of Erika Bilger* is doing well following the birth of Elliott James Meagher who was born at under two pounds. He is now making progress.

We pray also for the families and friends of Anita Pride, friend of Ann Marty.*

Please also keep in your prayers:• Doris Digges*, with health concerns.• Ruth Plymire, with ALS. She is the mother

of Deanna Uphoff, a close friend of Kathy Bowersox*.

• Dolores Yarbrough*, at home and doing well.

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Attendance statistics 2016 2015Oct. 2 139 154Oct. 9 136 158 Oct. 16 143 193Oct. 23 116 158

Tee-shirt sign-upWe are still taking orders for the beautiful, gold

colored tee-shirts: “God’s Work…Our Hands.” The shirts are only $8 (more for plus sizes) and are great for wearing when you are working at the Food Pantry, gardening in the church yard, teaching Sunday School or building a Habitat House! We need a minimum of 20 orders before placing our third order. Right now, there are eight, so we need 12 more. Please sign up in the narthex or contact Grace Schoedel at 217-367-8798 or g.schoedel@comcast.net

Grace changes staff emailsPlease note the following changes to Grace staff

emails – all ending in @gracelutherancu.org. The ad-dress “marilyn” has been closed. The email “calcorn” for Chris Alcorn has been changed to “office”. And the address “laurie” has been changed to “communi-cations”. Please note these changes in your address books and group emails. Thank you.

St. Andrew’s Sunday set On Sunday, Nov. 13, former Grace pastor

and current president of St. Andrew’s board, Roger Digges will visit Grace with paralympic marathoner and active student member at St. Andrew’s, Susannah Scaroni. In addition to a brief Temple Talk at each service, they will give a presentation between services in the Hoffmeister Room on our partnership with St. Andrew’s significant ministry on the University of Illinois campus, the U of I’s national leadership in making campuses accessible, and their hopes for im-proving accessibility at the ministry center.

Prayer Requests Grace has a group of people who are privileged to join their prayers in a combined effort on behalf of others. If you would like to use our prayer chain, you may contact the church office at 356-6232 or call Kathy Bowersox at 217-778-9454 or ke-funkysox@yahoo.com to make a request.

Prayers are invited:An asterisk (*) following a name indicates Grace Lutheran Church affiliation. Please keep in your prayers:• Martin Wolske, now in rehab at Carle, making

great progress daily.• Marj Randell* prayers over health concerns.• Jane Queller*, recovering from back surgery.• Cindy, friend of Peggy Waltershausen* now in a

care facility following a stroke.• George Waltershausen father of Peggy.

Waltershausen* recently finished a round of chemotherapy.

BirthdaysJulia Jones (2)Chet Alwes (5)Louis Laugges (5)Matthew Wilkie (5)

Anniversaries Kris & Tracy Ehler (9) Rodney & Nancy Marshall (19) Larry & Carolyn Pater (27) Chet Alwes & Marlys Scarbrough (30)

Adele Miller (6) Eleanor Hoch (7) Christopher Skaar (7) Laurie Trent (8)Debra Peterson (9) John Meyer (10)Katharine Flugge (12)Isaac Kasten (12)Meg Loven (14)Andrew Troutt (16) Erick Loven (22) Shirley Marty (23) Allison Archer (24) Alice Hadley (24) Andrea Scroggins (25) Tucker Loven (28) Patrick Tessene (28) Liqiang Wei (30)

November 2016 Worship Support. Please arrange your own subs!

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This Month at Grace

Grace StaffPastor: Pastor Chris Repppastor@gracelutherancu.orgCommuniCations sPeCialist: Laurie Vial communications@gracelutherancu.org offiCe assistant: Chris alCornoffice@gracelutherancu.org DireCtor of musiC: Alex Underwood785-324-1410 aundrwd2@illinois.edu

organist: Dana Robinson 217-898-3479nursery CoorDinator Paula Miller..................................217-649-0747nursery assistants Jillian Devine and Jonlyn Millernursery assistant (youth) Melissa Eguia Goldman sounD teChniCian Kevin Vail.........................217-493-5503

2016-2017 Grace conGreGation councilPresiDent (1st Term) [2016-18] Dave Larson 217-621-7829; dlarson907@aol.comViCe PresiDent (1st Term) [2016-18] Van Bowersox 217-356-0367; soxxos@sbcglobal.net and Liaison to Mutual Ministry treasurer Kim JohnsonseCretary (2nd Term) [2015-17] Ja’Net Miller 217-202-8765; tobycatus@hotmail.com

members-at-large (2-Year Terms)Dena Bagger (2nd Term) [2016-2018] Hospitality denabagger@aol.omJoe Bagger (1st Term) [2015-2017] Co-Liaison/Stewardship jojobagger@gmail.comKathy Bowersox (2nd Term) [2016-2018] Lay Ministry kefunkysox@yahoo.comBob Devine (1st Term) [2016-2018] Co-Liaison/Stewardship rdevine100@gmail.comKathy Eckstein (1st Term) [2016-2018] Liaison to Finance kathyecks@ameritech.netNancy Marshall (1st Term) [2015-2017] Worship & Music nrmarshall58@gmail.comBrian Nicely (1st Term) [2016-2018] Evangelism benicely@gmail.comCindy Thackeray (2nd Term) [2015-2017] Christian Education cy.thackeray@gmail.comJuanita Loschen (1st term) [2015-2017] Liaison to Social Ministry nita1949@comcast.net

member-at-large (1-Year Term)Art Traugott (1st Term) [2016-2018] Property atraugott@sbcglobal.net

Co-finanCial seCretaries Jo Fleming, Paula Miller

2016-2017 Nominating Commmittee: Joe Meyer, Chair; Tim Marty, Carolyn Pater, Grace Schoedel, Wayne Stahl, and Claire Vail.

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Church contact information217-356-6232313 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign, IL 61820office@gracelutherancu.orgOffice Hours 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday-Friday