GRACE. Notes of. Mark Your Calendar. Gigabytes of Grace. July 9 Back Door Theater Donut Sale Interfaith Coffee & Conversaon

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1 Notes of GRACE Mark Your Calendar July 9 Back Door Theater Donut Sale Interfaith Coffee & Conversaon July 14 Taizé (St Francis Xavier) July 16 Mission Trip Blessing 9:30 Service Special Congregaon Meeng July 30 Dr. Kurt Hendel Guest Preacher July 31-Aug 4 VBS Week August 6 VBS Kids 9:30 service August 9 OPUS Picnic August 11 Taizé (Grace Lutheran) August 13 College Student Blessing August 21 Back Pack Blessing Gigabytes of Grace By Pastor Ben Sloss Dear Friends, We are excited that over the past few months, Grace has been able to increase the use of technology to connue to share and enhance our mission to be the hands, heart and feet of Christ in the world. Grace Place Kids Worship (PreK-6 th Grade) includes short videos and musical sound effects to engage children in telling a different Bible story every week. Our 2-6 year olds who come to Children s Church look forward to a special story and message from Ollie the Owl who appears like magic on the TV cart in the Chapel. People gathering in the Fellowship Hall can glance over and see what is happening around the church on our automacally rotang digital signs. Those that can t physically be church on a given Sunday, have joined in our worship services via the computer live on our recentlyredesigned website. Some of you may be wondering... Do we really need all of this technology?... maybe not. Our faith tradions are centered on the story of Jesus. A church is people who gather together to share that story and who work to see God in the world around them. But we are also called to grow faithful disciples... the screens, websites, videos, music, and even pastors or a building seem like add-ons. These add-ons, while not essenal to the story of Jesus or what it means to be a church, help us to go beyond

2 the basics of what a church can do and help to grow faithful disciples with relevant tools of the day. When one thinks about church, websites, screens and cameras may not be the first thing you think of. From the very beginning, however, the Church has used the latest technology to spread its message. Paul used the Roman roads and legers to communicate with the earliest churches. The prinng press made it possible for common people to own a Bible and serve as an avenue for reformers like Marn Luther to have their ideas heard. Every day technology is helping to connect people, to share the Gospel lessons and to grow the faith of believers. People tuning in to Grace worship services and those who access sermons online have heard more than 300 hours of worship. Each week, I hear from more and more members and guests who tell me that they were so happy to be able to feel connected to this community even though they were traveling, sick, or unable to physically get to worship. Although things may not be exactly as they have been in the past, we can rejoice in these new technologies that help us to stay more connected to one another, expand our reach beyond the walls of our building (literally worldwide), and lii us up when we are not physically present to hear God s word and grow our faith. If you haven t yet, please check out our live stream Sunday mornings at gracelg.org/live or watch/listen to one of our recent sermons anyme at gracelg.org/sermons Blessings, Pastor Ben (aka Pastor Tech Guy) Come and Grow with Us Grace welcomes all to join our community of faith as we grow together. Thinking about becoming a member of Grace? Find out what Grace is all about and how you can more fully parcipate by agending a two-session New Member Orientaon. Whether you re considering membership or just want to learn more about Grace s beliefs and values and how you can get involved, we d love to have you join us: New Member Orienta+on Mondays, September 18 & October 2 7:00-8:15 pm (Childcare available) Register online or Karen Janik at Looking forward to exploring with you what God can do in us when we follow him together! k.janik@gracelg.org Sermon Series small Steps July 6 September 3...every day

3 11:00 3:00 pm Explore new foods, many of which will be prepared by members of the refugee community, as they hope to share some of their favorite things with friends. Music from around the world will entertain guests and give them another glimpse at the many ways Chicago's diverse refugee community contributes to our culture. Come as a way to show your support for this growing community, meet new people, and learn more about refugees! Changing lives this summer. Thank you for your generous giving this past quarter. So many people are experiencing the love of Jesus because of You! A service of Song Scripture Prayer Silence & Candlelight Taizé worship allows us to step away from our busy lives, quiet our minds and listen for God s voice. It also serves as a visible sign of reconciliaon among those of differing faith tradions promong healing in the world. Please join us this summer. Friday, July 14 7:30 pm Saint Francis Friday, August 11 7:30 pm Grace Lutheran 20 Homeless individuals have taken shelter from the weather, had a warm meal and a safe place to sleep thru the BEDS Plus Summer Transional Program. In addion to hosng the program for a week this summer, Grace members served as site shii supervisors, provided meals and laundry services. 107 parcipated in Adult VBS for lively discussion and fellowship. How will WE live out God's plan in the next 500 years? 177 Children and nearly 100 volunteers of all ages will fill Grace at the end of July for Maker Fun Factory VBS. Imagine a place where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they re lovingly craied by God. 20 Genesis Teens and leaders will travel to East Moline, IL where poverty is 3X the naonal average. They will discover real need right here in the U.S. and learn that by giving of themselves, they can truly make a difference. Thank you for your faithful giving, your generosity makes programs like these possible! If you have not already done so, please consider signing up for recurring giving. It s fast, simple and really helps us keep the lights on and programs going during the summer months. Visit

4 Aging comes with wisdom, understanding and new opportunies. As individuals age, priories change and so do lifestyles. Aging is a normal part of life and when the enre community supports each other, everyone has the opportunity to have the best experience in their later years. Aging Care Connecons focuses on improving the quality of life for the older adults in our community and has been a longme Special Benevolence partner of Grace. Each year more than individuals and their families receive services at Aging Care Connecons. Since first opening its doors in 1971, Aging Care has grown and developed to offer a comprehensive range of programs and services specifically designed to meet the changing needs of the older adult populaon. Some of the programs and services provided by Aging Care Connecons include: Adult Protecve Services Caregiver Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Home Delivered & Congregate Meals Informaon & Assistance In-home Assistance & Support Groups Transional Care & Transportaon Assistance Grandparents Raising Grandchildren School Supplies Drive Naonwide, 2.7 million grandparents are raising grandchildren and about one-fiih of those fall below the poverty line. Help support local families thru the Aging Care Connecons School Supplies Drive. For informaon on items needed visit the display in Fellowship Hall. Kindergarten High School July 30-August 20 Pens Pencils Crayons Backpacks Markers Highlighters Erasers Glue Scks Summer Fun The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program offers services that include support groups, respite and counseling for grandparents and other relaves raising grandchildren. The program currently serves 20 grandparents and 38 grandchildren. The groups focus on giving grandparents a place to come and share their thoughts and ideas on the challenges of raising grandchildren. Over the last two years, the program has experienced a 20-30% growth of new grandparents needing support. Families needing financial support due to seniors living on a fixed income has increased due to children being placed in the home unexpectedly. For more informaon regarding registraon, teacher openings or Grace Preschool happenings, please contact Director Heather Grant at h.grant@gracelg.org.

5 Mission Trip 2017 July Sunday Mornings Preschool 3 6 th Grade (Sept. May) Please join us on July 16 th at 9:30 Worship as we bless the 20 teens and leaders heading to East Moline, IL on their Mission Trip. The group will experience real need right here in the U.S. and learn that by giving of themselves, they truly can make a difference. Most importantly, they will encounter Jesus and know that his presence in their daily lives is the most important thing. These teens truly believe that as Chrisans, we shouldn t just talk about helping people in need. They will get out and start swinging hammers, use power tools and do whatever they can to make a difference in people s lives. A former Mission Trip parcipant shared, Just seeing the happiness on the resident's face, it increases everyone s love, and it brings us closer to God. If you would like to support this year s mission trip, please visit or contact Genesis Director Keith Vedmore Summer me means no school and lots of sunshine... Grace Place Kids is on vaca- on too! Have no fear... Children s Church is here! During the 9:30 and 11:00 services, children ages 2-6 are led to the Chapel for a short video and lesson during the sermon. This summer we are sharing stories about awesome kids from the Bible who totally rocked: Jesus, young Samuel and David as a boy. We want our kiddos to know that they can do what God wants them do too and that totally rocks! Excing news! Coming Fall 2017, Grace Place Kids will also be held at 11:00! This mul-age Children s Worship includes a 15-minute message for Preschool Kindergarten and a 30-minute message and Communion/Blessing for students 1st -6th grade. As you are relaxing in the summer sun, please prayerfully consider how YOU can be a part of Grace Place Kids ministry. We need YOU to keep this vibrant worship acve and growing. What team will you join? Leader Team? Snacks? Worship Team? Tech Team? Greeter Team? Behind-the-Scenes? There is something for everyone! Where might God be calling you to serve? Sunday July 16th 10:30 am Join us as we vote to call Dr. Leland Albright into ordained service at Grace Do Christians, Muslims & Jews believe in the same God? Interfaith Coffee & Conversa+on Sunday, July 9th 10:30 am

6 Blessing of Students August 13 - Worship will include a blessing for college students as they prepare to begin the new school year. Some may be leaving home for the first me, while others are returning to college or graduate school. They will go forth knowing that God loves them and their Grace family does too! August 20 - Children and youth ancipang the new school year can parcipate in a Blessing of Backpacks. Students may bring backpacks or school kits to worship that day and wear them as they come forward for this special prayer. Wednesday, August 9 11:30 am Bemis Woods Grove #1 Food, Friends &Fellowship A Fun Time For All! July 31 August 4 A joint drama ministry of Grace Lutheran & St. Francis Xavier presents its original producon At Maker Fun Factory Vacaon Bible School, kids will experience God s word in excing and unforgegable ways! This July, over 170 children and 100 volunteers will become hands on inventors and discover they are lovingly craied by God. Friday, July 14 4:00 & 7:30 pm Nazareth Academy Auditorium You can be a part of this amazing adventure - we are sll in need of volunteers for set up and clean up crews. Contact VBS Director Robin Polich for more informaon. Free Will donaons at the door help fill the shelves of SFX food pantry This year the VBS kids will reach out to share God s love by collecng supplies for BEDS Plus.

7 OPUS Older People Up To Something Please welcome Jerry Egger to the Music Ministries team. Jerry joins Grace as Assistant Organist, accompanying the choir and playing for some worship services. A nave of Iowa, Jerry holds degrees from Cornell College and Eastman School of Music. He did addional study at the University of Iowa, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and in Austria and the Netherlands. He has served in various capacies in an exceponally wide variety of Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches. He is keenly interested in liturgical spaces, ancient and modern. Jerry has had a very acve career on the concert stage, which has taken two divergent paths: One being period performance on period instruments, and the other being 20th and 21st century music. He has earned consistently posive reviews by leading crics. Jerry has lots of other interests hiking, traveling, typography and photography. Please stop by the balcony and welcome Jerry For more informa+on on monthly lunches, trips and ac+vi+es please contact Alice Oscarson at a.oscarson@gracelg.org Morton Arboretum July 12th 10:00 am Join us in exploring the 1,700 acres of the ever changing nature! Sign up at the Welcome Center Just Lunch San+ago s La Grange Monday, July 17 12:30 pm Beethoven & Brahms Millennium Park Friday, August 18 Join us for an aiernoon of music and fun with the Grand Park Orchestra.. Walk to prevent suicide Saturday, September 23rd Grant Park 10:00 am Noon Team Walking with Grace Suicide is a naonal health problem that takes an enormous toll on family, friends, co-workers and the enre community. In the United States, suicide claims more than 39,400 lives each year. Walk to honor Loved Ones Walk to raise awareness and funds Walk to save lives

8 Traditional Services Worship Schedule Grace Lutheran Staff Senior Pastor: Saïd Ailabouni (Summer Sabacal 6/5-8/14) Associate Pastor: Benjamin Sloss (emergency ) Minister of Caring: Dr. Leland Albright (emergency ) Parish Nurse: Ann Gornik, RN MSN Grace Preschool, Director: Heather Grant 8:15 & 9:30 am Contemporary Service 11:00 am Grace Place Kids (Preschool 3 6 th Grade) September May 9:30 am Worship Services Stream Live every Sunday morning at: Weekly Sermons Available Online Whether you missed a week, need to hear it again or share it with someone you care about, weekly messages are available at : Visit for addional staff informaon. Mission of Grace Lutheran Church To celebrate in community God s giis through worship and educaon, inspiring us to be the heart, hands, feet and voice of Christ in the world. Church Office Summer Hours: Monday Thursday 9:00-4:00pm Friday 9:00-12:00pm Preschool Open Weekdays 6:45am-6:15pm Grace Lutheran Church 200 N. Catherine Ave. La Grange, IL