Bulletin Board
January 4, 2026
WELCOME! Thank you for joining us today in worship, we look forward to having you come again.
Please sign the registration books that are in the pews, and pass them to the next person. If you are worshipping from home and watching on Facebook please leave a comment (even if it is just Hi), it would be appreciated.
AED DEFIBRILLATOR In case you are wondering what the white box on the wall in the office corridor, it is our AED Defibrillator. This is located right outside the sanctuary by the bookcase.
FELLOWSHIP TIME Please join us in the Hillmer Center following the service today for fellowship time. Following fellowship we will have Bible Class and Sunday School. We hope you had a good Christmas Break.
FLOWER CHART is now posted in the Narthex if you are wanting to bring fresh flowers to the sanctuary. Please let me know if this is to celebrate a special occasion, remember someone, or if you just want it to God’s Glory. The cost is $37.
POINSETTIAS If you ordered a poinsettia or if you have been gifted with one, you may take it home today or pick it up this week during office hours. Thank you for helping make our sanctuary beautiful during the Christmas season.
OFFERING ENVELOPES and new phone directories are in the hallway outside of the office. Please ask someone for help finding them if you need assistance.
BLACKHAWKS HOCKEY GAMES Starting in January the Black Hawks will be giving us an opportunity to see a game for $10 if you have a group of ten or more people in attendance. This is a good chance to attend a game at a discounted price. They are on Friday nights, starting January 9th all home Friday night games will be Faith Nights, so get your group together for discounted ticket prices. If you are interested let me know and I will get you more details.
FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL Pastor Gerald and Amy Kapanka, of Immanuel Lutheran Cedar Falls, would like to invite you for an unforgettable journey Walking in the Footsteps of Paul, October 26–November 4, 2026. Together we will explore the places where the Apostle Paul lived, traveled, and proclaimed the Gospel, bringing Scripture to life in a powerful and meaningful way. For more information or get a detailed trip description, call or text Pastor Kapanka at 319-290-5642. We would love for you to be part of this remarkable experience of faith, learning, and fellowship. We do have some brochures in the hallway outside of the office.
A LIFE QUOTE “Your story might not look as extraordinary as Esther’s. It might not be as exciting as David’s or as tumultuous as Rahab’s or as terrifying as Mary’s. But you don’t have to be extraordinary for God to work through you. He can accomplish great things through something as unassuming as prayer or as simple as a meal for a new mother.” Grace MacPherson – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
“Hurting from abortion? Word of Hope can help. word-of-hope.org; 888.217.8679.”
BUILDING HEALTHY The beginning of a New Year can bring feelings of anticipation, excitement, and hope as we start with a clean slate, our resolutions to keep. Still looking for ideas that will bring new life to your New Year? How about one of these: read from Scripture 15 minutes every day; go to church every Sunday; set aside 20 minutes at the end of the day to pray; join a Bible Study group; memorize a new Bible verse each week. Don’t give up! It takes 6 weeks of doing something repeatedly to make it a habit. Happy & Blessed New Year to you and your family! Lutheran Family Service www.LutheranFamilyService.org (515.573.3138 and LFSiowa.org)
MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE - This week the verse
Psalm 37:23–24
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
CATECHESIS – This week for those using the Catechism Study Guide you should be on the following page number according to what year you are doing.
Year 1 is page 9; Year 2 is page 68; Year 3 is page 127;
Families needed for Down Syndrome Adoption Program Lutheran Family Service is seeking married, Christian couples to adopt babies with a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome—precious lives at high risk for abortion. Adoptive couples must: Be male/female couple married for at least 3 years, Be active in a Christian congregation, Desire to raise children in the Christian faith, Reside in Iowa, Eastern Nebraska, Eastern South Dakota, or North/Central Illinois. Lutheran Family Service does not charge for the adoption services we provide in this special program. If you feel God may be calling you to this life-affirming mission, learn more at: https://lutheranfamilyservice.org/adoption-services/down-syndrome-adoption/
GRACE FOOD PANTRY
Anyone wishing to donate to the Grace Food Pantry, these are the top items needed:
Top Needs are in bold --canned fruit, peanut butter, hamburger helper, canned soups, Mac n Cheese, Pancake mix, syrup, dry cereal, stick butter, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles, crackers, rice, 32 oz. juice, ramen noodles, body lotion, body wash, all purpose cleaner (no bleach).
We can always use money too. The committee would like to thank all those who have given generously to the Grace Food Pantry!
Anyone needing assistance with the Grace Food Pantry please contact either the church office or one of the following people: Nancy McHone or Judy DePaepe. Anyone interested in helping with the food pantry please contact the office or the people listed.
VALLEY LUTHERAN UPDATE
* Valley is seeking a custodian to work evenings. If you or someone you know is interested, please have them contact the office.
* We are in need of snacks for our aftercare kids. They like goldfish, pretzels, or any cracker.
Valley is starting classes tomorrow, so we will have more announcements next week.
Matthew 2:11 – “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” For the wise men and for us, worshiping and offering gifts go together. How could this not be, since our God is the great Giver of gifts? We receive His gifts in worship and then, being conformed to His image, we imitate His generosity.
The Schedule this Week:
The following events have been planned for this week.
TODAY:
9:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Hillmer Center
10:30 a.m. Bible Study/Sunday School Hillmer Center/Upstairs
MONDAY:
6:00 p.m. Exercise Library
7:00 p.m. Board Meetings Hillmer Center +
WEDNESDAY:
8:30 a.m. Sewing Circle Rm. 17
THURSDAY:
6:00 p.m. Exercise Library
SATURDAY:
8:30 a.m. Undecorating the Church Sanctuary +
NEXT SUNDAY:
9:00 a.m. Worship/ Holy Comm. Sanctuary
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Hillmer Center
10:30 a.m. Bible Study/Sunday School Hillmer Center/Upstairs
ONLINE GIVING We now have the option of online giving available on our website: www.gracewaterloo.org You will enter a secure site and can setup weekly or one time gifts to your regular giving or to special funds like the building repair fund. Giving can be setup with either a credit card or your bank account. You can create an account that will remember your information for future use. This is a very secure site so you can setup giving with confidence that your information will be safe. You can also setup giving using an app on a cell phone. Justsearch for Vanco in your App Store. Using this you will need to create an account with your information to allow the app to communicate with Vanco.
Youth are going Cosmic Bowling January 16th at 6 pm. Let me know by Wednesday January 14th if you are coming so we can reserve a lane.