November 30, 2025
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.
BRINGING HOLY COMMUNION TO YOU If you would prefer to have Holy Communion brought to you in the pew on the weeks it is served – please let the elder/ushers know prior to the service. We would not want to miss you!
FELLOWSHIP TIME Please join us in the Hillmer Center following the service today for fellowship time. Following fellowship we will have Bible Study and some interesting discussions.
POINSETTIA ORDERS Please get your poinsettia orders in by December 9th so I can get our order in. The sanctuary always looks good with the plants at Christmas. The cost is $14.50 and you can get a red or pink or white plant. Please fill out the red form, you can either drop the information off in the office or place it in the offering plate. If necessary you can leave me a message about ordering and send the money in by the 15th of December. Thank you.
ROOF RELACEMENT This was about $23,000. The roof has been replaced, the bill has been paid. We did get most of the money from members, but we are needing $2,100 to pay back the Endowment Board. If you would like to contribute to this, write roof replacement on your check and it will be put in the correct spot.
FROM THE BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP How quickly time flies! Here we are again into our annual holiday planning. And once again the Stewardship Board is asking for your assistance. If you know of a person or family in our congregation who is less fortunate or whom we should remember this Christmas with gift cards – please submit those names to the church office no later than Dec. 7th. Along with the request for names, we also request gift cards from Walmart/Target/Hy Vee/Fareway/Aldi’s/Casey’s or Quick Star or dollars with which the bard can purchase gift cards to be distributed. Donations can be left in the church office also by December 7th. We thank you for your generosity in Sharing the true Christmas Spirit.
ADVENT SERVICES begin this Wednesday December 3, at 11 am and 6:30 pm. We will have them again December 10th and 17th. We will have an advent supper at 5:30 pm serviced by Hannah’s this week. Next week will be a potluck for those that wish to come, bring one dish to share with others, look for more information next week. The menu this week is Roast Beef Sandwiches, chips, relish tray, desserts and drinks. The Advent Devotional books are ready to pick up. Please feel free to share with others.
VALLEY SUNDAY Next Sunday the Valley Choir, some teachers & staff are going to be here to participate in worship and answer questions during the Bible Study hour. Please come and enjoy the time with them. Ask them about the school and what the vision is for the near future.
A LIFE QUOTE “As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first Advent, His birth in Bethlehem, we also look forward to the day of His return, His second Advent. On the Last Day, we will see Jesus returning in glory as King and Judge. The Good Shepherd will come again to gather His flock to Himself forever.” Dr. Carol Geisler, Lutheran Hour Ministries – 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 FAMILIES Someone once said, “Marriage is not just spiritual communion, it’s also remembering to take out the trash.” What have you done lately to show your spouse how much you appreciate them? During these busy days of preparation for coming holiday events, a handwritten note, an unexpected and gentle physical touch, affirming words, preparing a favorite meal, or joyfully helping with household responsibilities are simple and no-cost ways to let your spouse know just how much they mean to you. Lutheran Family Service www.LutheranFamilyService.org (515.573.3138 and LFSiowa.org)
MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE - This week the verse Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
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 4; Year 2 is page 63; Year 3 is page 122;
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, 23rd, & 30th. If you are interested let me know and I will get you more details.
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
* We are seeking gently used items for our Christmas shop. All donations can be brought to the office. These items will be set out for our elementary kids to shop for their loved ones. No clothes, please.
Crossfire (Robotics Team) is doing an outreach project to help the Cedar Bend Humane Society. They are collecting blankets (without any stuffing) to donate. The plan is to turn them into the Humane Society December 15th so they need them before or by the end of the school day. Thank you for helping them reach their goals.
* K-12 Christmas Concert at Bethany Bible Church on December 12th at 6:30-8 pm
J.O.Y. group will be meeting on Tuesday December 16 from 1-3 pm. This group is made up of Just Older Youth.
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 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 tocommunicate with Vanco.
Matthew 21:3 – “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” Just a colt and her foal. How significant could they be? Could they really be used by the Lord for some great, heavenly purpose? This is one facet of stewardship we often forget: the blessing it is to us to be of service in the Lord’s Kingdom. What honor the Lord bestows upon us by using our gifts for His goals!
The following events have been planned for this week.
TODAY:
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
MONDAY:
6:00 p.m. Exercise Library
7:00 p.m. Board Meeting Hillmer Center
WEDNESDAY:
8:30 a.m. Sewing Circle Rm 17
11:00 a.m. Worship-Advent I Sanctuary
5:15 p.m. Choir Practice Music Rm
5:30 p.m. Supper Hillmer Center
6:30 p.m. Worship-Advent I Sanctuary
THURSDAY:
9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study Hillmer Center
6:00 p.m. Exercise Library
SATURDAY:
8:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study Kitchen
8:30 a.m. Church Decorating Sanctuary +
NEXT SUNDAY: Valley Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
10:15 a.m. Fellowship Hillmer Center
10:30 a.m. Bible Study/Sunday School Hillmer Center/Upstairs
Youth News
Check the next Grace Greetings for more information.