Beyond the PewBeyond the Pew

Studies and Small Groups “Hearts On Fire” Begins Lenten Study Today The 9:30 a.m. adult Sunday School class, “Hearts On Fire” (formerly Faith and Family) has begun a new season of study and discussion. Today, February 15, the group will begin a seven-week Lenten study of Rob Fuquay’s The God We Can Know, followed by studies of Before Amen: The Power of Simple Prayer, by Max Lucado, and Rest-less, by Jennie Allen. All are welcome to expand the boundaries of their faith journeys!

Upcoming Events February 18: Ash Wednesday Worship (see front page) February 28: Healing Worship at 5:00 p.m. in the Ac vity Center, featuring healing prayer and anoin ng oils February 22: Apprecia on Dinner for our welcoming ministries, 4:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall February 22: Youth Summer Missions Kick-Off mee ng, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary (see front page) March 3: United Methodist Women’s General Mee ng, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, featuring “Mission U Study: The Church and People with Disabili es,” presented by Peggy Hansen. All women of Grace are welcome! Lunch is included. March 12: Over 50 Fellowship, 12:00-2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, featuring catered lunch and a program from Sherrie Holdeman on her trip to Israel. Please reserve your spot with the church office by Tuesday, March 10, at noon. No reserva ons can be accepted a er this me. $10 fee for lunch is payable at the door. March 14-15: Youth Musical “Open Up the Heavens” at 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship April 12: Open Doors Ministry Sunday, featuring speaker Barb Newman April 17: United Methodist Women’s Annual Hamball Luncheon, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall April 18: “Prom Through the Decades” in Fellowship Hall, 7:00-9:30 p.m. April 19: “Holy Smokes” BBQ for Youth Summer Missions, in the lower lot, beginning at 11:00 a.m. April 24-25: Rebuilding Together-Aurora needs volunteers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a professional contractor or have never li ed a hammer, you’re needed in this mission to restore a home for a qualified family in Auro-ra, IL. Further informa on to come. April 25: “Stop It,” a Salva on Army program addressing human trafficking, 9:30 a.m., with speaker Elyse Dobney May 1: “May Your Day Be Sweet: A May Day Celebra on” for Women at 6:00 p.m., featuring a catered meal and musical program from the Choral-Aires, back by popular demand! June 7-9: Hope at Home Youth Summer Mission June 13-21: Side-by-Side Youth Summer Mission

How Can You Help? How Can You Help?

Items Needed Give to Grace Through E-Giving Grace’s online E-Giving tool allows you to fulfill your pledges in a way that is con-venient, flexible and secure. You can give any me, 24/7, via your checking or savings account or credit/debit card. Click the “E-Giving” link found on every page of our web-site, peopleofgrace.org. Or scan this QR code with your smart device to instantly pledge via E-Giving to Grace’s opera ng budget, Capital Campaign, or various support/relief efforts as they arise. People Needed Adver sers and Updates for Our Guide Book We are in the process of up-da ng our annual Guide Book and Directory. This book contains the who, what, when, where, why, and how of Grace Church. It’s provided at no cost to us, including mailing to each family, and is being subsidized by local businesses that adver se in it. If you own or manage a business and would like to find out how to adver se in this book, please contact Phyllis Pepiot at 630-355-1748, ext. 3222. Also needed for the guidebook are any up-dates to your informa on (phone, address, new family member, etc.). A end a DuPage Area Housing Dialogue This Thursday, February 19, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., be part of crea ng community solu ons by a ending a dialogue with decision-makers, community stakeholders, elected officials, and others from throughout the DuPage region to collabora vely address housing issues. Par cipate in several thought-provoking sessions, includ-ing county-level equity and social jus ce models, effec ve measuring of community well-being, and se ng expecta ons for shared outcomes. There will also be a special presenta on on recent developments on “crime free” rental ordinances. This free event is located at the DuPage Country Jack T. Kneupfer Building (421 N. County Farm Rd. in Wheaton). Register online at www.HopeFair.org. AID Volunteers Needed The Associa on for Individual Development (AID) needs weekday day me volunteers to help empower adults with disabili-

es and special needs in a variety of ways: assistance with lunch me ac vi es, arts and cra s, computer coaching, cooking, exercise/fitness, gardening, community ou ng buddies, crisis line volunteers, and clerical assistance. Loca ons include Aurora, Elgin, Yorkville, and Batavia. Contact Maureen Spradlin at 630-966-4020 or mspradlin@the-associa on.org. Also needed are volunteers to answer phones at the 16th Annual AID Tele-thon on March 14, 2015 (2-hour me commitment). For the telethon, con-tact Wendy Bialek at 847-931-2294 or wbialek@the-associa on.org. Tutors for Refugee Immigrants Exodus World Service is looking for tutors to help refugees learn English as a Second Lan-guage and basic U.S. history and government on a weekly basis. Tutors and students o en de-velop deep friendships from their contact with one another. If you are interested in this mutu-ally beneficial opportunity or you would like to learn more, please contact e-w-s.org or Ralph Keiser at 630-961-0869.

Planning For Summer? Remember VBS! Make sure your summer plans in-clude Vaca on Bible School “G Force” this summer! Children aged two through the comple on of 4th grade are invited to par cipate in this week of fun and learning about God. VBS this year at Grace is July 13-17—mark your calendars now! Youth Summer Missions Planning Today February 15, 11:00 a.m., Room 234. “Feed the Need”! Youth and families will volunteer tomorrow, February 16, 9:00-11:00 a.m. as a group. Parent Coffee This Thursday Parents, join us for coffee and conversa on this Thursday, February 19, 10:00 a.m. at the Starbucks on 75th St., near McDon-ald’s. No agenda, just hot coffee and warm conversa on! Teen Youth Council Meets Next Sunday February 22, 10:45 a.m. in Room 234. Next Sunday—Youth Summer Missions Kick-Off! Join us for our kick-off mee ng Sunday, February 22, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Find out where we’re going on Side-by-Side! High School Juniors: If you’re planning to come on Side-by-Side this summer, please register NOW for your ACT on a date other than June 13-21! Open GYM at Sky High! Students in grades 6-12 and their friends are invited to an adventure at Sky High “The Trampoline Place” on Saturday, February 28, 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Cost is $5/person, plus money for Por llo’s; please make checks payable to GUMC. Permission slips and further informa on are at peopleofgrace.org/youth_ministry or outside the youth office. Please return permission slips by February 22! Adult drivers/chaperones needed! “Prom Through the Decades” Youth and adults are invited to a celebra on of music and dance through the decades on Saturday, April 18, 7:00-9:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Watch for further details, and save the date!

CONFIRMATION CORNER: Robe measurements: please forward your child’s name, height, weight to Gaye Lynn so that we

can order our robes for Confirma on Sunday…”Islam 101” Field Trip is next Saturday, February 21, 10:00-11:00 a.m.; please gather at Grace at

9:30 to carpool. Permission slips are due no later than February 15… March 8 and 15 Classes: your a endance is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED! Pastor Ma hew and Music Minister Dan Wagner will be our guest speakers on the 8th, and Pastor Ma hew will be helping us to plan our confirma on worship on the 15th—your feedback is really important! Mandir Field Trip is Saturday, April 11...Weekend of Decision is on Saturday/Sunday, April 25-26.

Children and Youth Children and Youth CHILDREN AND “GYM” (GRACE YOUTH MINISTRY) CONTACT INFORMATION

Margaret Harrison (infants-5th grade) 630-355-1748, ext. 3241, or gumcstory@peopleofgrace.org Gaye Lynn Loufek and John Dudich (grades 6-12 and college) 630-355-1748 (exts. 3234 and 3239)

Gaye Lynn: rglbhl@aol.com John: jdudich@gmail.com

PERIOD Dec. YTD

Fiscal Year Anticipated Income

ANTICIPATED INCOME

$1,650,725

$1,650,725

ACTUAL INCOME

$1,485,791

VARIANCE

($164,934)

PERCENT

90

ATTENDANCE Jan. 17/18 463 Jan. 24/25 551 Jan. 31/Feb. 1 222 Feb. 7/8 456

GUMC Operating Budget Contributions and Worship Attendance

Worship attendance will be updated weekly. Thank you for your commitment to your pledges

and to the life and future of Grace Church.

Mark your calendars!

Sunday 15 8:15am-12:00pm-Sunday Worship-Sanctuary 12:15-1:30pm-Youth Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary 5:00-6:30pm-Youth Bell Ensemble Rehearsal-Sanctuary Monday 16 9:00-10am-Temple Builders-Ac vity Center 9:00-11am-UMW Quilters-Fireside Room 1:00-2:30pm-Sisters Bible Study-Room 254 2:00-6:45pm-WSEA Tutoring-Rooms 224-227, 232 3:00-4pm-Prayer Ministry-Chapel 7:00-8:15pm-Healing Flow Yoga-Chapel 7:00-8:30pm-Disciple I-Room 231 7:00-8:30pm-Chris an Believer-Fireside Room 7:00-8:30pm-Progressive Chris anity-Room 254 7:00-9pm-Board of Trustees-Conference Room 7:00-9pm-Wedding Music Seminar-Sanctuary 7:15-8:30pm-Scout Troop #555-Room 224, Fellowship Hall Tuesday 17 8:30-9:30am-Moms in Prayer-Room 232 9:00am-1:00pm-PDO-lower level classrooms 9:15-11am-PDO Board Mee ng-Rooms 224, 225 9:15am-12:00pm-Mary Circle-Fireside Room 2:00-6:45pm-WSEA Tutoring-Rooms 224-227, 232 6:00-8pm-Happy Feet Soccer-Ac vity Center 7:00pm-Priscilla Circle-Margaret Schmi ’s 7:00-9pm-Church & Society Mee ng-Room 231 7:00-9pm-Stewardship/Finance Mee ng-Room 254 7:00-9pm-Cancer Support Ministry-Chapel 7:15-8:45pm-Grace Praise Team Rehearsal-Sanctuary 7:30-9pm-Alanon-Room 232 Wednesday 18 9:00-10am-Temple Builders-Ac vity Center 9:00am-1:00pm-PDO-lower level classrooms 9:30-11am-Living the Ques ons-Room 254 2:00-6:45pm-WSEA Tutoring-Rooms 224-227, 232 4:00-5pm-Children’s Bell Ensemble Reh.-Room 160 4:30pm-Family Ash Wednesday Experience-Sanctuary 5:00-6pm-Jr. Singers Rehearsal-Room 171 5:00-6pm-Angelus Choir Rehearsal-Room 231 5:00-6pm-Cherub Choir Rehearsal-Room 232 7:00-8:15pm-Grace Bell Ensemble Reh.-Room 160 7:00-9pm-LaLeche League-Room 254 7:15-8:30pm-New Life Singers Rehearsal-Room 161 7:30pm-Ash Wednesday Worship Service-Sanctuary Thursday 19 9:00am-1:00pm-PDO-lower level classrooms 9:30-11am-Jesus in the Gospels-Room 254 2:00-6:45pm-WSEA Tutoring-Rooms 224-227, 232 3:00-5pm-Naperville District 203-Fellowship Hall 6:15-8pm-Girl Scout Leaders-Room 231 6:30-7:30pm-Wheatland Basketball-Ac vity Center 7:00-9pm-Prayer Shawl Ministry-Office Lounge 7:30-9pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary 7:30-9pm-CoDA-Room 224 Friday 20 8:00-10am-HVAC Mee ng-Conference Room 9:00-10am-Temple Builders-Ac vity Center 9:00am-1:00pm-PDO-lower level classrooms 4:00-7:15pm-WSEA Tutoring-Room 225 6:00-9pm-Re rement Dinner-Fellowship Hall Saturday 21 8:30-10:30am-Russia Ini a ve-Room 232 9:00am-12:00pm-WSEA Tutoring-Rooms 224-227, 232 4:00-8pm-Cub Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet-Fell. Hall 5:00-6pm-Saturday Evening Worship-Ac vity Center

Sunday 22 8:15am-12:00pm-Sunday Worship-Sanctuary 12:15-1:30pm-Youth Choir Rehearsal-Sanctuary (Sunday 2/22 con nued) 4:00pm-Evangelism Apprecia on Dinner-Fellowship Hall 7:00-9pm-Youth Summer Missions Kick-Off-Sanctuary

CHILDREN/YOUTH CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Nursery Care-8:15 am-12:00 pm: Infants-Room 130 Toddlers-Room 131 Children-9:30 am: 9:30-9:45am-K-5th gr. gathers in Fellowship Hall, or as posted Two’s (2 by Sep. 1, 2015)-Room 134 Preschool (3 or 4 by Sep. 1, 2015)-Room 137 Kindergarten-Room 122 1st Grade-Room 123 2nd Grade-Room 152 3rd Grade-Room 153 4th Grade-Room 154 5thGrade-Room 155 Children-11:00 am: “Gather Together” (age K-4th grade)-Begins in Sanctuary, moves to Chapel Youth-9:30 am: Jr. High-Grades 6-8-Room 233 Sr. High-Grades 9-12-Room 234 8th Grade Confirma on-Room 231

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 9:30 am: Hearts On Fire-Room 250-“The God We Can Know: I Am, Knowing God,” Anne Mixen; next week: “The God We Can Know: Knowing God’s Sa sfac on,” Bob Pacanowski Forum-Fireside Room-“The God We Can Know” study, through Easter Sunday Questors-Room 254-“God Is Here to Stay,” Al Bruns ng; next week: “The Way: Bap sm and Tempta on,” Bob Allison New Connec ons-Room 227-Study of “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount,” by John Sto Parent-to-Parent-Room 232-“This I Believe II” Confirma on Parents-Room 232 11:00am: OHM-Room 232-Faith and Reason DVD study: “The Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart, Not the Commonwealth” New Member Classes– Contact Sharon Ferguson at 630-355-1748, ext. 3223

Grace in Mission is a Communica ons Ministry of:

Grace United Methodist Church 300 E. Gartner Road Naperville, IL 60540

630-355-1748 www.peopleofgrace.org

News for Grace in Mission must be received by Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. Please submit news

to Barb Ceru via e-mail at barbceru @peopleofgrace.org;

by phone at 630-355-1748, ext. 3240; or drop in the church office, ATTN: Barb

This Week’s CALENDAR Remember Your Lenten Devo ons Booklet! By now, most of

you have received the 2015 book of daily Lenten devo ons in the mail. If not, there are extra copies available in the church office, while supplies last. If you are picking up a book for someone who is not a member of Grace, a $1 dona on is appreciated. The booklet and “Second Helpings” of extra devo ons will also be online at www.peopleofgrace.org beginning this Wednesday. Please begin reading this booklet, composed of devo ons and photographs from members of our own Grace family, this Ash Wednesday, February 18. There are inspiring and hear elt devo ons for every day of Lent (including the Sabbath Sundays) through Easter Sunday, April 5. North Central College Students: Scholarship Applica on Due This Thursday!

The Grace Church Founda on is again offering a $1,000 schol-arship for the 2015-16 school year at North Central College. This scholarship could be matched by the United Methodist Educa on Founda on as part of its Dollars for Scholars pro-

gram as well as by North Central College, for a total scholarship of $3,000. If you are a current NCC student (or plan to enroll for the fall semester) and a member of Grace UMC, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applica-

on forms can be found at www.umhef.org. Your completed applica on, along with a cover le er describing your involvement in church and communi-ty service ac vi es, plus two le ers of reference, must be placed in the Grace Church Founda on mailbox in the Stephen Ministry lounge no later than this Thursday, February 19! Please contact Pastor Bob Atkins or Merle Clewe (630-585-7686) for further informa on. Easter Flower Sales Ellie Lindsay will be selling lilies and other beau ful East-er flowers on February 22, March 1, and March 8 in the Narthex. Flowers can be ordered in honor, celebra on, or memory of a special person or persons, and dedica ons will be printed in our Easter Sunday bulle n insert. Speaking of Flowers… The flower calendar along the photo gallery hallway

outside the sanctuary (next to the custodian’s office) has several open Sundays to be filled. Flowers can be ordered in memory, hon-or or celebra on of a special person(s) or occasion. Please fill out a green order form, found near the calendar, and return it to the re-cep on desk. Payment (payable to GUMC, no ng “Sunday flowers” on the memo) is appreciated at the me of order.

Grace Celebrates 125 Years This Year! The recognized start date of Grace United Methodist Church was April 20, 1890, when our congrega on began mee ng in Sco ’s Hall on what is currently the North Central College campus. On April 19, Bish-op Sally Dyck will be here to celebrate our anniversary, and this year’s Harvest Home fes val will be a tribute to our 125 years. In the mean me, Grace Historian Harold Workman has put together inter-es ng dbits of our history for each week. Be sure to watch the TV screen in the Narthex or the screen in the Sanctuary prior to 11:00 a.m. worship. Need Help Ge ng a Job or Making a Career Change? Grace member and career networking expert Thatch Irwin is happy to offer his services free of charge to the members and friends of Grace. Contact him at 630-961-3278 or

rwin@wideopenwest.com, and get on the path to new career horizons!

For Your InformationFor Your Information

Announcements for the People of Grace February 14 and 15, 2015

Grace in Mission Grace in Mission

This Week at Grace ... Thanks To Our Packers! Not those from Green Bay, but the many families from Grace who will be pack-ing meals and volunteering today and tomorrow (February 15-16) at Feed My Starving Children’s “Feed the Need” MobilePack at North Central College. We filled all of our allo ed slots, and children’s choir director Lynn Leitzen reports that 80 choir kids and their families are packing in today’s 3:00-5:00 p.m. shi ! Many thanks to Gay Craig, who coordinated our par cipa on in this mission, and to all who are helping in this community-wide event to combat hunger in many countries across the globe, including those affected by Ebola.

Women’s Circles This Tuesday… Mary will meet this Tuesday, February 17, at 9:15 a.m. in the Fireside Room with a program about the ministries and concerns reported in Response maga-zine…Priscilla will meet this Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 p.m. in the home of Margaret Schmi with a program from Anne Wentz on “Refugees.”

Ash Wednesday Worship 7:30pm Ash Wednesday Worship Please join us for our tradi onal Ash Wednesday Worship Service in the Sanctuary this Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. This service will feature music from the Chancel Choir, the imposi on of ashes, and healing prayer and sacred, anoin ng oils. Please join us for this special service ushering in the beginning of the Lenten season. 4:30pm Ash Wednesday Experience for Families

Also this Wednesday will be an “Ash Wednesday Experience” at 4:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, specifically planned and designed for children and families, in-cluding singing together and a children’s message explaining the Lenten sea-son, imposi on of ashes, and what we can do during this season to remember the cross. While this service is designed for families, all are welcome to a end.

Next Sunday: Youth Summer Missions Kick-Off! If you are planning to a end one (or both!) of our Youth Summer Missions this year, please come to a very important kick-off mee ng next Sunday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary! At this mee ng, we’ll share informa on regarding both the Side-by-Side

weeklong trip as well as the three-day Home@Home trip—for Side-by-Siders, we’re going to find out WHERE we’re going! Adults and teens (9-12th graders and college student for SxS and 6-8th graders for Hope@Home) are encouraged to a end—even if you’re just curious!