2024 Event photos
A "Marathon" of a Day!
What a "marathon" of a day it was on Sunday! Thanks to all those who represented Grace UMC at the actual Naperville Women's Half Marathon and handed out gatorade and cheered on the runners. We had a marathon of sorts at Grace as well. The children, youth, and leaders did a great job serving and learning about CROP Walk at Sunday Funday. Then, we celebrated Children's Sabbath at the 10:30 worship service, with our Children and Youth choirs presenting special music. What a day to learn about the justice we can be part of for children and youth! Thank you to all the speakers who educated us and motivated us to make a difference.
We continued with our servant hearts as we prepped and bagged food for Loaves and Fishes at Faith, Food, and Fun. Thank you to all who served. The marathon continued with the CROP Walk. Thanks to all who fundraised, walked, and finished packing 725 food bags for Loaves and Fishes. You can see the fun of the day and how God was at work. Continue supporting and working toward justice for children and youth by partnering with what Grace is already doing. Click here to see the ways Grace supports children and youth all year long.
Parent's Day Out: Storytime with the Pastors - October 1, 2024
Pastor Eric and Pastor Kim had a wonderful time at our first Storytime with Pastors with our PDO students and teachers on Tuesday, October 1. What a joy to have the children and staff as an outreach and part of our Children's Ministry. We read P is for Pumpkin: God's Harvest Alphabet by Kathy Jo Wargin. We were all reminded that "from apples to acorns and other great things, may you find every blessing that God's Autumn brings." We look forward to the first week of the month where we will gather in the Sanctuary for storytime.
Bible Sunday - September 29, 2024
On Sunday, September 29, we gave out 21 Bibles between our Kindergarten and up and 3rd grade and up children. The families had a blast together as we entered Route 66. Since there are 66 books of the Bible, we had fun with the car theme as we raced to put together a car puzzle to see how the Bible was organized and then parked all 66 cars into the right categories of the Bible. Then, we learned how to navigate through the Bible. If someone you know at Grace between Kindergarten and 5th grade has not received their Bible, please contact Pastor Kim at kim.neace@peopleofgrace.org or 630-975-0696.
Over 50 Hawaiian Party - September 12, 2024
Whether you are just over 50 years old, or you are 10, 20, 30 or 40 years past 50, it is fun to get together for fellowship, a good meal, and a program! So, no matter what age you may be from 50 to 100, you are invited to join us quarterly at the Over 50 events. We kicked off the fall with our Hawaii 5-0 party on September 12. Thank you to Alice Mann, Roy Mann, Nancy Lindberg, Margaret Schmitt, and Judy Cornett for making the most delicious Hawaiian themed meal. Thank you to Pat Smith, Judy Cornett, and Pastor Kim for the decorations. Thanks to Gail Lindsay, Chris Lindsay, Bob Schmitt for setup. Thanks to Frank Lindberg for the clever jokes. Thanks to the Over 50 team for organizing, planning, and executing the event. Thank you to Jenn Wills and the youth for letting us borrow Hula Hoops. Thank you Val Pyritz, Denise Hahne, and Pastor Kim (the Hips and Hands to Heaven team) for teaching some Hawaiian hand movements, a hula dance, and practicing some hula hooping skills. Thank you to Judy Cornett for planning some fun games: Luau Trivia and Hawaiian Friendly Feud. Thanks to Dick Trodson for finding some educational history videos to help us learn more. It was a wonderful time to be together, laugh, eat, and have fun. Join us at our next event, December 5 for a Christmas Event with Kim Blair and the Stilettos. Click here to register.
Kindertot - August 26, 2024
We enjoyed the sun and water as we came to the close of summer with our Kindertot: Summer Bash. Through the various indoor and outdoor activities, we engaged in the hope and joy of being together in Christ where we learned that no matter what the season or what we are doing, we can follow directions and grow faster, higher, and stronger as we strive for excellence, respect, and friendship.
Faith, Food, & Fun: Olympics - August 25, 2024
What a great Olympic Night: Go for the Gold at Grace UMC where we had individuals win the gold, silver, bronze. Six teams also competed for the gold, silver, and bronze and everyone did a great job at the various events: Alpha to Omega Bible Race, Hamartia Rings of Grace, Holy Roller, On Par with God, Balancing on the Narrow Path, and Javelin with Jesus. The idea was to encourage and build up one another as we told in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. We learned that TEAM means Together Everyone Achieves More. Thank you to our team who made the night a success. Thank you to Coletta and Richard Newell for leading the All American dinner. Thanks to Pastor Eric for building us up in faith. Thank you to Glen Neace for helping with all the fun events. Thank you to all the people who served by setting up, prepping food, greeting, serving, and cleaning up. It truly takes a TEAM to do ministry as we have fun growing in our faith.
Growing in Faith Together - July 21, 2024
We had a wonderful time at Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) on Sunday, July 21 with our guest speaker, Bill Fronk. Our theme was Campfire Chats where we learned how to have positive conversations. We learned about Knowing our Guide, Following our Guide, Trusting our Guide, Staying on Track, and Keeping Watch through song, scripture, snack, and positive conversation. We made a journal to help Keep Us on Track and had fireside conversations on where we saw God at work while having s'more fun with our s'more trail mix. What a GIFT of time as families!
Sunday Funday Sports Day - June 16, 2024
On June 16, we had a "ball" at Sunday Funday Sports Day! We learned how just like in sports our faith takes practice, aiming for the goal of becoming more and like Jesus, and that it takes a Team (or Community) as we walk in our journey of faith.
Sunday Funday and KinderTot FROG Day - May 19 & 20, 2024
Sunday Funday and KinderTot had fun exploring F.R.O.G. Day where we found out the meaning of the word FROG - Fully Rely On God. We leaped with joy as we learned through play by playing games like hopping like a frog, we made a FROG door hanger, had frogs on a log for snack, sang songs, heard stories, and learned how to Fully Rely on God in all circumstances of life, both good and bad. We learned the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways obey God. Then God will make your paths smooth and straight."
Children's Musical Review - May 10 & 12, 2024
Thank you to all who were able to join us for one of our children's musical offerings over the Mother's Day weekend. The People of Grace's love and encouragement were felt in your presence and wonderfully affirming response. It means so much to have our congregation's support. Our young choristers and ringers feel loved and appreciated in their service to God and Grace UMC. Our children's choirs provide a safe and loving space where children of all ages can explore choral singing, handbell ringing, and theatrical offerings all with the focus of serving and loving our God, church, and community.
Though the 2023-24 season has drawn to a close, we would love to welcome your child(ren), grandchildren, friends, or neighbors to our music ministry when we resume again on the first Wednesday in September (September 4, 2024). Please watch for registration information in August or contact Lynn Leitzen at lynn.leitzen@peopleofgrace.org for more information.
If you missed any of the Mother's Day special offerings from Joyful Ringers worship introit (Come, Now is the Time to Worship), to the lovely heartfelt Mother's Day anthem (My Mother's Love) shared by the children, their mom's, and the Chancel Choir women or the musical (Tell Me the Truth), you can view by clicking here. If you'd like to additionally support the Children's Music Ministry of Grace through a financial gift, please visit peopleofgrace.org/give, click the dropdown, and select the Music Fund. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated!
Over 50 Fellowship: Sock Hope - May 9, 2024
On Thursday, May 9, the Over 50 Fellowship Group had a fun time at the Sock Hop. Thank you to the planning team for planning such a great event. Frank and Nancy Lindberg brought in their 1952 Buick for some photo opportunities. Bill and Pat Smith shared candies from the 50's. DJ Mario C did a wonderful job singing the oldies. Peter Jarjisian led us in some dance moves that we were able to do both from our chairs and the dance floor. We learned some history and shared memories from the 50's. It truly was an afternoon filled with fun, laughter, dancing, and lots of energy!
River Sweep - May 4, 2024
God asks us to care for creation, and on Saturday morning, May 4, Grace members partnered with the Conservation Foundation to clean the DuPage River from the Grace property to the Riverwalk, including Veteran's Park. We gathered 10 bags of trash, and saw some wildlife, as well! Grace's Church and Society "Green Team" has committed to doing this again in the Fall, so be on the lookout for an opportunity to enjoy some time in nature and care for our watershed sometime in September!
HOLY SMOKES Youth Fundraiser - April 28, 2024
H-O-L-Y Smokes! What a great day for a drive thru bar-b-q! Thank you to all who volunteered, purchased meals, and/or gave up a lower lot parking spot so we could welcome our friends, family, neighbors and our community to our Holy Smokes fundraiser! We truly appreciate everyone's generosity and hope each of you enjoyed your meal as much as we enjoyed serving you! Thank you to 5-Bs Catering for grilling to perfection, once again! The day was a huge success!
Faith, Food, & Fun - April 21, 2024
Being together to celebrate Earth Day while learning, growing, having fun, and eating together was a huge blessing! Thank you to the Church and Society team for your partnership and leadership of pulling the event together. Thank you to all of the volunteers who stepped up to help in the various capacities. The body of Christ came together in amazing ways to learn how to care for and be good stewards of all God has created!!! All praise to God!
KinderTot - March 25, 2024
On March 25, we had fun with 18 of our KinderTot children as we learned about Holy Week and Easter. We had a little parade with our palms, sang some songs, played some games, found some eggs that led us to an active motion, decorated eggs, and created and ate our Empty tomb snack. What fun!
Companions Journeying Together - March 21, 2024
On Thursday, March 21, many ladies from Grace UMC gathered together to prepare Mother's Day kits for women in prison. The ladies put together 325 kits for the women's prison in Decatur. Marv Baldwin, the Executive Director, and Jana Minor, the founder and volunteer of Companions Journeying Together joined the team. They are very grateful for Grace UMC's partnership with them for this important ministry.
Easter Eggstravaganza - March 17, 2024
We had such an "eggciting" time at our Easter Eggstravaganza on Sunday, March 17. It truly was a Sunday Funday with our 39 children and youth and our ten leaders. We decorated eggs that spelled E, A, S, T, E, R. You would not believe how many words you can make with those letters! How many do you see? We learned the true meaning of Easter by learning more through each letter. We listened to the Easter Story as we took apart our nesting egg. We went on an egg hunt and met new friends and learned new scriptures. Each person got "egged" with filled Easter eggs and an invitation to Easter at Grace UMC and one a bag to "egg" a friend. We ended the day with our Empty Tomb donut snack.
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Feed the Need Mobile Pack - March 2-3, 2024
Eighty one volunteers from Grace United Methodist Church gathered the first weekend in March at the Dan and Ada Rice Center on the campus of Benedictine University to support the annual Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Feed the Need Mobile Pack! Our thanks to all who gave so generously of their time to help pack a whopping 802,440 meals that will feed 2,198 children for an entire year! We were able to pray over the food and give thanks to organizations like FMSC who are working tirelessly to get this food to those most in need. They are sharing hope throughout the world and we are grateful to be able to be a small part of serving God's children one weekend a year. What a blessing! Plan to join us again next year! Learn more about FMSC by visiting their website at fmsc.org.
DoNut Forget to Pray - February 18, 2024
Thank you to all of our volunteers and families who were part of Growing in Faith Together on Sunday, February 18! We had so much fun learning to "DoNut Forget to Pray" during Lent. Each family brought home "Eggs with a Difference" to do during Holy Week and a Pray-Fast-Give folder with Lenten activities. We learned how to "Sprinkle" our life with prayer while we decorated donuts with our own "Sprinkles," we sang together reminding us all to "Let Us Pray," and we had a "Ball" with our Donut Ball.
If your family was unable to attend or you have a child/grandchild who would like the Eggs with a Difference or the Pray, Fast, Give activities, please contact Pastor Kim at kim.neace@peopleofgrace.org or Gaye Lynn at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
Faith, Food, & Fun - January 28, 2024
What a great night we had at Faith, Food, and Fun on Saturday, January 28! We had a delicious meal cooked by our Hesed House cooking team and other volunteers. We raised around $2,000 toward Hesed House, and we learned about homelessness through different hands-on activities and a powerful video. We also learned how we can get involved in the ministry at Hesed House through Grace UMC. Thank you to Larry Hartman for his leadership, to Steve Strange for the brains behind the cooking, and to the whole Hesed House team who is so faithful each and every 2nd Tuesday. You can always make a donation to the ministry of Hesed House through the one time online giving at www.peopleofgrace.org/give and choosing "Hesed House" in the drop box, or writing a check written to Grace UMC with Hesed House in the memo line.
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