February 1, 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.
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. The Bible Class will be doing a series of video’s to study from.
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. We have a few extra poinsettias if you would like to take one.
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. The giving statements will be ready by this week if they are not in the hall.
BLACKHAWKS HOCKEY GAMES The Black Hawks are 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, February 13th is the next home game. 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. We do have two people so far that are wanting to go some Friday night, just let me know if you are interested.
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 “You may have a messy story. Your family may have a dysfunctional past. Your past (or present) may be filled with greed, sexual immorality, or other idols. But Jesus won’t let that stop Him from reaching out to you with the message of His unconditional love. You might be far from good, but you are not too far gone for God.” Pastor Mike Novotny, Time of Grace – 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 Experiencing a private concern that you don’t want to talk about with your friends or family? Don’t look for help online. There you may find “answers,” but they’ll be from a faceless post or AI-generated source that provides simplistic solutions or platitudes that aren’t consistent with teachings of the historic faith that have guided and sustained generations long before the internet gave influencers a platform. LFS has mental health, marriage and family, grief and loss education and support, unplanned pregnancy and adoption counselors available to you via confidential telehealth link no matter where you live. At LFS you’ll find real people who are experienced helpers – equipped to provide confidential, sound counsel – who share your Lutheran Christian faith. Why struggle alone or scroll online when real help is available? Call us – it’s why we’re here! Learn more at www.LutheranFamilyService.org Lutheran Family Service (515.573.3138 and LFSiowa.org)
MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE - This week the verse
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful — for He cannot deny Himself.
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 16; Year 2 is page 75; Year 3 is page 134;
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
CrossFire did it again! This is the second year in a row they won their robotics league championship! CrossFire dominated in the final match, claiming the Winning Alliance & League Champion title by a score of 120 to 95! The team has worked hard since the start of the season in September and is proud of this accomplishment. Congratulations to Drew, Gabe, Brannon, Stefan, Alex, Belle, Cade, Lydia & Zack on advancing to the State Championship in Coralville, IA, February 27-28!
Blood Drive- Feb 3rd from 12-5
J.O.Y. - Feb 17th 1pm
2026-2027 Enrollment is now open! If you know of families who are interested in joining the Valley Lutheran Family, please have them contact April Shriever at the school to schedule a tour!
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. Just search 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.
Matthew 20:9 – “And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.” Behold the generosity of God! He gives out of His grace, not what we deserve to receive. Living a godly life means living in imitation of God — and surely one of the foundations of God’s being is His generosity.
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:
9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study
6:00 p.m. Exercise
Library
SATURDAY:
8:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study
Kitchen
NEXT SUNDAY:
9:00 a.m. Worship w /Holy Comm.
Sanctuary
10:15 a.m. Fellowship
Hillmer Center
10:30 a.m. Bible Study/Sunday School
Hillmer Center/Upstairs
The group is going bowling on Friday February 20th at 6 pm. Let me know if you are coming by February 15th.
Game Night
Friday, February 27, 6:30 p.m., Our Redeemer
Bring your favorite board game (and a friend) and gather in the parish hall for a good ol’ fashioned game night. Nothing fancy, just simple fun. This event will also include other youth from the circuit. Snacks and drinks provided.