FAQs

All baptized Christians who follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are invited to join us for Communion. You don’t need to be a member of our specific church to participate; if you are a member of God’s larger family through baptism, this table is open to you.

Children of all ages are welcome at our worship services. We understand that small children need to wiggle and whisper and that happy babies sometimes make happy sounds. If you need to leave the service with a restless child, you’ll find comfortable places to sit and room for toddlers to roam in the church’s Atrium, where adults can still hear the service over the sound system. Activity bags with books, crayons, and coloring sheets for children are available in the back of church. During worship, there is also a children’s sermon with a message just for them.

Not at all! Everyone is welcome to join us for worship, fellowship, and most of our community events without being a member. We believe that church should be a place where you can explore your faith at your own pace. If you eventually decide you’d like to call this your “church home” through membership, we’d love to have that conversation—but there is never any pressure to do so.

If you are visiting with us, please do not feel any obligation to give. We want you to feel welcome as our guest without any pressure to contribute financially. The offering is a way for our regular members to support the ministry of the church, but your presence is the only gift we ask of you.

Yes! Each year, 10% of the congregation’s giving is set aside and distributed to benevolence partners. This means 10% of your gifts are sent to make a difference around the world. It is then used by those organizations to impact the lives of real people – the majority of whom we may never meet.  Partnering with ministries and programs around the country and world allows our congregation to impact more lives, and, in sharing the gifts God has first given us, we quickly discover that it is not only other lives that are changed, but, in generous giving, ours as well.

Our Social Ministry Committee also shares giving opportunities for the community, including food pantry collections, Christmas gift donations, school supply collections, and more.

Our worship service typically spans one hour and 15 minutes. We intentionally set aside this time to ensure we aren’t rushing through the prayers or the message, giving everyone space to truly reflect and connect.

No, we are an independent Lutheran church, which means we are self-governing and not legally or administratively bound to a larger denomination (such as the ELCA, LCMS, or WELS).

Absolutely. We want everyone to feel comfortable and included during their visit.

Hearing & Vision: We offer hearing assistance devices and large-print bulletins for all worship services. Simply ask an usher when you arrive, and they will be happy to get those for you.

Elevators & Entry: Our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are fully accessible. On Sundays, you can enter via the main entrance on Bonnie Brae or the Division Street door (near the alley). During the week, please use the main Bonnie Brae entrance. An elevator is available to reach lower-level meeting rooms, offices, and the upper-floor classrooms. If you’re unsure of the best barrier-free route, please stop by the reception desk for directions.

Parking: Dedicated accessible parking is available on Sunday mornings along the west side of Bonnie Brae and the south side of Division Street.

In God’s Promise
Our life together at Grace Church is firmly grounded in the unending, unchanging grace of God shown to us through Jesus Christ. The God who has been present throughout the generations is the same living, active God who calls us together today in hope and faith.

In Community
We have a passion for God’s people, as we love, grow, and serve one another and the world in the name of our risen Lord. We are deeply committed to worshipping God in truth and faithfulness, and to serving this world and its people with love and care in Jesus’ name.

All Are Welcome
We firmly believe that there is a place for everyone in the family of God. As Christ welcomes and saves people without distinction or exception, so do we seek to welcome all to God’s family at Grace. This means that we welcome people of any and every race and ethnic background. It means that leadership in our church is not restricted to men. It means that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are one with us as children of God. It means that people of all physical and mental abilities are seen as God sees them, as people who are whole.

Expect a morning of beauty, reverence, and deep connection. Between the powerful resonance of the organ and the harmony of our choir, our worship is designed to lift your spirit. We focus on the Word, with a weekly sermon that translates the Gospel into a message for your Monday-through-Saturday life. We keep things simple for our guests: everything you need to participate — from the prayers to the music — is printed right in the bulletin. There’s no need to juggle heavy hymnals; just come and be present.”

Whatever makes you feel comfortable! We don’t have a dress code and we don’t expect you to “dress up” for us. Whether you’re in a three-piece suit or your favorite pair of sneakers, you’ll fit right in. Wear what makes you feel at ease, and we’ll be glad to have you with us.

Grace Lutheran Church is located on the southwest corner of Division Street and Bonnie Brae, one block west of Harlem Avenue, in River Forest, Illinois. Street parking is available along Division and Bonnie Brae. Read signs carefully — there are some restrictions depending on the day of the week. Evening and weekend parking is available in Concordia University’s parking garage, just south of Grace, and in the spaces marked “Concordia” in the park district lot on the north side of Division Street. Handicapped parking is available on Sunday mornings along the west side of Bonnie Brae and on the south side of Division.