May Events
May's Event Calendar
Fellowship Groups
Cornerstones: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. (Church Library)
Yoga Class: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
Faith Forum: Tues., May 12, at 10 a.m. (Church Library and Zoom)
Lutherans and the Reformation of Christian Life by Anna Johnson (Professor at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
in Evanston)
Religion in Literature: Fri., May 15, at 7:30 p.m. (Off-site)
“James” by Percival Everett
Knitting Group: Tues., May 19, at 1 p.m. (Church Library)
Moms of Littles: Thurs., May 21, at 6:30 p.m. (Youth Center)
For more information
Adult Education
Sunday, May 10 and 17 at 9:00 a.m. (Seminar Room)
Jonathan Stahlke, Professor of Music at Concordia University, will discuss his new work, “Song of All Songs.” This piece is a setting of The Song of Solomon, and will be premiered in the chapel at Concordia University on Sunday, June 21, at 4:00 p.m. Admission to this concert is free.
Sunday, May 24, at 9:00 a.m. (Seminar Room)
What does it mean to say that the Buffalo Bills—or the Chicago Bears or Green Bay Packers—are “a religion”? Drawing on cultural anthropologist Victor Turner’s concept of communitas, Jesse Berger of the University of Chicago Divinity School, argues that sports fandom participates in something genuinely sacred: a liminal space of free play where ordinary social distinctions dissolve and authentic collective joy becomes possible. But this sacred dimension is always at risk of profanation — by sports betting, by winning-obsessed fanaticism, and by any reduction of the game’s value to something beyond the play itself. Berger’s analysis ultimately cuts both ways: if sports can be religious, fanatics can illuminate something true about religious zealotry, but they can also serve self-centered ends. (Berger saw the Bills Mafia in action while living in Western New York.)
Upcoming Events
Operation Deluge: Sunday, May 17, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Atrium)
Stop by to enjoy a treat, sign a card, and send a word of prayer or encouragement to a Grace member.
New Member Reception: Sunday, May 17, at 11:15 a.m. (Atrium)
We will welcome several new members to Grace during worship and enjoy fellowship time afterwards.
Farewell Coffee Hour for Donna Dumpys: Sunday, May 17, at 11:15 a.m. (Atrium)
There will be fresh pastries from Oak Park Bakery—her longtime favorite—and plenty of coffee. All are welcome.
CCE Benefit Dinner: Sunday, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
8th Grade Graduation: Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Upcoming Concerts
Kontras Quartet Concert: Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. (Sanctuary)
This eclectic program will include music by Philip Glass, Stacy Garrop, and Robert Schumann. As always, admission is free and open to the public, courtesy of Grace Lutheran Church.
Bach Cantata Vespers: Sunday, May 17, at 3:45 p.m. (Sanctuary and Online)
Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43 (God goes up with jubilation)
Concluding the 55th year of Bach Cantata Vespers at Grace is the magnificent Ascension cantata Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen (God goes up with jubilation), written by Bach for the feast of the Ascension and first performed on May 30, 1726. Eleanor Bartsch, first violinist with the Kontras Quartet and violinist with Lyric Opera of Chicago, joins us to perform Gerald Finzi’s Violin Concerto as the prelude to the service. There will be a preview lecture about the cantata at 3 p.m. in the Seminar Room.