Grace Lutheran hosts popular barn service, plans chili, pie cook-off

Grace Lutheran Church in Lily Lake hosted a Christmas Eve Barn Service. You read that correct, in a barn! The worship service is hosted in a church member's barn with portable sound system, video screen, and projector brought in by the church.

This year, they had 110 people attend the service, up by 30 people from last year. They learned the meaning of the Christmas tree and all the decorations as told by various church members. The Christmas tree was gradually decorated through the service while we sang Christmas songs. The service welcomed plenty of visitors from the community and out of town. It was a great mix and unique experience and you can see the pictures from the night on the website, www.graceoflilylake.com.

In the new year, the church will have a Chili Cook-Off, Pie Bake-Off, and Game Night on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m.

There will be prizes for chili, pie, and bingo. This event is open to the public and they only ask a free will donation.

If you are interested in entering a chili or pie, contact contemporary@graceoflilylake.com.

They also are accepting donations of toys and prizes (kids and adult prizes) for bingo as well as gift cards as prizes for the food competitions.

On Sunday, the 9 a.m. service is a liturgical worship with traditional hymns and organ music. Families begin worship together and children leave for their Sunday school classes after a children's sermon with the pastor. It is followed at 10:30 a.m. by a contemporary worship with contemporary Christian music and guitar music.

Grace Lutheran Church is at 5N600 Hanson Road, just north of Route 64 and east of Route 47 in St. Charles. All of the services are open to the community.

For details, call (630) 365-6751, visit www.graceoflilylake.com or find "Grace of Lily Lake Contemporary Worship" on Facebook.