815/223-1144
8:30am - Noon
1pm - 3pm
Pastor William’s Walk-In Hours
8:30am—Noon on Monday
8:30am—Noon on Tuesday
1:00pm—3:00pm on Wednesday
8:30am—10:00am on Thursday
Evenings by Appointment
Today only March 30... NO Saturday Worship
Sunday School 9am
Sunday Worship/Communion 10:15am
MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Theme: “By Faith”
On Wednesdays during Lent we will be welcoming various pastors from the South Conference/ NISynod congregations. Four pastors from our area congregations will be leading our mid-week services. This “round robin” format gives you the opportunity to hear the word of God and meditate upon the scriptures and messages. Please take time to warmly greet and welcome each visiting pastor.
March 13—“Faith of Ruth”
Pr. Tammy Anderson (Immanuel, Earlville)
March 20—”Faith of Esther”
Pr. Kris Zierke (Our Savior, Seneca)
March 27—”Faith of Noah”
Pr. Nathan Feig (Trinity, Ottawa)
April 3—”Faith of Moses”
Pr. William
April 10—”Faith of Abraham”
Pr. Bill Callister (St. Paul, Streator)
Prior to our Midweek Lenten services, the Men’s Group, assisted by volunteers, will serve a meal from 5:00-6:50pm
March 13—Spaghetti, green beans, dessert, beverage
March 20—BBQ, chips, nachos/cheese, dessert, beverage
March 27—Taco Bar, dessert, beverage
April 3—Cheeseburgers/Hot dogs, chips, dessert
April 10—Pork chops, applesauce, dessert, beverage
Proceeds from the simple suppers will go towards Youth mission trips. Thank you for your continued support of these suppers.
Pastor William Weidenbach
Pastor’s Ponderings
Last month I started the process of pondering the meaning of church growth; specifically, the qualities one might find in a growing church.
Now, let’s take a look at our second topic of growth: Trust. What might it look like to be a church with a predominant trust attitude? It might look like a place…
…where leadership continues to build credibility through its transparency, communication, and devotion to being part of all the facets of activities and service in the congregation.
…where volunteers are encouraged, supported, and empowered to participate in the mission of the congregation.
…where those that profess to love God, richly love each other and demonstrate that love in all their actions. Sometimes this might mean we love those whom we don’t like so much.
…where people mean “Yes,” when they say yes, and they are free to say “No” without fear of reprisal or judgment.
…where those who give of their time do so without laying burdens on those who do not, or cannot, contribute as much time as do they.
… where those who give of their financial resources do so from their abundance and not their leftovers.
…where those who have ideas for improvements, transformation, or reformation feel confident in presenting their ideas because others will openly hear them, positively consider them, and gratefully receive them.
Hmm, lots to consider. What does a trusting church look like to you? I’d enjoy hearing from you.
Next time, we’ll ponder how excellence fosters growth.
Graciously, Pr. William
Holy Week
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and proceeds through the four days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday. This is the defining season of Christianity and you are invited to grow closer to your Savior by fully participating in all five worship experiences
Palm Sunday Saturday April 13 at 5:30 pm and Sunday April 14 at 10:15 am
On this day, united with Christians around the world, we mark Jesus’ triumphant entry in to the holy city of Jerusalem to complete the work of our salvation. We follow his footsteps as we enter the church, our Jerusalem, acclaiming the one whose throne was the cross.
Worship Pattern: we gather outside the worship space, hear the reading of Jesus’ entry, and then joyfully process into the worship space waving our palms and singing God’s praise.
Maundy Thursday, April 18 at 7:00 pm
On this night we begin the Three Days during which we participate once again in the saving power of Jesus’ passing over from death into life. The Maundy Thursday service includes with the words of Jesus’ new commandment (madatum, from which Maundy comes) to love one another. On this night in which Jesus was handed over to death we also gather around the Lord’s supper. At the service conclusion, the altar area is stripped of furnishings as a sign of Jesus’ abandonment.1
Worship Pattern: we gather to experience the Living Last Supper and join with First Communicants in receiving Christ’s body and blood. Service concludes with the solemn gesture of stripping the altar area.
Good Friday, April 19 at 7:00 pm
On this night, the journey continues through the Three Days of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. At the heart of this service is the passion reading according to John, which celebrates Christ’s victory on the cross. As Jesus draws all people to himself, we pray for the whole world for which Christ died. Finally, we honor the cross as the sign of forgiveness, healing, and salvation. With all God’s people we are invited to bow before this mystery of faith. Christ has died, so that we may live.
Worship Pattern: we gather in silence, pray for one another, hear God’s Word, glorify the cross, and nail our worries and concerns to the cross.
Easter Vigil Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 pm
On the night before Easter Day, Christians around the world gather to celebrate Christ’s passage from death to life. The service includes strong signs; new fire in darkness, light spreading from the light of Christ, the water and Word of baptism, the first resurrection meal, and powerful words; the great saving stories of Hebrew scriptures and the first Easter gospel. We keep this wondrous night in the spirit of vigil, our lamps lit, awaiting Christ’s coming both now and at the end of time. 1
Worship Pattern: we gather in darkness, after nightfall. Service consists of four parts; Service of Light, Service of Word, Thanksgiving at the Font, and the Meal.
Resurrection Sunday, April 21 at 8:00 and 10:00 am
Every Sunday in worship the church celebrates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit gathers us to receive again the gifts of God that come to us through Christ, the saving Word. On this day, we rejoice anew. Easter is the day of all days. The tomb could not keep Jesus. As Christ is risen, we too shall be raised. Come, join with all the faithful across the world as we raise our voices in triumphant song and share the meal of Holy Communion which Christ set before us. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He’s Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Church Council Officers
Stacy Newell, President
Greg Yuvan, Vice President
Kelly McCurry, Secretary
Jeff Hickey, Treasurer
Links
Mendota Lutheran Home LOMC Lutherdale The Lutheran Lutheran Digest Living Lutheran Arcot Lutheran Church Empowered Girls Facebook Page ELC Tanzania
Comments... Questions... Submissions... Click below to contact the "Webmaster"
