June 2022
We give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed on us and look forward to the path He has set before us!
On the afternoon of June 13, 2022, a Service of Praise and Thanksgiving in the Closure of The Lutheran Center was held. President Allan R. Buss led the service for those in attendance which included past employees and other church workers who served in the Northern Illinois District.
Better known as the office of the LCMS Northern Illinois District at 2301 S. Wolf Road in Hillside, Illinois, it was originally commissioned June 17, 1979.
During the service a Presentation of Items was held and included the following:
Board of Director Minutes:
These documents symbolize the history of the work our Lord has done among us in this place. Receive and preserve them that we might remember His continuing work among us.
Bible:
This Bible reminds us that our work together as synod in this place is founded on the Word of God. Receive this Bible to remind us that we are people of the Word wherever we go.
Gavel:
This gavel symbolizes that we have gathered in this place to conduct the district’s business in an orderly fashion to the glory of our Lord. Receive this gavel that our service to our Lord might continue to be done in good order, according to His will.
Cross:
This cross reminds us that our district’s message in this place has been God’s gift of salvation for the world by the cross of Christ. Receive this cross that our message continues to be Christ crucified.
Unable to attend in person themselves, past Presidents Ameiss and Gilbert each sent letters to be read during the service. Excerpts included:
“As the convention resolution enacting the decision stated, the Northern Illinois District is not a building. It’s also not a district president or staff or board. It’s “brothers and sister, girls and boys men and women, believers in Jesus in the congregations of the NID.”” – President Emeritus Dan Gilbert.
“The location of the office may well change again someday, but by God’s grace the mission of the NID, its members, its Board, its staff, to proclaim the Gospel and to be Gospel in action, will always go on, “till time becomes eternity!” – President Emeritus Bill Ameiss.
A video of the past presidents of the LCMS Northern Illinois District was also shown, which included a short biography on each president. You can view the video below.
The sale of the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) office building at 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois, occurred on Thursday, February 24, 2022. This action was taken as a result of a Task Force on Stewardship of District Resources established out of Resolution 2-07 from the Northern Illinois District 59th Convention.
“The literal NID brick and mortar building on Wolf Road should not represent the district. We must remember and insist it’s the congregations, NID president, BOD and staff that make the District. … but it’s not really about the place. It’s about the MISSION of bringing the Gospel of Christ to the world.” (Task Force on Stewardship of District Resources Report – March 14, 2020)
The Board of Directors of the LCMS Northern Illinois District approved the relocation of the District’s office currently located in Hillside, Illinois. The approval authorizes the relocation to a property located on the campus of Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Illinois. The anticipated relocation date is early August 2022.
Filled with living hope in Christ, Confessing, Praising, and Advancing His Kingdom through Word, Wellness, and Witness.