August 2024
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the LCMS Northern Illinois District hosted its 6th Back to School
Worship service at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Each year, this event proves to be an uplifting experience which sets the tone for the upcoming school year. Teachers, administrators, District staff, and others gathered together to worship with the Service of Prayer and Preaching.
NID District President, Rev. Dr. Allan Buss’s sermon was based on Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” The 2024-2025 LCMS Lutheran Schools theme, as well as the 2025 National Youth Gathering theme, “Endure,” are based on those same verses.
The offering collected at Back to School Worship was the kick-off to this year’s Hearts for Jesus program. This year’s focus will be on raising funds to replace the playground at St. Alphonsus School in Seine Bight in partnership with the Belize Mission Society.
After the conclusion of the worship service, Dr. Bernard Bull, president of Concordia University in Lincoln, Nebraska, served as keynote speaker. His keynote presentation, entitled “Hustle with Heart,” was well received. Some of the main takeaways from his keynote were encouraging future church workers, the impact that Lutheran education can have, and to “be present.”
As part of the day’s events, Don Gillingham was also presented with the Lutheran Education Association’s 2024 Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator EncourAGING Award. For more information, see the previous story from February 2024 about Don’s selection for this honor.
At the end of the day, teachers and administrators new to the District were able to gather together in a smaller group as part of a New Worker Orientation. This is a great way for new workers in the LCMS Northern Illinois District to hear about the available resources to support and care for them during their time of ministry in the NID. They met with NID team members and were able to learn more about the District’s vision of ministry. This opportunity helps to ensure our new workers are well-informed about our work together in partnership as members of the LCMS Northern Illinois District.
We are blessed to gather together in worship, learning, and conversation. Each year, Back to School Worship is a great opportunity to worship, reconnect, and be inspired as the new school year begins. We pray for God’s many blessings on our Northern Illinois District Lutheran schools and all the teachers, staff, and students as they begin the 2024-2025 school year!
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