As the world responds to the coronavirus pandemic, the LCMS Northern Illinois District continues to support its schools, churches, members, organizations, and communities in carrying out the mission of Christ.
Though meeting together in large groups has all but ceased to prevent the illness from spreading, the use of technology has enabled spiritual care and fellowship to continue. Many churches have been live-streaming and recording their services and offering daily video devotions so that members remain connected with each other and with God’s Word. Individuals use these same means to share encouragement with one another.
One commonly-shared piece of advice comes from Martin Luther. In 1527 he wrote a letter when a friend asked how one should respond to the bubonic plague outbreak of the time.
Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.
Luther urges following the practical steps that will prevent the spread of disease and promote health and at the same time having courage to help others, not leaving them if they have need. Ultimately, the Christian’s life is in God’s hands, so there is no need to fear.
A video message from LCMS Northern Illinois District President Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss – HopeFilled: (Updated 4/5/2020)
The Northern Illinois District is here to help. Please see our website at nidlcms.org for a page full of resources and information. It is updated frequently.
The blessings our Savior has worked through our NID:
Care
• In touch with dozens of pastors and lay leaders to address their ministry concerns and to encourage them with Christ’s grace.
• In contact with agencies like Concordia Health Plan and Lutheran Church Extension Fund for local congregations’ concerns.
Responsive
• Transforming our District Website into a hub for Coronavirus-related resources.
• Conducting virtual meetings for 19 Circuit Visitors, our 4 Vice Presidents, and School Administrators to keep them informed and equipped for ministry.
Together
• Giving congregations a platform on our website to share innovative ideas about sharing Christ’s love in our communities.
• Joyfully proclaiming “We are in this together.” And our Lord is with us!
Online/Live Stream Services:
If your church live streams or records your service, share that with churches in your circuit that may not. You may also share it to this webpage by emailing the information to office@nidlcms.org. If you do not currently have live streaming, look at opportunities to provide it for your worship service.
Worship Anew broadcast each Sunday on WPWR – 50 (antenna & cable) @ 8 AM and cable TCT at 10:30 a.m. Worship Anew is broadcast from CTS in Fort Wayne. Formerly known as Worship for Shut-Ins is a 30 minute Lutheran Service with the weekly readings, etc. – worshipanew.org/
Bethany, Naperville – bethanylcs.org/livestream
Bethel, Gurnee – www.bethelgurnee.org/bethel-livestream-worship.html
Christ the Rock, Rockford – ctrockford.org
Cross Lutheran Church, Yorkville – www.hiscross.org/live/ or www.facebook.com/crosschurch
Crosspoint, Lakewood – facebook.com/CrosspointLakewood/ or cplakewood.info/
Faith, Lake Forest – www.facebook.com/FaithLakeForest/ – Daily Devotionals 7:15 p.m.; Midweek Lenten messages on Wednesdays 10 a.m. & 7:15 p.m.; Youth Ministry Devotional on Thursdays 5 p.m.; Worship Services on Saturdays 5 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.; Spanish services are offered 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays www.facebook.com/Hogar-de-Fe-Iglesia-Luterana-Faith-332916910640549/
Faith, Oak Lawn – www.facebook.com/faithoaklawn/
May 21, 2020 Ascension Day Service 7:00 p.m.
Fellowship of Faith, McHenry – www.facebook.com/fellowshipoffaith/
First Bethlehem, Chicago – fblcchicago.org/
Friends in Christ, Morris – www.facebook.com/ficlc
Good Shepherd, Elgin – www.facebook.com/GoodShepherdChurchElgin/ or www.goodshepherd-elgin.org/church/sermon_series.html
Immanuel, Batavia – immanuelbatavia.org/Immanuel_from_home www.youtube.com/c/immanuellutheranchurchschoolbatavia
Immanuel, Belvidere – www.facebook.com/immanuellutheranbelvidere
Immanuel, Crystal Lake – immanuelcl.org Wednesday Lenten services at 7 p.m. and Sunday worship at 8:00 (traditional) and 9:30 (contemporary).
Immanuel, DeKalb – www.immanueldekalb.com/www/2020/03/18/online-worship-archive/ and www.facebook.com/Immanuel-Lutheran-Church-and-Student-Center-DeKalb-Il-109347362417714/ and . The service and interview will also be aired on WLBK radio on 1360 am and streamed on their website at 10:30 (not live, a recording of the 8 a.m. worship/interview.)
Immanuel, Dwight – www.facebook.com/emmanuellutherandwight/ 10:00 a.m. Sunday
Immanuel, Elmhurst – www.immanuelelmhurst.org/worship
Immanuel, Freeport – www.facebook.com/OurGodWithUs/
Immanuel, Hinckley – www.immanuel-hinckley.org/video-service-devotions
Immanuel, Lindenwood – immanuel-lindenwood.org/index.html or www.youtube.com/channel/UCZmNLU0KnbHU14jqzFIRRKg
Immanuel, Mokena – YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_5Mir3iQ8MPKhgvu1hsBg
Immanuel, Steger – ilcsteger.org/
Lord of Glory, Grayslake – www.facebook.com/LordOfGloryGrayslake/ Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Midweek Lenten 6:15 p.m.
Lord of Life, LaFox – www.lolchurch.net/ Recorded services
Messiah, Chicago – www.facebook.com/MELCCHICAGO/ Annual Treore Service live streaming from 12-3:00 p.m. on Good Friday.
Our Savior, Chicago (Neva Ave.) – www.facebook.com/c2browne Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Holy Thursday stream at 7:15 p.m. Live stream https://1160hope.com/content/church-service-live-streams/our-saviour-lutheran-church-school
Our Savior, Joliet – https://oursaviorjoliet.org
Our Savior, Momence – www.facebook.com/oslcmomence/
Peace, Lombard – www.facebook.com/PeaceHomeLombard/ or peacehome.org/
Prince of Peace, Palatine – www.pop.church/
St. James, Chicago – www.facebook.com/stjameslutheran/
St. John’s, Elgin – www.youtube.com/channel/UCVy-COdvq5k_V6LwuiCI3pA
St. John’s, LaGrange – www.youtube.com/channel/UCf8HBaJZhf9WHncuwQLiyGQ or www.facebook.com/sjlagrange/
St. John’s, Sycamore – www.facebook.com/stjohnsycamore/?hc_location=ufi
St. Mark’s, St. Charles – www.stmarkslife.org/live/, www.stmarkslife.org/live/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUCMwOQYNcRqT8D7ixFsDg/featured 9 a.m. and 1030 a.m. services.
St. Matthew, Barrington – stmatthewbarrington.org/livestream.php
St. Matthew, Hawthorn Woods –www.stmatts.net or www.facebook.com/StMatthewHawthornWoods/
St. Matthew, Lemont – www.facebook.com/pg/stmatthewlemont/about/?ref=page_internal 9:00 a.m.
St. Paul, Aurora – www.stpaulaurora.org/ or www.facebook.com/StPaulAurora
St. Paul, Bourbonnais – www.stpaulslutheran.net/church/worship/
St. Paul, Elizabeth – www.facebook.com/stpaulelizabeth
St. Paul, Matteson – www.stpaulsonline.org/ and www.facebook.com/pg/stpaulslutheranmatteson/about/?ref=page_internal
St. Paul, Mount Prospect – facebook.com/SaintPaulLutheran/, youtube.com/channel/UCNRR4iIB6zSfZrn3SJI2b3Q and kid-centric devotions at youtube.com/channel/UCbs5SFoxZndj-4qANRttZRQ
St. Paul, Oak Lawn – stpauloaklawn.org/StP_sermons.html
St. Paul, Rochelle – www.facebook.com/stpaullutheranchurchrochelle at 9:00 a.m. and radio broadcast at 1060 AM at 10:00 a.m.
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – live.fulllifeinchrist.org/ Service at 10:00 a.m.
St. Peter, Joliet – Worship Service every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on WJOL 1340AM or WJOL.com to “Listen Live.” Radio Broadcast
St. Peter, North Plato – www.stpetersnorthplato.
St. Peter, North Plato – www.stpetersnorthplato.org/home or www.facebook.com/SaintPetersHampshire/
St. Peter, Schaumburg – www.stpeterlcms.org/ Midweek Lenten Services
St. Paul,Mount Prospcet www.facebook.com/SaintPaulLutheran/ Offering worship in Spanish around 10:45 (immediately following English language 10:00 a.m. broadcast).
Trinity, Burr Ridge – www.youtube.com/channel/UCNagVStHdaI1sB8hKluL8AQ/ and www.facebook.com/TrinityBurrRidge
Trinity, Genoa – www.tlcgenoa.org/
Trinity, Herscher – www.facebook.com/trinityherscher/
Trinity, Lisle – www.tlc4u.org
May 21, 2020 Ascension Day Service 7:00 p.m.
Trinity, Lombard – www.trinitylombard.org/ or www.facebook.com/TrinityLombard/
Trinity, Roselle – trinityroselle.com/live-stream or www.facebook.com/TrinityRoselle1
Trinity, Tinley Park – www.facebook.com/TLCSTinleyPark/ or tlcs.org Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Traditional; and 11:00 a.m. Contemporary)
Vida y Fe, Elgin – www.facebook.com/iglesiavidayfeelginillinois/ Service and Bible Studies in Spanish
Zion, Beecher – www.facebook.com/zion.church.94
Zion, Oak Lawn – www.facebook.com/ausra.valdas or www.facebook.com/Zion-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-80558233378/ Sunday 9:30 a.m. English language; 11:00 a.m. Lithuanian language.
Zion, Marengo – Worship Service Radio Broadcast Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. on WXMR Radio 94.3 FM in the Marengo Union area or www.zionmarengo.net/apps/video/
Worship Anew broadcast each Sunday on WPWR – 50 (antenna & cable) @ 8 AM and cable TCT at 10:30 a.m. Worship Anew is broadcast from CTS in Fort Wayne. Formerly known as Worship for Shut-Ins is a 30 minute Lutheran Service with the weekly readings, etc. – worshipanew.org/
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18
