December 2023
In a testament to faith and generosity, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington hosted the LCMS Northern Illinois District Board of Directors Meeting, December 9, 2023. The meeting marked the faithful and fruitful work directed by the servant leaders of the Board.
Recently, St. Matthew’s congregation experienced a transformative Sunday, joyfully gathering to receive Christ’s
gifts and give thanks for the reimagining, reconfiguring, and reconstructing of their church’s upper level. The church invited all to witness and explore the transformed space and gathered on Sunday, November 19, 2023 for a service of Re-Dedication, Thanks, and Praise, followed by a light reception.
This was the culmination of years of collective prayers, discernment, and planning, aimed at shaping a 21st-century ministry. The newly reconfigured upper level now offers more learning and gathering space, is flexible in its configuration and use, and provides a welcoming atmosphere which matches St. Matthew’s ministry efforts both within the church and in the Barrington community.
During the meeting, The Board of Directors approved Trinity Lutheran Church, Galewood’s request for Mission Target Grant funding to assist them in working to build a sustainable, intercultural worshipping community in the Galewood neighborhood of Chicago.
Trinity Lutheran Church seeks to revitalize its worshipping community, focusing on meeting the needs of families and collaborating with a neighboring school to spread the love of Jesus Christ. The Mission Target Grant Committee expresses excitement about the potential of this revitalization and hopes that Trinity can collaborate with neighboring congregations to collectively advance God’s Kingdom.
Mission Target Grant projects are designed to connect and engage with people in the surrounding community, fostering relationships and providing opportunities for ministry. The goal is to lead to a clear witness to the Gospel as doors open through innovative initiatives. Funding is directed toward initiatives leading to new ways of incorporating Word+Wellness+Witness. This includes mission starts, church plants, expanding outreach-focused ministries, connecting schools with the community, and launching or expanding Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs).
As St. Matthew celebrates a milestone in its ministry journey, the Board of Directors embarks on a mission to empower Trinity Lutheran Church and similar initiatives, recognizing the relationship of these endeavors in spreading the love of Jesus and nurturing communities in magnifying the Lord.
Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions and sharing in a world mission field together.