September 2021
Please pray for the congregation, their pastor and his family, and community of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Beecher Illinois. Their church building is a total loss from a fire the afternoon of September 19, 2021.
From Rev. Michael Stein, Pastor, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – “We have a hymn which reflects where we are today:
“Built on the Rock the Church doth stand, even when steeples are falling”
Looking at the smoldering rubble is gut wrenching. All that remains of the steeple are charred and smoking timbers. Devastating. Tragic. My heart aches as the church and legacy that was lost as the church burned.
The building is gone, but the church remains. The building served the church of St. Paul’s well for our first 150 years. The church, the people of St. Paul’s still stands. We proclaim the comfort, the forgiveness, the peace, and the joy of Jesus. We are reminded that even when things seem darkest, Christ’s light shines brighter.
Thank you to all the firefighters, EMT, police, and rescue personnel who came from so many different towns. You are appreciated and valued, and we pray for your continued safety.
Thank you to everyone who has offered prayers and comforting words of support. Your kindness means so much to us.”
A fund has been set up to accept donations through Lutheran Church Charities for fire relief efforts. Lutheran Church Charities operates with a Dollar In – Dollar Out funding process where EVERY dollar given for a cause goes directly to that cause or need, with LCC acknowledging the gift and overseeing that the money is used as intended.
Police and firefighter/paramedics from Beecher, Illinois, responded about 1:55 p.m. Sunday, September 19, 2021 to a report of a church fire at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1407 West Church Road in Beecher, Illinois.
Firefighters, paramedics and command officers from several communities were assigned to the scene. The fire response upgraded to a Second Alarm at 2:05 p.m. and a Third Alarm was activated at 2:21 p.m.
Though sad, we realize the church is more than a building.
Founded in 1865, Saint Paul’s has been proclaiming Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected for you in the Beecher, Illinois area for over 150 years.
