January 2023
On Monday, January 16, 2023, members and friends of the LCMS Northern Illinois District attended the “Day of Remembrance-Observance Celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This celebration, which has become a tradition of gathering for the Chicagoland area congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is hosted by one of the congregations in Chicago. This time, the celebration was hosted by the members of Zion Lutheran Church, 9901 S. Winston Ave. in Chicago.
The Gospel reading was from Mark 8:34-38. “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.’”
Words of Hope in Scripture were read by those pastors in attendance highlighting the theme of “We Never Lose Infinite Hope.”
Greetings were brought by Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, President of the LCMS Northern Illinois District, Rev. Robert Rodgers, Third Vice-President of the LCMS English District, and Rev. Dr. Jeff Leininger, Concordia University Chicago. President Buss reminded that us “we are stronger together,” and it is his commitment to be present for our churches and ministries. Rev. Dr. Leininger spoke to why it is important for Concordia University to remember Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., as Concordia University Chicago relates to this day since they are 1) Lutheran, 2) Christian, and 3) a university (institution of education).
Those who attended were blessed by the music of the Combined Choir. This year, students from Concordia University were also able to attend the celebration.
We came together, celebrated together, and remembered together how God blessed His servant, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who caused us to hope and to hope infinitely together.
WITNESS: Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions and sharing in a world mission field together