FROM THE PASTOR

Pray for the Bishop

Dear church,

Please join me in prayer for the bishop election that we will be participating in around the very time you will receive this email…

Holy One, we pray for your church. Fill it with passion for your word and trust in your promises. Raise up gifts among us as we work to call a new bishop for the Metropolitan Chicago Synod: listening and speaking, analyzing and inspiring, humility and grace. In all things may we trust in your promises, follow your will and serve your people, through Jesus Christ, who is our hope. Amen.

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle

FROM THE PASTOR

Holy Trinity

Dear church,

This Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday, the day the church pauses to name the mystery at the heart of our faith: God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is a living relationship that draws us in.

In Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Jesus meets his disciples on a mountain. Matthew tells us that “they worshiped him, but some doubted.” I have always loved the honesty of that little phrase. Worship and doubt held together. And still, Jesus sends them.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The mission of the church does not begin with perfect certainty. It begins with the promise of Christ’s presence: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Triune God meets us in faith and doubt, and draws us again into the life of God’s love.

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle

FROM THE PASTOR

Worship & Music

Dear church,

I want to share a brief update on our search for the new Director of Music Ministries.

During the initial application period, we received 22 applications for the position. The search committee carefully reviewed those materials and invited six candidates into the next round of conversation, which included a one-on-one Zoom conversation with me and a Zoom interview with the search team.

As of today, those conversations have been completed. In the coming days, the search team will continue its discernment as we consider which candidate(s) to invite for in-person interviews during the month of June.

I am grateful for the faithful work of the search team, for the gifted candidates who have shared their time and hopes with us, and for the deep love this congregation has for music and worship. Please continue to keep the team, the candidates, and this whole process in your prayers, trusting that God is guiding us.

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle

FROM THE PASTOR

Confirmation

Dear church,

This Sunday, we will celebrate the Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism of nine of our young people. In the rite, they will be asked whether they intend to continue in the covenant God made with them in Holy Baptism: to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper, to proclaim the good news in word and deed, to serve all people following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

It is a beautiful and holy question, not only for them, but for all of us. Each time we hear these promises, we are invited to remember the shape of the baptized life: gathered in community, nourished by word and meal, sent in love, and sustained by God’s own help. Their response will be simple and faithful: “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.” What a gift for the whole church to pray those words with them, and to trust that God does indeed help and guide us in the life we share together.

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle

FROM THE PASTOR

Good Shepherd Sunday

Dear church,

This Sunday, May 10, St. Luke’s will celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday by welcoming Mark Stutrud, President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, as our guest preacher.

Each year, LSSI gives powerful witness to the shepherding love of God through ministries of care, healing, and accompaniment across our state. Last year alone, LSSI served more than 62,000 people, about 1 in every 203 Illinoisans. As the largest private provider of foster care in Illinois, LSSI walks alongside children, families, and neighbors in some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Last year, 88% of those served by LSSI had an annual income below $25,000.

Mark and Terri Gens, Senior Director of Development, will be with us during worship and afterward to share more about LSSI’s work, answer questions about their services, and help us understand how potential Medicaid and SNAP cuts could affect the people LSSI serves. Terri will also be bringing the LSSI sheep!

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle