"Rejoice In Hope" Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.’ ” — Matt. 3:13-17

During this Epiphany season, we see that Jesus — who was born of Mary — is indeed the Christ, the Son of God. The word Epiphany actually means revealing, and the verses from Matthew 3 certainly reveal Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who came to redeem us from our sins. 

Jesus was not in need of forgiveness, but John and all others who came to Him were. By submitting to Baptism, Jesus identified Himself...

The Southern Illinois District LWML is accepting applications for mission grants to be funded during the 2020-22 biennium. All applications for mission grants will include a cover sheet and separate attachments with the following information:

▶ Brief description of the project  

▶ Identification of the need

▶ The mission focus of the project

▶ How the money will be used

▶ Is it current and ready for implementation?

▶ The organization or those responsible for the project

▶ Two to six pictures (in .jpg format)  

Applications for mission grants are available at sidlwml.org. The form can also be obtained by email. Submit a request to threekinc@gmail.com. You may also request a form through postal mail: 

Miriam Koehne

SID LWML VP of Gospel Outreach

1366 Stowe Avenue

Greenville, IL  62246

To be considered, the completed application must be returned by Feb. 1. No late submissions will be accepted.

In October 2019, Southern Illinois District President Rev. Timothy Scharr refocused the district’s commitment to life issues with the creation of a task force called the Advocates for Life Team. The appointed leadership consists of Monica Shannon as coordinator and Robin Schultze as administrator. The team’s vision is a world without the cavalier killing of human life from the time of conception to natural death.

Relying on the help of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the team’s mission is to provide members of our district congregations with information on the unique challenges in Illinois as well as the valuable resources available to support our God given pro-life values. 

Did you know that on June 12, 2019, the Reproductive Health Act (IL SB-25) became law in Illinois. This legislation is considered the most radical pro-abortion law in the country. While the entire legislation can be viewed at ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/101-0013.htm, here are a few important highlights (pr...

National Lutheran Schools Week (NLSW), scheduled for Jan. 26–Feb. 1, provides the network of 1,950 LCMS preschools, elementary schools and high schools with the public opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work in Lutheran schools. In this, Lutheran schools thank God for the opportunity to provide excellent academic preparation for the children they serve and for the opportunity to share Jesus’ amazing love with students and their families. 

NLSW gives schools the ability to proclaim these great blessings within the communities they serve. Lutheran schools are incubators for faithful witness of God’s love through Christ by teachers and students alike. 

“Joy:fully Lutheran” is the theme for the 2020 NLSW celebration. The associated scripture verse is 1 Thess. 5:16-24: 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is...

The LCMS invites you to walk with your fellow Lutherans at the 47th Annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. 

The march will begin at 1 p.m. EST, Jan. 24, on Constitution Avenue between 12th and 14th streets. Shortly before that time, members of LCMS churches, schools and organizations in attendance will gather in a designated location to receive hats, signs and hymn sheets. They will then join other marchers from around the world to walk up Constitution Avenue to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

On Jan. 23, the eve of the march, LCMS participants are invited to a rally at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel. Anyone planning to attend the rally is asked to RSVP to the LCMS Church Information Center at infocenter@lcms.org or 888-843-5267 (THE-LCMS).

For more information about LCMS participation in the 2020 National March for Life, see lcms.org/marchforlife. 

For more information on the March for Life organization’s conference on Thursday,...

From left, Southern Illinois District President Rev. Timothy Scharr installs Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton as district second vice-president on Oct. 7. The installation was held during the Divine Service at the Fall Pastors’ Conference at Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center. 

Rev. Clayton replaces Rev. Benjamin Ball, who was elected as LCMS sixth vice-president at the 67th Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Tampa in July. 

Rev. Clayton serves as pastor of Zion, Mascoutah.

Rev. Michael W. Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life (LFL), will be the preacher for Life Sunday services at Good Shepherd, Collinsville, Jan. 18-19. 

He will speak on the sanctity of human life according to God’s grace in Christ Jesus from Gen. 3:1-21 at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, and during the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Jan. 19. 

Salemink will also lead the Bible class following the 8 a.m. service.

Children will collect items for Mosaic Pregnancy & Health Centers. Anyone can contribute. Items requested include diapers, wipes, sleepers, crib sheets, baby wash, baby towels and diaper rash cream. A door collection for Lutherans For Life will also be taken.

Salemink has been serving as LFL executive director since 2015. A 2003 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., he previously served as pastor of St. John’s, Webster, Minn., (2003-05) and as associate pastor of St. James, Lafayette, Ind. (2005-15). Pastor Salemink and his wife, Heather, have...

Trinity Lutheran School, Hoffman, received their re-accreditation through National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA). The NLSA certificate was presented at the Sept. 22 Divine Service.

A reception celebrating Trinity’s accomplishments was held for all school and church families following the service. 

Pictured are, from left, Jeffrey Fick and Beth Boester, Trinity principal.