10805 Main St. Huntley, IL 60142
     

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Photo: First Communion Chalice Painting

A Note From Pastor Mark

Every year we are privileged to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We are privileged to live resurrection!

The forty days of Lent is time spent in reflection. We reflect on our own journey. We repent for the pain we have caused and the ways we’ve become separated from God. We remember the darkness and sorrow of the crucifixion, and we become intentional about living resurrection.  As has been suggested over these past few weeks, we consider what one thing we can add, change, or let go of in order to walk more closely with Jesus.

When Jesus calls us, it’s personal. He pays an incredible price to give us the gift of living resurrection. We can live each day filled with love, and pass on that love to those around us.  We can live each day walking in his footsteps. We can see life open like a blossom around us. We can let the unexpected bless our day. We can lean on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that our eyes are open to the world God wants us to see.

Remember, Jesus does not call us to live in the darkness of his death or to live in fear of what may never happen.

As you reflect on your life as a Christian, can you see the growth spurts? Do you recognize times of struggle and the gifts you received as you healed?

Are you thankful for the lives of your children, grandchildren, siblings, friends

and extended family who care for and love you?  Do you remember how they have graced your life? Do you take the time to hold them up in daily prayer, and ask God to meet their daily need? This is how we live resurrection.

As Easter people, we do not have to live in the fear that the disciples  experienced, because we are lucky enough to read the next part of the story, and experience the resurrection. Even in the midst of our own fear and sadness, we can look to the promise of the empty tomb. We can live resurrection!

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s live resurrection as we step into the rhythm of grace Jesus provides, and dance with the Spirit in God’s Kingdom today.  I look forward to our Easter celebration together!

Grace and Peace to You!
Pastor Mark

Email Pastor Mark:  pastormark@sotpmail.com

Ministry Musing

By Donna Kelly

April 2025 – Matthew 23:37-39

As Matthew tells the story of Jesus during the last week of his life (we call it Holy Week), Jesus is often in the Temple courtyards teaching the people. The religious leaders work to set traps for him; asking questions that they believe no matter how Jesus answers, he can either be accused of treason against Rome or turn the people away from following him. But each time he surprises them with his answers. He sees what they are up to and spends several chapters calling them out.

But in verses 37-39, Jesus shows his love for the people of Jerusalem. He has come to show them the way to peace, God’s way of love and justice. He knows that if they don’t follow him, Jerusalem id facing certain doom. He tells them he has wanted to “gather them “under his wings as a mother hen gathers her chicks”. The people were looking for a strong warrior to lead them in a righteous rebellion against Rome. The picture God offers here is one of a protective mother hen, yearning for her chicks to come to her for safety and protection. Yet the people of Jerusalem aren’t looking for that kind of God; they were looking for a strong warrior to lead them in a righteous rebellion against Rome. Jerusalem couldn’t see the way Jesus laid out for them.

And sometimes, you and I are Jerusalem. Often, we are blind and deaf to the promises of God and closed off to the future. It comes as a result of our hanging onto and defining ourselves by past hurts, guilt or losses and refusing to look into ourselves or considering something new for our lives. We can find we are Jerusalem-like when we are suspicious and cynical and when we circle the wagons, draw lines in the sand or refuse to welcome others who see things differently than we do. It occurs when we let fear overwhelm us and allow power, security, control and self-sufficiency to become our principal values. It’s what lies behind our refusal to listen to others and when we believe that our way is not only the best way, but the only way or when we allow structure, rule or law to become the ends rather than the means.

Matthew invites us to contemplate Jesus as a mother hen whose chicks don’t want her. Her wings are empty. She is a mother bereft, struggling with futility. At the moment, all Jesus could see were chicks scurrying off in the opposite direction, taking no notice of the approaching danger, nor of the urgent warnings of the one who longed to give them and us safety.

The good news of life in Christ is that he is always coming to us, in thousands of ways, every moment of every day. The promises have, do now, and will always remain. God never runs out of room under his wings and never, ever gives up on us. Jesus will always be waiting for us to reopen our hearts, and be ready and willing to say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Donna Kelly 

email Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com

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Northern IL Food Bank

Thank You

We had a small but mighty group of eight individuals for packing today at the Food Bank. 

We packed 500 bags of candy.   Each bag contained 40 smaller bags of candy.  In total we handled 1,194 pounds of candy or 20,000 bags.

Here is a group photo we took at the end and then some candid pictures.

Great time was had by all.

Contact: Elizabeth Trout etrout411@comcast.net

 

 

 

 

 

Synod Women's Retreat

Oregon, IL

Northern Illinois Synod Women of the WELCA Retreat 2025 “Walking the Ancient Path” Saturday, April 26, 2025 9:00 AM-3:00 PM   

Program and worship led by PATHWAYS staff from Christ Lutheran Church, Belvedere, Illinois.

Registration fee includes coffee, snacks, lunch and materials.

Registration form available at: www.bit.ly/SYNODretreat0425reg

Half scholarships are available, to request a scholarship, go to:  www.bit.ly/SYNODretreat0425scholar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synod Retreat - Free

DeKalb, IL

All are welcome (men and women) to join the Northeast and South regions for a retreat on April 12, 2025. 

RSVP is not required but appreciated – but don’t let that hold you back from coming!

Schedule:

  • 9:00 – 9:30  Registration
  • 9:30 – 10:30      Breakfast
  • 10:30 – 11:30    Storytelling & Music with Jen Miller and her band
  • 11:30 – 12:30    Closing – Pastor Megan Vaughan

For more information and to RSVP email Deb Quinn (Northeast Rep) at debraquinn1@comcast.net

 

 

Upcoming Special Events

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APRIL

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T-Coil - Hearing Loop System

In the Sanctuary

Ask your hearing care professional how. Some hearing aids are set up where they might have an app on your cellphone that says “telecoil mode”, and you’ll activate that. You might have the ability to adjust the volume up and turn down for the microphone level. But again, talk to your hearing care professional, they should be able to show you all those options, and then play around with it, when you’re in church.

We also have two headsets to use while you are in the sanctuary.  These are in our Welcome Center desk if you don’t have a compatible hearing aid.

Link to video with more information:  www.bit.ly/SOTPloop 

 Contact: your hearing aid professional

 

 

 

 

Get Involved

So Many Ways to Participate in Our Community

God’s Work, Our Hands

Are you looking for ways to use your talents and participate in our church family?

Here are some ideas and who to contact for more information for each one: