Cost of Discipleship

Dear church,

In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus speaks honestly about the cost of discipleship, divided households, courage, and truth.

That may feel complicated on a day when many are giving thanks for fathers, grandfathers, and father figures, while others carry grief, absence, strain, or longing. Perhaps that is part of the gift of this text. Jesus does not pretend that life or family is uncomplicated. Instead, he reminds us that we belong first and finally to God, the One who knows even the sparrow that falls and counts every hair of our heads.

Birthday Cake

This week, we are invited to bring a special offering of items for birthday bags for the Maine Township Food Pantry.

In the earliest patterns of Christian worship, people brought what they could: bread, wine, money, food, and other gifts. From those offerings, bread and wine were set apart for the Eucharist, and the rest was entrusted to the church’s care, shared with strangers, neighbors, and anyone facing hardship.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

When in Our Music God is Glorified

Dear church,

There are some hymns that seem especially made for a particular Sunday and this week When in Our Music God Is Glorified feels like exactly that kind of gift. As we prepare to give thanks for Anne Krentz Organ and her 25 years of music ministry at St. Luke’s, this hymn helps name something true. At its best, music in the church does not draw attention to itself, but lifts our hearts to God.

Over the years, Anne has helped us experience exactly that. Through her musical leadership, she has helped shape the faith of this congregation and deepen our worship, not simply with beautiful music, but with music that helps the whole congregation sing a more profound Alleluia!

I hope you will join us this Sunday as we gather to worship and to give thanks for Anne’s ministry among us. Come ready to sing, to pray, to celebrate, and to thank God for someone who has, for so many years, helped St. Luke’s lift its voice in praise.

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle

The Walk to Emmaus

Dear church,

The Walk to Emmaus is one of my favorite Bible stories because it feels so deeply human. Two grieving disciples walk the road weighed down by disappointment, and Jesus comes alongside them before they even know it is him, opening the scriptures, sharing the meal, and turning their sorrow toward hope. It is a beautiful reminder that the risen Christ still meets us on ordinary roads and makes himself known in word, companionship, and the breaking of the bread.

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle

Creation Covenant Redemption

Dear church,

During the Easter season, many congregations are accustomed to hearing readings from Acts in place of the Old Testament. But more recent liturgical reflection has encouraged the church not to lose the rich witness of the Hebrew Scriptures during these weeks. Because the theology of resurrection is deeply rooted in God’s work of creation, covenant, and redemption, hearing these readings in Easter helps deepen the church’s proclamation of new life. These Old Testament readings are chosen to stand alongside the Gospel, not as predictions to be “fulfilled,” but as scriptures that can shed light on the risen Christ and the living hope of Easter. Listen in!

See you in worship,
Pastor Kyle