faith vol. 20, no. 6 the a newsletter of faith evangelical lutheran church of antioch, illinois...
TRANSCRIPT
Vol. 20, No. 6
THE
A Newsletter of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of Antioch, Illinois Winter 2020
FAITH... EVANGELICAL & LUTHERAN
LUTHERAN CHURCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
24300 W. Grass Lake Road (Pre-K through Grade 8)
(at HWY 59) Antioch 1275 Main Street, Antioch
847-293-6101 847-395-1660
Worship Services Saturday 5:30 PM
Sunday 8:00 & 10:45 AM
Sunday School weekly at 9:30 AM
Youth & Adult Studies Sundays 9:30-10:30 AM
Visit us online… or on the radio!
www.faithantioch.org WFEL 99.9 FM
facebook.com/faithantioch Antioch
Unchanging Hope for an
Ever-changing World !
As one year ends and another be-
gins, columnists and commentators
look back at the previous year. What
changed? What stayed the same?
Whose passing did we mourn? Whose
new arrival did we celebrate?
At the same time, we make predic-
tions about the coming year. What will
the new year hold? What will change?
What will stay the same?
As fun and exciting as it may be to
reminisce about the past and dream
about the future, it can also be a little
sad and scary. Things will likely never
be what they used to be. Loved ones
who have passed away don’t come
back. Jobs that are lost seldom reap-
pear quickly. Even when broken
dreams and broken relationships are
repaired, they rarely return to their
former glory. Far too often many of
our experiences in this ever-changing
world are difficult.
Yet we sometimes look at our
lives and see a need for change. Each
January many of us make New Year’s
resolutions: “I’m going to exercise
more and eat less.” “I’m going to save
more and spend less.” “I’m going to
love more and hate less.” But too of-
ten, our good intentions disappear,
and only the lame excuses remain.
No matter what (or who) changes
from one year to the next, there is one
who never changes - Jesus Christ, the
Son of God. He always exists, from
before time, throughout the course of
time, and at the end of time for all the
eternity ahead of us. Jesus loved you
before you were born. He loves you
right now. He will always love you.
That’s what the recent Christmas
season was all about. Jesus loved you
so much that he wanted you to experi-
ence his unchanging love forever. So
he came into the world to live up to
God’s perfect demands in your place.
He took the punishment for your im-
perfection and gave you the reward for
his perfection. That reward is an eterni-
ty far away from this world’s sorrows
and disappointments - the unchanging
peace and joy of a place called heaven.
Our lead articles of all 2020 Messenger
issues explore favorite Bible verses.
This month’s favorite Bible verse is:
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday
and today and forever.”
Jesus - the same yesterday, today, and forever - prom-
ises to be with us, love us, care for us, and give perfect
peace with God to all who trust in him. Only Jesus offers
unchanging hope to an ever-changing world.
OPEN HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES! - Is Faith
Lutheran School an Option for Your Family? Are you looking for a nationally accredited, state rec-
ognized Christian elementary school for your child? A
place where learning humanity’s accumulated knowledge
and a knowledge of man’s Creator hold equal priority? Did
you know Faith Lutheran is an Illinois Invest In Kids quali-
fied school which means any qualifying child may obtain a
grant which can add up to full tuition for a school year?
How can our staff be of help in exploring the possibili-
ties of enrollment for next school year? An appointment to
pursue more information? A tour of our school campus?
Meeting the teacher of your child’s class level for next Cont’d on page 2
The Messenger Page 2
February Staff Profile Getting to know PreK Teaching Assistant… Becky Hoffmann
Becky has been a member of Faith since Summer 2013
when her family transferred from Living Hope Lutheran
Church of Midlothian, Virginia. She has been part of
our Early Childhood Education staff since the fall of
2015.
Becky grew up with her twin brother Andrew
and her older sister Jaime in Zilwaukee, Michigan.
After graduating from Heritage High School in Sagi-
naw, Michigan Becky met Adam Hoffman who had
graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary, also in
Saginaw, and was attending Delta College there. Be-
fore their job transfer brought the Hoffmann family
to Antioch they lived for a time in Akron, Ohio and
then Midlothian, Virginia.
Becky received her Career Studies Certificate in Early
Childhood Education from John Tyler Community College in
Virginia. She taught preschool for five years before the move
to Illinois. Becky has also served Faith church and school by
teaching at Summer Night Out, Christmas 4 Kids, and Easter
4 Kids. She has also served on other committees
and volunteered in her son’s Faith classrooms
whenever possible.
Becky and her husband Adam have two boys:
Gabe is a Senior at Shoreland Lutheran High
School while Ben is a sophomore attending Anti-
och High School. The boys keep Adam and Becky
very busy with school and sports activities. A BIG
fan of Cleveland sports teams Becky’s interests
also include reading, exercising, movies, and
watching football games with her family.
"I am very thankful that the Lord has blessed me
with the opportunity to teach preschool at Faith. I always
look forward to my opportunities to share His Word with His
little lambs."
year? Perhaps even a walk through the
paperwork of an enrollment applica-
tion? A layout of the available re-
sources for tuition assistance? Faith Lutheran School prepares stu-
dents to live successful and meaningful
lives in this ever-changing and complex
world. By the grace of God our school
has served the Antioch community since
1971. We are nationally accredited and
state recognized. Our faculty and staff
use the latest technology, methods and
instructional technics to equip each child
with the skills to navigate the complexi-
ties of life while preparing students to
share the knowledge of Christ today and
live with Christ in eternity.
Our faculty and staff are also trained
and certified annually in safety, first aid
and security (including intruder and inci-
dent response). Our staffing and pro-
grams include extended learning for both
the challenged and accelerated student.
Our staff regularly works with local
school district resource personel in eval-
uating and addressing the physical, de-
velopmental, educational and emotional
needs of all students.
Faith School will be holding two
open house opportunities in the near fu-
ture. The first is this coming Sunday Jan-
uary 26 from noon until 3:00 PM. The
following Saturday, February 1, an open
house will begin 9:00 AM and conclude
at noon. No need to call ahead!
But please do give our office a call
at 847-395-1660 if you do have ques-
tions. We’re happy to be of help!
2020 GriefShare Sessions Begin Our GriefShare support group has
resumed its weekly activities in Janu-
ary after taking a holiday break. The
first 2020 session was this past Sun-
day January 19 but that shouldn’t keep
anyone from joining in at any time the
weeks ahead. All of our Faith support
groups meet in the chapel on the
church campus. Grief Share meets at
6:00 PM on Sunday evenings.
Everyone is welcome no matter
how recent or long ago their loss. The
group will meet weekly through late
spring but welcomes newcomers at
any session. There are no fees. For
more information please call Pastor
Hermanson at 847-293-6578. Perhaps
you struggle with not knowing what to
say to a family member, friend, neigh-
bor or co-worker grieving for a loved
one? Let them know they are not
alone and, let them know GriefShare
has been a blessing to many.
2020 AIC Planning Many years this issue of The
Messenger has included information
about an Adult Instruction Class ses-
sion beginning the first Sunday of
February. With the staffing realities at
Faith this year only Wednesday AIC
classes are being offered. So if you’ve
been looking for a new AIC to start
and were wondering when it was go-
ing to happen we thought we’d put
our planning out here in The Messen-
ger for the months ahead. In 2020 we
are starting something just a bit differ-
ent. SUMMER AIC will begin the first
Wednesday of MAY. As with Summer
AIC sessions in the past there will be a
number of summer Wednesday ses-
sions when we “double” up for ses-
sions at 7:00 and 8:00 PM. But starting
in May will require only a few of those
longer evenings during some of the
longest days of the year. The April and
May issues of the Messenger will have
reminders and more info on the Sum-
mer AIC details for 2020. Feel free to
contact Pastor Ungemach at 847-293-
6101 with suggestions or questions.
Faith Bible Studies Online Does a crazy schedule or needing
to be home for kids doing homework
keep you from attending a week night
Bible study? Did you know that Faith
offers both its weekly Wednesday
evening Adult Bible Study and its
month Tuesday (4th Tuesday each
month) Evening Women’s Bible
Study on line? Both of these studies
begin at 7:00 PM and are quite easy to
join. All that is required is using this
link in your browser:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/
join/256028709.
You can also download an APP
that makes the process much easier
each time you wish to access a study.
Just swap out “install” for “join” in the
link above to get that app!
The Messenger Page 3
God Is In Your Future Do you believe that anything good is coming in your future? God lives in your future. He loves to get involved in making things happen for people
he cares about. He created you for a purpose, to spend eternity enjoying
life with you. God says in Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to give you a future and a hope." There is hope
in his Word. Let him talk to you today." Pastor Mark Jeske
of Time of Grace
Listen to “Time of Grace”
Monday at 9 am - Tuesday at 9 pm Thursday at 9 am - Saturday at 9 pm
EASTER 4 KIDS! Is April 4! Need some ‘kids free’ time for some Easter
candy shopping or an early spring project? How
about just a little quiet time for yourself? Your
friends at Faith would love to help you out.
We would be happy to keep your children
busy for a few hours on Saturday morning, April
4, during our annual Easter 4 Kids activity day
for children who are currently three years old
through those currently enrolled in fourth grade.
Please also tell your friends and neighbors about
this FREE opportunity. Advance registration
will begin on-line and at a display in our church
commons the second week of March.
Lent Worship Begins the Last
Wednesday of February This Year If you haven’t looked ahead on the calendar
you may not have noticed where Easter fall this
Spring. It’s one week earlier than last year and
Faith’s observance of the forty days leading up
to Holy Week will once again feature very spe-
cial weekly Wednesday worship services at 3:30
and 7:00 PM.
Our mid-week Lenten theme for 2020 is
“The Son of God Goes Forth to War.” Many
picture Jesus in robes, holding a shepherd’s staff
and guiding his sheep. Others view him crowned
and bright, sitting on a throne in heaven. Less
commonly today, we recognize him as the sol-
dier the Word tells us he is. He is brave and of-
ten opposed, yet ultimately victorious.
The Son of God Goes Forth to War series
will take a thoughtful look at Christ’s role as
warrior through the Scripture's telling of the bat-
tle against sin and death that Jesus won for us.
Our weekly worship themes will also focus in on
the tremendous courage, humility and power of
our Savior.
Faith groups will once again take turns host-
ing free fellowship meals each Lenten Wednes-
day in the Faith Christian Life Center from 5:30-
6:30 PM . Everyone is welcome! We hope you
will consider joining us along the way on our
Lenten journey to the cross - and empty tomb!
Nonprofit
Organization
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Antioch, IL
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Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
1275 Main Street
Antioch Illinois 60002
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The Messenger
We are located at TWO sites…
FAITH Evangelical...
Lutheran Church 24300 West Grass Lake Road
Antioch Illinois 60002
847-395-1660
Lutheran Elementary School (Pre-k through Grade 8)
1275 Main Street
Antioch Illinois 60002
847-395-1660
Find out more about us at…
www.faithantioch.org
facebook.com/faithantioch &
WFEL 99.9 FM Antioch
broadcasting locally 24 hours a day
This is a non-profit publication serving
the members of Faith and residents of
the surrounding communities with
information on activities of the church,
school and the community.
Our Mission:
The mission of every Christian and of Faith congregation
is to help make more and stronger disciples
by sharing with everyone the good news of Jesus Christ.
Highlighting Coming Events at FAITH of Antioch
Please note at which facility the activity will take place... our Church Campus on Grass
Lake Road or our Lutheran Elementary School Campus on Main Street...
January 26 Faith School open house noon until 3 PM (school)
January 26 Grief Share support group (weekly) session at 6 PM (church)
February 1 Faith School open house 9:00 AM until Noon (school)
February 8 MEN’S Bible Breakfast at 7:30 AM (church)
February 8 JESUS CARES activities at 10:30 AM (church)
February 26 Ash Wednesday worship at 3:30 & 7:00 PM (church)
(the first of six weeks of special Lent Wednesday services)
April 4 Easter 4 Kids activity day (church)
We invite you to be with us for any of these occasions.
For questions look to our website www.faithantioch.org for more information
or feel free to give Pastor Ungemach a call at 847-293-6101.