Important - COVID-19 Response
MAY 5th UPDATE
Updated Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 9:48am
Dearly Beloved of Trinity,
“The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).
Indeed, though you walk in danger all the way through this world, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, is leading you to your heavenly home. He, who has laid down His life for you and shared that eternal life with you, is active through Baptism, Word and Holy Supper, guarding and nurturing your faith and life as you dwell in this world, awaiting the life of the world to come. Praise be to God for His faithfulness!
Last Thursday, April 30th, Governor Pritzker officially issued a revised “stay at home” order for the state of Illinois as part of the state’s continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite various restrictions, as part of this new order, Governor Pritzker has now included “the free exercise of religion” in the list of “essential activities” for which it is permissible to leave home. We thank God that He has answered our continued prayers and endowed our governor with the wisdom to discern and include this much needed revision in the new executive order.
This, however, does not mean that Trinity will be able to reopen for regular services this month. The CDC still encourages all U.S. residents to stay home as much as possible, to maintain an appropriate distance from others (6 feet), to wear face coverings in public settings when distancing is difficult to maintain, to be alert for symptoms of the virus, and to exercise appropriate hygiene. Partly because of this CDC guideline, the new executive order, while allowing for “the free exercise of religion,” restricts us from gathering in groups of more than 10 people.
Although some of you may disagree with the governor’s decision, God calls His Christians to obey the fourth, fifth, and eighth commandments. We are to submit to our earthly leaders insofar as they do not command anything contrary to God’s Word, and we are to pray for them. We are to do what we can to care for our neighbors’ bodies, including doing what we are able to reduce the spread of the virus. In addition, whether we agree or disagree with the decision which Governor Pritzker has made, we are still called to put the best construction on his motives and assume that he has made this decision based on what he believes the best course of action for the promotion of public health. Even if we disagree with a governor’s course of action and seek to change that action, we must do so in a respectful, Christian manner. God forgive us for our failures in our callings, and God help us with His Holy Spirit to be obedient children!
Therefore, based on this new order and in an effort to obey those in authority and to care for one another, Trinity’s Board of Elders, congregational President, and Pastor Raddatz have decided the following:
1) Trinity Lutheran Church will continue to suspend all regular, public services until further notice. The Elders will re-examine this suspension again at the end of May in light of any new information from government and health officials.
2) Trinity will continue to offer services and Bible study that can be viewed on YouTube. Pastor will mail out sermons upon request.
3) Individual Confession and Absolution will continue to be available to you by phone or in person, if desired. The new executive order allows this, provided that health precautions are taken.
4) The Lord’s Supper will now be available for reception on a household basis by appointment only. Since the new executive order allows for gatherings of 10 or fewer people and since appropriate health precautions can be taken in love for neighbor, Pastor Raddatz can once again in good conscience distribute the Lord’s Supper. Thanks be to God!
Those individuals and households desiring the Lord’s Supper are invited to call, text, or email Pastor (773-634-0082; pastor.raddatz@gmail.com) or the church office (309-346-1391) in order to schedule an appointment to receive the Lord’s Supper. Each week Pastor will be available to distribute the Lord’s Supper in the nave at the following times:
Tuesday at 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, and 3:30pm
Wednesday at 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, and 3:30pm
Sunday at 11am and 11:30am.
If all available appointments are full, Pastor will schedule an appointment with you for the following week. Each appointment will consist of a brief Divine Service, which will last around 15 minutes. In between and during services Pastor will diligently observe CDC recommendations, including thorough handwashing, wearing a mask when consecrating and distributing the sacrament, keeping an appropriate distance as much as possible, and thoroughly cleaning the communion vessels.
If you have further questions about how the Lord’s Supper will be distributed, please contact Pastor Raddatz. If, due to health concerns, you do not yet feel comfortable receiving the Lord’s Supper, please do not allow this letter to burden your conscience. God also offers you assurance of His favor through the promises attached to Baptism, Absolution, and the preaching of His Word. Receive these gifts gladly, and then continue to look forward to the day when you will once again receive Christ’s Supper.
I give thanks to God for you all, your continued faith, and your continued faithfulness toward God’s Word. I also commend you for the good works to which you have continued to devote yourselves: the giving of your tithes and offerings, the words of encouragement to your pastor and one another, your prayers, and your works of service to Trinity and the community. Praise be to God from whom all of these blessings flow! Continue to seek the Lord’s help so that you may continue to live before Him with a clean conscience and that you may honor Him.
I long to see you all, and I long for the day when we will all gather together in the name and presence of our Risen Lord Jesus. Even more, we long for the day when God will gather into one His whole flock in the new heavens and the new earth. God grant us faith and patience. Amen. The peace of Christ be with you all!
In Christ Jesus’ love,
Pastor Simeon Raddatz
Trinity Lutheran Church, Pekin
Click the following links to download/print copies of the letters from Pastor Raddatz:
> 4th Letter from Pastor Raddatz (5/5/2020, 9:48am)
> 3rd Letter from Pastor Raddatz (4/1/2020, 5:08pm)
> 2nd Letter from Pastor Raddatz (3/17/2020, 11:56am)
>
1st Letter from Pastor Raddatz (3/14/2020, 9:54pm)
Updates and news are also posted on Trinity's Facebook page.
Divine Service Audio/Video Links
During the supension of services, parts of the Divine Service are being recoreded including the readings, hymn of the day, sermon, and prayers. In some instances, text versions (pdfs) of the Sermon and/or Order of Service are available.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Matins - The Day of Pentecost
Links: YouTube video | Order of Service pdf or Word file | Coloring Page
YouTube video and coloring page will be available Sunday morning.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Matins - Ascension of our Lord
Links: YouTube video | Order of Service pdf or Word file | Coloring Page
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Matins - Sixth Sunday of Easter
Links: YouTube video | Order of Service pdf or Word file | Coloring Page
Visit our Media page to find previous services and Bible studies!
Welcome
Trinity Lutheran Church is a member of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. As Lutherans, we in the LCMS share a strong belief in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired inerrant Word of God. It is by God's grace alone, through our faith worked in us by the Holy Spirit, that we believe in Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation.
**Sunday services are suspended until further notice**
Sunday Morning Worship Schedule
This is the normal Sunday Worship Schedule unless otherwise posted.
8:15 am – Worship
9:30 am – Bible Breakfast, Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
10:45 am – Worship
Announcements
Daily Devotions with the Pastor
**Pastor will not hold morning Devotions until further notice.**
Join Pastor for early morning devotions - 8:00am Matins - Monday through Thursday, unless otherwise noted. In Titus 3:14 Paul writes, "And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful" (emphasis mine). So, if you can be devoted to good works, then devotion is not only hearing God's Word, reading it on your own, or joining the pastor at the church for 8am Matins (but you could join me!). Devotion to God's Word is foundational for any kind of Christian devotional life, but devotion doesn't end with hearing the Word. Devotion encompasses all of life, and it also includes the "fruit" of our encounter with God's Word.
New Church Library
Check out our new library with new books for all ages. The library is located next to the pastor’s office. There are instructions on one of the shelves on how to check out
books and return them.
Shut-in of the Month
Some members cannot attend church and it is important that we remember them in our thoughts and especially our prayers. During the month please pray for them and send them a card.
Our shut-in of the month is:
Goldie Reeves
1205 Janssen St.
Pekin, IL 61554
We need a lot! Mostly your help!
We are in need of ushers, especially for the 10:45 service. If you are interested in helping out at this service please contact the church office.
We are also in need of drivers to pick up members who need a ride to church. Transportation should never be the reason for someone to miss worship. Call
the church office if you can help.
Greeters are needed too! If you can greet members as they enter the sanctuary please let us know.
We need Bible Breakfast helpers for the 4th Sunday of the month and when there is a 5th Sunday of the month. Please contact the church office at 346-1391 if you can help.
2020 Flower Chart
The flower chart for 2020 is already up in the narthex. Simply sign your name by the date you wish to donate altar flowers. A form will be sent to you when your date is near. Dates are chosen on a first come first serve basis. Thank you to all those who provide flowers for God’s altar during the year.
Church Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday- 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday - Office Closed
Living Each Day as a Steward -
Click to watch the 2012 Stewardship Video
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