Jesus Loves Us So Much

 “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15

Since we have entered the season of spring, the last thing you might want to think about are the heavy clothes of winter. Layer upon layer upon layer to be warm when venturing out into the cold winter snow and wind. I think you get the idea.

But...Spring has sprung! The heavy layers have been cleaned and packed away until next year. Lightweight clothes have made their appearance for the next several months. How refreshing.

As we prepare to walk through Holy Week and toward the cross of Calvary, reflect on the Savior’s great love for us. It often feels like sin, worry, and troubles weigh us down like the layers of winter. It gets to be a lot to handle. We give thanks that Jesus gave His life for us. Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, and through Baptism, we are daily clothed with love for one another - serving and caring for one another in Christ as the Baptized. Thanks be to God, we are covered by the blood of Christ and therefore, called into community with one another where He is the focus of all we do. We are clothed with Chris’s gifts in Baptism.

We bear with one another, as He bears with us. We forgive, because we have been forgiven. We love, because He loved us first. Therefore, be at peace with one another in Christ!

We will shout "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!"...Forever!

As we place our faith and trust in God (no matter the stresses we face), we can all be thankful that God holds us in the palm of His hand and gives us what He knows is best for us. So, when trials come, step back and know God’s plan is perfect. Stay in the Word. Take care of yourself to be Well. Use your words and life as a Witness.

Remember each day – Christ loves you and holds you close.

Serving the Master Teacher,

Lois Stewart

Mission Facilitator for Schools

National Lutheran School Accreditation Deadlines

All accredited schools should have received an invoice for the Annual District Accreditation Fee which is due April 15, 2025. Checks should be made payable to "LCMS Northern Illinois District" in the amount of $150. Failure to submit this fee jeopardizes school accreditation.

DO NOT SEND THE CHECK TO THE DISTRICT! 

Send all payments to:

Keith Wilharm

NLSA Coordinator - NID

207 N. Walnut St.

Elmhurst, IL 60126

Please contact Keith with any questions.

Save the Date

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 is the date set for the fall Back-to-School Worship service and keynote. Our keynote presenter will be Rev. Ryan Peterson. He serves as the Senior Director and Church Relations Officer, Donor Relations at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mark your calendars now so you will be with us when we gather at St. Andrews in Park Ridge. Watch for information and details in the future.

Save the Date

School Administrators, this is for you!! 😊Mark your calendars for the third annual Illinois Lutheran School Administrator Conference (ILSAC). Our host this year will be the Southern Illinois District. The conference will be held at Zion, Litchfield. The dates for the conference are Monday, June 9, 2025 through Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Registration is live for school administrators (invite your assistant principal to attend with you). 

Shine! 2025

We are SHINING for Jesus as we reach out into our communities. We look forward to seeing your photos! 

CUC Music Opportunity 

First Steps in Music (™) is a research-based, curricular framework combining the development of singing and movement skills in order to maximize musical aptitude in young children, typically grades PreK-2. The eight-part “workout” is designed to encourage musical independence and creativity through joyful activities and experiences shared with others while developing the prerequisite skills needed for notational literacy: singing in tune, keeping a steady beat, and developing sensitivity to expressive elements of music. 

First Steps is a developmentally appropriate music education framework for instruction with techniques that provide pathways to meeting students where they are in their musical development, no matter the age or ability. See the link below for more information.

Parish Professionals

The NID Parish Professionals will gather on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Immanuel, Crystal Lake for our meeting. Please note: we will gather at 8:00 a.m. and attend chapel with the Immanuel students. Immanuel’s address is 300 Pathway Ct, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. You will need to present your driver's license upon entering. 

We will share a light breakfast while we meet and work through pages 199 to 244 of our book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Please RSVP to Lois (lois.stewart@nidlcms.org) if you plan to attend. 

Please Update



It is time for all LCMS Rostered Commissioned Ministers to update their Commissioned Ministered Information Form (CMIF). Please access the form at http://cwu.lcms.org and use your password. The Education Office does not have your password, so if you do not have it, you will need to reset it. If you cannot remember your Worker Identification Number, please contact the Education Office (708-223-3110).

Early Childhood, Elementary and High School Administrators

The school year always brings opportunities to serve, learn, and grow together. We are blessed with conference opportunities where we come together as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, many of our Early Childhood educators gathered at St. Peter in Arlington Heights for a professional development event and then visits to three of our centers.  

On Monday, April 28, 2025, we will gather at Concordia University Chicago for our Spring Leadership Conference. Our presenters from Dynamis Ministry will be Dennis Gorski, Jason Nelson, and Ben Berg. We will have a presentation on a life of generosity for us as individuals and also in our ministries.

Please be sure to display the parking pass attached below in your front window.

Hearts for Jesus

What a blessing to support a ministry with our Hearts for Jesus donations.Was this your February chapel offering focus as we support the building of the new playground in Belize?

You may send checks to the District office:

LCMS Northern Illinois District, Attn: Lois Stewart, 1107 Monroe Ave., River Forest, IL 60305-1427

Tec21

Please see the attached information from Brent at TEC21. Think about the value of attending next year.

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