Reports - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

they are trying to reach out in the community of Elkhart which has no Lutheran congregation. The LincolnCircuit has participated in this outreach sponsoring the 2008 Reformation Rally Worship Service and sendingyouth to the Jr. High Lock in each year which has had over 50 youth in attendance for each year so far.Christ, Delavan/St. Luke, San JoseDuring the last triennium, both of our congregations celebrated significant milestones in their respectiveministries. In 2007, Christ celebrated its 50 th congregational anniversary with a special afternoon service in earlyJune, at which former pastor Rev. David Kuchta served as the guest preacher. Two other former pastors,including Rev. Wesley Reimnitz of the CID Staff, were also in attendance.In 2008, St. Luke celebrated its 100 th congregational anniversary with a series of events throughout the year.Most notably, Rev. Dr. Robert Kuhn, former CID and LCMS President, served as the guest preacher for a specialafternoon service in mid-August. Another former pastor, along with two sons of the congregation, Revs. Geraldand Glenn Renken, both presently of the CID, were also in attendance.In June 2008, St. Luke also hosted an LCMS Servant Event for the first time, attended by roughly 30 high schoolyouth from six different churches in Illinois and neighboring states. The “Community Builders” event providedhome repairs for several families in the San Jose community. The congregation decided to take 2009 off buthopes to host a similar event in either 2010 or 2011.In February 2007, both congregations purchased and began using Lutheran Service Book, the first hymnal changeundertaken by either congregation since the introduction of TLH.In December 2008, Pastor Riddle and his family celebrated five years of ministry at Christ/St. Luke. The Lordhas continued to bless both of our congregations with fairly steady attendance and, though in small increments,some growth. To God alone be the glory!Zion, Lincoln / Faith, LincolnZion Lutheran, Lincoln has placed a call for a seminary graduate to serve as Assistant Pastor to work in youthministry. They are blessed have the Lord answer their prayers with a graduate placed with them this spring.What makes this call special is that Zion’s daughter congregation, Faith in Lincoln has committed $15,000annually to the salary of the pastor. In return this pastor will minister to high school youth both congregations.The Lincoln Circuit is thankful for all of the blessings of life and salvation in Jesus Christ and pray the Lord’scontinued blessings upon our outreach in the years to come.Pastor Mark D. PetersCircuit CounselorPeoria Circuit – Rev. Barry Long, Circuit CounselorA Brief Review of Peoria Circuit, 2006-9In the 2006-09 triennium, the following significant events took place for the Peoria Circuit:*Spring 2006: hosted the Rev. Dr. Steve Hein for a one-day seminar on the Theology of the Cross.*Fall 2006: held a Circuit Forum to elect delegates to the 2007 Synodical Convention.*Resumed joint meetings with Tazewell Circuit, during which we have read Kober’s Confession andForgiveness together, are currently reading Preus’ The Fire and the Staff, and have regular exegetical study on thepericope.*December 2006: Had Latvian Archbishop Janis Vanags visit two congregations in our circuit.*January 2007: Saw Michael Sidenstricker ordained and called to serve at Grace, Canton.*April 2007: Served as worship leaders for the Spring Pastors’ Conference.*Summer 2007: Regretfully acknowledged the closing of Robert Preus Lutheran High School; saw Pr.Stephen Hartmann retired from Redeemer, Peoria; and saw Mark Nelson ordained and installed to serve atTrinity, Peoria.2009 Convention Section B – Reports Page 43