St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Three teens were confirmed on Sunday. May God be with them as they continue to mature and grow. May He guide and direct them in all they do.

Fire guts Downers Grove church leaving it uninhabitable An early morning, multialarm fire at a church in Downers Grove Monday left the building gutted and uninhabitable. Fire officials said the damage caused by the blaze at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Churc...

Sunday afternoon, we installed our five new teachers. May God bless their ministry among us.

It’s that time of year again! We are planning on bringing back the clothing giveaway at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Below are the details of the event. If you have any questions-please feel free to reach out! We will happily accept your donations and/or your time to help sort and get ready for shoppers!

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On Sunday, we bid farewell to our called workers who are moving into new stages of life. We thank them all for the blessing they were to our congregation.

What poignant illustrations you use, Lord, to expose my sluggish approach to life. No one likes the taste of straight vinegar; no one wants smoke in their eyes; no one wants to have a worker do something poorly for them. Forgive me for the times I have been like smoke in your eyes, putting aside the purposes for which you have put me in this world. Help me to live according to your law of love; embolden me to share your gospel message; encourage me to encourage others--then I will no longer be a sluggard. Instead, I will be a faithful and active servant in your Kingdom. Amen.

Dear God, as a believer in Jesus I have the amazing blessing of prayer. I can freely speak to you, the creator of the universe, and be confident that you listen. Even more, you promised to answer me according to your will. Give me an appreciation for your Word in which you reveal your will for me as your child. May I always delight in Scripture and meditate on it day and night, so that I may better know and understand what you have revealed. Create in me a passion for prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Good Shepherd, as I live in a world that constantly wants more, it's easy to become convinced that these words aren't true. My heart looks right past all the wonderful blessings you provide for me. My hands reach for things that I want, but don't ultimately need. Help me to trust in the reality that I truly have all that I need in you; I lack not one good thing; I am fully satisfied by your grace, your provision, and your promises. You have not let me down once before, so I know you will continue to shepherd me through this life and into eternity. Amen.

Lord Jesus, what an amazing task you give to your Church. While these words were originally written to a young pastor, they can apply to every Christian. You want all of us to be ready to carry out the purpose you've given: telling others about you Word. Whether that means rebuking or encouraging or correcting, keep me connected to your Word so that I will be ready every day to share what I know about you with others. Then you can continue your work of bringing more people into glory. Amen.

Good Shepherd, this life has plenty of moments and circumstances that feel filled with clouds and thick darkness. That's because sin, along with all its consequences and effects, is a rampant part of my life. Sin brings sadness and grief, pain and hardship, anger and bitterness, selfishness and greed: all things that could, in one way or another, be associated with thick darkness. But you have stepped into the darkness. You, our Shepherd, have sworn to seek out and rescue all of your lost sheep from all their despair, sadness, and anger. Ultimately, you've sworn to rescue us by doing away with the darkness of sin at the cross. Thank you for rescuing me and all your sheep. Keep us mindful of this victory that is ours, even when the days seem dark. Amen.

Paul's two letters to Timothy are filled with wonderful instructions to a young pastor. Paul viewed Timothy almost as a son; you can hear and see the caring connection coming out of nearly every section. However, this care that Paul had is not just for pastors; it is for all people. In fact, he writes about God's heart for all people in 1 Timothy 2:3-4. Yes, there are plenty of good and godly things for us to consider in these ancient, personal, doctrinal letters. To that end, my encouragement to you is to read two chapters each day this week, as follows:
Monday, April 15 - 1 Timothy 1 and 2
Tuesday, April 16 - 1 Timothy 3 and 4
Wednesday, April 17 - 1 Timothy 5 and 6
Thursday, April 18 - 2 Timothy 1 and 2
Friday, April 19 - 2 Timothy 3 and 4
I think you will find something to apply to your life in each section. If not, you might come across a question you've had for awhile--feel free to ask it. In any case, I pray this Word of God through Paul will be a blessing to you.

Lord God, you have revealed your will in your holy Word, which makes it beautiful. I see your love and grace along with the hope and joy they give me. But the only reason I can react that way is because you have purified my soul through faith. Not everyone sees your Word as such a wonderful thing; instead, they are looking for loopholes and inconsistencies, tricks and catches. All the while, they hate your law and they despise the gospel. It's only because their hearts are still crooked. Today I pray for all those with crooked hearts--those who have yet to be brought to faith in you. Bless any interactions I would have with them. I want them to be able to see the pure joy and beauty that comes from you Word, especially the fact that you have made them pure in the blood of Jesus. Amen.

Lord of love, it's amazing to consider that your love doesn't end. One reason for my amazement is due to the fact that the love I show others is often shaky, shifting, bound by something, and might even come to an end. But your love is unshakeable, boundless, ceaseless, and steadfast. That doesn't mean it's a static love, though. I see your love and mercy in new ways every day. Whether that's through renewed physical blessings or a reminder of the spiritual blessings that come through your promises, I can't help but marvel at the depth of your love. Indeed, great is your faithfulness! Amen.

Lord, there have been many times in history when your people were under attack. Your people may not be under attack in the same extreme ways that those early Christians were; and yet, it is easy to feel threatened by the message that society shouts at those who believe in you. This small verse points me to a big thing that you do in these times persecution: you make your Word flourish even more through your people. Make me bold to proclaim your life-saving message. Help me to find ways to share your good news to those who need to hear it so that your kingdom might grow and flourish under persecution, as it has in the past. Amen.

Dear Lord, there are always so many troubling things going on in this world. People are abused and dying; many struggle with uncertainties about their income or their relationships; so many things show me that sin has done all it can to rob your world of peace. And yet, despite the best efforts of the devil and sin, I still have peace in you, Lord. You guide my life according to your will, promising to bring good from every circumstance. While I may not understand how, I can always trust in your divine wisdom and power. Whether I am waking or sleeping, give me the peace, rest, and safety that only you can bring. Amen.

Lord Jesus, what a comfort it must have been to your disciples to see and touch you after you rose. For them, coming into contact with you dispelled their doubts and tossed aside their troubles. You may not show me the nail marks and spear wound in your hands and side. Yet, I know I can still see and touch you through the miracle of faith. As I come into contact with you through your Word, through your Supper, through the remembrance of my baptism; work through those means to do the same thing you did for your disciples. Shatter my doubt with your grace; chase away my troubles with your sure promises; make me certain of everything you are and everything you say. Amen.

Lord God, your mercies are new every morning. You shower me every single day with more blessings than I can keep track of--clothing and food, friends and family, sunlight and clouds, oxygen and water, income and commerce, my very body and soul--everything comes from your gracious and powerful hand. Whenever I recall your goodness, I can do nothing in response except praise you. To someone who does not realize how blessed they are by you, that might sound strange or repetitive; at times, my sinful nature even pushes against that idea. But you drive away such hesitation by the power of your Word, which opens my eyes to the reality that you are the creator and giver of all things. Thank you for another day of blessing, Lord. Amen.

Lord, when I'm frightened about anything in this world, all I have to do is remember what you've said and what you've done. You made it clear throughout your time on earth that you would have to die for my sins; but you also made it clear that you would rise again. Because of this amazing truth, I can confidently say that, even though you were not in the tomb, you are with me everywhere I go! I never have to fear anything--not shame, not sin, not the devil, not even death itself--because you have done what you promised: you have risen. Amen.

Lord God, even in this joyous season, it is difficult to remember what my life is all about. It often feels like the busyness of life pulls me in ten different directions over the course of ten minutes. I can find my worth and identity in what I do or what people think about me. Then this verse shines like a light in a dark place. My life is yours and it is centered around you and your Son, Jesus. The only reason I have value, meaning, and purpose is because of what Jesus did on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to rid me of sin’s guilt and shame. By your grace, I have the Son, which means I have everything I need to live now and forever. Lead me by your Spirit to live my life so that people can see what it looks like to be truly valued and filled with purpose. Amen.

Lord God, this verse is filled with things that fill my heart with joy because of your resurrection. Praise: I might be tempted to glorify other things in this world, but you are the only one who has saved me from death and, therefore, are the only being worth praising. Great mercy: Since your Son and my Savior has died and risen to take away my sin, I no longer have to worry about being punished or condemned because of what I have done; you are merciful to me every single day. New birth: Thank you for giving me that birth that is from above by washing me clean in the blood of the Lamb through the waters of baptism; may I always cherish your gifts. Living hope: There are plenty of hopes in this world that fizzle out and die; not yours, though. The hope that is founded on Jesus and his death and resurrection will never be put to shame. Fill my heart with praise today and every day, Lord, over the amazing things that Jesus Christ has won for me. Amen.

Jesus, this verse helps me grasp the importance of your resurrection. Without it, there would be nothing that sets you apart from any other leader or teacher; I would have no certainty; your promises would carry no meaning; and there would be no solution for sin. That’s a scary thing to imagine. But I know I don’t have to worry about them because Paul wrote a few verses later that you have indeed—beyond any shadow of a doubt—been raised from the dead. So, not only is preaching about and believing in you not pointless, it’s life-changing and an amazing gift of grace to able to do those things. Even though Easter Sunday has come and gone, help me always remember the power that your resurrection gives me. Amen.

Lord Jesus, you looked like a lost cause on the cross. People thought you were beyond hope, beyond rescue, beyond love. Remind me that today, even though you look defeated and bloodied, you have won hope, accomplished rescue, and showed the greatest, deepest, truest love. Thank you for doing what I couldn’t do for myself, let alone the whole world. Amen.

Jesus, these seemingly simple actions are filled with such meaning for me. You gave your body and let your precious blood be poured out for me. Thank you for not only sacrificing yourself once for all, but for giving me this gracious sacrament as yet another way to grant me your full and free forgiveness. Today and always, help me cherish this holy meal as it is: your true body and blood given for me. Amen.

Jesus, as I see you with eyes of faith on the cross, help me see that your death also puts my sinful nature to death. Continue to live in me so that I can see others through your eyes, love others with your love, and give to others as you gave yourself for me. Amen.

John 11:25-26 - Jesus said...“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish."

Ritchay Funeral Home

Lord Jesus, even though I can read the inspired words here that speak about your nature and what it has accomplished for the world, I still have a difficult time fully fathoming how it could be possible. I don't doubt it; my sinful and simple mind just can't completely comprehend how you, the fullness of God, came to this world. Not only that, but that you made peace between God and men by shedding your blood. It's so strange to say that God has blood; but I know it's true because of what you Word says, including these verses. Thank you for not only accomplishing this peace for me, but for also telling me about it through your Word so that I am able to rest in knowing that God has shed his blood for me. Amen.

God, I can so very quickly make a mess of what love is. I make it about what I can do to earn something good. That's not love at all. Thankfully, you speak often about love in your Word, and you model it in so many ways throughout the span of time. Here, you make things as plain and simple as you possibly could. Thank you for being blunt with me. I need that to realize how simple and yet profound true love is. It's not based on what I've done or what others have done. Instead, it's all about your grace in sending your Son to take my sins of pride and selfishness away. Send that loving grace through me today so that I can show others what love is all about. Amen.