In order to stay up to date, with our latest responses to the COVID-19 outbreak and the ever-changing landscape surrounding it, we are providing you with the latest news.
(Updated January 30, 2021)
Cast your cares on [Jesus], because He cares for you!
1 Peter 5:7
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church:
In-person worship services ARE currently happening (see schedule here). We ask that social distancing and mask guidelines be followed (they are printed out in our bulletins).
For online services, click here.
Audio services will also be airing SUNDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:30AM-10:00AM on local radio station WKAN AM 1320 / 101.3 FM and also stream online at WKAN.com and on their app.
Your pastors are still working and available for you. If you have any special needs, concerns or prayer requests, you are encouraged to contact Pastor Koeppen directly so that they can minister to you.
We try to maintain a lively presence on our Facebook pages, but many of our members do not use Facebook. If you learn of someone who has a special need, please let us know. If you feel like there is something you can do to help fellow members, please let us know that as well. The offices are still open so if you do not use email, you can call us at (815) 932-0312.
If you are in a position to keep giving, please maintain this practice. If you need to mail in your offering, you can do that, but it may be easier for you to set up online giving.
St. Paul’s Lutheran School:
In-person school is underway. Parents, keep in touch with us on FastDirect
Other helpful resources and reminders during this period:
- LCMS Resources for the coronoavirus pandemic
- Don’t forget that God has placed in this situation to be responsive to our neighbors! (blog post)
- Parents – Ease Kids’ Fears and Anxieties about Covid-19(blog post)
- “Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague” – by Martin Luther – Written a long time ago, yet applicable today
- 40 Devotions of God’s Comfort (from LCMS Disaster Response)
- Where is God Now (devotions from Portals of Prayer)
- Service of Daily Prayer and hymns
St. Paul’s Resources:
Our Online Services– video and audio options make this a great way for you to worship together in your homes
Our Sermons– these can be listened to on your web browser or via podcast
Growing Together (Our Bible Study)– you can either this listen to this online or subscribe via podcast. We have been going through the Book of Acts. There are handouts available on our websitetoo.
Online Giving– this is an incredible economic challenge for many people, unfortunately it is likely going to cause financial challenges for the church as well, please continue to support our ministry as God so blesses you
Devotional Resources:
Lutheran Hour Ministries Daily Devotions– these are the Lenten devotions we had available at church
Where is God Now (60 devotions)– special Portals of Prayer devotional resource
40 Devotions of God’s Comfort (from Lutheran Disaster Relief)
Luther’s Small Catechism– also available in app stores for mobile devices
Lutheran Church Charities Daily Devotions
Around the Word (weekly devotions)
21 Days Together– a series of video devotions by LCMS pastors
Worship/Live Stream
Weekly Lectionary Readings– These are the scheduled readings we use in church each week
Weekly Prayers– If you need help with prayers, there are weekly prayers provided by the LCMS for your use
Order of Daily Prayer and hymns(a PDF) – this can be used in your homes as devotions/worship time
KFUO– LCMS radio station available over browser or app, has worship services on Sunday morning at 8am, 10:30a, and 6pm. See their schedule for other great shows.
Worship Anew(formerly called Worship for Shut-ins)
Trinity – Herscher– our sister congregation does Facebook live posts of their Sunday service
Risen Savior – Manteno– our sister congregation does Facebook live posts of their Sunday
Our Savior – Momence– our sister congregation does not live stream, but Pastor David Juhl posts his sermon text on his website
Lutheran Public Radio– You can listen to sacred music or Issues, Etc. Talk Radio
Bible Study/Other
The Word of the Lord Endures Forever podcast– this is a little unwieldy to navigate, but he completed a looooong devotional series on the Gospel of John that I think is FANTASTIC
Bible Project– this site has soooo much content on it. Check out a few of the videos. I can’t vouch for all of the stuff 100% but overall I REALLY like what they do
CPH FaithCourses video studies(free for a limited time) (I had to click through a Facebook ad and unlock the courses)
Lutheran Hour Ministries LEARN courses– these are free once you make an account
Martin Luther’s Letter on “Whether one may flee a deadly plague”
Answers in Genesis– tons of resources here
Apps for your phone
In the app store, search “Concordia Publishing House” (in Google Play Store) (in App Store)
- Luther’s Small Catechism (the Small Catechism is free, but you can pay to add the explanation part) [Google Play] [App Store]
- PrayNow ($8.99) [Google Play] [App Store] – an amazingly rich resource for daily devotions and prayer
- Portals of Prayer (free to download, but requires a subscription for content) [Google Play] [App Store]
The Bible App [Google Play] [App Store] – easy access to multiple Bible translations and devotions (but the quality and theology of devotions varies widely) – there are MANY other Bible apps, but this one is probably the most popularly used
Bible App for Kids [Google Play] [App Store] – a very well done app that features many Bible stories
The Chosen [Google Play] [App Store] – this is a video series on the life of Jesus and you can watch the first season through this app for FREE. I haven’t watched all of them, but what I watched was VERY GOOD