Vol. 20, No. 6

THE

A Newsletter of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of Antioch, Illinois Winter 2020

FAITH... EVANGELICAL & LUTHERAN

LUTHERAN CHURCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

24300 W. Grass Lake Road (Pre-K through Grade 8)

(at HWY 59) Antioch 1275 Main Street, Antioch

847-293-6101 847-395-1660

Worship Services Saturday 5:30 PM

Sunday 8:00 & 10:45 AM

Sunday School weekly at 9:30 AM

Youth & Adult Studies Sundays 9:30-10:30 AM

Visit us online… or on the radio!

www.faithantioch.org WFEL 99.9 FM

facebook.com/faithantioch Antioch

Unchanging Hope for an

Ever-changing World !

As one year ends and another be-

gins, columnists and commentators

look back at the previous year. What

changed? What stayed the same?

Whose passing did we mourn? Whose

new arrival did we celebrate?

At the same time, we make predic-

tions about the coming year. What will

the new year hold? What will change?

What will stay the same?

As fun and exciting as it may be to

reminisce about the past and dream

about the future, it can also be a little

sad and scary. Things will likely never

be what they used to be. Loved ones

who have passed away don’t come

back. Jobs that are lost seldom reap-

pear quickly. Even when broken

dreams and broken relationships are

repaired, they rarely return to their

former glory. Far too often many of

our experiences in this ever-changing

world are difficult.

Yet we sometimes look at our

lives and see a need for change. Each

January many of us make New Year’s

resolutions: “I’m going to exercise

more and eat less.” “I’m going to save

more and spend less.” “I’m going to

love more and hate less.” But too of-

ten, our good intentions disappear,

and only the lame excuses remain.

No matter what (or who) changes

from one year to the next, there is one

who never changes - Jesus Christ, the

Son of God. He always exists, from

before time, throughout the course of

time, and at the end of time for all the

eternity ahead of us. Jesus loved you

before you were born. He loves you

right now. He will always love you.

That’s what the recent Christmas

season was all about. Jesus loved you

so much that he wanted you to experi-

ence his unchanging love forever. So

he came into the world to live up to

God’s perfect demands in your place.

He took the punishment for your im-

perfection and gave you the reward for

his perfection. That reward is an eterni-

ty far away from this world’s sorrows

and disappointments - the unchanging

peace and joy of a place called heaven.

Our lead articles of all 2020 Messenger

issues explore favorite Bible verses.

This month’s favorite Bible verse is:

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday

and today and forever.”

Jesus - the same yesterday, today, and forever - prom-

ises to be with us, love us, care for us, and give perfect

peace with God to all who trust in him. Only Jesus offers

unchanging hope to an ever-changing world.

OPEN HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES! - Is Faith

Lutheran School an Option for Your Family? Are you looking for a nationally accredited, state rec-

ognized Christian elementary school for your child? A

place where learning humanity’s accumulated knowledge

and a knowledge of man’s Creator hold equal priority? Did

you know Faith Lutheran is an Illinois Invest In Kids quali-

fied school which means any qualifying child may obtain a

grant which can add up to full tuition for a school year?

How can our staff be of help in exploring the possibili-

ties of enrollment for next school year? An appointment to

pursue more information? A tour of our school campus?

Meeting the teacher of your child’s class level for next Cont’d on page 2

The Messenger Page 2

February Staff Profile Getting to know PreK Teaching Assistant… Becky Hoffmann

Becky has been a member of Faith since Summer 2013

when her family transferred from Living Hope Lutheran

Church of Midlothian, Virginia. She has been part of

our Early Childhood Education staff since the fall of

2015.

Becky grew up with her twin brother Andrew

and her older sister Jaime in Zilwaukee, Michigan.

After graduating from Heritage High School in Sagi-

naw, Michigan Becky met Adam Hoffman who had

graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary, also in

Saginaw, and was attending Delta College there. Be-

fore their job transfer brought the Hoffmann family

to Antioch they lived for a time in Akron, Ohio and

then Midlothian, Virginia.

Becky received her Career Studies Certificate in Early

Childhood Education from John Tyler Community College in

Virginia. She taught preschool for five years before the move

to Illinois. Becky has also served Faith church and school by

teaching at Summer Night Out, Christmas 4 Kids, and Easter

4 Kids. She has also served on other committees

and volunteered in her son’s Faith classrooms

whenever possible.

Becky and her husband Adam have two boys:

Gabe is a Senior at Shoreland Lutheran High

School while Ben is a sophomore attending Anti-

och High School. The boys keep Adam and Becky

very busy with school and sports activities. A BIG

fan of Cleveland sports teams Becky’s interests

also include reading, exercising, movies, and

watching football games with her family.

"I am very thankful that the Lord has blessed me

with the opportunity to teach preschool at Faith. I always

look forward to my opportunities to share His Word with His

little lambs."

year? Perhaps even a walk through the

paperwork of an enrollment applica-

tion? A layout of the available re-

sources for tuition assistance? Faith Lutheran School prepares stu-

dents to live successful and meaningful

lives in this ever-changing and complex

world. By the grace of God our school

has served the Antioch community since

1971. We are nationally accredited and

state recognized. Our faculty and staff

use the latest technology, methods and

instructional technics to equip each child

with the skills to navigate the complexi-

ties of life while preparing students to

share the knowledge of Christ today and

live with Christ in eternity.

Our faculty and staff are also trained

and certified annually in safety, first aid

and security (including intruder and inci-

dent response). Our staffing and pro-

grams include extended learning for both

the challenged and accelerated student.

Our staff regularly works with local

school district resource personel in eval-

uating and addressing the physical, de-

velopmental, educational and emotional

needs of all students.

Faith School will be holding two

open house opportunities in the near fu-

ture. The first is this coming Sunday Jan-

uary 26 from noon until 3:00 PM. The

following Saturday, February 1, an open

house will begin 9:00 AM and conclude

at noon. No need to call ahead!

But please do give our office a call

at 847-395-1660 if you do have ques-

tions. We’re happy to be of help!

2020 GriefShare Sessions Begin Our GriefShare support group has

resumed its weekly activities in Janu-

ary after taking a holiday break. The

first 2020 session was this past Sun-

day January 19 but that shouldn’t keep

anyone from joining in at any time the

weeks ahead. All of our Faith support

groups meet in the chapel on the

church campus. Grief Share meets at

6:00 PM on Sunday evenings.

Everyone is welcome no matter

how recent or long ago their loss. The

group will meet weekly through late

spring but welcomes newcomers at

any session. There are no fees. For

more information please call Pastor

Hermanson at 847-293-6578. Perhaps

you struggle with not knowing what to

say to a family member, friend, neigh-

bor or co-worker grieving for a loved

one? Let them know they are not

alone and, let them know GriefShare

has been a blessing to many.

2020 AIC Planning Many years this issue of The

Messenger has included information

about an Adult Instruction Class ses-

sion beginning the first Sunday of

February. With the staffing realities at

Faith this year only Wednesday AIC

classes are being offered. So if you’ve

been looking for a new AIC to start

and were wondering when it was go-

ing to happen we thought we’d put

our planning out here in The Messen-

ger for the months ahead. In 2020 we

are starting something just a bit differ-

ent. SUMMER AIC will begin the first

Wednesday of MAY. As with Summer

AIC sessions in the past there will be a

number of summer Wednesday ses-

sions when we “double” up for ses-

sions at 7:00 and 8:00 PM. But starting

in May will require only a few of those

longer evenings during some of the

longest days of the year. The April and

May issues of the Messenger will have

reminders and more info on the Sum-

mer AIC details for 2020. Feel free to

contact Pastor Ungemach at 847-293-

6101 with suggestions or questions.

Faith Bible Studies Online Does a crazy schedule or needing

to be home for kids doing homework

keep you from attending a week night

Bible study? Did you know that Faith

offers both its weekly Wednesday

evening Adult Bible Study and its

month Tuesday (4th Tuesday each

month) Evening Women’s Bible

Study on line? Both of these studies

begin at 7:00 PM and are quite easy to

join. All that is required is using this

link in your browser:

https://global.gotomeeting.com/

join/256028709.

You can also download an APP

that makes the process much easier

each time you wish to access a study.

Just swap out “install” for “join” in the

link above to get that app!

The Messenger Page 3

God Is In Your Future Do you believe that anything good is coming in your future? God lives in your future. He loves to get involved in making things happen for people

he cares about. He created you for a purpose, to spend eternity enjoying

life with you. God says in Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to give you a future and a hope." There is hope

in his Word. Let him talk to you today." Pastor Mark Jeske

of Time of Grace

Listen to “Time of Grace”

Monday at 9 am - Tuesday at 9 pm Thursday at 9 am - Saturday at 9 pm

EASTER 4 KIDS! Is April 4! Need some ‘kids free’ time for some Easter

candy shopping or an early spring project? How

about just a little quiet time for yourself? Your

friends at Faith would love to help you out.

We would be happy to keep your children

busy for a few hours on Saturday morning, April

4, during our annual Easter 4 Kids activity day

for children who are currently three years old

through those currently enrolled in fourth grade.

Please also tell your friends and neighbors about

this FREE opportunity. Advance registration

will begin on-line and at a display in our church

commons the second week of March.

Lent Worship Begins the Last

Wednesday of February This Year If you haven’t looked ahead on the calendar

you may not have noticed where Easter fall this

Spring. It’s one week earlier than last year and

Faith’s observance of the forty days leading up

to Holy Week will once again feature very spe-

cial weekly Wednesday worship services at 3:30

and 7:00 PM.

Our mid-week Lenten theme for 2020 is

“The Son of God Goes Forth to War.” Many

picture Jesus in robes, holding a shepherd’s staff

and guiding his sheep. Others view him crowned

and bright, sitting on a throne in heaven. Less

commonly today, we recognize him as the sol-

dier the Word tells us he is. He is brave and of-

ten opposed, yet ultimately victorious.

The Son of God Goes Forth to War series

will take a thoughtful look at Christ’s role as

warrior through the Scripture's telling of the bat-

tle against sin and death that Jesus won for us.

Our weekly worship themes will also focus in on

the tremendous courage, humility and power of

our Savior.

Faith groups will once again take turns host-

ing free fellowship meals each Lenten Wednes-

day in the Faith Christian Life Center from 5:30-

6:30 PM . Everyone is welcome! We hope you

will consider joining us along the way on our

Lenten journey to the cross - and empty tomb!

Nonprofit

Organization

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Antioch, IL

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Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church

1275 Main Street

Antioch Illinois 60002

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The Messenger

We are located at TWO sites…

FAITH Evangelical...

Lutheran Church 24300 West Grass Lake Road

Antioch Illinois 60002

847-395-1660

Lutheran Elementary School (Pre-k through Grade 8)

1275 Main Street

Antioch Illinois 60002

847-395-1660

Find out more about us at…

www.faithantioch.org

facebook.com/faithantioch &

WFEL 99.9 FM Antioch

broadcasting locally 24 hours a day

This is a non-profit publication serving

the members of Faith and residents of

the surrounding communities with

information on activities of the church,

school and the community.

Our Mission:

The mission of every Christian and of Faith congregation

is to help make more and stronger disciples

by sharing with everyone the good news of Jesus Christ.

Highlighting Coming Events at FAITH of Antioch

Please note at which facility the activity will take place... our Church Campus on Grass

Lake Road or our Lutheran Elementary School Campus on Main Street...

January 26 Faith School open house noon until 3 PM (school)

January 26 Grief Share support group (weekly) session at 6 PM (church)

February 1 Faith School open house 9:00 AM until Noon (school)

February 8 MEN’S Bible Breakfast at 7:30 AM (church)

February 8 JESUS CARES activities at 10:30 AM (church)

February 26 Ash Wednesday worship at 3:30 & 7:00 PM (church)

(the first of six weeks of special Lent Wednesday services)

April 4 Easter 4 Kids activity day (church)

We invite you to be with us for any of these occasions.

For questions look to our website www.faithantioch.org for more information

or feel free to give Pastor Ungemach a call at 847-293-6101.