The Final Sunday

It was with a mixture of sadness, and hope for the future, that 20+ members of Immanuel gathered for their final worship service on December 28, 2008. As the year 2009 begins, the "diaspora" of Immanuel's members will have begun.

Based on the Gospel for the day (St Luke 2:25-40), Pr Burke concluded his homily by saying, "And now it is time to bid farewell to the ministry that you have so faithfully carried out at this place. It's time for us to join Simeon and Anna in saying, 'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word.' I'm ready, Lord, for whatever may come. You've shown even me how much my life is in your hands. So, what can disturb me now? Life is good, but the best is yet to come!"

At the conclusion of the service, plaques, recognizing continued service to Immanuel over the years, were presented to LC Cook (head elder); Kelley Schau (organist); Lester Busse (usher and "jack of all trades"); the Viveros siblings (Nicholas, Rebecca, Cynthia, Melinda and Sarah) for their service as acolytes; Dana Aseves; Art Arellano (president of the congregation); and Pr Burke for his 5 1/2 years of providing Word and Sacrament ministry.

Then, members were invited to come to the Christmass treee and remove an ornament of two to take home, as a reminder of their participation in this last service.

Final Sunday for Immanuel

Sunday, December 28, will mark the final Sunday of worship for the members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in South Chicago. Effective January 1, 2009, Immanuel will cease to exist as a congregation, and the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS will take title to the property.

Remaining members of Immanuel have been planning for this end-of-the-year closing and have been choosing new communities of faith where they will transfer their membership.

As we gather for our last service around Word and Sacrament, we give thanks to God for God's blessing during the 135+ year ministry of Immanuel, as well as for the faithful pastors, teachers and lay persons who were God's instruments in Gospel ministry in South Chicago all these years.

Resident pastors who served Immanuel during her 135 year history include:

H P Duborg - 1873 - 1879
C Eissfeldt - 1879 - 1896
Ferdinand Sievers - 1896 - February 7, 1918
W C A Martens - November 1918 - 1947
Walter Greve - 1947 - June 18, 1951
H W C Luedke - November 7, 1951 - 1971
F Robert Modr - July 1972 - January 1975
James Foley - June 1975 - September 1992

Non-resident pastors who served Immanuel
for extended periods of time since 1992:

Andrew Wiesner
Matthew Becker
Stephen Knapp
Robert F Burke

Additional Photos from November 2 Celebration

Here are additional candid pictures of Immanuel's celebration of ministry on November 2.

Greetings from Pr Matt Becker

Dear saints in Christ Jesus at Immanuel:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

I was pleased to have served you as your vacancy pastor during the early 1990s. I was then also a fulltime student at the University of Chicago and a part-time assistant pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran in Dundee, Ill. Those were busy days, but good ones, full of many blessings. Not only did your kind remuneration help to put food on my table but, more importantly, your sharing in the gospel and your faithful service in rather uncertain times were a great inspiration to me. That remains the case today.

My wife, Detra, and I will always remember with great fondness how you rented a bus so that you could attend our wedding in Dundee. Your participation in that event truly made the whole day more joyful and memorable for us. I still laugh when I think of how I told you a few months later that Detra was sick that Sunday morning and could not join us for worship. Almost immediately several of you started giggling and whispering among yourselves, "She must be suffering from morning sickness ... " While your suspicion that day turned out to be incorrect, since the Lord did not bless us with a child until a few years later, that occasion was a clear example to me of how you all enjoy a good laugh from time to time! (BTW, our son, Jacob, is now 9 years old.)

I am also grateful for the work of ministry that friends Andrew Wiesner, Steve Knapp, and Bob Burke have provided you through the years. These pastors are great blessings to the Lord's church. I know that today you join me in expressing a heartfelt "thanks" to them, these good and faithful servants!

And now what of your future? We are, each one of us, like the thief on the cross. Every day we can only exclaim, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Thankfully, that future kingdom is greater than any earthly building or piece of turf. That divine and certain future is inclusive of all the saints who have gone before us and who will come after us. The Lord knows and remembers his own. He does not forget anyone who calls on his name. Indeed, the only things the Lord promises to forget are our sins! Thus, I am confident that the one who has begun a good work in you on the south side of Chicago will bring it to completion on the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all share in his grace through our holy baptism. Despite our physical separation from one another, he keeps us united in his body, the church, and through his holy communion he nourishes and feeds us with that which will last for all eternity. No matter what the immediate, earthly future might bring each of you, the Lord promises to guide you and keep you forever.

Detra and I wish we could be with you today, to help you remember and celebrate Immanuel's past and also to offer a word of encouragement and hope. Alas, we must stay here in Germany. Nevertheless, please know that you will remain in our prayers. We are praying that your love may overflow more and more for one another and that the Holy Spirit will guide you in the weeks to come. The grace of Christ be with you!

In his name,

Matt Becker


Matt, Detra & Jacob Becker
Munich, Spring 2008


Matt Becker,
with bust of Martin Luther
Erfurt, Germany | Fall 2007

Immanuel Celebrates

Sunday, November 2, marked the day for Immanuel Lutheran Church of South Chicago to celebrate her 135 year ministry, to give thanks and praise to God for God's steadfast love during those years, and to prepare to close her ministry at the end of 2008.
The Rev Dan Gilbert, Bishop of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, preached the sermon and pronounced the benediction. Former resident pastor, James Foley, was assisting minister. Prs Don Gourlay and Stephen Knapp also participated in the service. Robert Burke, who has provided Word and Sacrament ministry for the past 5+ years,
presided at the Eucharist.

Pr Bob Burke, Pr Don Gourlay, Bsp Dan Gilbert, Pr Steve Knapp

About 80 people were present for this service, most of whom stayed for a luncheon that was provided for all who came, including long-time members Herman & Lille Eicke and Ruth Harsany, below.

As an act of gratitude to God, Immanuel presented checks of $6000 each to representatives of Walcamp and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, to assist in programs of those two institutions.



Among those responsible for arranging for the luncheon were Chris Arellano and her mother June Aseves, below.

Immanuel Celebrates 135+ Year Ministry

On All Saints' Sunday, November 2, 2008, Immanuel Lutheran Church of South Chicago (90th and Houston) will give praise and thanks to God for God's steadfast love during the 135+ years of her ministry in South Chicago. Former members and friends of Immanuel have been invited to come and join in worship that day.

Guest preacher for this special service will be the Rev Dan Gilbert, Bishop of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Pr Jim Foley, last resident pastor of Immanuel, together with Pr Stephen Knapp and Pr Don Gourlay will share in leadership of worship that day. Pr Robert Burke, who has provided Immanuel with Word and Sacrament ministry on a regular basis since May 2003, will preside at the Eucharist.

A catered luncheon will follow the service.

By the end of this year, Immanuel will conclude her ministry in South Chicago.