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Resurrection Lutheran Church A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
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1211 Homer M Adams Parkway Godfrey, Illinois 62035 618-466-2788 Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann |
See Resurrection in pictures.
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We encourage you to give as you find grace to.
Click on "Donate" below for link to our online donation page.
We appreciate your generosity. Thank you.
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The Peace of Christ be with you!
Thankoffering Recipients
Riverbend Head Start, Boys and Girls Club of Alton, and Five A's Humane Society.
Men's Group sponsored baseball team 2021
Coach: Mr. Daniels
See "This Week at Resurrection" for more information.
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We welcome you to fellowship with us. If you are vaccinated, masks are optional. Physical distancing is observed. Please consider vaccination to safely join us in worship or on-line at Facebook Live. |
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Please take a look at the menu to your leftabove for information about the activities of the church. |
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'This Week at Resurrection' gives you a synopsis of the activities of the church for the week and beyond. |
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The other items on the menu will tell you about other activities of the church through its various groups. |
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Also browse the links for information 'About Resurrection', and how to 'Contact Us' if need be. |
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We are glad that you are spending time to check us out, please join us for worship. |
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Thou art highly favored and richly blessed through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. |
About Resurrection
Resurrection Mission Statement
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Resurrection's three mission directives are to be Invitational, Inclusive, and Incarnational. |
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As an Invitational parish, we invite those who have no church home to come and discover with us the joy and freedom of the gospel. |
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As an Inclusive community, we seek to break down all the barriers that separate us from each other. |
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As an Incarnational congregation, we strive to make the gospel alive to people in need. |
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Together, in all these things, we seek the power of God to raise us up to a new life. |
The History of Resurrection Lutheran Church
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In July 1976 the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod was in turmoil over many issues. Pastor Fred Giraud and a number of members of Faith Lutheran could no longer endure the direction the church was taking and they struck out to create a new environment for a church where the Gospel could reign free. On July 18th over 150 people came to the first worship service on Henry Street to express solidarity with this new movement within the Lutheran Church. |
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In 1978 Resurrection was the first congregation in southern Illinois to join the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC). In time the AELC would have over 1,000 congregations and more than 100,000 members. Later, the AELC would be one of the three church bodies that became the ELCA. |
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In 1979, Pastor Giraud left Resurrection to devote himself to full time counseling. In December Pastor Rudy Mueller was called as Resurrection’s second pastor. |
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Around this time the 'rust-belt' industries began to leave the Alton area, energy costs began to skyrocket, enthusiasm for something new and different began to wane and membership dropped so much that Resurrection had to sell its Henry Street property and become renters. |
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Pastor Mueller's years were marked by an increased sensitivity to ecumenism, and in 1981 the joint Episcopal/Lutheran Tuesday Morning Bible Class was begun under the direction of Father Allen Farbe and Pastor Mueller. Pastor Mueller introduced the Lutheran Book of Worship, weekly Eucharist became a reality, and the historic vestments for the church’s worship were reintroduced. |
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But by 1985 attendance hovered at 24 per Sunday, contributions declined, and Resurrection could no longer support a full-time pastor. In August 1985 Pastor Mueller accepted a call to Evansville, Indiana and in the absence of a pastor it was clear that Resurrection's history had reached its final chapter. |
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Bishop Harold Hecht, of the English Synod of the AELC, asked Pastor Dennis Young to take a 3-month sabbatical from writing his dissertation for a Doctorate of Theology to close or merge Resurrection with another congregation. By October 1985 Bishop Hecht expected the congregation to be closed or merged with Trinity Lutheran, Alton, but when the options were presented to the few remaining folks of Resurrection they rejected both choices, even though warned that to survive as a congregation would require an immense amount of work, dedication, and commitment. |
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Pastor Young met Elwen Ewald, President of the AELC, and told him Resurrection’s decision. President Ewald said the AELC could not offer much assistance to Resurrection, but since a new Lutheran Church was forming, the Division for Missions in North America of the Lutheran Church in America might consider Resurrection as a mission congregation. Unbelievably, they did! Pastor Young was sent for Mission Developer Training, which gave the congregation status as a Mission Congregation. |
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The Division for Missions started sending Resurrection $30,000 a year in support. Resurrection purchased the Homer Adams property in March 1988 and on Palm Sunday of that year the little band of members made the grand processional from 801 Blair to 1020 West Delmar in Godfrey with a police escort and newspaper reporters! The house on West Delmar became Resurrection’s church building until April 1992 when the congregation moved into the uncompleted sanctuary, and on September 20th the new (current) building was dedicated. |
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For the next 13 years, Pastor Young led Resurrection to significant growth in terms of both membership and programming in the new facility. Sunday School grew and community Vacation Bible School flourished. A choir was begun. Pastor Young prepared the congregation for continued growth by establishing a committee structure for the congregation and began annual planning retreats to guide the life and ministry of Resurrection exhorting the congregation to look ahead to the future. |
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Pastor Young did significant teaching and counseling in the congregation. His Sunday and weekday classes were well attended. He was known not only in the congregation, but also in the community, for his grief counseling ministry. |
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In 2005, Pastor Young died and Resurrection spent the next couple of years suffering a deep sense of both grief and loss. He continues to be greatly missed within this faith community. Resurrection continues on with a sense of tremendous gratitude for God’s many blessings and gifts in the life and ministry of Pastor Young. |
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After Pastor Young’s death, Rev. George Pence, an Episcopal priest of the diocese of Quincy, Illinois, served as Interim Pastor. Father Pence was selected by Pastor Young before his death. For almost two years, Father Pence guided Resurrection during its time of grief and loss and prepared them to accept and call a new pastor. |
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In October of 2007, Resurrection installed its fourth pastor, Kenneth Tegtmeier. It is with renewed hope that Resurrection looks forward to a new chapter in its life and ministry. In May of 2018, after almost 11 years, Pastor Tegtmeier retired. |
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Resurrection seeks to “Make Christ Known” in this time and in this community. Resurrection’s impetus for ministry continues today as it was at the start: proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. |
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The journey of Resurrection has been one of “grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Through the dedication of so many, Resurrection continues to be a vital Lutheran presence in the greater Alton community. Looking at the challenges and blessings of its past, Resurrection considers itself living proof that God is with them and that Resurrection still happens! |
About Our New Pastor
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The Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann (Pastor Len) |
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It is with great joy that I have been given the opportunity to serve Resurrection Lutheran Church as pastor for the next two years. I am grateful to Bishop Roth for his confidence and to the congregation council for agreeing to welcome me. |
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In the past six years I have served as interim pastor for several Northern Illinois Synod and Grand Canyon Synod congregations. Recently serving Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ. |
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I have had the great opportunity to serve in a variety of settings as a capital campaign consultant, currently consulting with the Grand Canyon Synod on their Growing Generosity appeal. In addition to being an associate pastor, solo pastor, and senior pastor, I served as Vice President for Development at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Associate Director for the ELCA Foundation, and Executive Director and Vice President for advancement for Lutheran Social Services New England. |
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My education includes a Doctor of Ministry degree, with a concentration in leadership and stewardship, from Luther Seminary, and a Master of Divinity degree from Christ Seminary (now Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago), with a focus on education, administration and communication. I am a member of the Association of Lutheran Development Executives, the Interim Ministry Association of the ELCA and Interim Ministry Network. |
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In March of 2022 I will be married for 50 years to my wife, Cathy. We have a daughter, Bethany Hoffmann, who is an Immigration Attorney at Hoffmann Immigration Law, LLC in Rockford, IL. |
Lutheranism
History of Lutheranism
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On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian monk and professor at the University of Wittenberg. Each year there were lectures and open academic discussions in celebration of All Saints Day (November 1). So on October 31, the day before these discussions were to begin, Dr. Luther posted an outline of his discussion points on the door of the church. These became known as the Ninety-five Theses. As a professor, Luther's intention was to open a discussion within the church of current practices that were troubling to him. However, his “discussion” ignited a protest against the abuses he saw in the church. Little did Luther know that his lecture series would lead to a major division of the church. |
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It was never Luther's intention to divide the church. He hoped that his statements would lead to the reform of the church. But the lines were drawn and there was no way back. |
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What did Luther find so absolutely important that he had to risk everything? For Luther the most important thing was the gospel! When Luther read St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians he became convinced that the church was headed in the wrong direction and had missed the most essential element of the Christian faith: 'Justification by grace through faith'. |
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What distinguishes Lutheranism from other 'Protestants' continues to be our focus on the gospel: that through the faithfulness of Jesus we are saved by grace. For Lutherans the Bible serves as the rule and norm of our lives both individually and corporately. However, the Lutheran Hermeneutic, how we interpret scripture, continues to be: 'Was Christum triebt?' 'What drives (compels) us to Christ?' All of scripture from Genesis to Revelation is interpreted on the basis of this principle. |
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The ongoing legacy of the Reformation continues to be this gospel-oriented perspective. Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by Luther: |
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Favorite Links
Web Sites
The following web sites contain additional information about the ELCA or Lutheranism and Christianity in general.
| Resurrection | www.resurrectiongodfrey.org |
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| Central Southern Illinois Synod | www.csis-elca.org |
| ELCA | www.elca.org |
| The Lutheran Magazine | www.livinglutheran.org |
| Augsburg Fortress | www.augsburgfortress.org |
| Concordia Publishing House | www.cph.org |
| Thrivent | www.thrivent.org |
| Community Hope Center | www.communityhopecenteril.org |
| Thrive Metro East | www.thrivemetroeast.org |
| Boy Scouts | Troop 7 in Resurrection www.troop7alton.org |
- Resurrection
- www.resurrectiongodfrey.org
- Central Southern Illinois Synod
- www.csis-elca.org
- ELCA
- www.elca.org
- The Lutheran Magazine
- www.livinglutheran.org
- Augsburg Fortress
- www.augsburgfortress.org
- Concordia Publishing House
- www.cph.org
- Thrivent
- www.thrivent.org
- Community Hope Center
- www.communityhopecenteril.org
- Thrive Metro East
- www.thrivemetroeast.org
- Boy Scouts
- Troop 7 in Resurrection
- www.troop7alton.org
Contact Us
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
1211 Homer M Adams Parkway Godfrey, Illinois 62035
Church Staff
- Title
- Name
- Home Phone (HP)
- Cell Phone (CP)
- Work Phone (WP)
- Pastor
- Len Hoffmann
- HP:
- CP: (815) 975-4740
- WP:
- prlen.hoffmann@yahoo.com
- Office Hours
- HP: by appointment
- CP:
- WP:
- len.hoffmann@att.net
- Organist
- Ken Rueter
- HP:
- CP:
- WP:
- Church Office
- Resurrection
- HP:
- CP:
- WP: (618) 466-2788
- rlcelca@att.net
| Title | Name | Home Phone | Cell Phone | Work Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastor | Len Hoffmann | (815) 975-4740 | prlen.hoffmann@yahoo.com | ||
| Office Hours | by appointment | len.hoffmann@att.net | |||
| Organist | Ken Rueter | ||||
| Church Office | Resurrection | (618) 466-2788 | rlcelca@att.net |
Congregation Leadership
- President
- Jim Lieber
- HP: 618-402-0325
- CP:
- WP:
- lieberoptometry@charter.net
- Vice President
- Tim Belfield
- HP: (618) 466-2169
- CP:
- WP:
- belfieldt@outlook.com
- Secretary
- Janet Broche
- HP:
- CP: (618) 467-1485
- WP:
- j_broche@yahoo.com
- Treasurer
- Kay Tucker
- HP:
- CP: (618) 972-5049
- WP:
- tuckant@gmail.com
| Title | Name | Home Phone | Cell Phone | Work Phone | |
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| President | Jim Lieber | 618-402-0325 | lieberoptometry@charter.net | ||
| Vice President | Tim Belfield | (618) 466-2169 | belfieldt@outlook.com | ||
| Secretary | Janet Broche | (618) 467-1485 | j_broche@yahoo.com | ||
| Treasurer | Kay Tucker | (618) 972-5049 | tuckant@gmail.com |
Congregation Council Members at Large
- Council Member
- Robin Brown
- HP: (618) 433-9613
- CP:
- WP:
- robin23elaine@gmail.com
- Council Member
- Bonnie Tiemann
- HP: 618-466-4251
- CP:
- WP:
- fredandbonnie@charter.net
- Council Member
- Neal Booth
- HP: 618-433-1611
- CP: 314-766-8782
- WP:
- mrteachme@yahoo.com
- Council Member
- Tammy Neese
- HP: 618-980-9068
- CP:
- WP:
- tammy.neese@farrellhamiltonjulian.com
| Title | Name | Home Phone | Cell Phone | Work Phone | |
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| Council Member | Robin Brown | (618) 433-9613 | robin23elaine@gmail.com | ||
| Council Member | Bonnie Tiemann | 618-466-4251 | fredandbonnie@charter.net | ||
| Council Member | Neal Booth | 618-433-1611 | 314-766-8782 | mrteachme@yahoo.com | |
| Council Member | Tammy Neese | 618-980-9068 | tammy.neese@farrellhamiltonjulian.com |
Scripture Reading
Let us pray...
O God, from you come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
All: Amen.
A reading from Amos...
This is what showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then
the Lord said,
“See, I am setting a plumb line
in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by;
9 the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”
10 Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said,
‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel must go into exile away from his land.’ ”
12 And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”
14 Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15 and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ ”
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
A cantation from the book of Psalm...
I will listen to what the LORD | God is saying;
for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their | hearts to you.
Truly, your salvation is very near to | those who fear you,
that your glory may dwell | in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness have | met together;
righteousness and peace have | kissed each other.
Faithfulness shall spring up | from the earth,
and righteousness shall look | down from heaven.
The LORD will indeed | grant prosperity,
and our land will | yield its increase.
Righteousness shall go be- | fore the LORD
and shall prepare for | God a pathway.
All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the | Ho-ly Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forev - | er. A-men.
A reading from Ephesians...
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
The holy Gospel according to Mark...
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
14 King Herod heard of for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John
the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said,
“It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he
said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of
Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not
lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But
she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him.
When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when
Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his
daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me
for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give
you, even half of my kingdom.”
24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied,
“The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me
at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths
and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to
bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl.
Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in
a tomb.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Apostles Creed...
P: With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
This Week at Resurrection
July 11 - July 17
| Sunday | 8:00 a.m. | No Service |
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| 9:00 a.m. | No Sunday School | |
| 10:00 a.m. | In-person Service (Online Service also) |
- Sunday
- 8:00 a.m. > No Service
- 9:00 a.m. > No Sunday School
- 10:00 a.m. > In-person Service (Online Service also)
- Announcements for the week:
- • We will not be asking people to wear masks. We leave it to your discretion; however we ask that you sit where there are hymnals. This will afford us a certain amount of social distancing. Also, we ask that you turn your cell phones off. It can interfere with our live-stream. Thank you from the Worship Committee.
• Hearing devices are available to help you hear better during our services. The devices may be found in the Narthex, along with sanitary wipes.
• We have several grocery gift cards to provide to people who come to us for help. What we don't have are gas cards. Next time you're out, think about getting a card from Q-T on the corner or at some other station close by. Thanks!
• We are still doing our "Birthday in a Bag" help for Crisis Food Center. In case you've forgotten, we provide everything necessary to prepare a birthday cake for someone in the family. We have the bag, but we could always use help filling it. We need an aluminum cake pan, cake mix, frosting, candles, plates, and napkins.
These are truly appreciated by the people picking up food...it's hard enough to feed a family, harder still to think of the "extras". All of these items are available at the Dollar Store, so $5-6 fills a bag. Please bring these into church on Sunday and leave them in the meeting room. We'll take it from there. Thanks in advance for your help with this outreach.
• The third quarter Portals of Prayer books are available on the cadenza in the Narthex.
• The 2020 Annual Report is available for pick up on the credenza in the Narthex (thanks, Janet!). - Contact info for Pastor Len:
- 818.975.4740
prlen.hoffmann@yahoo.com
Pastor Hoffmann will have office hours by appointment,but please contact him at any time in an emergency.
Calendar
Newsletter
Boy Scouts
Troop 7 - Godfrey, IL
Welcome to all who are interested in outdoor activities and the adventure of Scouting!
Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 7! Troop Meetings are held each Tuesday evening beginning at 7:00 pm running until 8:30 pm.
The last Tuesday of each month is the Adult Committee and Scout Leadership Planning Meeting, only the Scout Leadership attends.
The Troop Meetings are held at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, Social Hall in Godfrey.
Troop 7 New Home is Resurrection Lutheran Church
As of January 2019, Troop 7 now meets in the Social Hall of the Resurrection Lutheran Church 1211 Homer Adams Parkway.
Meetings are on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 7 pm and last until 8:30 pm.
Resurrection welcomes the Boy Scout Troop 7
All scouts, leaders and their families are welcome to Resurrection Lutheran Church.
We offer our support in helping to shape the lives of these youngsters to becoming productive young men of our community.
Please click on the link below to see all that the troop has to offer.
Men's Club
Men’s Club at Resurrection Lutheran Church
On December 4th, 2014 the first meeting of the Men’s Club of Resurrection Lutheran Church was held.
Men of the Church sought fellowship, activities to support the Property Committee, and the Community
Activities
Some activities include, Movie Night, Bowling, congregation trip to Cardinal game, Eastern Brunch, BBQ, Church window washing, and Adopt a Highway.
Membership
Membership is welcome to all men of the Church.
If you would like to become a member please contact Dan Garner at 618-792-1777.
Book Club
Welcome to the Book Club at Resurrection!
Do you love reading books? Do you love reading books with a group of people? Are you looking for people to discuss literature with?
Many love to read books, but it can be hard to find someone to discuss the book with after you're done reading it.
If you are interested in meeting other people to discuss the books you read, you should consider joining the book club at Resurrection.
Here you will find great opportunities to meet new people and make new friends.
Membership
Membership is open to all who love reading books and making time to share their understanding with others.
The book club at Resurrection consists of a number of great minds who read and talk about books based on a topic or an agreed-upon reading list.
We choose a specific book to read and discuss each month.
The club is focused on reading books that enrich the hearts and lives of its members.
If you feel like being part of a book club with an atmosphere of love and mutual influence is something of interest to you, please join us.
You can contact Ruth Wolter for information as to how to become a member.
Meeting Time and Venue
Meetings are held on the evening of the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. running until 8:30 p.m.
The book club meets at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, Social Hall in Godfrey or at a specified location within the Alton/Godfrey area.
Last Meeting Information
Date: Tuesday, March 10th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: The Devils's Bed by William Kent Krueger
Leader of discussion: Robin Brown
Book of choice:
The Devil's Bed
by
William Kent Krueger
Leader of discussion:
Robin Brown
Book Summary:
With her husband up for re-election, First Lady Kate Dixon returns home to care for her father, accompanied by Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen, who suspects that Kate has been targeted by escaped mental patient David Moses and by dark forces within the federal government.
Book Club Library
Click the Book Club button to your leftabove to return to the main Book Club page.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, January 12th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Agenda: Book Talk.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, February 13th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
Leader of discussion: Ruth Wolter
Book of choice:
Georgia Bottoms
by
Mark Childress
Leader of discussion:
Ruth Wolter
Book Summary:
Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle. Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia's case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others. But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In GEORGIA BOTTOMS, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, March 13th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Leader of discussion: Karen Woods
Book of choice:
The Hate U Give
by
Angie Thomas
Leader of discussion:
Karen Woods
Book Summary:
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD STARR CARTER moves between two worlds: the poor black neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, Khalil’s death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Starr’s best friend at school suggests he may have had it coming. When it becomes clear the police have little interest in investigating the incident, protesters take to the streets and Starr’s neighborhood becomes a war zone. What everyone wants to know is: What really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does—or does not—say could destroy her community. It could also endanger her life.
Angie Thomas’s searing debut about an ordinary girl in extraordinary circum-stances addresses issues of racism and police violence with intelligence, heart, and un-flinching honesty.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, April 10th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: Her Father's House by Belva Plain
Leader of discussion: Shirley Noble
Book of choice:
Her Father's House
by
Belva Plain
Leader of discussion:
Shirley Noble
Book Summary:
Beloved storyteller Belva Plain understands the rich tapestry of the human heart like no other. Her many dazzling New York Times bestsellers probe the shifting bonds of marriage and family with insight, compassion, and uncommon grace. And her new novel is no exception. A tale of fathers and daughters, lovers and families, acts of love and acts of betrayal, Her Father’s House is Belva Plain’s most powerful and unforgettable novel yet.
It is the spring of 1968 when Donald Wolfe, a young graduate of a midwestern law school, arrives in New York. Filled with ambition and idealism, he is dazzled not only by the big city but by the vivacious, restless Lillian, whom he marries in the heat of infatuation.
Surely theirs is no marriage made in heaven, but they have a child, Tina, and she is the love of Donald’s heart. For her he would give up everything--his home, his distinguished career, and his freedom. When his flawed marriage begins to fail, a choice must be made. Shall he consider a step that would force him into flight and a life of hiding?
From her earliest years, Tina is exceptional, a brilliant student and a joyous, loving spirit. At the university she falls in love with Gilbert, who graduates from law school just as she is about to enter medical school. Together they go to New York, where she learns the truth about her family’s past, a truth that must change her regard for the father who has protected and cherished her. When a terrible lie has been told out of love, can it be forgiven?
With courage and compassion, Belva Plain paints a moving portrait of the choices that shape the course of our lives, the secrets that haunt us, and the love that helps us heal and move on. It is a work of riveting storytelling and rare emotional power by one of the most gifted novelists of our time.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, May 8th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: One Mississippi by Mark Childress
Leader of discussion: Brenda Darr
Book of choice:
One Mississippi
by
Mark Childress
Leader of discussion:
Brenda Darr
Book Summary:
There is nothing small about Childress's fine novel. It's big in all the ways that matter - big in daring, big in insight, and big-hearted. Really, really big-hearted. -New Orleans Times-Picayune
This exuberantly acclaimed novel by the author of the bestselling Crazy in Alabama tells an uproarious and moving story about family, best friends, first love, and surviving the scariest years of your life.
You need only one best friend, Daniel Musgrove figures, to make it through high school alive. After his family moves to Mississippi just before his junior year, Daniel finds fellow outsider Tim Cousins. The two become inseparable, sharing a fascination with ridicule, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, and Arnita Beecham, the most bewitching girl at Minor High. But soon things go terribly wrong. The friends commit a small crime that grows larger and larger, and threatens to engulf the whole town. Arnita, the first black prom queen in the history of the school, is injured and wakes up a different person. And Daniel, Tim, and their families are swept up in a shocking chain of events.
Wise, riveting, hilarious, painful, gentle, and ferocious, One Mississippi is a wonderful read. -Anne Lamott
A Tilt-a-Whirl that flings the reader from comedy to calamity. . . . Childress is a fabulist in the manner of John Irving. -Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By turns rollicking and troubling, as provocative as it is droll, One Mississippi is about as easy to resist as a riptide. This critic's advice is to go with its powerful flow. -Raleigh News & Observer
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, June 12th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman
Leader of discussion: Janet Broche.
Book of choice:
The Tale Teller
by
Anne Hillerman
Leader of discussion:
Janet Broche
Book Summary:
Legendary Navajo policeman Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn takes center stage in this riveting atmospheric mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman that combines crime, superstition, and tradition and brings the desert Southwest vividly alive.
Joe Leaphorn may have retired from the Tribal Police, but he finds himself knee-deep in a perplexing case involving a priceless artifact—a reminder of a dark time in Navajo history. Joe’s been hired to find a missing biil, a traditional dress that had been donated to the Navajo Nation. His investigation takes a sinister turn when the leading suspect dies under mysterious circumstances and Leaphorn himself receives anonymous warnings to beware—witchcraft is afoot.
While the veteran detective is busy working to untangle his strange case, his former colleague Jim Chee and Officer Bernie Manuelito are collecting evidence they hope will lead to a cunning criminal behind a rash of burglaries. Their case takes a complicated turn when Bernie finds a body near a popular running trail. The situation grows more complicated when the death is ruled a homicide, and the Tribal cops are thrust into a turf battle because the murder involves the FBI.
As Leaphorn, Chee, and Bernie draw closer to solving these crimes, their parallel investigations begin to merge . . . and offer an unexpected opportunity that opens a new chapter in Bernie’s life.
No Meeting: Vacation month.
Agenda for August: Book Talk.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, August 14th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Agenda: Book club talk time.
Books that were enjoyable reading to those present
Here are some of the titles and authors:
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel,
Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough,
Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts,
Target Alex Cross by James Patterson,
Chill Factor by Sandra Brown,
The Lies We Tell by Camilla Way,
No Longer on a Pedestle by Carol Kuhnert,
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Koran,
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens,
Bathed in Prayer by Jan Koran.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, September 11th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
Leader of discussion: Carol Garner
Book of choice:
The Island
by
Elin Hilderbrand
Leader of discussion:
Carol Garner
Book Summary:
After her daughter Chess' ex-fiance’ dies in a rock-climbing accident,
Birdie Cousins encourages her younger daughter, Tate, and her sister, India,
to join her and Chess on Tuckernuck Island for a month, a time when deep secrets are soon revealed.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, October 9th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert
Leader of discussion: Priscilla Donals
Book of choice:
The Last Chance Olive Ranch
by
Susan Wittig Albert
Leader of discussion:
Priscilla Donals
Book Summary:
China Bayles fears for her husband's life as an escaped convict targets him ... Max Mantel,
the killer McQuaid put away years ago, has busted out of Huntsville Prison and appears to be headed for Pecan Springs.
McQuaid knows there's only one way to stop the vengeful convict--set a trap with himself as bait. China wants to stay by her husband's side
and keep him from harm. But McQuaid insists that she get out of town and go to the Last Chance Olive Ranch, where she's agreed to teach a workshop on herbs.
When China and her best friend arrive at the ranch, she learns the owner, Maddie Haskell, has her own troubles.
She inherited the ranch and olive oil business from the late matriarch, Eliza Butler, but Eliza's nephew is contesting the will.
While China throws herself into helping Maddie, McQuaid's plan backfires when Mantel executes a countermove he never saw coming.
Now McQuaid's life is not the only one at stake--and this time may really be his last chance.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, November 20th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Leader of discussion: Sharon Wyatt
Book of choice:
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
by
Alexander McCall Smith
Leader of discussion:
Sharon Wyatt
Book Summary:
Sleuth Precious Ramotswe, who works in Gaborone, Botswana, investigates several local mysteries, including a search for a missing boy and the case of the clinic doctor with different personalities for different days of the week.
No Meeting: Vacation month.
Happy Holidays to all.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, January 8th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Agenda: Book Talk.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, February 12th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Leader of discussion: Ruth Wolter
Book of choice:
Ordinary Grace
by
William Kent Krueger
Leader of discussion:
Ruth Wolter
Book Summary:
“That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.” New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson’s Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder. Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family—which includes his Methodist minister father; his passionate, artistic mother; Juilliard-bound older sister; and wise-beyond-his-years kid brother—he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years. Told from Frank’s perspective forty years after that fateful summer, Ordinary Grace is a brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.
Meeting Information
Date: Tuesday, March 10th.
Time: 6 30 p.m.
Venue: Church.
Book of choice: The Devils's Bed by William Kent Krueger
Leader of discussion: Robin Brown
Book of choice:
The Devil's Bed
by
William Kent Krueger
Leader of discussion:
Robin Brown
Book Summary:
With her husband up for re-election, First Lady Kate Dixon returns home to care for her father, accompanied by Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen, who suspects that Kate has been targeted by escaped mental patient David Moses and by dark forces within the federal government.
Prayer Shawls
Welcome to the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Resurrection!
The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Resurrection welcomes anyone who wishes to join this team of givers.
Opportunities are available for new members to learn the styles and techniques of making prayer shawls.
To join the team, please contact Sherry Wyatt at the early service or Ruth Wolter at the late service.
Love thy neighbor
Prayer shawls and lap robes are available for anyone in need of some comfort and love during a critical time in their lives.
If you are aware of someone who could use a caring gesture, contact Sherry Wyatt at the early service or Ruth Wolter at the late service.
Your labor of love
Projects are available for knitters and crocheters.
Leadership and Congregational Council
Leadership
Highly Favored
| The Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann |
| Pastor |
|---|
Congregational Leadership
Highly Favored
| Jim Lieber |
| President |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Tim Belfield |
| Vice-President |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Janet Broche |
| Secretary |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Kay Tucker |
| Treasurer |
|---|
Congregational Council
Highly Favored
| Robin Brown |
| Council Member |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Bonnie Tiemann |
| Council Member |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Neal Booth |
| Council Member |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Tammy Neese |
| Council Member |
|---|
Music
Highly Favored
| Ken Rueter |
| Organist |
|---|
Web Administration
Highly Favored
| Dan Callahan |
| Web Administrator |
|---|
Highly Favored
| David Brown |
| Web Master |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Stacey Noble Loveland |
| Facebook Administrator |
|---|
Committee Chairs
Highly Favored
| Ruth Wolter |
| Book Club |
|---|
|
Highly Favored
| Jim Lieber |
| Christian Education |
|---|
|
Highly Favored
| Stacey Noble Loveland |
| Evangelism |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Carol Garner |
| Fellowship |
|---|
|
Highly Favored
| Kay Tucker |
| Finance |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Curt Bagwill |
| Financial Secretary |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Rich Kelley |
| Long-Range Planning |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Dan Garner |
| Men's Group |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Ruth Wolter and Sherry Wyatt |
| Prayer shawls |
|---|
|
Highly Favored
| Dan Garner |
| Property |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Judy Kelley |
| Social Ministry |
|---|
Highly Favored
| Rod and Cheryl Margherio |
| Worship |
|---|
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
1211 Homer M Adams Parkway Godfrey, Illinois 62035
(618) 466-2788
Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann (Pastor Len)
