WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Our church is in the unique position of blending the old with the new. As the oldest congregation in the city of Gillespie, and the one with the most visible location, we take our history seriously. However, we have transitioned nicely into the

21st. Century through social media and and upgrade of worship experiences. Take a look!

OUR WORSHIP

8 am - Traditional -ELCA inspired

hymns & liturgy

10:30 - Contemporary - faster paced

modern music

Sunday worship 8 AM - Traditional Lutheran style - enjoy worship with vibrant liturgy and hymns from the Lutheran Book of Worship presented in a warm, congenial atmosphere.

10:30 - Saint's Alive - contemporary using a mix of video, CD & live music, we gather to pray & praise the Lord. We often use Vacation Bible school music to keep the little ones engaged, as well as music from mega-churches such as Willow Creek in Barrington, Illinois and Community Church of Joy in Arizona.

OUR CHRISTIAN

LIFE

KIDZ KHURCH - This version of Sunday School happens each week at 9:00 from September thru May. We use a one-room school design for Sunday school, with the older kids learning a story and being challenged on the story through competetive games. The little ones get the same story but on their level with plenty of time for play and snacks. EVERYBODY welcome.

G.L.U.E. is our adult study group. No topic too big or too small for these folks - from the Bible basics to everyday life. Always lots of fun with that group. Stop by & see - Sundays at 9:00.

WILLING WORKERS are a group of dedicated folks who meet every Monday & Tuesday during January & February to create comforts and walker bags which get distributed to several Veterans Homes and nursing homes in the area They get together from 8:30 - 11:30, with a coffee break around 10. Lots of women are involved in this and they always seem to have a good time.

JR & SR CHAMPIONS are our youth groups. Jr. Champions are primarily our Confirmation class - meeting every week after school on Wednesdays. Sr. Champions meet aftger church (11:30) on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

OUR HISTORY

THE CONGREGATION: We are a congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Central-Southern Illinois Synod. All Lutheran history is ethnic and our historical ethnicity is German - with many other backrounds represented. We were formed as a congregation in 1870.

THE TOWN: Gillespie, Illinois was founded over 150 years ago by immigrants from various nations. Farming and, later, mining were the chief sources of industry in the area, and soon schools and churches began to spring up. One of the churches was founded by Rev. Dresser from Springfield, who earlier had sold his house to a young couple by the name of Abraham & Mary Lincoln! The town flourished until the mines closed down. Today it is a lovely bedroom community filled with gentle people who may work elsewhere but love living in Gillespie

OUR STAFF &

COUNCIL

OUR PASTOR: Rev. Christine E. Erdmann came to Zion in 2000. Ordained in 1984, she served Mt. Moriah in Anna, Illinois from 1984 until 1994; St. John's in Bloomington from 1994-1998 and Trinity in Fairbury from 1998 until 2000 - all in Illinois. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she is a Packer fan, and an avid student of history (Old West & Hollywood in the '40's). Always ready for a cup of coffee, give her a call at the church to see what's going on!

OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Diane (Tallman) Nurdin has been on board for over a year now. She brings a sense of dedicaton and expertise to the job. Her hours ar 12-5 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

OUR CUSTODIAN: is Penny Feeley. She keeps this huge building clean and safe. In addition to cleaning, she sets up & takes down our fellowship hall when it is used for Willing Workers and various dinners. She's a super gal who is super busy.