YOUR URGENT DONATIONS ARE NEEDED TO HELP ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN BEECHER, ILLINOIS, DESTROYED BY FIRE

9/30/2021

When things seem darkest, Christ’s light shines brighter!

Click the video to watch Pastor Stein share how God is with them at all times.

Please donate to help them rebound and continue to grow in their mission of touching lives with the presence of Jesus Christ!

DONATE — St. Paul Beecher IL – Fire Recovery Fund

In the midst of tragedy, God’s people remain faithful servants! Founded in 186, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Beecher, Illinois, was hosting its annual Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 19, when the church caught fire which quickly spread throughout the historic 156-year-old building. The building is gone, but the church remains strong.

Rev. Michael Stein, the Pastor, shared, “The building is gone, but the church remains. The building served the church of St. Paul’s well for our first 150 years. The church, the people of St. Paul’s, still stands. We proclaim the comfort, the forgiveness, the peace, and the joy of Jesus. We are reminded that even when things seem darkest, Christ’s light shines brighter.”

In addition to the devastation of the building, St. Paul’s lost all of the church-related items and supplies, including the pastor’s computer. Working in partnership with the LCMS Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church Charities set up a fund to help Pastor Stein and the church during the recovery process.

“We are God's house of living stones, builded for His habitation; He through baptismal grace us owns, heirs of His wondrous salvation. Were we but two His name to tell, yet He would deign with us to dwell, with all His grace and His favor.” Hymn #467, Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand, The Lutheran Hymnal.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a special part of this close-knit community. More than 30 emergency agencies responded throughout the afternoon.

On Wednesday, September 22, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad) and Nigel (LCC Staff) with their veteran handlers were present at a prayer vigil for St. Paul's to comfort the attendees.

LCC received the following note of appreciation from Pastor Michael Stein:

Thanks so much for coming to the vigil and everything y’all are doing. It does give me strength and comfort to know we’re not in this alone. My wife took this photo; the girl on the right is my daughter, and the boy on the left is scared of dogs. So it just shows the comfort they can bring.

If you are so moved, please prayerfully consider donating generously to help Pastor Stein and the members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church during this challenging time.

LCC, working in partnership with the NID District of the LCMS, is collecting money that will be used, Dollar per Dollar (100%) to help St. Paul’s rebound and continue to grow with their mission of touching lives with the Real Presence of Jesus Christ – and Salvation only in Him!

DONATE — St. Paul Beecher IL – Fire Recovery Fund