Reminder and Special Gift
Don't forget. The special convention to adopt the realignment of circuits in the district is just one month away. You should have received all materials, including the agenda, in previous emails. All information also is available at www.nidlcms.org.

Any questions related to the convention should be directed via email to Ronda Wilmot in the district president's office or by calling 708-223-3101 or toll-free at 708-888-LCMS(5267), ext. 3101.

We are pleased to let you know we have a special gift for each congregation to pick up at the convention. We have received copies of Rick Steves' DVD, Luther and the Reformation, showing viewers a modern day visit to the lands where the Reformation began as he talks about events in Luther's life. The delegate(s) should pick up your congregation's copy at the convention check-in table. (Sorry, only one copy per congregation.) We hope you will enjoy it.

Valparaiso University Chorale will present a concert at First Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, 1301 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Saturday, March 11, at 7 p.m. Admission: $10 for Adults; free under 18. You can purchase tickets at the church the evening of the event, or find a link to purchase advance tickets online at FSPauls.org/calendar/valpo-chorale.

Lenten Lessons and Carols
St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Avenue, Forest Park, is having a Lenten Lessons and Carols service at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 12. This unusual service is a St. John tradition featuring sacred music and hymns, scripture readings and quiet reflection as part of the observance of Lent. Visit stjohnforestpark.org to learn more.

Peace Lutheran Church, 21W500 Butterfield Road, Lombard, is hosting Living Water, Yale's one and only Christian a cappella group, Saturday, March 18, at 7 p.m. Living Water's repertoire includes alternative rock, hymns, indie, and gospel in a multitude of languages to bring audiences a powerful and passionate performance. They have spread their message around the world, from New York City to Costa Rica to China. Freewill offering will be received. Contact the Peace office for more information, 630-627-1101.

Northern Illinois University's Steel Band will perform at Peace Lutheran  Church, 21W500 Butterfield Road, Lombard, Saturday, March 25, at 7 p.m. This award-winning group is one of the top steel bands in the world, directed by Liam Teague and Emmy nominee Clifford Alexis!  Please put this exciting event on your calendar. All proceeds will go to Feed My Starving Children. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 18 and under. Contact the Peace office  for more information, 630-627-1101.

Join the discussion as nationally known experts in the fields of history, theology, catechesis, the fine arts, education, and politics lead an informed discussion on the Reformation's impact and ongoing legacy throughout the Church and world. Held March 20, at 7 p.m. on the CUC Campus - Chapel of Our Lord. No preregistration required. For more information, visit nidnews.org.    Print calendar for Reformation events

Join LWML for a day of discovering  God's mercy from Old and New Testament times and through the ages, Saturday, March 25, at St. John Lutheran Church, 1800 S. Rodenburg Road, Schaumburg. Registration and fellowship at 8:30 a.m. Inspiration from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is $15. Register online at LWMLNID.org.

District Single Adults Outing
Join the District Singles Committee for an afternoon at the historic Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue, Chicago, at the spring flower show,  Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. This is a great chance to bask in a lovely garden of beautiful foliage. Meet by the main entrance. If you have any questions, contact Steve at 708-771-0861.

German food, beverages and dancing to the German Band, Paloma, will highlight festivities at the annual German Fest at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4660 W. 94th Street, Oak Lawn, on Saturday, April 22, 5-9 p.m. For more information and advance  tickets, call the church office at 708-423-1040.

Presentation on Suicide Prevention
Lutheran Women's Missionary League of the Northern Illinois District is hosting SUICIDE: a Lutheran Approach to Prevention and Survivor Recovery, Saturday, April 22, 9 to 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, in Lisle. This is an invaluable seminar for pastors, first responders, medical personnel, educators, counselors. Email Deaconess Kris Blackwell or call 630-234-1491.

Join the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) at their Sacholarship Gala, Saturday, April 22, 6 p.m., at the Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. Black tie optional. For more information, contact Janet Klotz (janetklotz@clefchicago.org).

Small Town Rural Ministry Convocation
Pastors from the Northern Illinois District are cordially invited to attend a Small Town/Rural Ministry Convocation to be held Saturday, May 6, at the LCMS Indiana District Office Learning Center, 1145 Barr Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Print flyer

CPH's Spanish and Bilingual VBS Theme: Jesus Encounters
Concordia Publishing House is excited to bring you Jesus Encounters (Encuentros con Jes�s), the Spanish and bilingual VBS program for 2017. Jesus Encounters is the only Spanish Vacation Bible School program that is originally written in Spanish and available in both Spanish and bilingual formats. For more information visit cph.org/spanishvbs. Here you will find sample materials, craft ideas, previews of music and more. To order, contact CPH customer service at 800-325-3040 (English) or 877-450-8694 (Spanish).

Looking for Young Adult Singers
Do you have a young adult (age 18-25) singer in your congregation who loves the music of Luther's era? Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is seeking singers age 18-25 to sing Bach Cantata 137, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," for a special Sunday observance of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, June 25, 2017, at two Fort Wayne congregations (modeling Bach's practice in Leipzig with the choir alternating between St. Thomas and St. Nikolai churches). The choir and soloists will be selected by audition and directed by CTSFW Kantor Kevin Hildebrand. For information go to ctsfw.edu/BachInFortWayne. Deadline for application, which includes submitting an audio or video recording, is April 1.

Your local church and Lutheran school are likely on Thrivent's list of eligible institutions to receive your funds; the LCMS Northern Illinois District is on the list; some of the LCMS recognized ministries operating in northern Illinois are on the list. Please act today.

6 Lent Social Media Campaign Ideas for Churches
In two weeks it will be Ash Wednesday. You will want to reach your members where they live, in their homes. You also probably want to do some outreach as well to your surrounding community. Social Media is a great way to do both of those things. Here are six ideas to engage your church's followers during Lent. Read more at concordiatechnology.org/blog.