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Parishioner pictures help pastor preach

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church fills sanctuary with familiar faces

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (May 16, 2020) – Throughout the Illinois stay-at-home order, Pastor John Richy of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (18100 Wentworth) has been recording his Sunday messages and posting them on YouTube. When he mentioned how difficult it is to preach to an empty church, members responded by creating a congregation to fill the sanctuary.

Large photos of familiar faces filled the pews at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing. (Photo: Ray Nommenson)
“We hope to get some real people in the church in a couple of weeks,” says member Ray Nommensen, but for now the photo fellowship is helping Pastor Richy. (Photo: Ray Nommensen)
Bill’s photo was caught red-handed. (Photo: Ray Nommensen)

Pastor Richy enjoyed his two-dimensional congregation, and he spent time at the opening of his May 10 service personally greeting and passing the peace with the parishioners’ pictures:

The YouTube videos of St. John’s weekly services are available on a dedicated page of the church website:

  • Weekly Sermons

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 18100 Wentworth Avenue in Lansing, Illinois.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 18100 Wentworth Avenue in Lansing, Illinois. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.