Youth group holds overnight lock-in
The youth group (6th-12th grade) held an overnight lock-in at the church December 15-16, 2023, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 am, with games, a Bible study, and bonding.
The youth group (6th-12th grade) held an overnight lock-in at the church December 15-16, 2023, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 am, with games, a Bible study, and bonding.
The 2023 LWML Christmas luncheon (themed 'Sounds of Christmas') drew 44 women and girls and included an ingathering of over 300 pairs of children's underwear for Orphan Grain Train.
LWML mite offerings supported Grant No. 21, with a $106,000 check presented to Lutheran Family Service in Ft. Dodge, Iowa as an example of mites at work.
Members were invited to set personal reading goals across categories for 2024 and meet to discuss their reading.
Virma Konans retired after many years; Joan Culler took over as chief Librarian.
The library launched a reading challenge inviting members to set 2024 reading goals.
Each year the program sends students home with extra food to cover the school Christmas break. In 2023 it sent six days' worth of food for each of 25 students plus a bag of treats and a signed card. In 2024 it sent two 3-day bags plus a Christmas treat per student (50 bags total), packed by Kathy and Susan and delivered by Chris. In 2025 it sent two 3-day packs along with flyers for the church's Christmas events, distributed at Lincolnshire school.
Open Arms' decorated pumpkin contest brought in $166 for the school.
Mr. Tim and the youth hosted their first Chair Basketball Tournament on November 19, 2023, with teams of five at $20 per player and a hot dog meal. It drew eight teams and raised a bit over $800 for the 2025 National Youth Gathering fund, with the Community Cats defeating the Luther's Youthers in the playoff.
The Southeastern District gave Concordia a commissioned needle-art triptych (c. 1975–1985 by former member Louise Keuper), displayed by the library.
Concordia's recurring Operation Christmas Child drive grows year over year: 76 boxes packed in fall 2023 (a record at the time, delivered with ~$300 in shipping donations), 135 boxes in 2024 (exceeding the 100-box goal, dropped at Tri State Fellowship Church), and a record 182 boxes in 2025. Each cycle collects clothing, school supplies, hats/gloves/mittens, and Mission Stitchers pillowcase dresses, with a packing party in the Outreach Center and per-box shipping donations.
Open Arms / CCDC reached capacity at 65 children with wait lists across all classes.
DCE Intern Tim Buss was featured with an article and photo in the LCMS Southeastern District news, 'Connecting People with Jesus.'
The LWML voted to 'Adopt a Student' at the seminary through the Seminary Guild for a year and continued donations to Orphan Grain Train to help with shipping costs.
Nancy Flicek, Sara Hilmer, and Sylvia Shives attended the Chesapeake District Christian Life Retreat in Ocean City, MD, centered on the Bible study 'Measured by Grace' led by author Sharla Fritz.