The Church in the Woods
On Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire, Illinois, Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit still carries the nickname of its earliest days, "The Church in the Woods." The first worship service was held on November 11, 1962, and the congregation was officially chartered on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 1963, with a little over one hundred members. Six decades later, the warmth of that founding circle continues to shape the life of a multigenerational ELCA congregation where Pastor Tim Linstrom now serves as lead pastor.
Sunday Mornings in the Sanctuary
Worship at Holy Spirit gathers each Sunday at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary, accompanied by the jubilant sounds of the organ. The service is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and recordings of previous services remain available afterward. Children ages three to twelve are dismissed for Sunday School after the children's sermon and then return to the sanctuary for communion with their families. Weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters are posted online in advance, with archives kept for later reading.
A Welcome Without Exception
The congregation's welcome is one of the most quoted parts of its identity. The public welcome statement names single, married, widowed, and divorced people; people of every age, race, and national origin; people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; people of any ability or challenge; and people across every socio-economic line. Visitors who are rejoicing, grieving, recovering, or simply searching for grace are told, "Without exception, Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit welcomes YOU today." That welcome sets the tone for the church's life in mission, fellowship, and service.
Music at the Heart of Worship
Holy Spirit has a long tradition of strong choral and instrumental music. The Adult Choir, which includes adult and high-school members, rehearses Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM and Tuesday evenings at 4:30 PM, and sings in worship on a rotating basis throughout the church year. The Youth Choir, made up of second through sixth graders, explores religious musical traditions and presents programs throughout the year under the direction of Bill Vaananen, a multi-award-winning composer who has served the church for twenty-one years. The Cherub Choir introduces preschool through first-grade children to music during the Sunday School hour.
The Bell Choir and Brass Choir rehearse on select Sundays after the 9:30 service and assist with worship. Karen Jirsa, who studied music education at Concordia University Chicago and holds a master's from the University of Illinois, directs the overall music program. Summer music opportunities invite interested musicians to share their gifts in more relaxed settings during outdoor and indoor services.
Forming Faith from Preschool Through Confirmation
Children's ministry at Holy Spirit is led by Jennifer Williams, who has degrees in early childhood education and teaching language arts and serves as Children's Ministry Director and Youth Coordinator. Sunday School is offered for ages three through twelve during the 9:30 worship service, with engaging Bible-based lessons designed for each stage of development.
LYFE, the Lutheran Youth Fellowship Experience, meets every Tuesday from 4:15 to 6:00 PM for children in second through sixth grade. The evenings begin with team-building and character-building activities, Bible teaching and personal reflection, art projects, cooking, and games, followed by youth choir rehearsals with Mr. V. Confirmation classes for seventh and eighth graders help young people grow in their knowledge of the Bible and Christian faith, with special attention to Lutheran traditions and identity, and open space for service and experience of ministry in the wider church.
Grown-Ups on the Path
Holy Spirit offers adults a variety of ways to study, pray, and connect. Thursday Bible Study meets every week from 10:15 to 11:30 AM for spirited conversation around Scripture, contemporary theologians, Lutheran roots, and current issues affecting daily life. A Prayer Group gathers Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 10:00 AM to lift up members of the community and explore different styles of prayer.
The Quilting Ministry meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief, welcoming both experienced quilters and newcomers. EXPOS, the Experienced People of the Spirit, is a seniors group that enjoys fellowship and outings throughout the year. Adults also gather for fellowship events such as Trivia Night, Wine and Cheese Pairing, Oktoberfest, St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and Holy Spirit Night Out at local restaurants and taverns.
Beyond the Church Doors
The mission of Holy Spirit, to live in Christ, celebrate Christ, help others to know Christ, and serve others as Christ served, is lived out through several partnerships. Project Backpack equips foster, at-risk, and homeless children with backpacks and supplies for the school year at a cost of $35 each. Holy Spirit supports P.A.D.S. of Lake County, helping individuals and families in need over the winter through an Amazon wish list, and sends volunteers to C.O.O.L. Food Pantry, which supplies four days of emergency food to clients referred by area agencies and also assists families working toward self-sufficiency through transitional housing. Members also patronize Curt's Cafe in Highland Park and Evanston, a restaurant that helps redirect the lives of young people at risk.
Inside the church, members can sign up to serve as Assisting Ministers, Communion Deacons, Ushers and Greeters, or members of the Live Stream team on Sundays. A Time and Talent form, renewed each year, helps members match their gifts with the congregation's many ministry opportunities. Giving to Holy Spirit is available online through a secure giving portal and through PayPal, and the church encourages donors aged 70 and a half and older to consider making Qualified Charitable Distributions directly from their IRAs.
Six decades after that first worship in the woods along Riverwoods Road, Holy Spirit still gathers people of every age and background around Word, sacrament, and song, sending them out to serve the wider Lincolnshire and Lake County community.