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Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries
115 N. Wyman St.
Rockford, IL 61101
Mariel Heinke - Director
p 815-962-4279
f 815-962-4285
e
ralmmail@aol.com
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Alpine Lutheran, Rockford
Bethlehem Lutheran, Rockford
Calvary Lutheran, Rockford
Capron Lutheran Church, Capron
Christ Lutheran, Belvidere
Cross & Crown Lutheran, Roscoe
Emmanuel Lutheran, Rockford
Faith Lutheran, South Beloit
First Lutheran, Rockford
Gloria Dei Lutheran, Rockford
Good Shepherd, Rockford
GPS, Machesney Park
Grace Lutheran, Loves Park
Our Savior's Lutheran, Rockford
St Mark Lutheran, Rockford
Salem Lutheran, Rockford
Shepherd of the Valley, Rockford
Tabor Lutheran, Rockford
Trinity Lutheran, Rockford
United Lutheran, Rockford
Zion Lutheran, Belvidere
Zion Lutheran, Rockford
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Dear Friend
In 1923 a wealthy businessman named P.A.
Peterson, who later donated the P. A. Peterson
Center for Health and the P.A. Peterson School
to Rockford, wanted an English speaking
congregation where his employees could worship.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and
together they founded Calvary. The founding
pastor was a remarkable young man who was a
fresh graduate of the Moody Bible Institute name
Melvin Smith.
Pastor Smith had some kind of incredible heart
for kids. He had chalk talks that fascinated
people. He had woodworking projects where poor
children could make nice things. As the
depression came he arranged with bakeries to get
day old bread that he would distribute to needy
people. In those days skimmed milk was thrown
away by dairies. He arranged to get it in
quantity for kids who had no milk at all.
And, they came. Hundreds of children of all
ages, making large Sunday School, adult, and
Confirmation classes. A special pride was in
Christian Endeavor, a city-wide youth effort
where kids could visit other churches and be
visited and perhaps meet their soul mate.
Today there are different kids around Calvary,
but they are also the same, many are poor, and
all suffer from the problems of today's world.
So we have our Wednesday afternoon/evening Jesus
Club, with a big supper, classes, and free
guitar lessons. The Little Saints is our new Jr.
& Sr. High youth group. And the Guardians are
our new church patrol to keep Calvary and more
importantly, our neighborhood kids safe.
If your heart breaks for kids and you NEED to
help them, Calvary is the place for you. Do
contact me any time by calling 342-6064.
God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Chuck Olson
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