Trinity Lutheran – Hoyleton Hosts Reverend Kotila For September 17 Service

Sunday, September 17, 2017, Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, celebrates the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost and the seventh special service in observance of the 150th Anniversary of Trinity.

The congregation welcomes Reverend Aaron P. Kotila, who previously served as Trinity’s first vicar, as the guest preacher for the 9:30 AM service. Reverend Nathan Wollenberg, Trinity’s pastor, will be liturgist.

Rev. Kotila is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary – St. Louis where he was earned a Master’s of Divinity Degree in May of 2007. Pastor Kotila was ordained and installed on July 8, 2007 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rosebud, Mo., where he served as sole pastor until June 14, 2015. He accepted a second call extended by the Holy Spirit’s leading to Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville.

As Pastor Kotila will be joining Trinity, Hoyleton in the continuing celebration of the congregation’s 150th Anniversary, he shared a few memories from his vicarage year at Trinity, stating:

“Our family has great memories of our year together with all the saints at Christ’s congregation at Trinity, Hoyleton. Rev. Mark Nebel continues as my mentor even as he did during the formative year as Hoyleton’s first vicar in 2005 and as we continue serving as brother pastors here in Southern Illinois.”

“God blessed us with memories of preaching, teaching, and being part of the Hoyleton community for just a year and given us memories of faithful Christians gathered by God in faith to hear His message of forgiveness, life and salvation through their Lord Jesus Christ. Fellowship with their Lord was lived out in fellowship with each other in regular worship services, Sunday school, Bible study, and through the day school.  I loved teaching the children in the seventh and eighth grade religion and confirmation classes. Those bonds are still strong today!”

“I remember hospital and shut-in visits with members who would confess their assurance that the Lord was always with them and that, no matter what happened through surgeries or illnesses, they knew that heaven was their home. Many of them have now gone to be with our Lord, but their faithful confession and trust in their Lord Jesus Christ lives on in this pastor’s heart even today.”

“I pray God’s continued blessings on the ministry at Trinity, Hoyleton until Christ comes to gather us to be where He is on the Last Day. And may God bless each of you with the sure and certain promise that He is with you always to the very end of the age (Mt. 28:20). Go then, fellow disciples of Jesus and tell the Good News of the Savior who lives and reigns to all eternity. “

The celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Trinity will continue through October, 2017, with another special monthly service on October 29th, followed by a potluck in the Activity Center. A Luther Day dinner/theatre is also scheduled for two evenings – October 15 and 22. Advanced reservations are required for the 15th or the 22nd dinner theatre. History books, pictorial directories and commemorative items will be available following each special service and at the special events. Trinity, Hoyleton members are grateful for 150 years of God’s Blessings and pray for continued blessings for the future ministry of the Church.