Lutheran Church East Side Mission - LCMS

04/09/2026

01/14/2026

Interested in Sign Language classes?
Word of God Lutheran Church at St. Matthew Lutheran Church will offer free beginning sign language classes on Tuesday evenings, 7:30-8:30 pm, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 115 W. 12th Ave., Milan, Illinois. The emphasis will be on conversational sign language. Classes will run ten weeks, from Jan. 20 – March 24, and are open to the entire community. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, please call Rev. Tim Eckert, 563-359-7105, or e-mail him at [email protected].
https://www.stmatthewmilan.org/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/115+12th+Ave+W,+Milan,+IL+61264

Building

01/05/2026

Why the Magi Matter: The Meaning of Epiphany ⭐️👑👑👑
by Bethany Dorschner (DCE/O)

January doesn’t always feel very exciting.
The colored lights come down, decorations are boxed away, and winter settles in.

But tomorrow on the 6th, the church year gives us a beautiful gift right here in the quiet of the new year: Epiphany!
Epiphany means “to reveal.”
On this day, we remember the Magi — wise men from far away who followed a star to Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12).
While the shepherds at Christmas were locals, the Magi were outsiders — not Jewish, not from Bethlehem, not part of God’s chosen people. And yet, they were invited to kneel before the newborn King.
That moment changes everything.
The Magi show us that Jesus didn’t come for one people or one place — He came for the whole world. His love stretches across borders, backgrounds, and languages. From the very beginning, God was revealing His Son to all nations.

The Magi’s gifts tell a story:
• Gold to honor Jesus as the true King,
• Frankincense, as incense, for worship of the Son of God,
• And Myrrh, as oil, foreshadowing His sacrificial death.

The Magi also show us what it looks like to respond to God’s call. They traveled far, at great cost, simply to worship. Their journey reminds us that faith requires patience and a willingness to follow God’s leading, even when the path isn’t clear. And just like them,
when we encounter Jesus, we are changed and sent home by a new way — guided by His light. Even at His epiphany, the shadow of the cross reminds us how far Jesus would go to save us.

Epiphany encourages us to ask a simple question:
How is Jesus being made known today?

Through God’s Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper — Christ continues to reveal Himself. And He also shines through His people. Every act of kindness in His name, every invitation to church,
every prayer for someone in need — these are little “epiphanies;”
moments where Jesus’ light breaks through.
The world still needs the light of Christ. Winter nights are long, but His love is longer still.
As we step into the new year, may God help us reflect that light; and guide others to the Savior, just as the star once guided the Magi to Him.
Because Epiphany isn’t just a story about wise men long ago — it is a reminder that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and He wants to be revealed through you!

Send a message to learn more

12/23/2025

Just an FYI; the ESM WILL have the Wednesday bread & pastry/dessert giveaway from 3-5pm on December 24th & December 31st.

Send a message to learn more

12/22/2025

Great job, Yolanda! 🙏

12/11/2025

FYI for those needing meat:

State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources Jessie Brown
Excellent chili recipe but no venison? Enter the Iowa Deer Exchange! 🥣 We're matching up hunters with full freezers with Iowans looking for venison.

Join the exchange: https://bit.ly/3IOE4CL

View participants: https://bit.ly/3GJ8Laj

Questions: [email protected]

Hunters and those wanting to receive venison enter their contact information to the database and provide their location on a map. The location information will help you to connect with other program participants in your area.

Recipients choose the condition they want the meat when they register – b***d out, field dressed, quartered, frozen, jerky /sausage or any, and in what amount. They also set the length of time their offer is open and may opt out at any time by contacting the Iowa DNR.

Once connected, the parties work out the details of the transfer. Donors are responsible for reporting the harvest and encouraged to properly care for the deer from the field to the recipient.

PLEASE NOTE: It is illegal to sell venison (as well as all wild fish and game) in Iowa.

11/19/2025

Several different days/times, and locations. Reservations are ONLY required for those entities serving groups.
Those without transportation contact MLK Center for possible ride.
To make meal access easier for our community, we now have pickup sites available across the Quad Cities! These locations are here to make sure everyone has access to a Thanksgiving meal that works with their schedule.
Meals include turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, corn, roll/cranberry sauce and dessert. While supplies last.
Please note that the drive-thru meals are meant to be heated up at home.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
630 9th Street, Rock Island, IL
• Friday, Nov 21 — 12 to 5 PM (Drive-through only)
• Saturday, Nov 22 — 11 AM to 5 PM (Drive-through only)
• Sunday, Nov 23 — 12 to 4 PM (Dine-in only)

Blackhawk Fire Protection District
102 W 3rd Street, Milan, IL
• Saturday, Nov 22 — 10 AM to 12 PM (Drive-through only)

TMBC Lincoln Resource Center
318 E 7th St Suite 112, Davenport
• Saturday, Nov 22 — 12 PM to 1:30 PM (Drive-through only)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley
3247 E 35th St Ct, Davenport
• Saturday, Nov 22 — 3 PM to 5 PM (Drive-through only)

All other community members are welcome to attend through drive-through or dine-in at the MLK Center on Sunday!
For more information, please contact the MLK Center at 309-732-2999 or visit mlkcenter.org.

 36th Annual Thanksgiving MealsWe are now accepting reservations for Thanksgiving Meals! Meal reservations are required only for large quantities (25+). Delivery can be requested with an order of 25 meals or more. Please complete and submit the information below. Please note, residential deliveries...

11/19/2025

This coming Sunday; join us for amazing food and awesome fellowship!

Please put out the word, Immanuel's Youth Group, BLAST, will be preparing their 9th Annual FREE Thanksgiving Community Dinner. This has been a very successful Ministry for our Church, and we are very proud of our young people and their friends. If you have any questions, contact the church. [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">[email protected]
Phone: 563-324-6431

11/12/2025

Hy-Vee's are serving low-cost meals again this week.

11/08/2025

Do you need winter coats for yourself or children? 💨
Here are some places that offer clothing for free; please comment if you are aware of any others, thanks!

Minnie’s Maison
Wednesdays & Saturdays from 10am – 12pm
1119 LeClaire St. Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 362-0915

McAnthony Window Clothing Giveaway
Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m
417 N. Main Street Davenport, Iowa 52801
563-322-3303

King's Harvest Ministries
2nd Saturday of the month 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
824 West 3rd Street Davenport, IA 52802
Phone: 563-570-4536

All Saints Lutheran Church
Every Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
5002 Jersey Ridge Rd, Davenport, IA
(563) 359-9516

Friendly Thrift Center Clothing Closet
9 am to noon EXCEPT ON Sundays and Tuesdays
1411 Brady St, Davenport. Located upstairs on the west end of the building.
(563) 324-5295
(will need voucher from another agency if unable to pay anything)

Send a message to learn more

11/02/2025

FYI if you are in need of food assistance. The meals are available at all area Hy-vees that have a hot food service department.