ABOUT US

Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church has been around since the 1980’s. The church has undergone many changes over the past three decades. In fact, we recently completed a major expansion project! Visit our history section to learn about the entire history of this congregation. Also in this section you can learn about our staff members, and their dedication to growing our church ministry. We offer both Traditional and Celebration Services each week with Holy Communion. Please see the worship section for descriptions, days and times. Holy Shepherd is an exciting, spiritual and friendly place to worship God and make new friends. Come worship with us!

LEADERS

eric schlichting

PASTOR

Pastor Eric just recently graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree.  He loves preaching and teaching and finds great joy in helping people put their talents to work for the sake of ministry.  He’s passionate about cooking, enjoys swimming and loves music, but his greatest joy comes from his family, his wife Andrea and son, Victor. 

Holy Shepherd’s new chapter is starting and Pastor Eric’s prayer is that we as a church come together… “May God bless us as we write new stories together.”

ROBERT BENNE

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP & THE ARTS

Bob comes to us from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights, where he has been Organist and Music Director for the last 17 years. He was also a teacher in that congregation’s parochial school and has now retired from teaching to devote full-time to his passion for church music. Prior to going to St. Paul’s, Bob taught parochial school and was Music Director at three other Lutheran congregations.

Bob and his wife, Carlene, live in Lansing and have three married daughters and eight grandchildren.

Carlene Benne

DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

Carlene is a retired parochial school teacher. She served congregations in Lansing, Chicago, and Chicago Heights. She is also a musician and has served four Lutheran churches as music directors. She has 34 years of experience with children.

Carlene’s true passion is church work especially bringing the Word to children. She also loves to travel, read, cook, and spend time with her husband Bob, their children and grandchildren.

JIM PRITCHARD

CLERICAL ASSISTANT

We welcome Jim Pritchard to the staff as Holy Shepherd’s clerical assistant.  Jim has been a member of Holy Shepherd since 2008. He’s  married, and has two daughters and a dog named Gracie. 

 Jim loves to sing with the Adult Choir and for seasonal Cantatas and has enjoyed being the Chair of the Stewardship & Finance Committee for the last few years. 

Bob and his wife, Carlene, live in Lansing and have three married daughters and eight grandchildren.

LISA GABE

BOOKKEEPER 

We welcome Lisa Gabe as Holy Shepherd’s new Bookkeeper. Lisa has been a member of Holy Shepherd since 2001 and is best known as the leader of our Hands to Heaven Puppet Team.

 Lisa has a background in banking and business, is self-motivated, energetic and is a wonderful addition to our current staff.

WENDY BARLETT

OFFICE MANAGER

Wendy and her husband, Dave, have been members of the congregation since 2003 and Wendy has been involved in such things as the Long-Range Planning Committee, Adult Ministries, the PrimeTimers, the Lenten Team, the Praise Team, Silver Steppers and the Welcoming Team. 

 Wendy received her Bachelor of Arts with from Purdue Calumet in 2003 and has served as Administrative Assistant and as Office Manager for a company in Crown Point for the last six years and was the Director of Healing with Harmony ministry for nine years. 

WORSHIP HOURS

Contemporary
Saturday: 5:00 pm

Traditional
Sunday: 8:30 am

Contemporary
Sunday: 10:00 am