We are gathered by the Holy Spirit to confess our human brokenness, to wash ourselves in the healing waters of baptism, to listen to stories from the scriptures and to hear the Gospel message of salvation. We share a simple meal of bread and wine around the table of grace, and then are sent out into the world to share God’s love with our neighbors. The liturgical forms practiced here can be traced back to ancient Christian rites and rituals. As we live in the rhythms and seasons of the church year, we are continually encircled into the whole story of God’s creation and in God’s redeeming gift of life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Join us for worship on Sunday Mornings at 10:30.

In our culture, children are too often manipulated by media and consumerism. They are bombarded by pressures to possess, achieve and perform.

In Godly Play, they are given a few simple words, simple images and deep quiet. They are asked to sit in a circle and listen. They are asked to imagine and wonder and play. They are invited to meet with their Creator and Redeemer in God’s own story.

Teachers that have learned and experienced Godly Play, feel that this is what worship is to be for all of us. We are invited to enter God’s story and find ourselves there. We then become God’s story. Godly Play isn’t the only way to engage with the story of God in community, but it is one powerful tool for a community of children.

Find yourself in God’s Story. Become God’s Story.

Children under 4 are welcome in the Nursery, which is open at 9:40am and remains open during the worship service and adult coffee hour.

Godly Play: Sundays 11:20am to 12:15pm September to May (No Godly Play December 24 or December 31)

Children under 4-years-old are welcome in the Nursery.

Our Nursery is staffed by caring adults each Sunday, from September to May, beginning at 9:40am through the worship service and coffee hour after the worship service.

The Nursery is conveniently located upstairs near the gym. Electronic pagers are provided to parents and caregivers for notification if an emergency arises. Ask any usher for directions to the nursery.

Our Nursery attendant Rebecca Hallas is currently a leader of the Together Program class “Bouncing Babies” that meets upstairs in the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays. Originally from England, she has over a decade of experience in caring for children and she has worked with children with special needs. Rebecca has a great sense of humor and always gives a warm smile to whoever is near.

If you enjoy a cup of coffee and some lively discussion on interesting topics, please come to The Forum after the coffee hour on Sunday mornings.

Topics cover an impressive range of subjects. Some are comforting, some a controversial, all are interesting.  The topics range from issues of great importance (climate change, income inequality, affordable housing, etc.) to lighter topics (church art, travel to other countries, jazz, etc.).

The Forum is led by Dr. Ken Olsen, Pastor Monte Johnson, and Marcia Smith, R.N., with guest speakers to broaden the range of expertise.

The Forum runs from September to May.

Forum Schedule: 

September 15th: Daysi Funes Executive Director, Centro Romero

Topic: Immigration

September 22nd: Marcia Smith & the Gustafson Kids

Topic: Mission Trip to El Salvador

September 29th: Richard Anderson

Topic: Women’s books of the Bible-Introduction

October 6th: No Forum-Budget Hearing

October 13th: Topic: Affordable Housing

October 20, 27 & November 3rd: Richard Anderson, Monte Johnson, Donna Olsen, Ken Olsen

Topic: Women’s books of the Bible-Continued

November 10th: No Forum-Congregational Meeting

November 17th: Ken Olsen

Topic: Income Inequality 

November 24: Illinois Single Payer Coalition

Topic: Health Care for All

December 1: Lindsay Brown

Topic: Social Media and the Church

December 8th

Topic: Immigration Hits Home

Richard Anderson, PhD, is a graduate of St. Olaf College and The University of Chicago, where he received his doctorate in American social, religious, and urban history.  Although his specialty is 19th century American history, his interests include world religions and Biblical archaeology.

The Rev. Monte Johnson has served as Senior Pastor of Immanuel since 2006.  He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and The University of Chicago, from which he has both Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity degrees.

Ken Olsen, PhD, is Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Loyola University.  A leading authority on synthetic blood, he has lectured in many countries and has been a visiting scholar at Harvard, the University of Illinois and Northwestern.  He has degrees from Iowa State and Duke Universities.

Marcia Smith, RN, is the parish nurse or both Immanuel and Ebenezer Lutheran Churches.  She is certified in Faith Community Nursing.