As I shared Sunday, I will be meeting this week with the Northern Baptist Seminary community. This historic institution is located outside of Chicago. The main campus is in Lombard, and an extension campus is located Lawndale. Northern has been training ministers to serve the local church for over 100 years. The seminary is supported […]
Read More »Praise the Lord for his abundant blessings in 2015. After I wrote to you in November, you as a church family stepped up your financial support to the budget and Thanksgiving offering. Our staff reduced spending, and we were able to finish last year in great financial shape. Let me share a few details with […]
Read More »In Luke 8:20, Jesus’ biological family interrupted his teaching. “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” Jesus replied by describing a strong Christian home: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” On February 5-7, for our annual Connections Weekend, our church will […]
Read More »The book of Exodus offers one of the earliest records of unsolicited advice from in-laws. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, told Moses that he needed help. It would not be the last time a spouse’s parents chimed in with suggestions. Jethro recognized that godly Leadership as a solo person should actually be spelled godly WEadership. Just as […]
Read More »The Witnesses of Christmas Luke 2:25-40 The Spirit falls on people who regularly worship and witness to what they have seen and heard. Each heart has been broken open to the world’s pain. Jesus’s birth heals them. Luke’s Cast of Christmas Characters in Luke 1-2: Zechariah and Joseph (Fathers) Elizabeth and Mary (Mothers) Worshipers and […]
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Each Sunday in January, Dr. Shiell will be preaching through the book of 1 Peter. This fascinating study will address an issue that most Christians share with Peter’s day. How do we live like a Christian when we serve people in homes, offices, and society who are nonbelievers? How do we behave in a Christian […]
Read More »Today, we listened to Zechariah’s sermon and hymn in Luke 1:67-80. For 9 months, Zechariah waited to preach this message. The old preacher’s — and new father’s — words are still relevant today. He explains that the way God changed the world back then is what he’s doing now. God not only wants us to […]
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This week, the epic journey of Star Wars returns. I’m sure that I’ll climb aboard the Millenium Falcon and enjoy the ride at some point. Our world looks to heroic tales of adventure between the Force of light and dark to help them imaginatively deal with reality today. We don’t have to argue with those […]
Read More »Fear overwhelms us. On the news, in the mall, in our neighborhoods, at home or school, around the world, many people dread what could happen to them. Everywhere we turn, there is an excuse to be afraid. During Advent, God takes our fears and uses them to transform us into people who kneel at the […]
Read More »Advent calls us to worship our King as he reigns from the Manger. In a world marked by terror and turmoil, we “worship Christ, the newborn King,” and welcome neighbors into our church for Winter Festival. We ring the bells of Christmas and baptize new believers into the body of Christ. This past weekend was […]
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