New Horizon Church

December 3, 2025

 A greeter stood in the cold wind, cheerfully waving as I pulled into the parking lot at New Horizon church. A second greeter opened the door and a third handed me a program as I entered the sanctuary. Pastor Mark Jordan enthusiastically welcomed a fairly full room to the first week of Advent. A family came up to light the white candle.

The stage was festively decorated, lights low. The worship band—guitars, bass, drums, keyboard, and singer; players a little older than usual—enthusiastically engaged us in updated renditions of carols at maximally allowed volume. The holiday season is here! 

Younger kids then went off to their classes and a woman told us about the current missions project, Days for Girls. Hand-made hygiene kits allow girls in impoverished cultures across the globe to stay in school throughout the whole month. Look it up. Impressive!

Next was something new to me:  a full church membership covenant ceremony. Actually, this is being done over three Sundays, in three groups, not everyone at once. Fiftyish people of the 150 or so in attendance went to the front with their membership covenant pages to affirm, in several steps, aspects of the Apostles Creed. “As we take upon ourselves vows of membership at NH, we are responding to God’s calling to enter a covenant relationship with Christ’s Church, New Horizon Church, the Global Methodist Church and one another.”

After offering baskets were passed, the Star Wars intro played on a big screen. “The Epic Tale.” Then followed “Jesus Christ” in the same format with Galatians 4:4-7 replacing the Star Wars opening crawl up the screen. Our message from that text emphasized that Christ was sent when the fullness of time had come. God knew from the beginning he’d have to come to redeem us. We can appreciate his timing in Kingdom life whether we are currently in joy or still waiting in pain. Be on the lookout for God, especially when something surprising happens. “It takes particular vision to see what God has done.”

The service ended with communion. Congregants went to tables, took a piece of broken bread and dipped it in the cup of juice. (Individual servings were also available.) We were then dismissed and I went back out into the windy morning.

Copper Creek Church

 October 15

An environmental group called Faith in Place hosted its annual Green Team Summit at various faith groups around the Midwest this past week. Faith in Place defines itself as “People of diverse faiths and spiritualities leading the environmental movement to create healthy, just, and sustainable communities for all.” The Champaign-Urbana group met at Copper Creek Church which sits on ten acres, four of which are dedicated to Prairie Savanna. Cool! So after attending a Green Team session there, I decided on a Sunday visit.

The church set itself off as distinctive from the first notes of the worship team led by a couple of talented soul singers:  Ain’t No Mountain High Enough was followed by Signed, Sealed, Delivered and then We Are Family! Huh? Am I in church? Pastor Scott introduced himself and explained that this was the last message of this year’s Soundtrack series. This week, Motown. The series has been presenting music from secular artists and taking a deeper look “into their lyrics through the lens of scripture.”  (A check of the website shows they focused on Hamilton a few weeks ago.)

Announcements followed, with mention of an upcoming jazz festival featuring the music of Ella Fitzgerald. Offering baskets were at the doors.

Then the worship songs. The decibel level was pretty loud for my comfort, but the sound was great:  keyboard, guitar (or maybe a bass?), drums and a saxophone! One prayer song featured the line, "wasn’t holding you up, so there's nothing I can do to let you down."

At this point there were maybe 50 to 60 people in the auditorium which obviously could hold three or four times more, but this was the early service. There’s another at 10:30 which is also the hour for kids church. There's a youth group too. Each weekend kicks off with a Thursday evening service.

Taking Stand by Me as musical theme, this sermon asked whether romantic love songs could be appropriate for our worship of God. They can be sung as prayer, right? Consider Romans 8.38-39, Psalm 51, I John4.7-8, 16, and 12, especially verse 12. Let’s move beyond romantic love, with its “valentines and unicorns,” to sacrificing love, the love of Jesus. And let's not look just at our need for the Father to stand by us, but at our need to stand by a friend. Consider the flipped line, “When you’re in trouble, won’t you stand by me?” “Love anyway . . . despite the fact that we can all be jerks at times. 

The service concluded with everyone invited to the communion table:  the gift of God for the people of God. Congregants walked up to take a piece of the broken bread and dip it in the cup before we sang the doxology.

Given that the church name offers no clue, I asked a woman as I went out, what denomination this is, expecting it to be non-denominational. But, nope, it’s Presbyterian. That surprised me. Copper Creek, part of the PCUSA, is open and affirming, “. . . here to create a home for those who have given up on church,” says the website. “If you’ve got questions and doubts, we do too.” How many churches would admit to that?

New Covenant Fellowship

 September 17, 2023

This month's visit was to New Covenant Fellowship on the south side of downtown Champaign. They choose to think of themselves as multi-denominational rather than nondenominational. I parked on the street and helped an older woman get to the door. As she headed in another direction, a sign pointed me upstairs to the sanctuary, a big room with drop ceilings and natural light from windows to the street. Rows of padded stacking chairs were interspersed with rockers and small tables of greenery. The chairs faced a well-lit stage decorated with a big mural of interlocking hands. A man and woman behind the wooden podium welcomed everyone as I took a seat. Then guitars, keyboard, drum set and vocalists led us into praise.

After the singing, I moved up a couple of rows to sit in a rocking chair beside an old friend whom I had recognized from behind. Another couple took the platform and shared a bit about Rosh Hashanah. Did you know the Jewish New Year celebration is this week? We were soon to learn more about it as Pastor Renée Antrosio, in a casual top, jeans, and sneakers, took the stage for her message. Sitting at a small table she wished us “Shana Tovah!”

Good year to you and may your name be sealed in the Book of Life. "May your new year be sweet as we celebrate the birthday of the world and the goodness of creation." The world suffers as a result of individual and collective sin, yet we can rejoice despite our lack of agency against evil. God's language is driven by curiosity and questions. We can repent, pray and participate in acts of mercy and justice. May we remember our origin created in God's image.

As the musicians began again, people left their seats to pick up elements of Communion. My friend whispered that I was welcome to take them with others kneeling at a table in the back or take them as I wished by myself.

A woman in the worship band shared a meaningful story from her life. And we sang again, surprisingly and happily this:                                                                                                          He comes to make his blessings flow,                                                      Far as the curse is found! 

Joy to the world!

A gentleman gave the benediction after making some announcements and we were dismissed with encouragement to meet at Hessel Park for a picnic lunch.

First Presbyterian Church, Urbana

 September 3, 2023

Today First Presbyterian Church in Urbana is on my radar (after I missed a visit opportunity in August). This congregation has an Earth Care Team and is working to reduce their carbon footprint. Kudos! Their Twice as Nice thrift shop in Urbana is one evidence of this commitment. In honor of the Feast of St Francis, they host an upcoming Blessing of the Animals service. A wellness committee and two Parish Nurses are available. And some students in Africa receive support from this Urbana church. These are a few highlights from the bulletin and website.

The front of the sanctuary is a beautiful wall of stained glass. It's easy to gaze transfixed at the intricacies of the pattern. Chimes sound and we start through the multi-page order of service on the dot of time. Welcome, prelude, call to worship, prayers, scripture reading. The music is lovely; the atmosphere welcoming; the setting, impressive. But, as with so many other post-Covid churches, many pews are empty. I wondered how so few persons are able to keep up the expense of such a nice building. Then the choir began to sing. To my surprise, I realized there must be another dozen or so congregants out of sight in a rear balcony! Ah—more than I thought. That’s encouraging. The singing was beautiful and stirring—a version of Be Thou My Vision that I’d never heard before.

The pastor is away "for the second portion of his sabbatical,” the bulletin says. A retired guest speaker took the pulpit this morning. She earnestly explained Paul’s encouragements for loving action in Romans 12. They're descriptive, not prescriptive. Biblically speaking, being prophetic does not necessarily mean telling the future. Another song and then we heard the gifted choir again as an offering basket was made available.

Prayer was offered for those losing jobs at the closing of both Dart and Volition, for farmers dealing with draught in the West, for lives disrupted by recent fires and hurricane, for our earth. 

In conclusion, all were invited to partake of communion:  the body of Christ broken for you. Amen.

Quaker Friends Meeting

 

July 16, 2023 

So it’s true:  Quakers gather and simply wait quietly. Whereas free earplugs are a helpful bonus during worship at my church, this service was silent—no music, no teaching, no scripture reading, only listening for the voice of God. 

Grounds of the Urbana Quaker Meetinghouse are lovely, with flowers blooming, most strikingly a pink hibiscus at the entrance. After being welcomed, I tip-toed to a seat in the quiet of a big circle in the meeting room. There, nearly twenty of us sat on upright chairs for about an hour. Plenty of big windows make it easy to gaze out at nature. A familiar verse from Micah 6 came to mind:  With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Sacrifices? Gifts of oil? My firstborn? No. What is required is acting in justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. What do these things look like in my life?

When the hour was nearly up, a woman broke the silence and told her thoughts as she passed the county jail coming to the meeting. A gentleman then spoke for about ten minutes, pouring out his pain from a previous interaction. Everyone listened respectfully as he shared with both laughter and tears. Another short period of quiet followed and then the person appointed to lead today asked that each of us tell our name, any announcements for the group, and whatever else we might feel led to say. One woman asked that we “hold in the light” a member who is dying. I said I was visiting as an exploration project and that I’d enjoyed the quiet in comparison with the usual Sunday morning. That got a few laughs. When we’d been around the circle, all were invited to stay for the eats and monthly business meeting to follow.

A friendly man with a long grey ponytail was interested to hear what other kinds of churches I’d visited, and he welcomed me back anytime. Going to the car past the hibiscus I felt at peace.

Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church

 June 18, 2023

This Sunday, Father’s Day, I was privileged to have my dad join me in a church visit. Happily, an acquaintance who was about Dad’s age appeared for a chat soon after we came in the door of the Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church. Clearly this is a lively place; a lot of people were filtering  through the foyer. According to the multi-page bulletin, the church hosts Sunday School for both adults and kids at 9:30 and children’s church at 10:30 during the worship service. English conversations for international learners are offered at 9:15.

The medium-sized sanctuary was over half full when the music began after a welcome and invocation. To my surprise, I didn’t recognize any of the songs, lyrics projected above. A young couple was commissioned into local ministry service. Offering plates were passed as we watched a short Father’s Day-themed video. We sang the doxology and kids were dismissed to their own program. A couple of men led the congregation in scripture reading.

This was the last Sunday of this pastor’s ministry in this church. His message Winning the Worry War took its theme from Philippians 4:4-9. The bulletin had an outline with blanks for filling in major points as the sermon was given. We have a limited perspective, departing pastor Coats reminded us. Joy issues from the nature of God. “If you’re going to worry anyway, why pray? If you’re going to pray, why worry?” he quoted.

Like the church last week, the service ended with a simple dismissal.

On the way out, all fathers were invited to pick up a pie of their choice from tables in the foyer!

Midwest Believers Church

 June 11, 2023

The name Midwest Believers Church gives little clue what to expect from these local believers. I was curious to find out. The group is
certainly welcoming. I was greeted at the door, inside the door, at the sanctuary entrance, and again by a friendly person who came and sat beside me to chat for a few minutes.

The worship began on time when a petite black woman on keyboard began to sing in the Spirit. Soon she was accompanied by drums, guitar, and a responsive congregation. This free-flowing sing-song praise lasted for several minutes and then morphed into How Great Is Our God. Other contemporary songs followed, as well as the classic hymn How Great Thou Art. It was lovely.

After worship, the pastor’s wife announced a full schedule of upcoming events. Our worship leader/keyboardist, wearing a graduation robe, was acknowledged for just finishing her second degree.

With its drop ceiling and plain glass windows, this was not a fancy sanctuary. Nine rows of comfortable chairs—the back three roped off—replaced pews. No hymnals, nor bulletins. By the time the service ended, there were about forty people present, most of them white, no kids. The website says a nursery and children’s ministry are available at the 10:30 service.

Our message began with Romans 10.9-10 and focused on responding to God. Faith demands response. Our response sets God’s action in motion. Those who shrug and say, “it must not be God’s will” are missing out. The pastor gave two examples from his life. In one “I didn’t respond, so I didn’t receive.” In the other, he didn’t accept a negative diagnosis from a doctor but rather responded with scripture for a positive result. Our mouths play a big part, he said. Speak it out:  “Lord, I receive.”

The keyboardist and the drummer played again as the pastor took a minute to tell how to make an offering and then dismissed us.

The gathering area just outside the sanctuary was filling with people coming in, visiting, getting coffee before the second service. Back outside were more cars and more people arriving. Would they open the back three rows? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As I headed across the parking lot, it occurred to me to ask someone what denomination this church is, since the name is so generic. Non-denominational, a nicely dressed woman answered, but part of the Full Gospel tradition. Ah, ok. A look at upcoming events on the webpage revealed more. MBC is having three days of special services this August. (Sounds like what we used to call a revival.) Here is the information about the speaker they're bringing in:  “Having worked closely with Kenneth Copeland in the Believer's Conventions for over 23 years, David carries an anointing to teach God's Word on faith and financial increase.”

NOTE:  Just as with the Eastside Church I didn't use the label Christian nationalist, I hesitate to say this church preaches the prosperity gospel. My purpose is to observe, not to evaluate. This time I called the office to ask if that term was heard as derogatory or affirming. "Yes," I was cheerfully told, "we believe the prosperity gospel."

Urbana Foursquare Church

May 14, 2023. Mother’s Day

Another stereotype blown apart. I was prepared for a rocking Pentecostal experience upon entering Living Hope Foursquare Church, but it was quite calm. The door opens to several hallways and I hesitated, wondering which to take, but soon someone appeared and led the way. A couple of friendly women near the back welcomed me as I took a seat near them. Six narrow, stained-glass windows and a flag I could not identify were high on the left-hand wall; an American flag hung on the right. Up front a man took the mic to remind us that the pastor was away today. Then a young African woman led in traditional hymns, beginning with Faith of Our Mothers. God Will Take Care of You, Standing on the Promises, and On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand followed. Oddly to me, we didn’t stand for any of these songs. Our pianist struggled a bit, but I very much enjoyed the classic hymns.

Our speaker for the day was a lively, snowy-haired woman named Shirley. From the pulpit she told us that the church of her youth always chose a Queen Mother on Mother’s Day. The young women wore formal dresses for the coronation. It was on such a day that Shirley and her husband--now sitting on the front row--had gotten together. She called our song leader to the stage and put a golden paper crown on her head. Next, the ten kids in the room, about a third of those present, came up to pass out wrapped gifts to all the mothers. Another guest and I were asked to call out our names, and we too received one of the packages. The kids then left the service with their teacher.

There’s more to being a mom than bearing a child, Shirley said. Her message was all about mothering. After warning us to be careful not to wish our children grown up too soon, she read a touching piece called No More Oatmeal Kisses. “One of these days, you’ll shout, ‘Why don’t you kids grow up and act your age!’ And they will.”

We must model for our kids, provide for them, control them. A mom who says she “can’t do a thing with” her unruly child is not a fit mom, according to Shirley. Nurture them, love them, but do not spoil them. She relayed the recent news story of a Michigan middle schooler who, being the only one on the school bus whose parents hadn’t gotten him a cell phone, was the one with enough situational awareness to notice the driver pass out. The phoneless kid jumped into action and steered the vehicle to safety. Yes, really.

Kids should be in awe of their mothers, said Shirley. Then she asked, “Do people see your faith in your children?” Our pastor of the day concluded her thoughts and with no further ado simply dismissed us. 

PS Are you curious about what was in the package? Here it is.

Southern and American Baptist--Apr 2023

After my surprising March experience, this month I visited three Baptist churches which all felt familiar in many ways. I didn’t intend to include this denomination since I already have so much experience with it, but after going with Dad to his beloved country church on Easter (American Baptist), I decided to check out two similar local flocks.

TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH (Southern), April 30, 2023

Just as I sat down at Temple Baptist a countdown began. Suddenly the room was full of voices calling out “ten, nine, eight . . .” and at zero the worship leader joyfully welcomed congregants and started a lively song:  Death was arrested and my life began! 

Singing was accompanied by keyboardist (our worship leader and the pastor’s wife), guitarist Ron, and a young female drummer. There was no drum cage in this medium-sized sanctuary and the volume was loud!

Next, the pastor took prayer requests and updates. Sudan and Ukraine are a concern. One student was about to graduate from Baptist Theological Seminary. Another graduate was headed to what the pastor called the very best school to get her PhD. He made the mistake of good-humoredly asking someone in the pews what that best school is. Of course, the man said Illinois. But no, the hoped-for reply was Duke. Oops.

A video clip reminded us to pray for Annie Armstrong Ministries, a Southern Baptist mission support group which has a church-planter family in Kilbride, Newfoundland. The pastor had been jotting notes, and then he prayed.

Four people here were in wheelchairs, a high percentage for the thirtyish attendees. From several clues I gathered that this church takes special interest in serving the people of Champaign’s Eden Supportive Living. MTD apparently provides rides to and from. One congregant reported on his regular visit to Eden to deliver “blessing bags.” The church obviously has a valuable ministry to this group. 

From my background, I expected a few things that were missing: hymnals, a bulletin with order of service, passing the offering plate, and Sunday school. The hymnals are easily replaced by lyrics projected on screen; bulletins are not really necessary and do use resources; few visitors would miss having the plate passed. 😄 It is unfortunate though that, like many smaller churches, there apparently aren't enough kids to have a Sunday school. 

Today began a new sermon series:  Love Found Me. The pastor started with a story of how, as a child, he had carefully planned ways to escape safely if ever in a plane that was going down. We are all people of faith in various ways, he said. The best way is to trust Jesus with authority over our lives, as the Roman centurion did in Matthew 8.

This was “decision Sunday,” and we were offered the opportunity to come up to Pastor Scott and get prayer for salvation, rededication, or church membership. The service ended with the same happy song with which it had begun. A couple of people made a point to introduce themselves to me, the newcomer, as I went out.

 

 UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH (American Baptist, ABC), UIUC campus, April 16

University Baptist is part of the American Baptist Churches USA, also known as ABC, the tribe I was raised in. I dropped in on one of its two local congregations, the one on campus. A lovely young woman in traditional African garb was greeting at the door and pointed me up the staircase to the roomy sanctuary. Open space in the back held a table with coffee, tea, oranges, cookies, and even a birthday cake.

As soon as I found a seat, a friendly guy came over with a welcome and introduced himself. Soon an Asian woman followed suit. Although three or four times the number actually in attendance could have been seated there, the room was comfortably filled with a group of multicultural, multigenerational worshipers.

The pastor began with some announcements, then read Psalm 16. We sang a couple of contemporary songs accompanied by guitar, grand piano, and organ. Then we were set free to mingle. In my experience, if a church has this greeting segment, it lasts about sixty seconds, but here people left their seats for ten minutes or so to meet at the table in back, have some goodies, and even sing happy birthday.

Once corralled again, the congregation heard from an engaged couple. The young man shared his story of coming back to God; the young woman shared her heart for the Francophone Evangelism Project to West Africa. Rather than “passing the plate,” participants with offerings for this or for the church took them to the front.

Apparently this church owns several houses for students which it manages as a ministry. Although some university students were in the service, I didn't see any kids or hear mention of Sunday school. 

The pastor took about a dozen prayer requests from the floor and proceeded to pray for each one, as well as some other concerns, including an ABC pastor sentenced to six years prison in Burma. Several of the audience requests involved university issues, a thesis defense, study, graduation concerns. One young man had accidentally been shot in the eye with a laser as he performed an experiment. Yikes. 

"Wear your regalia on graduation weekend," the pastor encouraged. "We can take pictures." 

Today’s message came from Acts 2:22-36. Pastor Smith went to some length explaining the meaning of “both Lord and Christ.” He cited astronaut Victor Glover as an outstanding example of someone publicly living out faith in his Lord.

A little more singing and the service was concluded with a blessing on us all.

PS. The ABChurch with my Dad on Easter was in a much smaller sanctuary with about the same number of people. The music was traditional, the message engaging.

Westside Church (Christian Nationalist)--March 2023

 March 12, 2023

Despite its unassuming appearance, this humble church building tucked into a near westside neighborhood is home to a lively family of friendly congregants.

The website lists start times as 9:30 for Praise and Prayer Requests, 10 for Message, and 10:45 for Praise and Worship. I tried to slip in at ten till ten, but it was hard to enter discretely with the outside door only a few feet from the open sanctuary doors. I picked the fifth row, against the back wall, to avoid further attention.

What I walked into was a sharing time not unlike the Wednesday night prayer meetings of my youth. Requests were made; answers and updates from previous requests were noted. Our leader, age 78, was doing great after recent surgery. Another man (under medical supervision) had been able to quit taking his insulin. Two people were thankful that their work at the Station Theater had resulted in a successful show. (Indeed it had—Steve and I'd seen the show the night before!) More requests were given; then various congregants prayed aloud for them. Clearly this was family time. Everyone seemed to know everyone else and be familiar with the situations mentioned.

People kept coming in to the small sanctuary about every fifteen minutes until the original twenty had doubled in number. I’d been there almost two hours, when a woman with an adorable toddler and five teenage girls arrived and sat with a man in front of me for the ending. (I can hardly imagine trying to get a toddler and five teens anywhere on time. Kudos to them for showing up at all!)

Maybe half of the group was retirement age, but there were also a couple of middle-age families and a handful of young adults, some of whom handled the tech. The group was friendly and several spoke with me during or afterward, but other than the personal interaction, there was little to help a guest know what was going on, no bulletin, order of service, instruction for communion, nor even the name of the officiant.

Next our leader introduced today’s message which would be in the form of two videos. These were not to be taken as political, he said, but received as what God is saying to his church. To my stunned surprise he then exclaimed, “Trump is still the trumpet!”

Huh?! 

This is the word of God for these lovely people today? I’d been feeling rather at home in this place, but sat astounded and disappointed at this bold announcement. No one seemed to think it was out of line.

A young man went onto the stage and pulled down a high screen. Then began the January 2023 prophecy of a guy named Mike Thompson. It went something like this.

During April of 2016, Thompson had a visitation in which an angel told him the dogs of hell (false witnesses, hatred, character assassination) had been released on “the one with the hand of the Lord on him.” Then the transparent face of Trump was superimposed between Thompson and the angel. Because Trump is running again in 2024, this word was renewed for today: “'Get the people’s attention back on the man with the hand of the Lord on him.' I knew he was talking about Donald Trump.”

Thompson’s video continued for fifteen minutes with more of the same. Trump is the friend of Israel, “the only man who is appointed of God”; Biden made a deal with the devil and all he tries to do is cursed. There were problems with the 2020 election, but we need to give Moses time to work. An angel told Thompson to call people to pray daily “Your kingdom come; your will be done, in the United States of America as it is in heaven.” Finally, Thompson assured us that all these important messages are available in his new book.

Our local speaker took the mike again. Lions roar to mark their territory and to call distant tribe members, he explained. In the next clip we’d hear about God’s mighty roar. Dutch Sheets then appeared on the screen, saying soberly, “This is the word of the Lord. All delay is broken.” We’re now on the brink of a “mighty harvest of souls,” more in the next twenty years than in the last 2000. A decree stamped on the nation says “United States of America, a nation that carries the justice of the Lord.” As this “roar of justice is released there will be a greater acceleration of restoration. I am drawing lines in the sand over the United States, and I am decreeing—this is the Lord speaking—No More!”

The fall of Row v Wade took only five people after thirty years of prayer. “The Kingdom of God is stepping in. Say it!” he urged his video audience, and some in our little church group called it out too. “The roar of God is releasing the fear of God!” (A Google search shows Sheets has been referred to as the Apostle of Right-Wing Christian Nationalism.)

The clip ended and a worship music video began while band members, saxophonist, guitarist, pianist, went to take their places up front. Our leader repeated the slogan, “You have lost; we have won.” 

At this time, an older gentleman came and introduced himself. He gave me a brief history of the congregation going back to the 1950s. He explained that rather than a pastor, the church chooses to be led by elders. He is a former elder, he reported, and our leader up front is one of two current elders. Most attendees have been coming to this church for a long time.

As songs led by the worship band ended, I tried to look past a woman coming down the aisle with a small basket, but she walked right up to me. Instead of looking to receive an offering, however, she offered small folded pieces of paper from her basket. Prayer requests, she said. I could take one to pray for this week or I could choose to add my own and someone would pray for me. This sweet lady lingered for a bit and invited me to the potluck they have after church once a month.

Many had been there a couple of hours already when the communion part of the service began. I was wondering what to do when the gentleman who'd spoken to me earlier appeared again and invited me to join him and his wife. I was happy to accept his kind offer and walked to the table with them as other small groups of people began to come up also.

I may have missed something, but at this point it seemed the service was over. After the juice and cracker were consumed, people just began to talk with each other. My host introduced me to his 98-year-old mother who was on the front row. A bit earlier she had been asked to share her angelic visitation. She had awakened one day to find angels all around her bed, her kitchen table, the whole house. She was disappointed later to realize that she was still alive here rather than whisked away with them. I left this place with a swirl of mixed feelings.

Champaign First Church of the Nazarene--Feb 2023

February 19, 2023

“Is this your first time with us?” asked a kindly lady at the door. She invited me to sign the guest book, but I hesitated. I really don’t want to be on more mailing lists. “I’m not looking for a church,” I said smiling as I passed on, hoping it didn’t seem rude. This is the first church that has asked for my contact information.

The Champaign Nazarenes have a lovely stained-glass, tall-ceiling sanctuary which can seat maybe 300. I’d guess there were fifty or sixty in it this morning. Sunday school had been an hour earlier. 

The chatty group quieted as the service began—on time despite technical difficulties. They quickly switched back from a new sound system to their old one. Lots of announcements included notice of a Lenten service (encouragement to participate in the practice in some way), a 24-hour prayer meeting, a congregational meal (invite your friends), a "Zone Mission Rally," and Illinois District Ladies Day. The current Asbury College revival was mentioned too. Lots happening with this group. Congregants were encouraged to sign up to serve in various roles. “Nothing happens without people serving.” 

Songbooks remained in the pew racks as lyrics appeared on a screen up front. A guitar, piano and drums accompanied the leader and two other singers, in worship from Elevation and Hillsong, plus the traditional hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

The sermon on radical love was given by the same guy who had made the announcements and played guitar, leading worship. In fact, his was the only spoken voice during the entire service except for an occasional amen from the audience. A relevant message was taken from John 4—good word on the ministry of presence. Everyone stood for a meaningful reading of John 15. We were strongly encouraged to go out and show radical love, no condemnation, to someone in need. Some went forward and knelt in commitment to this and a woman came for healing prayer.

The service closed with ushers collecting an offering.

I confess to being a little surprised by the modernity of this group. Clearly, I don't have a grasp of the distinctives of Nazarene faith and practice, but my uninformed stereotype of women with long skirts and buns was dispelled: one reason for this project!

Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Philo--Jan 2023

 January 15, 2023

The sanctuary of Saint Thomas was packed and noisy with little kids. In fact, an adorable munchkin crawled under the pew to pop up beside me from the row behind! This is a lively congregation. Because Saint Thomas school in Philo was hosting its annual pancake breakfast, Steve and I attended eucharist in the church there beforehand. Actually, we worked out a deal. I’d go to the breakfast if he attended the mass instead of going to our regular church. :-]

We received no order of service, but everyone else seemed to know exactly what to do, when to stand, and the many words to recite. A middle-aged guy in a peach sweater began the service, but he was soon followed by a rotund priest with a prophet-like beard and a booming voice.

The short homily was taken from John 1: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Stop. Look. Is our privilege a stumbling block? the priest asked.

A lengthy prayer followed with congregational response, “Lord, hear our prayer,” after each request. Ukraine was on the list.

When it was time for the mass, no instruction to non-members was given, but I remembered what to do from attending a Catholic service with an acquaintance a few years back. I simply crossed my arms when our row arrived at the altar for receiving the bread. The kindly woman there smiled and blessed me.

No one noticed us as we lingered to take a few pictures before following the crowd out. Across the street, we enjoyed pancakes, sausage, and orange juice.

Church of the Brethren + Windsor Road Christian Church--Nov 2022

 November 27, 2022

I was a little worried when I noted only one other car in the church lot when I pulled in at 10:25 this rainy morning. But the sign out front did announce a 10:30 service.

There are a lot of homes nearby, I observed. Maybe there are walkers? So I headed around the building looking for the entrance. Nothing on the Neil Street side. On the Garfield Street door a taped note said to use the parking lot door. In this way, I got to tour the entire circumference of the aged brick edifice before going in. Although clearly not designed as a main entrance, the parking lot door did open. A loud buzzer sounded and a musty smell hit me. From the small entryway, narrow stairs went both up and down. A voice from above called out a welcome. Another alert bell noted my passage as I went up the stairs toward the voice. A hall at the top led to an open door. “Come on in!”

On a sofa in the library sat a friendly middle-age woman who introduced herself and her father, Paul. It was one minute until service time. “Since the pastor is on vacation,” explained Michelle, “we’re just streaming the Windsor Road service this morning.”

Oh. Ok. I crossed the room to an ancient orange arm chair which, unfortunately for me, had a rogue spring pressing hard up into the seat. After a minute of getting acquainted, the three of us, my smallest congregation so far, focused on a laptop screen on the desk.

Windsor Road is a non-denominational church, said Michelle, but she had grown up in it and a family member attended there. Their theology is similar, thus the streaming for today. “We are a peace church,” she went on, “although I would defend myself.” The older man sitting near me in a sock hat had been the Brethren’s previous pastor, but now they had a new leader who was on her first vacation. They’d been out of the sanctuary since Covid hit.

Besides a sign language interpreter, the Windsor Road service included singing in English, Spanish, and an African language lead by one of their worship team. You Are Worthy of It All! A family from Puerto Rico was responsible for today’s scripture reading in both English and Spanish. The congregation was encouraged to pick up Advent booklets if they hadn’t already:  $8 or free. One hundred had been picked up last week, so another fifty were procured for today.

Their long-time pastor, Randy Boltinghouse, spoke on Hebrews 8 for this, the first Sunday in Advent. We need to learn the benefit of waiting, he said. Jesus didn’t go into the Holy of Holies at the Jerusalem temple; he was the reality of God and so didn’t need the symbolism of God’s presence. Boltinghouse shared John Piper’s example of a lost child finding comfort in simply seeing the shadow of his mother. Hope is the expectation of something that has been guaranteed.

During the Windsor Road message, a young couple with a 9-week-old baby joined us and seated themselves on the second couch in the Brethren’s library. It took that little one about five minutes of crying to get settled into her bottle as we five adults tried to attend to the laptop screen. I wondered how a young military couple ended up in this tiny peace church.

Michelle had mistaken me at first as a caller coming for a food basket. During the service, sure enough, someone did come for food from the pantry, taking Michelle from us for about ten minutes. She said the church had had two request calls that morning, unusual for a Sunday. Apparently the Brethren do a lot of community service.

When the Windsor Road stream went to communion, Michelle shut off the computer. Next week, she announced, they’d be back in the sanctuary with former-pastor Paul at the organ and the preaching pastor returned from her vacation. Holding their tiny one, the marine wife said she looked forward to it. Michelle asked her dad to close with prayer.

Unitarian Universalist Church--Oct 2022

 October 30, 2022                                                                                           

“Deeds above creeds!”

The service began with heavenly music from the baby grand. Reverend Karen Bush warmly welcomed us with a Happy Halloween and commended the children for their costumes. She acknowledged the nations of the Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Chickasaw and others on whose land we sit.

A flame was lit as is done each week, reminder of our “highest aspirations” and inspiration to bring “gifts of love and service to the altar of humanity. May we know once again that we are not isolated beings but connected, in mystery and miracle, to the universe, to this community and to each other.”

Then were hymns, one called “We Are…”                                               For each child that’s born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are. We are our grandmothers’ prayers and we are our grandfathers’ dreamings, we are the breath of our ancestors, we are the spirit of God.

Maybe 150 people sat in the lovely sanctuary, quite a few children dressed in their Halloween best, and everyone masked. A kids’ story included several speakers and a couple of puppets.  Then the little people were dismissed and the room became noticeably more quiet.

The minister had invited congregants to share their joys and sorrows, either by text or in writing, and at this time, these were read:  a shoulder recovering, a baby expected today, a relocation, etc. As the pastor lit a candle for requests that could not be spoken, a choir came forward for a hymn of meditation, directed by an attractive young adult. “We forgive ourselves and each other.”

Next was a bit of business including a report from the pastoral search committee. To help the congregation choose a new leader, the national UU organization is offering a workshop called “Beyond Categorical Thinking.” The personable Rev Karen Bush is serving as interim. Today’s offering goes 50% to the church and 50% to the Trauma and Resilience Initiative.

The choir came up again to sing in Hebrew this time, a passage from the Jewish Morality Laws.  “The world is sustained by these three things, by truth, by justice, and by peace.”

There was a reading from the 2005 Congregational Covenant:  “We promise to express our differences openly and respectfully, speaking directly with those involved, listening closely, offering real solutions in ways that are constructive and not judgmental, and accepting conflict as an inevitable aspect of healthy relationships.”

Today’s message was a team effort to teach gracious ways to handle conflict. Professional counselor David Wolf led, along with the pastor and a couple of actors who demonstrated his points with skits. Mr Wolf had some trouble following his notes but was ably assisted by Rev Karen.

After a closing hymn, the flame was extinguished. This had seemed very much like a church service. Indeed it is the Unitarian Universalist “Church,” having its Sunday morning service. But, hmm, something was missing. 🤔 Actually, someone. Ah, Jesus! I didn’t hear him invited or mentioned, but surely he was and is there.

Note 1:  Masks were required. On the way in I was invited to pick up a color-coded mask lanyard. Green means “I’m not contagious and not worried about catching anything.”  Red means either “Careful! I might be contagious” or “I’m high risk, so please keep your distance.”  Something like that.  Pretty clever. The congregation will decide in a week or two whether to continue the in-house mask mandate.

Note 2:  The website says this of Reverend Karen. "She believes deeply that there are many pathways to enlightenment and in the profound impact of mindfulness in every facet of human life." 

Note 3:  We didn’t hear the mighty pipe organ which decorates the front of the sanctuary.

Note 4:  This church backs human rights, environmental responsibility, immigration, LGBTQ inclusion, and Black Lives Matter (although the crowd was 98% white today). They encourage end-of-life planning and study groups, and the organizations Compassion and Choices and The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Champaign County. There's a walking group and a weekly outdoor meditation in the UI arboretum.

Two Hawaiian Churches--July 2022

June 26 2022

These two church experiences did not happen in my neighborhood! When we got a chance to go to Hawaii for our anniversary last summer, Steve and I checked the Vineyard national website to see if they had a church on Maui. Sure enough, they gave an address in Kahului. When we arrived there we did find worship in progress, but it wasn't a Vineyard. In fact, the one person we talked to had never heard of the Vineyard. The sign out front said Apostolic Ministries of the Pacific (ampchurch). By the time we found it, the service was almost over. The room, at near capacity with probably a hundred people, was rocking. It was great getting in on that worship:  Upon This Rock. Compelling! We were glad to talk a while with beautiful, devout, cancer-survivor Harry. 

 

July 3, 2022

The next weekend we planned to attend a seaside service we’d passed a sign for not far from our lodging. But that morning fishing time was bumped up at the last minute, so Steve was off on adventure. Kids were in the pool. I set out on foot by myself. I didn’t remember when the service was but figured mid-morning on a Sunday should allow me to get in on some part of it. The walk turned out to be farther than expected, but I made it at last to the seaside lot of Kona’s Living Stones Church. The roadside sign listed three morning services. There are also three locations, so this location on this morning got a video message. Eighty to a hundred people had gathered under big awnings in front of the screen. Opposite of last week, this time I got in on the message and missed out on the music. I don’t remember much of what the preacher said except that Christians have something to defend and atheists do not, a proposition that could be debated. The outdoor setting by the ocean was warm and wonderful. Kids had their own program in a tent nearby. Snacks were available as congregants left, and I was happy to have the single-serve Doritos to munch on the hike back.

I saw no clue as to a denominational association of either of these churches.

Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church--Sept 2022

 September 25, 2022

Incense. Stained glass, tall staffs, bells, brocade and silk, gold and bronze, large crucifix, icons, altar, a red ruby that catches the sun. Bowing, kissing, chanting, waving, making the sign of the cross. English and Greek (I assume). Four ornately robed altar boys; the priest, Rev. Protopresbyter Michael Condos; and something akin to a Greek chorus, four to six singers who responded in song to almost everything done. These are the impressions of this Protestant girl attending the Greek Orthodox Church this morning.

A kindly usher indicated that I could sit anywhere in the ornate sanctuary. The priest was already at the altar with his back to us. Soon he began to vocalize in a sing-song rhythm as the chorus blended in with their own song. 

The front of the church was a busy place for the next half hour. The priest would turn to one side, bow and sing, then turn to the other side. He sang scripture; he sang prayer. For one long prayer, the congregation answered each request with their own sung, amen-type response. Sometimes acolytes would come from behind the screens to help with an aspect of the liturgy. In the pews, we stood up and sat down often. People were arriving throughout; we ended with maybe 70.

After these musical activities, a podium was brought out and Father Michael turned to us to speak. His sermon was an interesting talk on second-century Christianity. The Eucharist and the liturgy, he pointed out, predated what we now know as the scripture of the New Testament.

When did the liturgy and the Eucharist begin? A parishioner was commended for answering, “at the Last Supper.” Father Michael had us turn around and look up at a painting high on the back wall. This portrayal of the Last Supper is accurate to scripture, he said, except in two respects. First, look:  they are outside. Last Supper paintings are often outside to show that this event can’t be closed behind doors. It’s for the world. Furthermore, one side of the table is empty to show our place as participants.

From Justin the Martyr, Father Michael read what Christians did when they gathered to worship during the second century:  reading of prophecy and letters, preaching, the Eucharist, and prayer. Same as today. He referred to John 6 and II Corinthians 11 to remind listeners of the need to partake in Jesus’ body and blood.

Sunday, Michael said, was named by Romans in honor of the sun. How appropriate that Sun-day was the first day of the week, just as God created light on the first day of creation. And now on this day we are called to worship the Son of God. I am surprised how much of this interesting and informative sermon comes back to me as I write. I appreciated the history lesson.

After this, it was back into singing mode in preparation for receiving the Eucharist. At one point, the four young men preceded Father Michael in a procession around the sanctuary. Incense, bells, staffs. 

Finally, a couple of baskets of broken bread (homemade) were brought out. An usher indicated to each row its time to go up and receive communion. Unsure of the protocol, I stayed back. The priest dipped a spoon into the chalice and put it to each mouth. People then circled past the baskets for their bread.

After all had been served, I was prepared to leave, but the service moved without a pause right into a memorial ceremony for two members who had died. Following that I slipped out toward the door past an usher who invited me to stay for the meal.

PS.  Which three hierarchs? Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom.

Church of Christ Scientist--Aug 2022

August 7, 2022

This small, well-kept building has no parking lot, but it wasn’t a problem. Only one car was out front when I pulled up two minutes late. Three people sat in the pews, and a couple were on the stage. At the organ sat a young Asian woman. A foot-high quote on the side wall announced “Divine love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

Around retirement age, the pastor welcomed everyone, clearly staying on his script as if there were a church full of people. He read a resource list of twenty or so items. We sang from a hymnal which did not have titles of the songs on the pages anywhere, but only an assigned number. Today’s hymn numbers were posted in a wooden display box on the wall. A sweet part of the singing was the senior couple in front of me sharing a song book and holding hands.

 “The inspirational Lesson-Sermon read at this service consists of passages from the King James Version of the Bible along with related citations found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.” This is what the yellowed welcome brochure has to say about the Sunday Service. And indeed, the “sermon” contained nothing of what the pastor himself might have had to say, but only these readings, alternating back and forth. The pastor read the Eddy passages and the woman on the stage read from the Bible, giving names of the Bible books but not chapter and verse. Those readings were our message for today.

Here are some notes I made while listening. Scriptures are full of mind over matter. The wrath of God is unreal, temporal. Proofs by power of spirit—destruction of sickness. All causation is mind. Let us feel the divine energy of spirit. Let’s rid self of belief that man is separated from God.

I don’t remember if there was a closing hymn. The service was over in less than an hour with no emotional appeal at the end. All the fellow listeners said hello afterwards and the pastor gave me a brief greeting as I went out.        

The Well, Christian Missionary Alliance--June 2022

 June 12, 2022

The Well, a Christian Missionary Alliance church on John Street in Champaign, was my exploratory visit for June, 2022. 

Four years ago a new team came to town to revive the former CMA church which had closed. The Alliance denomination still owns the building. On Sundays, The Well, which has two young pastors, meets in its gym at 4 and another church uses the sanctuary in the morning.

The Well is the most low-key and personal church experience so far. Their entire meeting is directed toward training in discipleship using the discovery Bible study method. The audience is invited to participate at various specific points, to share experiences, scripture observations, and later, prayer requests. 

A couple of worship songs initiated the service, followed by sharing time. Anyone want to relate something they have done for or with their neighbors this week? This did not have to be evangelistic, but just relational. There’s a strong focus on befriending neighbors and being a positive asset to the community. 

The week’s study was Genesis 1:1-2 and 26-31.  Our handout asked, “What does the scripture say about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit? What does the scripture say about people?” After the reading and a minute or two for reflection, participants were invited to share aloud or send observations by text. (I spared them my observation that carnivores are missing from this list of “all the beasts of the earth” given every green plant for food.)

Then, yes, there was a sermon. Daniel had led us so far, but at this point it was Ben’s turn. Pastor Ben Karwoski (Regent Seminary) reminded me of the Vineyard’s irreplaceable Bill Jackson in his easy, knowledgeable presentation. Both of these Genesis passages have high potential for conflicting interpretations, but Karwoski made no mention of creation versus evolution. He focused on God bringing order to chaos, as to the sea, for example. 

The service ended with participant requests and a pastoral prayer. 

It was a very small and friendly group. One of the moms led kids to the nursery; someone joined on Zoom; one family was out sick. We hung around chatting for a while afterwards. Emily, wife of tonight’s pastor, is working on a seminary degree herself, and she will bring the message on Genesis 2 next week.  

City on a Hill Nondenominational Church--May 2022

 May 8, 2022

Up against a hillside in south Peoria sits City on a Hill Church. Steve and I attended a rocking service there which began with an hour of worship. The two-and-a-quarter-hour session did not seem too long.

This congregation, more than fifty people today, has been meeting at four in the afternoon since Covid forced them outside. Once back indoors, they decided to keep the later time anyway.

Pastor Preston was into a new series from the book of Esther: For Such a Time as This. The day’s sermon title was “I Will Not Bow,” an oft repeated refrain of the afternoon. William Preston is a good speaker and no one will fall asleep while he is preaching.

Here’s a follow-up clip of this day’s message from their Facebook page:   . . . when the powers, authorities, and influencers of this world ask you to kneel for them, you must stand and say 'I will not bow.' Why? Because of our identity in the Lord. We are his people and he is our God. As God states in Exodus 20:5a "You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods."

Not bowing to political pressure is a commendable admonition. Preston was so impassioned, I wondered if something specific had prompted the topic. At the short Q&A following his message, we found out. In response to a question from the group, he said more or less that he would continue to affirm that the LGBT lifestyle is wrong even if doing so is labeled a hate crime. He emphasized strongly, however, that the church must be loving, accepting and welcoming to everyone regardless of sexual orientation. Everyone sins and this sin is no worse than any other, he said. All are welcome at the table. Period. However, this pastor cannot in good conscience say that the lifestyle is okay. And he will not submit to pressure to go against his belief. Be it noted though that his sermon was about faithfulness. The message he preached had no condemnation. These comments came up later. 

On our way out, we received many handshakes and welcomes and were invited to return. It was a positive experience.

Chapel of Saint John the Divine--Apr 2022

April 24, 2022

I've read that some disaffected evangelicals have turned to the Episcopal church, so today I visited this one, another grand structure on the UIUC campus.  

On a Sunday morning, street parking near the building was available and free. The front door stood open in welcome. A sign politely suggested masks, and indeed everyone was wearing one.

Sunday morning hosts a 45-minute, no-music service at 8 and a longer “family friendly” one, with singing at ten. Since we’re expecting grandkids today, I opted for the early session. I assume the later service is better attended because there were only a handful of worshipers at 8.

I was greeted when I came in and sat about two-thirds of the way back. Smiling behind his mask, the elaborately robed rector handed me the “leaflet” for today’s service. At eight sharp, he walked up the aisle from the back, preceded by an aid holding a big gold pole. ( ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Hey, I’m a born-and-raised-Baptist girl. Surely there's an official word for it.)

The service followed the script word for word through readings, scripture, and prayers, some with audience participation. I gave my full attention and appreciated it. The rector's aid had a lovely voice. The only time we were off script was her prayer which included lifting up individuals (presumably from that congregation), church leaders, and our political representatives all the way up to "Joe" himself. I’m not sure this kind of service, so different from what I’m used to at the Vineyard, could remain meaningful to me every week for years, but today, Second Sunday of Easter, it was very good to participate in.

The sermon was taken from John 20:19—31, our reading. Frightened apostles behind locked doors was a sad rendition of the church immediately post-resurrection. The presence of Jesus is what was needed then and is still needed now for life. Amen. (But no one said Amen.)

The service closed with the eucharist, breaking of bread. Unlike some denominations, believing non-members were invited to the table. Great. Watching my model, a young black woman across the aisle, I rose to get in line and go forward. The rector put a wafer in my outstretched hand. He had also taken wine from a chalice, but the cup was not offered to the people (a Covid precaution, I later learned).

 A few scripted words of post-communion prayer, blessing, and the service was ended. The rector and his aid returned to the back of the room to greet congregants going out.

I felt I had been in the house of the Lord.