University Place Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

August 10, 2025

A lone guitarist played and no one noticed me, as people found places in the magnificent but apparently soon-to-be demolished sanctuary of UniPlace Christian Church. I had inadvertently shown up for one of the last few Sundays this place would host a gathering, after having served here on UI campus for nearly ninety years. Sadly, due to dwindling congregations, the loss of these beautiful, classic buildings is not unusual. Over a thousand people worshiped here and poured into its construction in the 1930s. About fifty were on hand today. Next month, they move to the YMCA.

A newly ordained young man, Isaac, welcomed us and shared a few announcements. After Wednesday afternoon's food pantry, there’s vespers and poetry in the evening. In keeping with the upcoming location change, Isaac read the poem A New Beginning by John O’Donahue.

Opening hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, led into a series of responsive reading, prayer, scripture reading, and the Lord’s prayer, beautifully interspersed with music by flute, guitar and piano, a group called Jubilee. Pastor Kris Light spoke about the tension between connectedness and uprootedness, about institutional failures that lead to feeling unsheltered, about grief sometimes being a gift that leads to spiritual movement. Congregants may feel the ground shifting, fear and hope, as they leave their long-time home building. But the Kingdom of God is ours to wake up to, not to manage. The scripture was Luke 12:32-40. We are called out to the world to be servants of God, whatever our situation.

 After singing Let Us Break Bread Together on Our Knees, all were invited to come and take communion, a piece of broken bread, a little glass cup. (From my Baptist childhood, I don’t remember ever singing the second verse of this African American spiritual: Let us drink wine together on our knees. 😊)

The service was over in less than an hour. In the parking lot, I enjoyed meeting a couple who’d been married in that building decades ago. He said in the nineteen fifties his call to the ministry had happened there as well. I pray that their light shines in new location as brightly as it has shone here.  

Bethel AME Church

July 13, 2025

Bethel AME Church has been serving its com
munity since its founding in the 1860s, the first Black congregation in Champaign County. Sixty or more worshipers gathered there this July morning despite the fact that their air conditioner is currently out of order. Pastor Terrance Thomas assured us the service would not be overly long; everyone could read the announcements for themselves. An usher supplied bottles of cold water and there were hand fans along with hymnals in the pew racks.

This congregation has a contagious spirit evidenced by joyful music led by an enthusiastic director and accompanied by pianist, organist, percussionist, and choir. They began with song and moved into responsive scripture reading. The full service, easily followed, is printed in a bulletin. We sang the classic hymn Blessed Assurance, and one of the men in the choir led in a prayer of thanks, adding requests for multiple needs. Next was a time when people could walk around and greet each other. Many came to welcome me.

Several ways to give to Bethel church were noted and the choir offered an upbeat offertory.  A pastoral prayer was followed by a time of individual prayers. “Talk to God. The altar is open or you can do it from your seat, but don’t leave here without your divine encounter. The altar is open.”

After the music leader’s powerful rendition of Open Our Eyes, Pastor Terrance brought his message. He used the Bill Withers’ song, “Who Is He and Who Is He to You?” to illustrate three aspects of our identity formation as Christians, this morning's topic. Who are you? Who do others think you are? Who does God think you are? In Matthew 16:13-17 we see Peter given the revelation of Jesus’ identity. Jesus was not a Pharisee, a Sadducee, or a military leader. He accepted who he was. He didn’t try to wear armor that wasn’t intended for him but corrected these misconceptions of his purpose. "We can’t invite people to follow somebody we barely know and we can’t invite people to follow us if we barely know ourselves." How people see us determines how they interact with us. We must thoughtfully consider who we are and what we believe in order to make disciples and not just converts. Besides knowledge of ourselves, Rev Thomas talked about understanding the identity of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination, its contribution to culture and its mission to care for the social and spiritual needs of the community. He spoke of the changing national identity. Here’s the good news, he concluded. “When you seek God’s presence and instruction, God will reveal who you are, who Christ is, and how we’re seen. And from there we can move accordingly and effectively to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.” From the foundation of our own knowledge of Jesus, knowledge of ourselves, and understanding how we’re seen, we are free to effectively invite others to the same transformative journey.  

Two people came to the front to join the church during the altar call after this dynamic message. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. Amen.

Curtis Road Church of God

June 15, 2025 Father’s Day

Everyone I pass at the Curtis Road Church of God welcomes me as I come in. Lots of handshakes. Under the grand cathedral ceiling are four sections of padded chairs. Worship band instruments sit on stage behind a transparent pulpit. A US and a  Christian flag stand to the side. No bulletin or order of service is given out, but I am smilingly handed a visitor card.

After reading from Psalm 122, Pastor Bryan offers Father’s Day wishes. Packages of donuts, specially labeled with the church logo, are available to all the men. Next, the pastor happily announces that all bills have been paid for the parking lot and landscaping projects. Give God a hand. After a prayer for the offering, it's time for the perhaps fifty people present to walk around and greet each other. The couple of kids there leave for their Sunday School class.

The band, led by the powerfully beautiful voice of Pastor Anna, takes us into the first segment of worship. At some point, Bryan steps up to give a mini lesson on the song from Isaiah 6 which his wife had just so movingly sung. He explains the ancient custom of a conquering king adding a part of the defeated king's robe onto his own robe, extending it. This leads to encouragement for people to step out of their comfort zones and request prayer which is freely given. After this ministry time, we go into the worship music again. As the last notes recede I think, having been there an hour, perhaps the service is ending, but this is when Pastor Bryan comes to the stage to deliver his message of the day: Legacy Builders. He begins with some statistics: 6% of kids are faithful to God with no parental modeling; 15% with the modeling of their mothers; and 55% if their dads go to church. It’s important for dads to step up and build into the lives of their children. Bryan shares stories of example. The service ends with a prayer that we can all leave a valuable legacy to the generation that is following.

Don’t forget your donuts!

First Christian Church

June 1, 2025

First Christian Church on Staley Road west of Champaign-Urbana definitely has the big church vibe. Cars were pouring into the lot when I arrived for the first of two services. I was welcomed by a few people. Got a cup of tea and found a seat with a couple hundred others in the open-ceiling auditorium. Basketball goals were folded up overhead. Yahweh We Love You led into worship before a quite time for taking communion on our own, the elements of which were available from baskets at the doors. This was also the time those who wished to give could deposit their offerings.

A young woman was then baptized in a big tub at the front. All were invited to repeat a confession of faith with her.

By video a guy told how getting involved with one of the church teams had impacted his life. Finding a way to serve helped his family get connected and was a good example for his kids. People can learn more about this involvement by visiting the Next Steps area in the foyer. Faith is not just about what I receive, but also what I give, the man said.

After leading us in the Lord’s Prayer, Pastor Eric Friedmann spoke from the first few verses of John 17, pointing out that this chapter is also a prayer of the Lord. (If anyone doesn’t have a Bible, btw, they can stop by First Steps and pick one up for free.) Whereas the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 is short, linear, and practical, the priestly prayer in John 17 is more emotional. Jesus prays for God’s glory over his own. Do we? Jesus prays for the eternal over the earthly. Both are good. What’s our balance? Jesus prays for what he can do for God over what he wants God to do for him. “Prayer is having God’s ear so that he might have our hearts.”

A worship team of eight led us through a couple of songs in the still-darkened auditorium, as lights shown out from the stage. Someone who had been serving at the church for ten years shared a few sentences again encouraging people to visit the Next Steps spot to get plugged in and, to my surprise, the service was finished.

Hurrying out because I was cold, I remembered something special about this place. They have an indoor playground and surrounding walking track that’s open free to the public. What a great service to the area for cold or rainy days!

Stratford Park Bible Chapel

March 27, 2025

Communion Service? Of course Christians know what communion is, the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, the solemn taking of bread and wine which we do in remembrance of Jesus as requested at his pre-crucifixion meal. Different denominations celebrate this event at different intervals (weekly, monthly, intermittently), but in my experience it’s included as part of the regular worship service. The website of Stratford Park Bible Chapel, however, lists a separate Communion Service every week before its Sunday School and then regular Sunday session. Curious, I decided to check it out.

As 9 a.m. neared, the traditional sanctuary with a high wooden ceiling and stained glass came to life as a pianist filled the room with music. Although nursery care is available for the 11 o’clock Community Bible Hour, there’s none for this short service, so we had a range of ages from kids to seniors. Many people came in carrying their Bibles. A gentleman welcomed me and explained that there would be a guest speaker for the adult Sunday School class starting the next hour and that I was invited to stay for Taco Day lunch. 

A young man came to the front and gave a brief opening talk from Mark 10:45, expressing the wonder that Jesus, our creator and master, came with an intent to serve. He explained that we would sing and share until Communion time at 9:30. A woman near the back stood and thanked everyone for care she had recently received and then read a blessing. A man stood to give his thoughts about the death of Pope Francis. The eternal destiny of both the pope and the president, as leaders, would be determined by their hearts not their works, he said.

Two song books were in racks on the pew backs: a traditional hymnal and a spiral-bound book of “modern songs.” Someone called out a page number from the traditional book and we sang How Great Thou Art. The next choice, Majesty, was from the contemporary book. Someone else stood to give another example of Christ’s service to humanity, intercession. He read from Romans 8 and Hebrews 8. Then another requested song. No matter what song was chosen, the piano man easily accompanied it! The intermingled singing and sharing happened until 9:30, as anticipated, and then ushers went forward to pick up the elements of communion.

They came down the aisles serving, and a woman in front of me turned to whisper that this is open communion and all Christians are welcome to participate regardless of church membership, a message the usher quietly repeated when he got to my row. So I thankfully tore a small piece from the homemade loaf of bread. Next came the juice which was offered in tiny, real glass cups rather than the customary plastic ones. The ushers wait while each person takes a cup, drinks from it and returns it to the serving tray. Next offering bags were passed with no comment or appeal and not to persons who do not customarily attend. During this time another guy came to ask if I’d like to be introduced as a guest. No thank you and thanks for asking. :-] A pastoral candidate and his family were introduced, however, and then with a reading of Luke 12:32 the service ended. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."

McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church

March 23, 2025

It’s spring break for the University of Illinois, so I decided to visit a campus congregation while street parking was easier. Inside the door I was warmly welcomed by a couple of people who gave me the week's bulletin and invited me to have a hot drink and cookies. The ginger snaps decorated for St Patrick’s Day were really tasty!

Another beautiful sanctuary with high ceilings, stained glass windows, hardwood floors, and an impressive pipe organ. Ideally there would be plenty more worshipers on hand, but with spring break students missing and with kids elsewhere in the building, we had a nice multi-racial, multi-generational group of about forty. The atmosphere breathed peaceful grandeur as a tone sounded to call us to our seats.

This church is part of the social justice tradition, we were told as announcements began: chances to serve at the food pantry, notice of a fellowship of working adults at the Esquire Café, landscape work on the courtyard, support of a peaceful Rally for Democracy at the county courthouse, a recital on campus by one of their grad students. A look at the website shows that there is a lot happening here. 

The responsive call to worship was from Psalm 55, one of my favorites. All were then invited to light a candle representing our prayers for peace, our hope for the world. Those who came forward did this in a bank of votives that shone throughout the service, a lovely testimony.

There followed a hymn, scripture reading from Luke 13, and a call to confession. It’s corporate, so even if this confession does not reflect how you’re feeling today, it is reflecting how someone is feeling. “The broken come, and we hand them an aspirin . . . . Have mercy on us, Steadfast Love."

A powerful rendition of “Make Them Hear You,” was sung and played by congregant Alonzo. Wow! Then we went back to Isaiah 55 for another reading before Rev. Weatherford’s message. She began with a report of what other Presbyterian churches in the area are doing to reach out to the community and how meeting and collaborating with those churches is encouraging for sharing both vision and concerns for the future. It was good to hear a pastor praising other congregations!

In the fig tree account of Luke 13, the impatient landlord is like the Roman Empire, choosing efficiency over all else. When we live in an empire situation, when the government around us values efficiency and income over the gifts of the land and the tenants of the land, what are we to do? Remember that God has given the land and its produce to tend. Out of that we remember, connecting back to Isaiah, that God will provide what we’re thirsty for and hungry for. Be encouraged knowing that one doesn’t have to work alone. We are stronger together as a neighborhood of people of faith working to see that others have what they need.

Next we sang Joy to the World! Why not? :-] Offering plates were passed as the organist played a closing. We were encouraged to greet one another and then the internet feed was shut off as we were invited into a circle around the communion table for the prayers of the people. Linda, who had welcomed me in, made sure that I, a newcomer, knew I was welcome in the circle. This was a sweet time, not awkward at all, as those who wished to speak shared prayer answers and requests, followed by the group responding to each, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

I left thankful for this worship experience.

Stone Creek Church

February 16, 2025

Stone Creek Church in Urbana has three Sunday morning services from which to choose. The early one began with a talented, multi-ethnic worship team of eight. Beautiful voices singing praise. Clearly things are happening in this place. The auditorium has no stained glass and rather than a US flag up front, one wall is filled with flags of nations.

Today’s speaker said he’d been up through the night with a sick child and was running on three hours of sleep and two cups of coffee. In spite of that, he spoke easily without notes except for a quotation at the beginning.

George Washington Carver was an impressive scientist and man of God, who did wonders for post-civil-war blacks and the struggling agriculture of the South as the boll weevil struck cotton crops. Carver’s habit was to walk with God in nature early every morning asking for help with the issues that faced him. His journal says he asked why God created the universe and God replied, “Ask something more in proportion to that little mind of yours.” So Carver asked the purpose of God’s making the earth, and then man, and then plants, receiving the same response each time. Finally he asked meekly about the peanut. And God replied, “Yes, for your modest proportions I will grant you the mystery of the peanut.” And God did. In January of 1921 Carver spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee sharing some of his hundreds of uses for the peanut. His discoveries are credited with transforming the post-war South.

This year Stone Creek will focus on faith. Don’t let misuse of the word in teachings of the word of faith movement scare you away from this significant concept, we were advised. Indeed, “Faith won’t always give you what you want, but it will help you obtain everything God wants you to have.” Using Isaiah 41 as text, the pastor pointed out the fourteen “I will” statements God gives in response to the people’s fears. He lingered on verse 19 where God promises to plant trees in the desert, not just any trees but seven specific kinds, each having its own significance. The location of God’s activity is in the desert. Ah. God can predict the future because he writes the future. When you get there you will see. “Come on.”

As the worship team came up the pastor revealed his bounded set point of view saying he was always speaking to two groups of people in the room, “those who have yet to be in Christ” and those who are “already in Christ.” All are invited to worship in their own words. But he did guide us through a closing prayer, "watering seeds" of the seven trees, as we followed his easy direction in case some are just learning to pray. In closing another man took the stage to lead ministry time.

Only later did I realize there had been no church bulletin, no visitor card, and no collection plate. They did offer coffee and tea. This being a fairly big congregation, I came in and went out unnoticed except for the friendly doorway greeters. One of them told me the message had been given by Pastor Ricky. In the busy parking lot, several men directed traffic which was helpful. Nice place.