Who We Are
MEET PASTOR SANDY
As people of the United Church of Christ, affirming our Statement of Faith, we seek to participate in God's mission and follow the way of Christ.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our members are a dedicated community. We believe every hand helps and every one matters. Membership ranges from one year to one hundred years. We honor each stage of life and walk with God.
Pastor Sandy Kolar believes God intends worship to be joyful. Come to St John and you will find her sermons to be filled with humor and a love for serving the Lord.
A Chicago area native who adores reading, old time radio, travel and her adopted dog Henry.
The United Church of Christ has a long history of doing the work of God’s justice while spreading God’s love.
St. John is proud to be part of the UCC.
To read more about the UCC’s history and extravagant welcome click this link> www.ucc.org.
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To praise God, confess our sin, and joyfully accept God’s forgiveness;
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To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our suffering world;
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To embody God’s Love for all people;
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To hear and give voice to creation’s cry for justice and peace;
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To name and confront the powers of evil within and among us;
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To repent our silence and complicity with the forces of chaos and death;
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To preach and teach with the power of the living Word;
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To join oppressed and troubled people in the struggle for liberation;
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To work for justice, healing, and wholeness of life;
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To embrace the unity of Christ’s church;
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To discern and celebrate the present and coming reign of God.
Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not because God is still Speaking.
We believe in God’s continuing testament.
This is why we are committed to hearing God’s ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God’s creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking,
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
This is why we insist that God’s communion table is open, not closed, and God’s gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God’s inclusive love. We teach that evangelism — offering bread to those in search of it — is God’s mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with — not against — people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking,
Never place a period where God has placed a comma.
We believe the church’s mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God’s grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships. Why? Because God is still speaking.