New rhythms for a challenging season

The Church throughout the ages has had to be creative depending on what challenges it was facing at the time. 

Yet our calling to be a people formed by Christ to share his loving presence with the world never changes! 


In this challenging season, we are experimenting with new rhythms that continue to help us grow in the life of the triune God through fellowship with one another and demonstrating love for others. While we loved our old rhythms, in the midst of this pandemic, we seek to honor Christ's self-giving love which lays down privilege and preference for the sake of another.


What do these new rhythms look like?


1. FULL CHURCH WORSHIP IN OUR CHURCH SANCTUARY (1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays)


The one hour service begins at 10:15am, with coffee served outside the building before the service (when weather permits).

We ask that you finish your coffee and put a mask on before entering the building.


Eucharist is served using single-served, pre-packaged cups to reduce the potential risk of any Covid-19 transmission.

Please monitor your own health at home and do not attend services if you have a fever or any other symptoms of illness.


In order to reduce the amount of time we spend indoors together, we have shortened our service to 60 minutes. Many of the same rhythms of worship from our normal in-person Sunday gatherings continue to shape our time. You can read more about those rhythms of worship here. 


And every Sunday that we gather as a full church, we close our time by lifting up prayers for the world: for an end to this pandemic, for the safety and health of medical care workers, for those who are sick and/or isolated and those who mourn, for the justice and peace of our nation, for the wisdom and compassion of governmental leaders, and for the flourishing of the Church.


2. HOUSE CHURCH GATHERINGS, IN PERSON (2nd and 4th Sundays)


On the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, we gather in groups we call "house churches." Most of these groups meet in person. Like the early church, we find that smaller gatherings help us to share our lives more intimately while worshiping, learning, and celebrating the gospel together. In these house churches, which are smaller in size (20-30 people of all ages), we are able to hear the scriptures read, discern the Spirit's movement, share the Eucharist, and deepen our friendships with each other. (If you are interested in a house church that meets over Zoom, we can connect you with one!)


Our house churches are organized roughly according to where you live, so that you can gather nearby with others in your area.

Interested in getting connected to a house church? Email Pastor Juliet at [email protected]

  • House Church West-Central

    Deacons: Mark Snyder and Doris Strom


    This group gathers those in the areas closest to our church building (Long Grove/Buffalo Grove) and also to the west from suburbs like Lake Zurich, north Palatine, and Crystal Lake.

  • House Church North

    Deacons: Jeff and Kristin Andrews


    This group gathers those in the areas to the north of our building, from areas like Grayslake, Mundelein, and Gurnee.

  • House church east

    Deacons: Heather and Rich Cordero


    This group gathers those who live to the east of our church property, many of them from Deerfield, Highland Park, and Highwood.

  • House church south

    Deacons: Stan Frey, Laura Moon


    This group gathers those from the southern regions to Life on the Vine, from stretching from south Palatine to Des Plaines and Park Ridge.

  • house church highway 14

    Deacons: Anthony and Renae Lamb


    Another group that gathers those south of the church building, spanning the stretch of Highway 14 from from Arlington Heights to Des Plaines.

Health and safety Guidelines

Because we still have a large number of children in our congregation who are unable to receive a vaccine, we do ask for everyone - both vaccinated and unvaccinated - to wear a mask while inside our building. The seats in our sanctuary are also spaced farther apart, and provided signs may be placed on chairs to indicate you would prefer for those seats to remain empty for additional social distancing.


For the Eucharist meal, we are using pre-packaged, single serve communion cups and wafers to reduce any potential risk of transmission.


For now, we are refraining from shared food or drinks at in-person gatherings.


Hand sanitizer is available for in-person meetings, though you are welcome to bring your own. 


Outdoors, masks and social distancing are optional. Please be considerate and check with others before shaking hands or extending hugs.