St James Lutheran Church

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Western Springs, Illinois ● Lutheran (ELCA) ● 09:00am

About Us

Growing in Faith, Sharing God's Love

We are a congregation of healing that seeks to reach out to people yearning for deeper relationships to God, to the community, and to themselves. We are a small group, but we are dedicated to the reality that God's abundant love and grace brings real healing in our lives. God does not turn anyone away -- so why would we? Each of us comes with our own story, and together we worship and serve God, discovering grace in our community and the opportunity to find healing and wholeness through community and God's active presence within and beside us.

Vibe: Traditional Liturgy, Down to Earth, Friendly, Gay affirming, Inclusive

Programs: Choir, Adult Education

Music: Traditional Hymns

Denomination: Lutheran (ELCA)

Networks

Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA

Size: Small

Language: English

Founded: 1957

Contact

Phone

(708) 246-6228

Website

http://www.stjamesws.org

Social

Our Services

Sunday

09:00am: Service

What to Expect

What are services like?
We worship through liturgy, using services from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, With One Voice, and Marty Haugan's "Now the Feast and Celebration." Liturgy means "work of the people," and in using these services, the congregation is invited into response to the word and work of the gospel. We are a laid-back congregation, and this shines through our worship style as well -- though we worship through liturgy, the services are not overly scripted or stuffy, but rather provide a relaxed atmosphere in which to feel at home and be freed to worship God.

What is the community like?
St. James is a small but varied community. We are old and young, married and widowed, single and divorced, with grown children and young children and no children. We are conservative and liberal and in the middle, and some of us are simply confused or put-off by politics. We are respectful of differences, we dress the way we want (suit? blue jeans? flip flops?), we aren't here to tell each other who to be, what to wear, or what to say. We are people who want to know you as you are, and we will accept and love you as you are, whether or not we agree with you... and we will invite you to join us in the journey toward wholeness through God's presence in our lives.

What if I'm not a Christian?
As it turns out, Jesus wasn't a Christian, either. We claim the truth that we know -- that God, through Christ, has made and can make a difference in our lives, your life, and the whole world. You may not know or believe this, and that's OK. Your questions are welcome here, alongside ours. Your faith and your doubt is welcome here, alongside ours. Your journey, whatever it will look like, is welcome here. YOU are welcome here. God knows truths beyond anything we can hope for or imagine, and we seek Truth, speak Truth, and endeavor always to learn more deeply about Truth... and sometimes, just like Jesus' disciples, we learn things that we didn't expect to learn and discover truths we didn't know before. If you are interested in this journey, then you'll fit in just fine.