Loop Church

Loop family - we have moved our service today to Zoom. Check your emails!

Loop Church takes PRIDE in being a church that affirms and celebrates the many gifts, callings, and ministries of LGBTQ+ people. Happy Pride Month!

Join Loop Church this Sunday, June 2 for our monthly Brunch Sunday Service!

Come to the table for food and fellowship as we give God thanks and praise for the gifts of communion and grace.

We will read and discuss 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 together: "We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies."

All are welcome!

Our service last Sunday was Spirit-led by the dynamic Rev. Dr. !

Rev. Dr. Sanders Nkosi sermon was entitled “Speak Life, Breathe Life, Live” was based on the lectionary scripture Ezekiel 37:1-14:

“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

What a blessing to receive this word of encouragement, refreshment, and action on Pentecost.

Rev. Dr. Sanders Nkosi is a Global Speaker, a Published Poet, and Bridgebuilder. In addition to leading the local/global faith community: “The Gathering Chicago,” Dr. LaDonna curates “Healing Racism from the Inside Out,” Africa Exhale Journeys, and Ubuntu Global Retreats.

Send a DM to if you are interested in learning more about her ministry!

As many will be out of town and traveling this weekend, Loop Church will NOT be meeting in person this Sunday (5/16). Instead we will be holding a virtual service over Zoom at 10 AM CT. ALL are welcome! Use the following Zoom link to join:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83947942528 pwd=ZWVNTExlNzVDYWNFcHhOWmpRN25Ydz09

Faith Liberation Town Hall this coming Thursday At New Covenant Baptist Church (754 E 77th St.) from 6 - 8 PM!!

The event is being put on by the people’s lobby and hopes to catalyze new members in their Faith Liberation Movement in which people of faith from all different backgrounds and traditions can work together to achieve real social, political, and economic change in our city.

The town hall program will include dinner, an introduction to the work of political advocacy, and four different round table discussions on the topics of employment / living wage, housing & environment, healthcare, & incarceration / justice system. 6th Ward Alderperson Will Hall will speak as well as representatives from the offices of other elected officials. It is a real chance to connect with other people of faith who care deeply about issues of justice and care and express those concerns to elected officials.

Easter Throwback and Loop’s Tradition of “Flowering the Cross”🌼🌸🌺

Sometimes I am glad that Easter is not just a day but a season. The good news of an empty tomb and the mystery of ressurection invite way more than a day’s worth of celebration and wonder. Each new day invites new opportunities to meet the risen Christ and give thanks. There is a grace in getting to go back to an empty tomb again and again.

Loop Church is so excited to welcome the Rev. Dr. as our Guest Preacher this Sunday!

Pastor Mary is the college chaplain at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI where she has served since 2009. When her schedule allows, Dr. Hulst also lectures around the country on preaching, teaches workshops for preachers, and consults with churches and search committees on how to listen to sermons.

Join us for worship this Sunday at 829 S Wabash to be blessed! Service starts at 10 AM

While the Presidential candidates may make this primary election feel less uninspired, there are other races and ballot initiatives that make this a crucial election. Namely the Cook County State’s Attorney race and Ballot Initiative #1, also known as Bring Chicago Home.

This year’s Cook County State’s Attorney’s election is an incredibly important election, and right now it is on a razor’s edge. In a recent poll, Clayton Harris and Eileen O’Neill Burke were neck and neck at 21% each, with 58% undecided. The outcome of this election will determine if we continue to take steps forward or backward in approaches to public safety and criminal justice reform. If you have not already it is worth checking out each candidate and their platform as you make your vote count!

Ballot Question #1, also known as Bring Chicago Home, seeks to create a revenue stream that will address housing insecurity and homelessness prevention. The revenue will be secured by implementing a Real Estate Transfer Tax on properties that are sold for more than $1 Million. The IL Supreme Court has recently affirmed the legality of preserving this proposal on the ballot and letting voters decide.

As people of faith, we take seriously the ways in which political powers and systems shape communities, practice justice, and care for the least of these. We may have different opinions on how to do this and may vote differently on March 19, while still practicing a commitment to discipleship together in beloved community.

Brunch Sunday - Chili Cook-Off! If you slow-cook it, they will come! 🌶️ 🫘 🧅

Every First Sunday of the month, we hold a Brunch Service to share food and fellowship. It is a form of communion, a big table where there is always enough and always more room at the table.

Last Sunday we welcomed a new member to the community 😊 no official new member gifts but brought some sourdough starter to share❤️ celebrating all the new gifts and positive energy that Becca brings and God will use 🎉🙌

“Jesus told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” -Matthew 13:33

The miracle of God’s Spirit is in the dynamic, creative, restorative LIFE that it carries. And when that Spirit gets worked into our hearts, our lives, our churches, our community - it doesn’t matter how small that amount of Spirit is - a newness of life is possible! Good things can happen that can be shared with others!

Dusty Flour can be turned into hearty bread that when broken and shared, can nourish hungry people!!

We are nearly debt free! In April 2010, Loop received a $100,000 interest- free loan to build out space at Daystar Academy. After years of steady repayment, we are down to our last $8,000 and need your help! Please consider making a donation of $8, $80, or $800 to contribute towards our goal. and the sustainability of our ministry! Thank you!!

Loop Church Final Daystar Loan Payment!, organized by Anne Fennema Approximately 10 years ago, Loop Church entered into an agreement with Daystar C… Anne Fennema needs your support for Loop Church Final Daystar Loan Payment!

As the City Council debates Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance (1985) and status as a “sanctuary city” - faith leaders and elected representatives issue a strong call for the city to continue to welcome and meet the needs of migrants and the unhoused.

The real and immediate human needs are too pressing to ignore or protest away. There is a special responsibility of faith to step into the needs during this season of Advent celebrating the arrival of a soon to be migrant born in Bethlehem’s manger.

Alderperson Jessica Fuentes of the 26th wars is on the Mic.

What does it look like to welcome Migrants to the Chicago?
Join the Conversation TONIGHT @ 7:00 PM!

Since 2022, more than 19,000 migrants from Venezuela have arrived in Chicago as migrants and asylum seekers.

In an effort to learn more about the current situation and explore ways that church communities can respond to the various immediate needs, Loop Church’s Welcoming the Stranger Missional Community will host a Zoom conversation on Tuesday, November 21 at 7:00 PM.

The conversation will feature Peter Zigterman the Director of Immigrant Family Services and Nohemi Collins the Southern Border Asylee Program Manager at World Relief Chicago. To join the conversation use the following Zoom Link:

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

So blessed by our Guest Preacher, the Rev. Nannette Dixon at yesterday's service! Rev. Dixon brought the word "CHOOSE LIFE" based on Jeremiah 29:1-11. (Sermon begins at the 26:00 min mark).

Check out the service and be sure to listen to the reflection from Chaplain Rev. Will Roelofs at the beginning of the service!!

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/bkrrHp_xK55dDlAmElYAi9D9cOkI0oDUXFE_gu3_I76lpoFMWVBk3h8MtT2HfC81.QgoVRkRGf6BDzg1Q?startTime=1700408576000

Passcode: !fq7MC4y

Join us tonight at 7:30 PM for a conversation on the 2021 Christian Century article "How My Mind Has Changed" written by Calvin Prof James K.A. Smith.

[Zoom Link Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89609659005]

Dr. Smith is an engaged public intellectual, cultural critic, and award winning author. His article for the Christian Century's How My Mind has Changed series explores "the limits of logic" and a desperate need for a "resuscitated imagination."

Following-up on our exploration of "seeing slowly," the article points to the arts as a way that people are drawn into the mystery, grace, and truth of God's love.

Loop Church Re-Packs: BREAD!!

🥖🥐🍞🥯🥖🥐🥯🥖🥐🍞

More than 9,000 lbs. of bagels, biscuits, English muffins, and multi-grain loaves packed and sent out to the 600+ community partners in the City!

Invitation to march in solidarity with Palestinians and all who oppose the war on Gaza as President Biden is scheduled to visit Chicago.

Thursday, November 9 - 3:00PM Michigan and Ida B Wells.

Details subject to change, see for more information.

Pray for peace with you hands, heart, and feet.

November Events at Loop 🍂🦃

Excited to have many friends and guests joining us at upcoming services.

Rev. Mic Altena, director of L’Arche Chicago will share about his experiences leading the inclusive and celebrative community at L’Arche on November 12.

Rev. Will Roelofs, Chapalain at Alexia’s Brothers Medical Center, will join on Sunday November 19 for chaplain Sunday. The service will also feature Rev. Nannette Dixon, VP of Community Engagment at McCormick Seminary, as our guest preacher.

Come and join us!

Loop Church was blessed last week Sunday by our guest preacher Reverend Mishca Smith Russell.

Mishca is a chaplain and a regional manager of Spiritual Care for Loyola Medicine in Berwyn.

Her message “Imagine with Me” invited us live into the command “Love God and Love Neighbor” in new and imaginative ways.

With so much pain and violence in the world and in our city, we are convicted that a new imagination is needed. Violence is never the answer to violence. We have lost the lives and futures of too many children - occupation, incarceration, and invasion will never lead to peace. May God help us to imagine differently, act differently, and love truly.

Innovation Experiment Gathering in Vancouver, BC! So many stories of God at work in the local church and community. Invitation to remain open, remain active, and remain at the table 🙏🙏🙏

Thankful to be present at the CRLMC annual awards breakfast this morning Brandon Johnson.

During a week in which violence and terror disrupt the lives of people in Israel and Gaza, religious leaders in Chicago from all faith traditions gathered to celebrate the service and solidarity of Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Imam Kareem Irfan, and Reverend Vance T. Henry.

While a breakfast and honorary remarks from the mayor may do little to fill the void of heartbreak experienced by Jewish and Palestinian communities, there is hope in breaking bread together. May we continue to respect our different beliefs while celebrating shared values of service to the most vulnerable in society. May we continue to reach across religious boundary lines in pursuit of a more just and peaceful world. May we hear the cries of all who are hurting and be moved to compassion and solidarity.

The Council for Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago is accepting applications for its 2023-24 Faith and Trust Cohort. The program seeks to identify emerging young faith leaders in Chicago who are willing to explore and promote interfaith cooperation and civic service.

As a member of last year's cohort, Pastor Derek would love to encourage folks to share this application with faith leaders under 45 who you may know! A Rich experience and important organization in the city!!

Future Interfaith Leadership 2023-2024 Cohort Application The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC) is now accepting applications from emerging faith leaders up to age 45 to participate in the 2023-2024 Faith & Trust Cohort to foster interfaith cooperation and build civic connection among the next generation. The application deadline...

Tonight at 7:30 PM we will have our first "How My Mind Has Changed" discussion on Barbara Brown Taylor's 2020 article, "Finding God Outside Church Walls."

[Zoom Link Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89609659005]


This will be our first conversation that explores select articles from the Christian Century's long running series, "How my mind has changed.” Since 1939 the series has invited leading thinkers to "reflect on their own struggles, disappointments, and hopes as they address the topic , “How my mind has changed.”

This week's article comes from Barbara Brown Taylor, a remarkable person who has served as a priest, professor, and NY Times best selling author. Her honest and insightful writing has endeared her to people of all faith backgrounds, and is on display in the article we will be discussing tonight:

“Finding God Outside Church Walls.”

*art by Tim Cook*

I read somewhere that the life of faith is like a long race…🤔

Join us online tomorrow at 10 AM CT over Zoom! And / Or go down and cheer on the runners!! 🏃‍♀️💨🏃‍♂️💨



“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses … let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…consider him so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
-Hebrews 12:1-3

We are so excited to have the Rev. Dr. Anita Crittenden lead us in worship tomorrow morning! She will be preaching on Psalm 137 the message “Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land.”

Come join us at 10 AM in the 4th floor auditorium at 829 S Wabash! Lunch to follow! All are welcome!!

———————————————-

Anita is an ordained minister in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. She recently retired from McCormick Theological Seminar as Alumni Relations Coordinator. She graduated from the Doctor of Ministry Program at McCormick in 2020. Her thesis “Getting to The Beloved Community Amidst Gun Violence and Grief,” reflected on the church's role in creating communal healing spaces. She also holds the Master of Divinity from McCormick and a B.S. Northwestern University. In 2020 she established Pandemic Prayer, a weekly online community of women interceding for our world. Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What happens when we slow down and step closer and sit with what we see?

Do we notice things we would have otherwise missed? In the world? In our selves?

In seeing slowly can we become more empathetic, more responsive, or more generous?

These are the questions we will be exploring as we celebrate the end of our Innovation Experiment Grant this Sunday after church! The grant allowed us to make 4 visits to the to practice “seeing slowly” with incredible artwork. How can we apply this practice to our daily living and spiritual well being?

Come join us for a reflection luncheon following the 10 AM worship service at 829 s Wabash! The food will be good! All are welcome!!

September is here and we got a line-up sweeter than Starbucks pumpkin spice latte!!

This past Sunday we worshipped on Zoom and welcomed .bouman all the way from Budapest! Jeff shared all about the incredible work he and Julie are up to this fall - teaching classes at the university, placing study abroad students at service sites, and launching a year long young adult volunteer program!! So much amazing work 👏 🙌🙏

Stay tuned the rest of the month for opportunities to serve at the , listen to Rev. Dr. Anita Crittenden, and reflect on our seeing slowly innovate experiment grant!!

📢📢Invitation from to attend Peace Rally and Mural reveal this Friday, Sept. 1 in South Shore. 📢📢

The event is a CELEBRATION of the 50% REDUCTION in fatal shootings in South Shore since the launch of the Passports for Peace program.

Come learn more about the program, say hi to , and hear from an incredible line-up of speakers.

When we PRAY for PEACE on Sunday, we are praying for this and the people doing this work! Come and see!!

Event starts at 6:00 PM on the corner of 71st and Jeffrey BLVD.

Seeing Slowly this Sunday 8/20!

Join Loop Church after the morning worship service for an afternoon of “seeing slowly” at !

We will have options for exploring the gardens around the institute or the works inside. It will be an opportunity to slow down, practice presence, and intentionally reflect. Please join us!