Each week, a pastor or occasionally a lay member shares thoughts for reflection and prayer. These topics might be seasonal, they might reflect current events, or they might just reveal the writer’s inner thoughts. We hope these Evotionals spur your own spiritual journey. Feel free to contact any member of the pastoral staff for further discussion.
Mental Illness: A Personal Perspective
by Kelly Pollock
A Hymn of Thanks Giving
by Sallie Smylie
One of my favorite hymns is Now Thank We All Our God . I love the simple melody and the beautiful harmony. And I love the words. We thank our “bounteous” God who “wondrous things” has done. And we pray with “ever joyful hearts” that God will be near us our whole life long. Read the entire Evotional.
A New Melody
By Deborah Kapp
From a reflection by theologian Howard Thurman:
Go, Tell it on the Mountain!
By Deborah Kapp
Empathy, compassion, trustworthiness, integrity, love, and the actions that embody them carry our faith into the world. As disciples who share Christ’s love in a multitude of ways, we often preach the gospel without words. I believe it gladdens God’s heart when we do. Read the entire Evotional.
Joy to the World
By Lydia Mulkey
Adding our voices to the congregation is not something we do only for our own good. It is a gift we offer to God and to the community. Whether we are singing out of tune or with trained voices, we are doing our part to create something greater. Read the entire Evotional.
Silent Night, Holy Night
By Deborah Kapp
The lyrics of this carol are simple. With brief but vivid images the words draw our attention to the child, the light of the star and the song of the angels, and the mystery of God’s presence made flesh in the baby Jesus. Apart from the opening words evoking a silent night, however, there is little in the lyrics that indicates silence. The quietness of this carol comes instead, I think, from its gentle melody and peaceful tempo. Read the entire Evotional.
Hope and “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
By Alicia Reese
When I was in the Holy Land, the hope that I felt was not at the religious sites I visited, but rather it was in the people I interacted with. It was in witnessing and experiencing how the religious and historical significance of that place informed the lives of the people who live there; how even in the face of violence and hatred and oppression they remained strong in their resolve, they remained hopeful. Read the entire Evotional.
Living Our Faith
By Deborah Kapp
People recently have asked for information about how they can be involved in sharing their faith and resources with folks who need our help. Here are two ministries with online links to how our denominations offer opportunities to give aid to others. Read the entire Evotional.
First United’s Constitution: A Congregational Covenant
By Don and Priscilla Sibley
We choose every year to declare our commitment to the work of this church by making a pledge. Every year, we make a prayerful decision to contribute what we can; most years we are able to increase our pledge. Usually it is a stretch, but it is one that we make willingly because we believe that is how God is leading us. Read the entire Evotional.
Why Do I Support First United?
By Bob Larson
I have more questions than answers about faith as it pertains to my life. However, I admire the causes the First United community is involved in and supports. Over the years, I have gotten involved in a few of the ministries. I still have a lot of questions, but I do know for a fact that this church does a lot of good in the community and I want to be part of that and help contribute to those causes. That is why I am a member of First United and support its ministries; they deserve it. Read the entire Evotional.
Vote!
By Deborah Kapp
Praying for Peace
By Deborah Kapp, from a prayer by Elizabeth Tapia
so we may learn to choose the path of righteousness and harmlessness,
and climb the mountain of truth and the ridge of forgiveness.
into instruments of peace and reconciliation,
to bless all creatures with a smile and loving kindness,
to dance the dance of life boldly through the night,
from the depths of my heart, Gracious Spirit,
I dance for you!
So be it.
A Commitment to First United’s Mission and Ministry
By Nell and John Lurain
“We have always felt comfortable worshipping, contributing to the Church’s mission, and serving the Oak Park community at First United. Through four senior pastor changes, four interim pastors, innumerable associate pastors, as well as other changes, we have remained committed to First United’s ministry and mission.” Read the entire Evotional.
A Place Where All Are Included
By Steve Pederson
“I have no time for any form of exclusion in the church. I believe anyone is welcome to the Communion table and any person who claims faith in Christ should be welcomed into the full life and ministry of the church. And that is us. That is First United.” Read the entire Evotional.
Slowing Down
By Deborah Kapp
“Slowing down, pondering the meaning of what people are saying or doing, and taking pauses are processes that make space in my life for something other than my own agenda.” Read the entire Evotional.
Overwhelmed? You Are Beloved
By Alicia Reese
“If, like me, you have been feeling overwhelmed, please know that you are not alone. Whether it is the change of the seasons, the transitions in your life, or the state of our world, you are beloved. You never have to walk this journey alone.” Read the entire Evotional.
An Anniversary Hymn
By Deborah Kapp
“This congregation knows, better than most other churches, that the heart of a church is not its building. The heart of a church is the work it does, the faithfulness it exhibits, and the gospel it proclaims. Nonetheless, space matters and we have the privilege of doing much of our ministry in a splendid building that has a rich history of worship, song, and service.” Read the entire Evotional.
Reading Together
By Lydia Mulkey
“When I pray the words of the Psalmist, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,” I am praying with the Psalmist and I am praying with every person who has ever prayed those words.” Read the entire Evotional.
Song of Hope (Canto de Esperanza)
By Claudette Zobel
“Every time we sing one of those hymns … I fantasize that the Hulk got hold of the tape and somewhere there’s a chapter of Hell’s Angels that gathers in their clubhouse after a day’s ride to enjoy a few cold beers and sing along to ‘May the God of justice speed us on our way, bringing light and hope to every land and race.’ For me, that hymn is memorable and a reminder that my stereotypes need careful examination.” Read the entire Evotional.
Amazing Grace
By Kevin Crowell
“The power of belief, the Grace of God, the surety of God’s goodness, and the promise of eternity all wrapped up neatly in a single song, with three chords, and five notes! That’s one amazing hymn.” Read the entire Evotional.
Be Thou My Vision
By Kathleen Pederson
“For over 1,800 years, brothers and sisters have cherished and sung [‘Be Thou My Vision’] that so beautifully describes humankind’s universal desire and need to be grounded, to be centered on God’s vision of how she wants us to think, and love, and challenge, and debate, and give, and work, and share, and defend, and live.” Read the entire Evotional.
We Gather Together
By Al Pickard
“A hymn which has become memorable for me is ‘We Gather Together,’ undoubtedly known to many people as a Thanksgiving hymn, maybe the Thanksgiving hymn. What’s probably less known, although the language of the hymn implies it, is that, like others, it’s music born of armed conflict.” Read the entire Evotional.
Under Construction: Delays and Surprises
By Sarah Lineberry
“This is actually the second time I’ve given a reflection at church about how much I hate waiting. Unfortunately, life doesn’t really seem to care about how much I enjoy having a plan. While I certainly don’t enjoy uncertainty, I like to think I’ve grown some in my ability to trust the journey.” Read the entire Evotional.
Under Construction: Tools
By Walter Miller
“Taking stock of our First United tool box, I notice that we use our tools to bind ourselves together in fellowship with each other; to create small and large moments that connect us with each other and connect us with the almighty.” Read the entire Evotional.
Beyond Knowledge
By Lydia Mulkey
“The dictionary defines awe as ‘a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.’ To grasp that which is beyond knowledge as our scripture describes, is to experience awe.” Read the entire Evotional.
A Blueprint – a plan, model, or template
By Joanne Despotes
“I really believe that when I allow myself to be open to God, God finds a way to tell me what to do. No burning bush, voices, or special dreams! When I have been most in need of direction, I believe that God has helped me to find my way through the people in my life.” Read the entire Evotional.
The Old Rugged Cross
By Kenneth Honderich
“If our Presbyterian hymnal contained one more page, it would include this hymn, as it was the last to be excluded by the editors of the 1990 revision. It was my mother’s favorite and I played it for her nearly every time I went home. I played it at her funeral.” Read the entire Evotional.
Be Still
By Deborah Kapp
“With this evotional, I invite you to silence and reflection. … And may the peace of God surround you.” Read the entire Evotional.
Upstream & Downstream Solutions – Update from the Youth Mission Trip
By Alicia Reese
“We need to continue our downstream efforts: tutoring, food pantries, PADS, building and rebuilding things, and more. … But what is important is that we remember to continually ask why are these efforts necessary? ” Read the entire Evotional.
Estamos Partidos En Dos | “We are Broken in Two”
by Lydia Mulkey
“I will never forget the day I spent with border patrol agents. I listened with my stomach churning as a border patrol officer told me about a child crossing the border and how they had “seized it.” It . Dehumanization of Latinx people is and has been a core piece of the training for these officers.” Read the entire Evotional.
On Being a Church School Teacher
by John Borrero
“These beautiful early conversations are seeds. Before your adult faith was a tree, it was a sapling that grew from a gentle stem and emerged from the ground out of one of those seeds. Today, this is where those seeds are watered and nurtured. As such, our classroom is a garden, a play space, and a holy place, all in one.” Read the entire Evotional.
On Prayer and Being Anxious
by Alicia Reese
“…I love how we do joys and concerns within our prayers of the people every Sunday. Even if there is a day I am struggling to name what I have to be thankful for, someone in the congregation always reminds me of something.” Read the entire Evotional.
A Memorial Day Prayer
by Deborah Kapp
“Let us … remember loved ones and strangers who have served in the armed forces …, or who are active military personnel. May God bless them with peace.” Read the entire Evotional.
Blessed are the Peacemakers
by Deborah Kapp
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” said Jesus, and “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Read the entire Evotional.
More Than Meets the Eye
By Lydia Mulkey
“Pentecost reminds us that there is more to God than meets the eye, and that God is often hiding in plain sight among us.” Read the entire Evotional.
On a Lifetime Quest
By Alicia Reese
“We do not give an exam to measure how much knowledge each student attained by being in Quest, so what was the point? Is our goal simply to expand our membership numbers? … Our goal in Quest is not to ensure that each student has the ‘right answers.’ We leaders don’t even have all the answers!” Read the entire Evotional.
Faith and Social Media
By Deborah Kapp
“We are challenged to examine our social media practices in light of our faith values. Are we befriending others on social media in the way Christ befriended us? How might our social media engagements be an opportunity to share with others the love that God showers on us?” Read the entire Evotional.
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It, and I Feel Fine” (R.E.M.)
By Lydia Mulkey
“Lately, it seems the newspaper has read a little bit like a dystopian novel and the 6 o’clock news has looked like an apocalyptic movie. Through it all, I am trying to cling to this: the book of Revelation, and all the apocalyptic literature in our Bible, is intended to offer us hope! Evil does not get the final word… love does. Wherever there is apocalypse, there is hope.” Read the entire Evotional.
Prayers for Those Who Need to be Remembered
By Deborah Kapp
“Those who need to forget the God they do not believe in and meet the God who believes in them … Those whose pain or potential we should not forget to share with God today … Lord, we believe that you hear our prayer and will be faithful to your promise to answer us.” Read the entire Evotional.
Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr.
By Alicia Reese
“Not all of us have the depth of faith that Dr. King did, and that is OK. But if he and the resurrection have taught us anything, it is the importance of hope. Having doubts is natural and disappointment is a reality, but we can never lose hope that the tomb will remain empty and that love has the power to end hate.” Read the entire Evotional.
