Sauganash Community Church

Sauganash Community Church An Open and Affirming Church on the North Side of Chicago

Sunday Morning Worship Service @ 10:30 AM

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Non-denominational church on Chicago's northwest side. Joe Snedden, Pastor, he/him
Dr. Tom Zelle, Music Director & Organist, he/him

07/04/2026

Today's Fourth of July Speech and Prayer:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men—we’d say human beings today—are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Throughout the history of this country, our central struggle has been between the universality of these Rights and the withholding thereof for the sake of power, profit, and control. Last year, I spoke of the unfinished pyramid which graces our national seal, and I note that it remains unfinished today. But in its incompletion, we find the call to citizenship which remains for us as well: that we continue the good work of completing the project of attaining for ourselves and guaranteeing for all people those inalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, which we were self-evidently created equal to enjoy.
As we celebrate this 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, let us remember this project and endeavor to work towards it in every way. Let us serve one another, acknowledge our blessings that all may be blessed thereby, and seek the good for ourselves by finding the good for our neighbor, no matter who they may be or from where they may come. May we promote each other’s welfare and rejoice in each other’s prosperity. Let us pray this morning:

Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. May we prove ourselves a people mindful of your generosity and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance; and from every evil course of action. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail. Amen.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the liturgical start of the Lenten Season. If you would like to receive the imposition of ashes,...
02/18/2026

Today is Ash Wednesday, the liturgical start of the Lenten Season. If you would like to receive the imposition of ashes, please stop by sometime in the afternoon, schedule a time for me to stop by, or come to our Ash Wednesday service at 6pm tonight.

The Lenten season covers the forty days, not including Sundays, preceding Easter. Traditionally, it is a time for us to prepare our hearts for the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus--the most significant event to our life of faith. Often, it is a season of prayer and fasting, and our Catholic siblings are particularly known for "giving things up" during the season.

I think that can be a wonderful and meaningful practice, especially if there are things in your life that you know you probably shouldn't be indulging so much in--sweets, social media, too much television, coffee (God-forbid!)--it can be a great time to check-in and reset behaviors we know could be better. However, my preference in recent years has been to find things to add to my life of faith to make it richer or deeper or more significant to me in my day to day living. I have at times added daily devotional reading, Bible study, meditation, and prayer during Lent that has enriched my life and carried over into the time after Lent--at least for a little while.

I want to take this moment to invite you to prayerfully consider what would be helpful for you. Are there things you ought to be giving up? Things that are making it harder to live faithfully, for God's glory and neighbor's good? Now's the time to do so. But if there are things that you maybe aren't doing which would do you good, now is also the time to try them. If you haven't been to church in a while, perhaps it's time to give it a shot. If you haven't made time for Bible study, perhaps a reading plan on an app would be helpful (or our lunchtime group study Tuesdays at 12:30). I, myself, plan to add some prayer-walks to my practices at least a few times a week, which experience tells me are quite meditative and meaningful for me (plus, I could use the exercise).

Whatever you plan to do, know that you don't have to go it alone. The practice may be individual, but the season is communal. Let us all be transformed by the good work the Holy Spirit may be doing in us during this season.

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4541 W Peterson Avenue
Chicago, IL
60646

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