The Fifth Word from the Cross: "I Thirst" The following is a short reflection created by Tim Fuchtman  created for the Lenten Art series at Loop Church, Chicago, 2021. This series contemplates the last words of Jesus on his journey to the cross.   The call for the artist/maker/writer/singer is to put something together that reflects to you the way Jesus&apos; words connect to your own journey.In this piece Tim reflects on his hike down the Rio Grande Canyon near Taos and the words of Jesus on the cross, "I thirst."

Loop Church Chicago

THIRST

This Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent, a six-week journey of walking with Christ to the cross. On Ash Wednesday many Christians will be “marked” by a cross of ashes to be reminded of their mortality, humility, and intimate connection to the earth: “From the dust of the earth you were created and to the dust of the earth you shall return.” What do these ashes mean to you this year? 

Marked by Ashes, Marked by Christ

The following podcast is a telling of the Christmas story taken from "The Jesus Story Book Bible" written by Sally Loyd-Jones, Illustrated by Jago, and published by Zonderkids. The music features the Piano Guys&apos; rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High" and Joshua Cele&apos;s instrumental of "Go Tell it on the Mountain." 

The Nativity of Our Lord!

It is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and God draws closer wanting to be with us. The Holy Presence has a way of sneaking up and startling us: speaking to us, silencing us, spiriting  new life within us. The first Chapter of the Gospel of Luke retells the story of how God came to be with two Galilean women, Elizabeth and Mary. We hear that story again today, waiting to see how God will show up in our hearts and lives.  "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin&apos;s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."  --Luke 1:26-27

Advent Week 4: Don't Be Afraid...

We are now approaching the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fortieth Sunday since we last worshipped together in the Sanctuary. What a season of waiting this has been! Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free!This week the lectionary Scripture readings come from Isaiah 64, Psalm 125. A Big THANK YOU to Andy Deboer who put together an awesome soundtrack to listen and meditate on these Words from the Lord."The spirit of the Lord GOD has fallen fresh upon us, and this is our anointing: to go into the world and bring good news to all who are oppressed, to bind up all who are brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the incarcerated.  Let this be a proclamation of a new season, a new year, a year of the Lord&apos;s favor, a year of jubilee, and a day of justice unto our God." --Isaiah 64:1-2

Advent Week 3: Restore Us O Lord!

This will mark the Second Sunday of Advent, a season of waiting, watching, preparing, and praying for God's Presence to be active among us. This week we explore the lectionary text from Isaiah 40, Psalm 85, and Mark 1. Three Passages that speak to a people who are to prepare a way for God's justice and peace come to earth. "A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain." -Isaiah 40:2

Advent Week 2: Prepare The Way of the Lord

This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, (and our second Sunday livestreaming..) we will continue our exploration of the Gospel of John in our sermon series, "The Questions Jesus asks."Our Scripture reading is John 6:1-13,  a passage not about "flattening the curve," but about "feeding a crowd." Jesus and his disciples have "hunkered down" on a Galilean mountainside retreat, when a hungry crowd interrupts their best attempts at "social distancing."Like today, this is a situation of great and overwhelming need, but limited available resources. Jesus sees the need and wants to respond;  the disciples see the need and feel overwhelmed.What do we do when there does not appear to be enough to go around? How do we respond when we feel under-resourced? How does God step into these situations? Check out our facebook page Sunday at 10 AM CT to watch the livestream and hear God's Word of Life! We hope you are able to join us. All are welcome. 

Where Are We to Buy Bread??

This Sunday, the Second Sunday of Lent, we will continue our exploration of the Gospel of John in our sermon series, "The Questions Jesus asks."Our Scripture reading is John 4:1-10,  a passage in which Jesus is leaving Judea and heading back to Galilee. On his way back home, Jesus travels through the region of Samaria and stops at a well outside of a small town. While the Disciples all go into town to get something to eat, a Samaritan woman carrying a water jar approaches Jesus at the well.A tired, hungry, thirsty Jesus looks at the woman and asks, "Will you give me a drink?" It is a question that crosses borders and breaks boundaries. It is a question that can be both uncomfortable and yet invites us to dig deeper. It is a question asked in the everyday, but pushes us to consider the eternal. "Will you give me a drink?"

Will You Give Me a Drink??

This Sunday, the First Sunday of Lent, we will continue our exploration of the Gospel of John in our sermon series, "The Questions Jesus asks."Our Scripture reading will come from John 2:1-11,  the fantastic story of what happens when Jesus gets invited to a wedding and the wine runs out (the wine always runs out eventually). It is a "sign" story that reveals who Jesus is and what God&apos;s glory looks like. It is a story about a God who is not too pious to party and who is more than willing to buy another round. It is a story that reveals God&apos;s glory through ordinary faithfulness, unexpected grace, and abundant goodness.

What's this got to do with Me?!

This Sunday, Transfiguration Sunday, we will continue our exploration of the Gospel of John led by Guest Preacher, Richard Mayo. Our Scripture reading will come from John 1:14-18,  a passage that eloquently explores the mystery of the incarnation. While John&apos;s Gospel does not make explicit reference to Jesus&apos; transfiguration up on the mountain, John boldly speaks of the glory revealed in the transfiguration of the Word becoming Flesh. It is not a transfiguration of going up into glory, but of coming down and revealing the glory of God all the same!

From There to Here

This Sunday, the sixth Sunday after Epiphany, we will begin a new sermon series exploring the Gospel of John. The series is called "The Questions Jesus Asks."Our Scripture reading will come from John 1:19-42,  a passage that opens with the question: "Who are you?" And is quickly followed up with another question, "What do you want?"The passage breaks down into four scenes as these questions are explored: The one who knows and who actsThe one who sees and who speaksThe one hears and who followsThe one who finds and who brings

What do you Want?!

This Sunday, Loop Church welcomed Pullman Christian Reformed Church to celebrate a joint worship service. Pullman's Pastor, the Rev. Gary Foster,  preached from Luke 15, a text that has become known as the parable of the Prodigal Son. The sermon explores themes of compassion, reconciliation, and restoration.

Concern that Goes All the Way

This Sunday, Loop was invited to Pullman CRC for a joint worship service to remember and celebrate the witness of God's servant, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The worship service included special litanies, selected readings from Dr. King's "Letter From a Birmingham Jail, unison prayers, and special music. The Scripture reading was from Isaiah 49:1-7, a letter written by Second Isaiah from Babylonian Exile. A song of freedom and testament to the God who names, calls, restores, and saves.

A Servant Called, A King Seen

This Sunday we explore Hebrews 4:14-16, a letter of encouragement written to a faith community in crisis. 

Who is Your High Priest?

This Sunday, Epiphany Sunday, we will hear the story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. By now it is a familiar story to most: Wisemen bearing gifts, a bright shining star, and a baby born in Bethlehem leave few surprised. And yet, all these familiar elements are in many ways radical and subversive: outsiders understanding and insiders not caring, a king spurned and a child worshipped!  Loop Church is part of the Christian Reformed Church of North America and worships in Chicago, IL at 410 S. Michigan Ave. in the Fine Arts Building. 

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Loop Church Chicago

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