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Welcome!
Who We Are
Good Shepherd is a small, vibrant congregation that seeks to live out a faith that is hopeful, joyful, and transformational. We are risk takers in the way we confidently follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in worship, stewardship, mission and outreach:
- Our lively worship has its roots in the Reformed tradition, but draws upon a rich diversity of musical and liturgical movements across the globe, including the Iona Community in Scotland and the ecumenical community worshipping in Taize, France. We also find inspiration in the special occasions of the church calendar, crafting creative and innovative worship opportunities throughout the year.
- We are dedicated to following Christ in all that we do and with all that we have, emphasizing God's claim on our time, talents and money throughout the year, not simply during pledge season. Our gratitude to God and our passion for assisting others inspires our giving. As a result, Good Shepherd is consistently recognized as one of the top per-member mission giving congregations in the Presbytery of Chicago.
- We care for each another, loving one another through good times and bad, seeking to be a family, but always ready to welcome and embrace all who join us on the journey, whether for one Sunday, or a lifetime.
- Through study, prayer, and regular conversations and classes, we are committed to growing together in our understanding of ourselves and our faith, the world and its needs, and the church and its traditions and how all of these shape us and our faith.
- Recognizing that we all have different abilities and interests, we seek to provide ways for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the mission and caring programs of the church.
- Inspired by the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd welcomes all of God's children into the life of the church, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, educational background, or sexual orientation. We further seek to demonstrate hospitality by making our renovated space available for a variety of community service organizations.
What We Believe
As those who seek to be ambassadors of Christ, we believe that personal spirituality is the foundation of faithful congregational witness. If we are to proclaim that Christ's message is "Good News" for us, we must make it "Good News" for all. Therefore, it is our task to keep abreast of the many challenges that confront our community and world. In the context of grace and hope, we make a place where real life encounters real love, where real pain encounters real compassion, where real despair encounters real redemption. We give hands, feet and voices to our beliefs through advocacy, service and worship.
In a time when religious institutions are increasingly seen as judgmental and exclusive, and where scripture is too often wielded as a weapon, Good Shepherd strives to be a place where none are judged, and all are honored. It is our passion for scripture and its primary messages of love, transformation and grace that inspires our prayers, our liturgy, our sermons and our actions.
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