The evening will feature a soup meal from 5:30-6:15 followed by story, scripture, prayer and activities for all ages.  Join us for this Lenten soup meal.

Orfelina, pictured here, works with families in the northern regions of Honduras to help them understand how to transform their families and communities through agriculture. The list of things she does is mindboggling: Checking on local farmers' harvests. Monitoring water projects. Teaching the women in the community how to prepare more nutritious meals for their families. Chatting up community leaders for support. Running workshops for things like creating organic fertilizers and sprays. But Orfelina doesn't just Pastor work with farmers and their families, she supports and encourages them. Visiting them in their homes. Bringing God's light to everyone she meets. And all of this is made possible through your giving to One Great Hour of Sharing. Because of your giving, projects like these and thousands more around the world are changing lives. Transforming communities. And spreading God's light. This year, the One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be taken on March 15th. In the time before March 15, please prayerfully consider how you can be a light to others who are, themselves, lights to the world.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and Rev. Jermaine Pearson preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

TOPIC: “Traditions, Rituals, and Sacred Cows” part 1
PRESENTER: Rev. David Loofbourrow
DESCRIPTION: How do the traditions and practices we grew up with color and even challenge our Christian experience today? We will explore the stories of our spiritual journeys’ influence on what we believe, how we worship, and how visitors may experience Pilgrim’s community. We will discuss our religious and denominational shadows and expectations.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

TOPIC: “World Day of Prayer - Nigeria”
PRESENTER: MCE Team
DESCRIPTION: The Women’s World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical grassroots movement of Christian women. Its centerpiece is a church service in which the liturgy is prepared by women in a different country each year, celebrated worldwide on the first Friday in March. We will view highlights of the 2026 celebration: “I Will Give You Rest: Come” from Nigeria.

The evening will feature a soup meal from 5:30-6:15 followed by story, scripture, prayer and activities for all ages.  Join us for this Lenten soup meal.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: "African Americans in the 19th-Century West"
Presenter: Dr. David Brodnax
Description: After Emancipation, many former slaves sought their freedom and equality in the "Wild West".

The group will be reading and discussing Faithful Place, by Tana French  - with discussion led by led by Candace Enockson. Place TBD. Books are available for checkout at the Oak Park Public Library main branch.

Join us as we put our faith into action for our Ash Wednesday Service. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips and Rev. Jermaine Pearson will lead the service. The time presents us with an opportunity to worship and prepare our hearts and minds as we enter the lenten season. Come as you are.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and Rev. Jermaine Pearson preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: Application of Nonviolent Action – Follow Up
Presenter: MCE
Description: This presentation will follow up on the previous ACE sessions, share insights, and consider how to continue this conversation. We will workshop ways we can actually make a difference.

Women's Breakfast this month will be hosted by Leslie Sutphen. Bring a dish to share. RSVP to Leslie at sutphenl@yahoo.com.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: Can Martin Luther King Jr’s “Beloved Community” Work in 2026?
Presenter: Rev. David Loofbourrow
Description: This presentation will explore an overview of the principles of Nonviolence and the Beloved Community. Discussion will compare the context of prior Civil Rights movements and actions related to today’s issues.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Jeffrey Phillips will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: “What do we do with this anger?”
Presenter: Rev. David Loofbourrow
Description: The recent violence in the streets of Minnesota cities has raised emotions around the world, especially among those who care deeply for our neighbors and country. Many of us feel helpless, frustrated and overwhelmed; yet we sense these emotions will not move the needle for the global change needed. This presentation will start a conversation about how to transform our anger and grief into something productive, including the testimony of a former Black Panther suggesting a simple, positive principle to start the journey.

We want to send Pastor Colin off on his sabbatical with a delightful time together as a community! Please plan to join us on Sunday, January 25, 2026 right after worship. We will share a meal together, main dish provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share as we take time as a community to offer Colin good wishes for his sabbatical journey.

Please join us in this time of fellowship, community and wishing Colin Godspeed.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Colin Knapp will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: Religions of the World
Presenter: Rev. Jermaine Pearson
Description: Rev. Jermaine promises an exciting, interactive presentation! We will learn why an Ecocommunal understanding is part of our Christian experience – perhaps helping some find a new frame for “loving our neighbors” – especially in these days of radicalized “Christian Nationalism.”

Women’s Wine & Cheese gathering this month is hosted by Joycelin Fowler. RSVP to Joycelin at cookinmama3@gmail.com. if you plan on attending. Bring your favorite appetizer, wine or non-alcoholic drink to share.

Pilgrim Congregational Church will hold its annual business meeting on January 24 at 9-11 am, in person. You are invited to participate and to guide important Church matters, including the church's 2026 budget, election of officers and Council members and more. Council looks forward to seeing you there.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Colin Knapp will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: Inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr.
Presenter: MCE
Description: We will share the words, images and actions of Dr. King’s life that continue to move us today. Attendees are encouraged to also bring a favorite quote or thought to share in our MLK Day circle.

The group will be reading and discussing The Wedding People, by Alison Espach - with discussion led by Gloria Cox. We will be meeting at Karen Van Meter’s home. RSVP toKaren at karenvanmeter433@gmail.com letting her know if you will be attending. Books are available for checkout at the Oak Park Public Library main branch.

Topic: "A Walk in the Garden" Grief to Gratitude sharing circle
Presenter: Rev. David Loofbourrow and Deacons
Description: When a loved one is missing from the holiday meal, or major change may be disrupting the status-quo, it’s great to have a place to safely share our memories, feelings, and fears, where we can support one another. If it helps you tell the story, feel free to bring a picture, memento or other remembrance.

Join us for worship at 10:30 am. Rev. Colin Knapp will be leading worship and preaching from the biblical text. In worship we celebrate our relationship with God, we strengthen our relationship with one another, and we explore what it means to put our faith into action. Come as you are.

Topic: “What’s the Bible got to do with it?”
Presenter: Rev. Gloria Cox and friends
Description: How does the progressive (aka “liberal”) church relate to the Bible in the 21 st Century? Some folks are surprised that Pilgrim has the Friday Bible Study group. Rev. Gloria will offer perspectives on why and how we study scriptures and some regulars from the Friday Study will share what they get out of those discussions.