Welcome to our three part series "UVC 101: Honest Answers To Frequently Asked Questions."

In this episode, we're talking about the Bible. Where do the different parts of the Bible come from? What does it mean to take the Bible literally (and do we have to)? What do I do with contradictions in the Bible?

Our panel includes Teaching Pastor Hannah Kardon, Student Pastor Lijia Xie, and UVC member Gloria Feliciano Feltman.

Join us every Sunday for online worship on Facebook & YouTube (/uvchurch) at 10:30 am (CST).

As we think about what it will look like to come back together, we have many questions and anxieties. It will help for us to go back to doing what we know how to do. Jesus shows us how: To love.

A year ago we started quarantining and began a sermon series called “Now What?” to help us navigate an uncertain future. Today we’re facing similar questions. 

This morning, we’ll turn once again to the Scriptures, when after Jesus’ resurrection, the Church found itself asking, “now what?” Student Pastor Lijia explores the early Church’s attempts to be faithful while recognizing the scars, wounds, and trauma’s of Christ’s death. Recognizing Jesus’ wounds is part of what makes the resurrection so radical, and triumphant.

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Christ is Risen! Jesus’ resurrection is a story that is constantly being written over and over again. This morning, Pastors Hannah, D’Angelo, and Juan Pablo share their own stories of God’s  ability to resurrect and call us in to something new. Join us in worship! Happy Easter :)

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D’Angelo Smith (Site Pastor – Hyde Park-Woodlawn & Wicker Park)

Hannah Kardon (Teaching Pastor)

Juan Pablo Herrera (Church Planting Resident)

Our world is in an "in-between time" as we wait for the opportunity to fully be back and engaged with our friends and family. Can Easter speak to us in this limbo? Yes! Mary experienced the risen Christ in that uncertain time, too.

It’s Palm Sunday! In many ways this is a culmination of Christ’s ministry. Jesus is publicly recognized as the Messiah and the massive crowds, even the Empire, are expecting this triumphant leader. But God does something different. We reflect on this expectant hope, what today represents, and also, what comes next. We’re heading to an empty tomb, but first: Hosannah!!  

Many of us (beloved and wonderful just as we are!) still crave to be made new in some aspect of our life. We conclude our “Made New” series by exploring the final question asked during a baptism: “Do you commit to faithful participation in God’s work in the world?” 

In Acts 2, we read about ancestors in the faith who “devoted themselves” to the teachings of apostles like Deborah and Peter. We’ll consider what the writers meant by ‘devotion’, how ancestors & mentors continue to inspire and inform, and how being honest about the difficulties of staying committed matter. 

Many of us (beloved just as we are) still crave to be made new in some aspect of our life. This Lent, we’re focusing on how we can change through studying the transformational promises of Jesus, the science of personal change, and the spirituality of recovery.  

Today, as we consider change, Pastor D’Angelo invites to focus on the constant: the amazing and liberating power of the Holy Spirit. Accepting God gives us freedom to act, to resist, and to say boldly “No!” to evils, injustices, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. And we are *not* alone. Even Jesus needed and had access to this constant Advocate. And so do we! 

CCLI # 3211711 / CCLI Streaming #20104183

Many of us (beloved just as we are) still crave to be made new in some aspect of our life: a habit, character aspect, or circumstance that still hurts. We all hope for change. This Lent, we’re going to focus on how we can change through studying the transformational promises of Jesus, the science of personal change, and the spirituality of recovery.   

This morning, Juan Pablo Herrera (Church Planting Resident) reflects on how one of the greatest gifts of the resurrection is *really* knowing that any one of us, and our circumstances, and our communities can be made new. We see a Jesus who accompanies and is accompanied. We see a vulnerable Christ who requires solidarity. We see a God who offers and receives grace. Please join us!!

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Hannah Kardon (UVC Teaching Pastor; she/her) discusses with Drew Jones (Hyde Park Woodlawn; Loyola University Chicago; he/him) and Victoria Slabinski (Yale Divinity School; she/her) touch, care, pleasure, trust, partnership, joy, community, relationships… and how the Church hasn’t always been faithful at exploring such important aspects of being.

As Sunday just fell on Valentines Day, we were excited to discuss (especially during a pandemic!) what are we looking for in relationships? What are our relationships to our bodies? How do we prioritize what our bodies want & need? And where is God as we consider these things?

We believe all of these questions are areas of discipleship and discernment, and part of our lives we can talk to God about. Hope you enjoy!

CCLI # 3211711 / CCLI Streaming #20104183