Our Ministries
Our Values
1
Relationship
The center of all we do and the reason we were created, relationships matter more than tasks, programs, and agendas. Relationships are the reason we gather for worship, discipleship, and service to our community. We’re committed to cherishing our relationships, to protecting and rebuilding them, and to practicing them authentically and genuinely.
2
Sustainability
“Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes.” - Taylor Swift
We’re interested in the long-term implications of our practices and solutions, so we’re pursuing more sustainable approaches to our finances, our commitments, and to caring for creation. What decisions can we make now that will improve the lives of those who come after us?
3
Beauty
For us, aesthetics is about recognizing, appreciating, and responding to the glory, love, holiness, transcendence (use whatever word you like) of God that is woven into the fabric of creation. Beauty matters to us because it matters to God; it’s the first, intuitive way that God makes Godself known to us. Beauty isn’t always neat or clean but lives in the messy and ordinary moments of our lives.
Worship With Us
Sundays, 11am | 205 W College St. Sandwich, IL
Called by God, we sing, we pray, we hear the Word speak to us through readings and preaching, and we gather at the Lord's Table. This time is rarely fancy, but we faithfully practice the things Christians have been doing for centuries, rooting ourselves in the richly formative traditions handed down to us, making them our own for today. And, on occasion, God surprises us with something profoundly good and beautiful. All this we do for the sake of gracious, sanctifying relationship with God, with one another, with the whole world, and with our true selves. Come.
Discipleship to Jesus
Organized & Organic
Everything we do is about following the way of Jesus. So, in one sense, all of life is discipleship. We’ve learned from our ancestors, though, that intentional, specific practices aimed at living as Jesus taught can be transformational in our lives. We celebrate organic (unplanned) moments of discipleship, as well as organized ones (the times we set together to grow and practice). We meet regularly for the following discipleship practices:
Discipleship Hour | Sundays at 9:30am
Conversation Café | Sundays at 10:30am
Primetimers Bible Study | 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 10am
Our Story
Our Roots and Denomination
In the 1930s, a tent revival was held in the northeast part of Sandwich. Moved by God's presence, some decided to continue meeting. Jenny Sebby was their first leader, who arranged for a supply pastor to come from Olivet Nazarene University. The new church began meeting in an upstairs apartment in the Sandwich business district.
That's our starting point: a tent revival, a house church, and a courageous woman who did something new with God. In 2023, we seek to follow Jesus with the same boldness and love as Jenny and the fifteen other charter members of our church.
Our Pastor
Matthew Jones, 2016 - Present
Matthew grew up in the Church of the Nazarene in Eureka, IL. From there, he went to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL., where he earned a B.A. in Religious Studies ('14) and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry ('17). Matthew was ordained in May of 2019. He enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends, and reading. In Spring of 2022, he self published his first book, entitled "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?: Essays for Holy Week", which can be purchased on Amazon.
Support the Mission
We are thankful for so many who faithfully contribute financially to our church. When you give, you help us employ a pastor, maintain our facilities, and, most importantly, equip our ministries. When giving online, we invite you to cover the credit card fees so that your gift can have as big an impact as possible. Be sure to choose Tithes/Offerings from the options on the giving page linked below.
