Tent of the Lord
United By Faith Lutheran Church was designed by architects Cooley and Bore of Park Ridge, Illinois, in 1961. It is “tent-like” in appearance and for this reason the church has become known as “The Tent of the Lord.” The unusual curve of the fourteen trusses, each held in place by concrete piers like the stakes of a tent, and the long pitch of the roof gives the semblance of the shape of a tent. The church, thus, becomes a constant reminder that “we are strangers and pilgrims on earth as were our fathers and mothers before us,” and we have “no continuing city but one that is to come.” As God’s people in the wilderness of the world, we have pitched our tent along the road to the Promised Land.
The Narthex
On the wall facing the entrance in the narthex are Italian, hand-carved, wood figures of the Lord and his first twelve disciples.
The Narthex
On the wall facing the entrance in the narthex are Italian, hand-carved, wood figures of the Lord and his first twelve disciples.
To the left of the office door is an etched glass window invoking the name of the Triune God in word and symbol
Baptistry
The Baptistry
Prayer chapel
This chapel is a place of silence, closed off from the noise of the world. It is the place where sacrament of entrance into God’s gracious kingdom is celebrated. When the doors to the nave are opened the congregation may turn and face the baptistry for the celebration of Holy Baptism. Two circles of pin-point lights in the ceiling attempt to symbolize God, the eternal creator of Light. The floor stone in the chapel and chancel is New York bluestone.
The stone altar in the baptistry rests in a pool of water. The oak mensa of the altar is incised with five Maltese crosses, which symbolize the wounds of Christ. On the bronze apron of the mensa are the symbols of two fish and the Greek word for fish – IXØUS, used as an early Christian Symbol for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.”
The continuous flow of water over the stone base of the altar symbolizes (in sound and sight) Jesus Christ, the Living Water, who “if one drinks he will never thirst.” (John 4)
This chapel is a place of silence, closed off from the noise of the world. It is the place where sacrament of entrance into God’s gracious kingdom is celebrated. When the doors to the nave are opened the congregation may turn and face the baptistry for the celebration of Holy Baptism. Two circles of pin-point lights in the ceiling attempt to symbolize God, the eternal creator of Light. The floor stone in the chapel and chancel is New York bluestone.
The stone altar in the baptistry rests in a pool of water. The oak mensa of the altar is incised with five Maltese crosses, which symbolize the wounds of Christ. On the bronze apron of the mensa are the symbols of two fish and the Greek word for fish – IXØUS, used as an early Christian Symbol for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.”
The continuous flow of water over the stone base of the altar symbolizes (in sound and sight) Jesus Christ, the Living Water, who “if one drinks he will never thirst.” (John 4)
The Christus Rex, or Christ the King, above the altar depicts the sacrifice and the victory of the Lord. On the walls which frame the altar are both a bronze symbol of the Holy Trinity and the sanctuary lamp, symbolic of Christ the light of the world eternally present. (John 8)
The Nave
Adorning the walls of the chapel are additional plaques depicting the four Evangelists, a figure of the risen Christ, another metal Christus Rex and an icon crucifix
The Nave
The oak doors which open from the baptistry into the nave have wood push-bars in which the meaning of the Old Testament name “Bethel” is carved -- “This is the house of God, the gateway of heaven.” (Genesis 28) As one enters the name, one’s vision is swept upward from the suppressed feeling of the low ceiling in the baptistry.
The 15-foot cross over the altar gives meaning to the words of Christ: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to me.” (John 12)
A continuous skylight with a plastic dome runs the full length of the church. Under the skylight is a ceiling of hand-blown stained glass, the colors range from dark shades in the west end to bright, brilliant colors at the east or altar end. The myriad of colors is an expression of the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21)
In the chapel and church multicolor slab glass enclosed in the masonry gives side light.
In the chapel and church multicolor slab glass enclosed in the masonry gives side light.
Chancel and Sanctuary
The Chancel and Sanctuary
The altar is made of Georgian-white, gold-veined marble and is built on its own foundation. The base is roughhewn, circular in form, made up of 19 separate pieces of marble. The square mensa is symbolic of the Gospel being preached in all parts of the world. Incised in its polished marble are five Maltese crosses and on the sides of the altar are the Greek letters Alpha and Omega – Christ the beginning and the ending of all creation. (Revelations 1)
Surrounding the altar is a circular communion rail, which reminds all of the unity of Christ’s body and the community shared by his brothers and sisters in the church. The carved reredos holds seven candlesticks.
Behind the reredos is an ambulatory and two sacristies. The lectern-pulpit, from which the Scriptures are read and the Gospel is proclaimed, is of simple contemporary design.
The processional cross is placed next to the pulpit in the manner of the old custom of a pulpit crucifix. Whenever there is a processional, the cross is carried, “lifted high,” to lead God’s people in worship. Processional candlesticks often accompany the cross in procession, lead the Gospel procession when the scripture reading is carried to the midst of the people, and frequently they stand to the sides of the lectern as symbols of the light of Christ in similar fashion as do the Eucharistic lights on the altar. The communion candlesticks have Christ’s monogram, the Chi (X) Rho (P) on black Belgian marble.
Size
The nave-chancel area is 110 feet long and 40 feet wide. The roof arcs upward 45 feet. The seating of the nave is 350.
Surrounding the altar is a circular communion rail, which reminds all of the unity of Christ’s body and the community shared by his brothers and sisters in the church. The carved reredos holds seven candlesticks.
Behind the reredos is an ambulatory and two sacristies. The lectern-pulpit, from which the Scriptures are read and the Gospel is proclaimed, is of simple contemporary design.
The processional cross is placed next to the pulpit in the manner of the old custom of a pulpit crucifix. Whenever there is a processional, the cross is carried, “lifted high,” to lead God’s people in worship. Processional candlesticks often accompany the cross in procession, lead the Gospel procession when the scripture reading is carried to the midst of the people, and frequently they stand to the sides of the lectern as symbols of the light of Christ in similar fashion as do the Eucharistic lights on the altar. The communion candlesticks have Christ’s monogram, the Chi (X) Rho (P) on black Belgian marble.
Size
The nave-chancel area is 110 feet long and 40 feet wide. The roof arcs upward 45 feet. The seating of the nave is 350.
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
After two years of meetings, discussions, joint worship services, prayers and struggles, Bethel Lutheran Church (1938-1998) and Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church (1946-1998) made the decision to consolidate our congregations. On December 9, 1998, the first Sunday in Advent, we held our first worship service together and after several months of suggestions the membership decided on the name United By Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Our first mission statement in 1998 – United by faith, moving forward in mission, sharing Jesus with all – helped us to begin defining ourselves as a new congregation. After several years of working and continuing to struggle together, we felt this initial mission statement needed to be revisited.
In 2002, a vision team was created to determine clearer goals and objectives for our congregation in order to give each and every member of UBF an understanding of what it meant to be a member of this community. With our new mission statement -- To be faithful disciples of Christ for all by providing a place of haven and healing and celebrating God's creation through the arts – we hope to encourage every person to feel welcome and safe in our community known as United By Faith in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
During summer 2005, over 30 people gathered to study and pray about what God is up to among us. During those gatherings, our purpose statment and guiding principles were prayed into words.
Our purpose: We are a witnessing community of faith, here to reach and teach the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
After two years of meetings, discussions, joint worship services, prayers and struggles, Bethel Lutheran Church (1938-1998) and Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church (1946-1998) made the decision to consolidate our congregations. On December 9, 1998, the first Sunday in Advent, we held our first worship service together and after several months of suggestions the membership decided on the name United By Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Our first mission statement in 1998 – United by faith, moving forward in mission, sharing Jesus with all – helped us to begin defining ourselves as a new congregation. After several years of working and continuing to struggle together, we felt this initial mission statement needed to be revisited.
In 2002, a vision team was created to determine clearer goals and objectives for our congregation in order to give each and every member of UBF an understanding of what it meant to be a member of this community. With our new mission statement -- To be faithful disciples of Christ for all by providing a place of haven and healing and celebrating God's creation through the arts – we hope to encourage every person to feel welcome and safe in our community known as United By Faith in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
During summer 2005, over 30 people gathered to study and pray about what God is up to among us. During those gatherings, our purpose statment and guiding principles were prayed into words.
Our purpose: We are a witnessing community of faith, here to reach and teach the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
These things guide us in that purpose:
Jesus is Lord.
All are welcome.
Teach God's love by example.
Everyone shares what they have.
Pray often for God's guidance and vision.