Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, May 31, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. Native Lands and Reparations Acknowledgement This is the land of the Council of Three Fires, the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa. This land also served as important meeting place for Miami, Ho-Chunk, the Menominee, Inoka, Sac, Fox, Peoria, Arapaho and Cheyenne and other Tribal nations. Outside the front door of the church, the original shoreline of Lake Michigan once stood. The land Lake Street Church of Evanston currently inhabits was used by many indigenous people as a gathering, trading, and ritual space. Nearby, on Ridge Avenue, there existed a trail that led all the way up to Green Bay, WI. This land was seized by white settlers as part of the wave of settler colonialism and genocide that constituted the eventual United States. We, as Lake Street Church of Evanston, acknowledge our ongoing participation in those legacies and commit ourselves to deeper understanding and action. This land was also the site of further white supremacy and racism, a legacy which we also name today. Over time, Evanston’s Black citizens have been systematically excluded from equal access to housing, education, healthcare, police protection, and participation in public recreational opportunities. One result of these compounded inequities is today’s tremendous wealth gap between Black and white residents. Most regrettably, with a few notable exceptions, white faith communities allowed the inequitable policies and practices to persist without resistance, while even participating and benefiting from them. Disparities continue to this day, and we join other faith communities that are stepping forward to respond. In accordance with our covenant “to act against injustice and for peace,” Lake Street Church supports the City of Evanston’s current efforts to address this injustice through its Reparations Programs. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, May 31, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. Native Lands and Reparations Acknowledgement This is the land of the Council of Three Fires, the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa. This land also served as important meeting place for Miami, Ho-Chunk, the Menominee, Inoka, Sac, Fox, Peoria, Arapaho and Cheyenne and other Tribal nations. Outside the front door of the church, the original shoreline of Lake Michigan once stood. The land Lake Street Church of Evanston currently inhabits was used by many indigenous people as a gathering, trading, and ritual space. Nearby, on Ridge Avenue, there existed a trail that led all the way up to Green Bay, WI. This land was seized by white settlers as part of the wave of settler colonialism and genocide that constituted the eventual United States. We, as Lake Street Church of Evanston, acknowledge our ongoing participation in those legacies and commit ourselves to deeper understanding and action. This land was also the site of further white supremacy and racism, a legacy which we also name today. Over time, Evanston’s Black citizens have been systematically excluded from equal access to housing, education, healthcare, police protection, and participation in public recreational opportunities. One result of these compounded inequities is today’s tremendous wealth gap between Black and white residents. Most regrettably, with a few notable exceptions, white faith communities allowed the inequitable policies and practices to persist without resistance, while even participating and benefiting from them. Disparities continue to this day, and we join other faith communities that are stepping forward to respond. In accordance with our covenant “to act against injustice and for peace,” Lake Street Church supports the City of Evanston’s current efforts to address this injustice through its Reparations Programs. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, May 31, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. Native Lands and Reparations Acknowledgement This is the land of the Council of Three Fires, the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa. This land also served as important meeting place for Miami, Ho-Chunk, the Menominee, Inoka, Sac, Fox, Peoria, Arapaho and Cheyenne and other Tribal nations. Outside the front door of the church, the original shoreline of Lake Michigan once stood. The land Lake Street Church of Evanston currently inhabits was used by many indigenous people as a gathering, trading, and ritual space. Nearby, on Ridge Avenue, there existed a trail that led all the way up to Green Bay, WI. This land was seized by white settlers as part of the wave of settler colonialism and genocide that constituted the eventual United States. We, as Lake Street Church of Evanston, acknowledge our ongoing participation in those legacies and commit ourselves to deeper understanding and action. This land was also the site of further white supremacy and racism, a legacy which we also name today. Over time, Evanston’s Black citizens have been systematically excluded from equal access to housing, education, healthcare, police protection, and participation in public recreational opportunities. One result of these compounded inequities is today’s tremendous wealth gap between Black and white residents. Most regrettably, with a few notable exceptions, white faith communities allowed the inequitable policies and practices to persist without resistance, while even participating and benefiting from them. Disparities continue to this day, and we join other faith communities that are stepping forward to respond. In accordance with our covenant “to act against injustice and for peace,” Lake Street Church supports the City of Evanston’s current efforts to address this injustice through its Reparations Programs. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, June 7, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. Native Lands and Reparations Acknowledgement This is the land of the Council of Three Fires, the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa. This land also served as important meeting place for Miami, Ho-Chunk, the Menominee, Inoka, Sac, Fox, Peoria, Arapaho and Cheyenne and other Tribal nations. Outside the front door of the church, the original shoreline of Lake Michigan once stood. The land Lake Street Church of Evanston currently inhabits was used by many indigenous people as a gathering, trading, and ritual space. Nearby, on Ridge Avenue, there existed a trail that led all the way up to Green Bay, WI. This land was seized by white settlers as part of the wave of settler colonialism and genocide that constituted the eventual United States. We, as Lake Street Church of Evanston, acknowledge our ongoing participation in those legacies and commit ourselves to deeper understanding and action. This land was also the site of further white supremacy and racism, a legacy which we also name today. Over time, Evanston’s Black citizens have been systematically excluded from equal access to housing, education, healthcare, police protection, and participation in public recreational opportunities. One result of these compounded inequities is today’s tremendous wealth gap between Black and white residents. Most regrettably, with a few notable exceptions, white faith communities allowed the inequitable policies and practices to persist without resistance, while even participating and benefiting from them. Disparities continue to this day, and we join other faith communities that are stepping forward to respond. In accordance with our covenant “to act against injustice and for peace,” Lake Street Church supports the City of Evanston’s current efforts to address this injustice through its Reparations Programs. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Prelude Op. 28 and No. 15 by Frédéric Chopin Andrew Creech, piano Ancient Witness Reading Acts 2: 1-21 Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? This Week’s Reflection Question: When have you seen God in something small? Sermon God Needs No Grandeur Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD #pentecostsanctifiesdifference Call to Commitment a reading from Does God Need the Church pp. 217-218 by Gerhard Lohfink Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins by François Couperin Andrew Creech, organ Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. Native Lands and Reparations Acknowledgement This is the land of the Council of Three Fires, the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa. This land also served as important meeting place for Miami, Ho-Chunk, the Menominee, Inoka, Sac, Fox, Peoria, Arapaho and Cheyenne and other Tribal nations. Outside the front door of the church, the original shoreline of Lake Michigan once stood. The land Lake Street Church of Evanston currently inhabits was used by many indigenous people as a gathering, trading, and ritual space. Nearby, on Ridge Avenue, there existed a trail that led all the way up to Green Bay, WI. This land was seized by white settlers as part of the wave of settler colonialism and genocide that constituted the eventual United States. We, as Lake Street Church of Evanston, acknowledge our ongoing participation in those legacies and commit ourselves to deeper understanding and action. This land was also the site of further white supremacy and racism, a legacy which we also name today. Over time, Evanston’s Black citizens have been systematically excluded from equal access to housing, education, healthcare, police protection, and participation in public recreational opportunities. One result of these compounded inequities is today’s tremendous wealth gap between Black and white residents. Most regrettably, with a few notable exceptions, white faith communities allowed the inequitable policies and practices to persist without resistance, while even participating and benefiting from them. Disparities continue to this day, and we join other faith communities that are stepping forward to respond. In accordance with our covenant “to act against injustice and for peace,” Lake Street Church supports the City of Evanston’s current efforts to address this injustice through its Reparations Programs. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, May 17, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Ancient Witness Reading Acts 1: 6-14 Call to Commitment by Barbara Brown Taylor This Week's Reflection Question: When have you realized you missed the point of something? How did you course correct? Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Sermon Don't Put God in a Box Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD Music Performed: Prelude: Preludes of Praise by Ernst Pepping Introit: Simple Gifts - Shaker Hymn, arr. Martha L. Thompson Anthem: God Put a Rainbow in the Sky, trad. arr. Aaron Robinson Offertory: Evening Prayer by Ola Gjeilo Postlude by Norberto Guinaldo Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, May 10, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Ancient Witness Reading Acts 17: 22-31 This Week's Reflection Question: When have you had a holy experience outside of church? Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Sermon Don't Put God in a Box Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD Call to Commitment a reading from An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, April 26, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices

Lake Street Church Evanston, Illinois Sunday, April 26, 2026 Rev. Michael Woolf, ThD (he/him) Senior Minister Jillian Westerfield (she/they) Associate Minister Moment for Wonder You are invited to share a "wondering" about our text(s) this morning in 20 seconds or less. Sample questions for you to respond to include: What do you wonder about in our ancient witness reading(s)? What would you change, and how would that affect the story? Who do you relate to in the story and why? Why do these readings matter? Lake Street Church of Evanston is a progressive faith community that values justice, curiosity, and the freedom to explore faith without rigid dogma. Guided by the Baptist principle of soul liberty, it creates space for big questions, open dialogue, and diverse spiritual paths. We are committed to justice through reparations, immigrant rights, and the empowerment of queer voices in our faith community. #lakestreetchurch #evanston #evanstonchurch #lakestreetorg #LSC #LSCEvanston #RevMichaelWoolf #JillianWesterfield #DrBonnieCampbell #DrDianaSchmuck #dynamic #open #inclusive #rooted #connected #transformed #progressive #faithcommunity #spiritualjourney #soulliberty #opendialogue #diversepaths #justice #curiosity #freedom #sanctuarychurch #sanctuarycongregation #reparations #immigrantrights #queervoices