A LETTER FROM
FAITH CHURCH FAMILY & FRIENDS,
If you really love something, you want to be part of it - not just from a distance, but up close and invested. Take running, for example. I love running five miles nearly every morning. I meet up with a group of friends who encourage one other. Running clears my mind, gives me space to be with God and helps me prepare mentally for the day ahead.
Love grows when you draw close. It’s true for friendships, families, hobbies, and it’s true for the church. Real love for your church comes from more than a Sunday morning service; it comes from being involved and connected in ways that reach beyond a single hour a week.
I’ve seen it firsthand: the people with the deepest joy and sense of belonging here are those who have stepped into serving, joined a small group or found other ways to be part of life together throughout the week. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul understood. His letters after the book of Acts were written to local churches, reminding them how important it is to be connected to the body of Christ. The church is not simply a place we attend; it’s a people we belong to.
When you serve within the church, join a group, volunteer with a local mission partner or step into community in some way, something happens—you begin to know people by name. You share stories. You pray for one another. And before you realize it, your love for the church has grown, because your heart is invested.
I’ve seen it over and over again: those who take that next step toward deeper connection find what I like to call “hyper-joy.” It’s the kind of joy that comes from being part of something bigger than yourself, from knowing that God is working through you to bless others.
So if you’ve only been connected to the church through Sunday worship, I want to invite you to step closer. Throughout this edition of The Paper, we highlight ways to become more deeply connected to the body of Christ. You’ll not only grow in love for your church, you’ll grow in love for the One who gave Himself for it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Be known, Pastor Bob
Pastor Jason DeVries
A LIFE ROOTED IN JESUS
Tributes from Pastor Bob, Pastor Charlie, Pastor Dave N & Pastor Dave W
How
happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!
Instead,
his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3
Pastor Jason lived a life deeply anchored in the way of Jesus. As Psalm 1 reminds us, he was a man who delighted in God’s Word, allowing it to shape his heart and guide his steps. Pastor Jason’s ministry was marked by kindness, thoughtfulness and genuine care. He drew people into his orbit with warmth and a heart full of the Spirit’s fruit.
Though cancer was part of his story, it never defined him; rather, his strength, hope and courage inspired all who witnessed his journey. In his Easter sermon, addressing the fears that came with his incurable disease and awaiting test results, Pastor Jason shared this powerful reminder: “I distinctly remember having this fear but then being reminded my tomb is already empty so that when I do take my last breath on earth, my next one will be taken in the presence of my Lord and Savior, that Jesus is just going to be taking me home.”
For over a decade, Jason fought courageously, not only for the gospel but also in his battle with cancer. Through every challenge, he demonstrated unwavering faith and trust in God’s plan. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Pastor Jason truly “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”
He knew Jesus not only as Savior but also as friend. It was this relationship that fueled his passion to help others know Jesus too. He fought long and hard for the gospel of Jesus. While he loved shoes, the color orange and Hope College, and knew the streets of Chicago like the back of his hand, more importantly, Pastor Jason would want you to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And that if you do not know Him, there are people at Faith Church who want to share with you about His great love: that Jesus can wipe away your sins, that He died for you and that He loves you deeply.
May Pastor Jason’s life inspire us all to live fully for Christ - bearing fruit, fighting the good fight and holding fast to the hope of eternal life!
Pastor Jason passed away on July 12, 2025, and he is dearly missed. He was a lifelong member of Faith Church and part of our staff for over 21 years. He wore many hats here: starting as the children’s ministry programmer and volunteer coordinator; transitioning to the director of connections (discipleship and events); stepping into pastoral leadership, including leading as executive pastor; and serving the last year as pastor of Faith Dyer. His life has made a huge impact on this church and its members and attenders.
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SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER: 9 & 11 AM BEGINNING OCTOBER 5: 9:30 & 11:15 AM
SUNDAYS AT 9 & 11 AM
BY: BOBBY TERVIN
In Action
This summer, Faith Students put their love into action for the good of God’s world through two local mission trips: one for high school students and another for middle school students.
Mid-July, 11 high school students served organizations across Chicago. They sorted materials at World Vision; packed snack packs for the Ronald McDonald House; shared in conversation with seniors through Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly; packed lunches for residents of Pacific Garden, a homeless shelter; assisted families at Pan de Vida, a food pantry; and joined the Chicago Parks Department in a clean-up project. These experiences not only helped others but also gave students a deeper view of God’s work in the city.
Later in the month, 26 middle schoolers spread out across the community for three days of service. They assisted with clean-up projects in Beecher; worked at Faith Beecher’s Faith Family Market; packed meals at Feed My Starving Children; sorted donations at ETC Thrift Store; landscaped for New Life Resources; partnered with Camp Manitoqua on park projects; and supported Reflectors VBS at Faith Highland. Their energy and willingness to step in wherever needed left a visible impact.
Both trips came with challenges - long days, hot weather and unfamiliar tasks - but students consistently stepped out of their comfort zones with faith and joy. Some discovered new skills, while others found ways to use the gifts they already had. In every setting, they learned what it means to serve with humility and love.
As I watched God work through our students, I was reminded of Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” The work we “planned” had already been laid out for us by our righteous God. His love was evident in the way students served, in the people they met and in the truth that each person is beautifully made in His image.
Please join the Faith Students leaders as we pray that in this school year, students will carry these lessons with them, that they would see purpose in everything they do, trust God to lead them, and continue making an impact wherever He calls them.
Middle School Highlights
“I really enjoyed it as a whole. I would love to come back next year.”
“I loved the food drive because it was fun setting up and talking and helping the older folks/people in line.”
“The camp [was my favorite] because it taught me to take risks for God.”
“I knew I was doing God's good works.”
High HighlightsSchool
“My highlight from the week was when we went to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, and we got to sit and talk to [seniors] for a little while. It was a fun way to connect with different ages…Just seeing them smile made my whole day.”
“Serving at the food bank was my favorite. I felt so blessed to be a blessing.”
Imagine trying to follow Jesus in a world and culture that is obsessed with power and wealth and that says “if it feels good, do it!” That might not be that difficult to imagine because it is the world that we live in today. It is also the world in which Christians in the Greek city of Corinth lived during the time of the New Testament; Corinth was a place with great wealth and a diversity of philosophical ideas and gods that people worshiped in various ways and in various temples. Bible scholars have noted that it was a bit like New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas - all wrapped up in one!
The Bible records in Acts 18:1-17 how the church in Corinth was started through the ministry of Paul of Tarsus, a man who Jesus called to spread the message about him through the Mediterranean region. After Paul had to flee other cities in which he brought the gospel, he landed in Corinth. After being rejected in the Jewish synagogue, there he took his message next door (literally - see Acts 18:7!) and kept on preaching as the governing officials refused to arrest him or stop him from preaching. He would end up staying in Corinth for a year and a half (see Acts 18:11), teaching the church before going on to establish churches in other cities.
Paul did not forget about the church in Corinth when he left, rather, he exchanged regular letters offering further instruction as the updates he received indicated the church was behaving just like the world around them. For example: There were divisions in the church tied to elevating people with certain gifts and abilities while marginalizing others; the rich seemed to look down and exclude the poor, making them take lower seats and having lesser food in their meals - even when they had communion; and some
BY: BRIAN DENNERT
Christians seemed to be frequenting temples and engaging in sacrifices and prostitution. In fact, some were teaching that various sinful practices really weren’t sins and that faith in Christ didn’t affect how they lived, so cultural values were corrupting their worship and relationships inside and outside the church.
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians - the book of the Bible we will be studying in our sermon series called, Ekklēsia: A Called Out Community - to guide and instruct the Christians in Corinth by addressing their behaviors as well as answering questions from the people. He called for them to live as a unified community, grounded in the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. In this way, the truth of the gospel would not just permeate their lives when they gathered together but also when they scattered into the community; they would live as a people called out from the world in the midst of this place.
While we are in a different time and a very different place, the issues that Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians seem as relevant to us now in light of the similar pressures we face as Christians in a culture whose values often oppose those of the gospel message. Ekklesia is the Greek word for “gathering” or “assembly” and is commonly used in the New Testament to describe the “church,” the community of people that God has called out to be transformed. Just like the church in Corinth, we’re called to live apart from culture’s way of living and invited into a new way of life. It is our hope and prayer that our time studying this section of God’s Word will help us live as a “called out community,” a people set apart for God’s purposes and shaped by the Spirit to look more like Jesus.
Staying Tethered to JESUS
BY: DAVE IZENBART
"We live in a blizzard and few of us have a rope.” These words are from Pete Scazzero’s book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, in which he tells a story of how some Midwest farmers prepare for a blizzard by tying a rope from their homes to their barns. Without it, they could become disoriented and even freeze to death just steps from safety. But holding the rope always leads them home.
Life often feels like a blizzard. The swirl of work, school, family and endless demands can leave us exhausted and spiritually adrift. Add in life’s storms and challenges - grief, stress, uncertainty - it’s easy to lose our way spiritually. We need something to hold onto, a way to stay grounded.
That’s what it means to be tethered to Jesus. He is our rope, the One who keeps us from losing our way. Staying tethered is a continual awareness of His presence in our daily lives: whispering a prayer in the car, inviting Him into a difficult meeting, reading or reciting Scripture for encouragement, thanking Him for a moment of joy, or asking for strength when you feel spent. It can also include practical tools that bring Him into your daily rhythm: listening to a Christ-centered podcast on your commute, opening a short devotional between tasks, letting an audiobook of Scripture guide your thoughts, or playing a worship playlist while you cook.
When we stay tethered, we discover that we are never walking alone. Jesus steadies us when life pulls, reminds us of our worth when we feel small, and leads us back when we wander. The rope doesn’t remove the blizzard, but it ensures we are never lost in it.
Take a look at some very practical ropes (or resources) to keep us tethered to Jesus. For each example on the next page, we’ve included a starting point because sometimes starting is the hardest part. We hope you find spiritual refreshment, encouragement and strength as you hold fast to Him each day.
Stay tethered to Jesus in the busiest parts of your day.
Use the daily devotional app Lectio 365 to grow closer to Jesus with short Scripture readings, guided prayers and reflection prompts - just a few minutes, three times a day - you can fit into any schedule.
Stay tethered to Jesus during your morning coffee.
Start your day with a short devotional as you sip, anchoring your heart in Him before the day gets moving.
Stay tethered to Jesus in the in-between moments.
Evening routines - folding laundry, cooking dinner, cleaning up, sitting on the porch - can become opportunities to meet with Him. Try a Christ-centered podcast to turn ordinary moments into meaningful reminders of God’s presence.
Stay tethered to Jesus between classes & practice.
After school hours can feel like a blur - homework, practice, rehearsals, the gym. Slip in a worship playlist or a faithbased podcast on your walk, bus ride or workout. These moments can become reminders that Jesus is with you, even in the busiest parts of your day.
Stay tethered to Jesus in your commute.
Worship draws us into God’s presence. Create your own worship playlist - or if you don’t already have one yet, try WorshipNow on Spotifyto keep your heart and mind focused on Him while on the go.
This musical Christmas production will provide a multi-sensory experience, telling the Christmas story in a unique way as we prepare for the greatest gift on earth - Jesus! Who will you invite to behold the wonder of Christmas?
WEDNESDAY 7 PM DEC 10 THURSDAY 7 PM DEC 11
FRIDAY 7 PM DEC 12 SATURDAY 3 & 7 PM DEC 13
Christmas Services
December 23 & 24
When You’re Walking Through
SUFFERING
Suffering is something none of us want, yet all of us face. It often shows up uninvited, in seasons that already feel heavy: illness, loss, anxiety, broken relationships, personal struggles. We find ourselves asking: Why this? Why now? Why me?
As Christians, we are not exempt from suffering. In fact, Jesus warned us to expect hardship (2 Timothy 3:12). However, He also promises His peace, presence and power to sustain us through it (Isaiah 43:2). In times of suffering, the world offers many ways to cope, and the enemy works hard to isolate us, often making us feel alone and forgotten. But God’s response is different. God is near the brokenhearted, offering grace in even the darkest moments. Suffering and God’s goodness are not opposites, rather, through His redemptive love, even our most painful experiences can be transformed for His glory.
As a church, we want to walk alongside one another in times of suffering. You don’t have to carry this alone. Whether you’re in the valley or supporting someone who is, explore the ministries on the following pages of Care & Connections to experience the hope and presence of Christ.
CARE CONNE CTIONS &
ALL LOCATIONS INVITED CARE
Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery (CR) is based on the original 12 steps of recovery and the Beatitudes-the actual words of Jesus. CR is open to everyone as a place of rescue, restoration, safety and renewal for those seeking God’s healing from life’s hurts, hang-ups and habits.
Mondays, 6:30-8:30 PM
Faith Cedar Lake
Contact the team WeAreFaithCR@gmail.com
Tuesdays, 7-9 PM
Faith Dyer | FS Commons
Contact Jim celebraterecovery@ WeAreFaith.org
Thursdays, 7-9 PM
Faith Munster
Contact Charles/Breanne munstercr@WeAreFaith.org
Celebration Place
Tuesdays, 6:45-9 PM
Faith Dyer | Elem Rm
Contact Trish at tmiller@WeAreFaith.org
Celebration Place is designed for kids Kindergarten through 13 years of age whose parents attend Celebrate Recovery. We hope to make Jesus the foundation of their lives, break cycles of dysfunction and join their parents in forgiveness & healing.
Food Assistance
Faith Family Market
Faith Beecher
2nd & 4th Tuesday 4:30-6 PM
Contact Mandy at mandyp@WeAreFaith.org
Open to any Illinois resident
Faith Family Market
Faith Cedar Lake Mondays, 10 AM-Noon
Closed the 5th Monday
Contact Beckie at bhayes@WeAreFaith.org
Faith Family Market
Faith Dyer | East Hall
Sundays, 10-11 AM
Contact Valerie or Leslie at FFM@WeAreFaith.org
Open 2nd & 4th Sunday
For Dyer members/attenders
Faith Family Market
Faith Highland/Munster
Sundays, 12:30-1:15 PM
Contact Lisa or Bob at lberridge60@gmail.com
Open 1st & 3rd Sundays
Fresh Hope Tuesdays, 7-8:30 PM
Faith Munster freshhope@WeAreFaith.org
This group is both for individuals who have a mental health challenge AND their loved ones (family members and close friends). WeAreFaith.org/mentalhealth.
Meets weekly
Friendship Tuesdays, 7 PM
Faith Highland
Contact Amy at aboshears@WeAreFaith.org
Friendship Ministry is a place where adults with special needs can gather to learn from God’s Word and enjoy a great time of fellowship. For a complete listing of meeting dates visit WeAreFaith.org/Friendship Meets most 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Golden Hope
Golden Hope helps grieving families find hope and healing in the midst of loss through death. This is a safe place for peer-to-peer grief support for children, teens and adults. Contact Ashley at info@goldenhopemin.org for more details.
Grief Share
Grief Share offers help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. Contact Nick at ndragomir@WeAreFaith.org Each lesson is self-contained so join any time.
Faith Cedar Lake Tuesdays, Aug 19-Nov 11 1:30-3 PM
Faith Dyer Mondays, Aug 18-Nov 10 7-8:30 PM
Faith Highland Thursdays, Aug 21-Nov 13 1:30-3 PM
Men’s Bible Studies
Visit WeAreFaith.org/ biblestudies for a list of men’s Bible studies.
NA-The Grace Street Recovery Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Thursdays, 7-8:30 PM
Faith Highland | The Commons Call (219) 793-6262
Hotline open 24 hrs a day, answered by someone in recovery. NAIndiana.org This is an open meeting where all are welcome, but only members are encouraged to speak. Meets weekly
Our Hope Tuesdays, 7-9 PM
Faith Dyer | Prayer Room
Contact Jeri at darchsmom@gmail.com
Grief support group for women Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Overcomers
Mondays, 6:30 PM
Faith Dyer | Atrium
Contact Andy at anearpass@WeAreFaith.org This ministry is for patients and caregivers of patients with life-altering illnesses. Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays
Parenting LGBTQ+ Kids Mondays, 6:30 PM
Faith Dyer
Contact Karyn at kjustice@WeAreFaith.org. This support group is for parents, grandparents or legal guardians of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Begins September 22 Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays
Parkinsons Support Group Monday, 6 PM
Faith Dyer
Contact Minta at mnaughton@WeAreFaith.org
Has Parkinson's Disease impacted you or someone close to you? Join us to exchange ideas, listen and offer support.
Meets the 1st Monday
Prayer
Let us be heartfelt in praying for our Faith Church family. Sign up to receive our prayer email or submit your own prayer request at WeAreFaith.org/prayer
CONNECTIONS
Book Club
Mondays, 6:30 PM
Contact Adrianna at awalters@WeAreFaith.org Book Club book available in The Bookstore.
Meets the 3rd Monday
September - From the Valley we Rise by Elizabeth Musser
October - The Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jamie Jo Wright
November - The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt
December - Through Each Tomorrow by Gabrielle Meyer
Faithful Friends
Monday, 1 PM | Faith Dyer
Contact Linda at ljordan@WeAreFaith.org
Fellowship for singles age 65+ and widow(er)s of any age from any Faith location.
Meets the 2nd Monday
Faith Stitchers
Thursday, 1-4 PM (Sep-May)
Faith Dyer | Rooms 140/141
Contact Sharon at stitchers@WeAreFaith.org We knit & crochet for those in need.
Meets the 2nd Thursday
Fostering Faith
Fostering Faith is a ministry that aims to equip the church to serve foster and adoptive families. To find out how you can get involved visit WeAreFaith. org/fosteringfaith
Quilters Mondays, 8:30 AM
Contact Donna at donnaquilts2@gmail.com or Barb at wondaals4@sbcglobal.net
A group of women who meet around a common interest of quilting. Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays
Women’s Bible Studies Visit WeAreFaith.org/ BibleStudies for a list of women’s Bible studies.
The Journey
Deepen your relationship with God through The Journey, a 24-week small group experience, providing a safe space to work through questions like Who am I? Who is God? And What is his purpose for me? Learn more at WeAreFaith.org/ TheJourney
12.1 Running Club Saturdays, Early Morning
Contact Judy at judithkupsik@yahoo.com Meets weekly
THE PAGE
For a list of Bible studies, groups and classes taking place at your Faith location, view The Page.
BEECHER CEDAR LAKE DYER
