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Holy Trinity Church Blog
Jon Dennis Apr 29, 2011
Even though we often think the trials and temptations are just part of daily life, we often forget something deeper, more important and more insidious might be going on. 1 Peter 5 reminds us that Satan is prowling around like a lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8). This couple from HTC West Side do a good job showing how even a little argument needs to be views in a spiritual context - that Satan would like to tempt us to destroy even the most important things we have like our relationship. Kudos to Rachel and Art Hackett and especially Molly for her stellar debut performance. Nice job Josh at Crossway and Luke at Mothlight on developing this video. Jesus has been tempted in every way as we have -- yet without sin (Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16). Keep fighting sin!
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Joseph Kim Apr 01, 2011
After a recent Session meeting related to our finances, the Elders of Holy Trinity Church stepped out in faith and great vision to establish a fund that effectively launches our new Trinity Center for Church Planting and Renewal (TCCPR). The new Center’s vision will be to see Gospel transformation and expansion through new church development outside of Holy Trinity Church itself. We’re looking forward to developing a family of churches, further deepening our participation with The Chicago Partnership for Church Planting (collaboration of other Gospel-centered churches in the city), training church planters, and being involved in Gospel renewal of legacy churches in the city. Praise God for his faithfulness and vision! Exciting times ahead—stay tuned for more info as the TCCPR develops!
Oscar Leiva Mar 25, 2011
God's Flashlight
We feel so blessed and honored to take God's Word to the people here. God's Word is a "lamp", right? A more modern term would be a flashlight. Matt and I have talked many times about the church being a "light on a hill" and that we sometimes feel like we are God's "flashlights" going into the trenches and the caves looking for those who need light. That is exactly what our ministry is. We go every week to two different towns and share God's Word with some very needy people. We never know what we are going to run into. They are inundated with dark problems such as abuse, suicide, prostitution, hate and drugs. This last week, we went to do our study at Emi's house just to find out that two of the people had had a huge fight. They were yelling at each other and the atmosphere was full of insults. Neither wanted to take the first step at reconciling. After talking with them for about an ...
Arthur Jackson Mar 07, 2011
In the spring of 1987 I received a phone call that changed the course of my life. On the other end of the phone was an energetic African-American church-planting pastor talking about a church that had been planted (and was growing!) on Chicago’s west side. At that time the Rock Church was 70% black and 30% white; furthermore, this mixed group of believers was “on the ground” preaching and practicing the gospel. By the time the conversation ended I was intrigued enough to want to see firsthand what was going on in the Austin community of Chicago.
Now, after nearly 23 years of ministry in Chicago I find myself in my third multi-ethnic church. As with the other two congregations, not everyone looks like me. At Holy Trinity Church, my wife and I are among the minority. At times we are challenged; that goes with the territory but we are committed because we share our lives with likeminded believers who are dedicated to multi-ethnic ministry in this city.
Why ...
Grant Hensel Feb 18, 2011
The idea for encore emerged during the summer of 2009 when, one night after dinner, my dad challenged me to start a resale store. I've always been interested in business, (I recently built a website for students taking AP Exams, called http://etestnotes.com/). After being given the idea, I wrote a business plan and presented the idea to the Elders of Holy Trinity. We had seen a model that worked before since some of our elders helped launch Twice is Nice. The elders in turn recommended that we start the store through Hope for Chicago (Holy Trinity’s Mercy and Justice not-for-profit), which had the framework and vision that made Encore possible. Encore evolved through a number of Hope for Chicago discussions, but the dream really started to make progress after we hired Kristi Brockway to be the store's manager. Kristi found retail space for Encore to rent and did everything, from buying ...
Jon Dennis Feb 15, 2011
PREACHING:
We are sometimes asked this great question, “Why do you preach the way you do at Holy Trinity?” Here are a few (10) beginning reasons:
1. We are gospel-centered because everyone needs the gospel (Romans 1:14-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5).
2. We are city-focused because God has called us (not everyone) to live in the city and to work and pray for renewal here (Jeremiah 29:5-7; Jonah 4:11; Acts 18:10; 19:8-10).
3. We are Christ-exalting because in the end, God is only honored through Christ (John 14:6).
4. We ...
Catherine Anderson Feb 15, 2011
Encore is starting to generate a positive press buzz. A few weeks ago, we were featured in Kenwood High School's paper, an article is planned for the Lab School Paper, and following is a link to an article that was in The Chicago Weekly last week.
Thank you for your prayers and your support.
http://chicagoweekly.net/2011/02/09/higher-attire/
Jonathan Gilley Feb 08, 2011
The first thing that the Bible reveals about anything – even before it tells us about God's love, justice or power – is that God is creative. “In the beginning, God created…” The next 55 verses go into great, poetic detail about the joy that God took in creating the universe. The rest of the Bible highlights it again and again – God is a Creative Artist preoccupied with beauty.
Living in Chicago, we have the privilege of sharing in this creative beauty through a wellspring of live music. Whether it’s at The Old Town School of Folk Music, Symphony Center, Schubas, The Cultural Center, The Jazz Showcase, or a neighborhood coffee shop, we can experience musicians, not just simply imitating creation, but imitating incarnation – making truth tangible.
All of which reminds us that Jesus is preoccupied with our spiritual beauty. He took our filth upon himself so that we could be spotless. He became ugly so that we could ...
Joseph Kim Feb 07, 2011
With the North Side congregational launch just over a year ago along with a number of urban transitions, Downtown has had the faithful service of our current Deacons: Kevin Yohpe, Michelle Koedoot, and Shannon O’Neill. However, just this past Fall 2010, a number of members of our congregations underwent a membership nomination, training, examination, and approval by the Session to be candidates to the office of Deacon. We thank God for:
Luke and Jaymi Raad,
Katina Geiser,
Sarah McLaughlin,
Val Uhle.
Jeremy and Rebecca Kirk
Members from all four congregations of Holy Trinity Church will vote to approve these candidates along with others from the North Side. Please pray for these brothers and sisters with gratitude that God’s will would be ...
Joseph Kim Feb 07, 2011
Jonathan Gilley is Director of Music and Worship Arts for the Downtown congregation and Associate Director of the Fusion Concert Series. He is passionate about leading Gospel-centered worship in urban city-centers and loves church planting. He is an active bassist in the Chicago music scene as well as being a composer in various genres, including the writing of new songs for worship. He earned his Bachelor's degree at the Eastman School of Music and his Master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music. His music is currently published by Redeemer Music in New York City.
Prior to coming to Holy Trinity Church, Jonathan directed music and worship at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, City Church of San Francisco, The Village Church in Greenwich Village, and Grace Presbyterian Church of the North Shore. As a speaker, he has led seminars nationwide on the power of the centrality of the Gospel in corporate worship.
He ...
