Our Story PowerPoint

Our Story: 

Our Story Celebrating and Anticipating Grace Evangelical Covenant Church

In the Beginning… there were two churches: 

In the Beginning… there were two churches

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Maplewood Covenant Church 1892-1961 Image provided by Covenant Archives and Historical Library, North Park University, Chicago, IL

Sanctuary of Maplewood Covenant Church: 

S anctuary of Maplewood Covenant Church Image provided by Covenant Archives and Historical Library, North Park University, Chicago, IL

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1898-1961 Irving Park Covenant Church Image provided by Covenant Archives and Historical Library, North Park University, Chicago, IL

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Irving Park Covenant Church Renovations Image provided by Covenant Archives and Historical Library, North Park University, Chicago, IL

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Image provided by Covenant Archives and Historical Library, North Park University, Chicago, IL

Irving Park Covenant Church before 1940 fire: 

Irving Park Covenant Church before 1940 fire Image provided by Covenant Archives and Historical Library, North Park University, Chicago, IL

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$40,000 church fire —Only brick walls of the Mission Covenant Church of Irving Park remain after early morning blaze destroys interior, including $7,000 pipe organ.

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Final exterior renovation was completed nine months after the fire… complete with new stained glass and a new pipe organ!

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Despite the changes and improvements to both church facilities, with membership in rapid decline, neither church could continue on alone. T alks began about merging…

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The above questions were agreed on and in addition we had to come to an agreement on the practice of observing communion and if baptism should be a requirement for membership as both churches had different ideas on these matters. It was finally agreed that we would follow Irving Park’s practice of observing communion once a month and baptism would be a requirement for membership. Excerpt from final joint council meeting between Maplewood & Irving Park Covenant .

And then came “Grace”: 

And then came “Grace” “We will strive to make our ministry felt in the community as well as in the homes of members and friends of the church.” -Rev. Paul Peterson 1961 (during the first annual meeting)

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The “Grace Pace” served as one of the favorite communication tools within the congregation!

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Certificates of Promotion were given to children when ready to join a new level of learning at Sunday School. Notice the student’s name?...How about the teacher?

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Missional work and the leadership development of women in ministry also seem to be of importance to the early members and people of Grace. This article taken from the “Grace Pace” March 3, 1963 issue .

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Photo of the commissioning service for Janice Burss photo provided by Janice Burss

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“The merger …was still very fresh at that time and so there were often debates about which set of dishes would be used at church dinners or which communion table would be used at the Lord's supper. Nevertheless the church had a fine spirit and we have fond memories of our time there.” --Rev. Allen Widerquist pastor at Grace (1965-1970)

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Confirmation Class of 1970—Rev. Louis Jensen, pastor (served from 1970-1974) Photo provided by Denise Hopp Denise ( Mylander ) Hopp

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“It is awfully easy to look at the glories of the past and forget about the potential of the present and future…Instead of fondly looking toward the past, let’s focus our attention on the future and the way God will use our church in the future.” --Rev. John Peterson pastor at Grace (1975-1977) (quote taken from Rev. Peterson’s message shared on the church’s 15 th anniversary)

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Grace continued to move forward doing what they knew how to do best : w orking with children to raise up new leaders m aking improvements to the church facilities s upporting the mission work of the church

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Pictured to the right are Denise ( Mylander ) Hopp and her brother Rick. Rick is a Covenant Pastor who is currently serving as the Superintendent of the Midwest Conference. Photo provided by Denise Hopp

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Despite the good work going on, there was a continual decline in membership at Grace. I n the early 80’s there were very serious discussions of closing the church doors. The “faithful few” were becoming fewer and fewer and something needed to change!

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In 1986 the church called Stuart McCoy, who along with his family accepted this call to minister to and continue to grow the congregation. ( Wagner case study, 1993)

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Stuart and Holly McCoy began reaching into the North Park College and Seminary community to infuse new life into the church. The Grace community was growing and ready to move out into the neighborhood! In two years the membership jumped from 39 to 128! Rev. Stuart McCoy Pastor at Grace (1986-1996)

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Some faces you may remember…

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Photos provided by Mary Jane Dawson

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Photos provided by Mary Jane Dawson

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Photos provided by Mary Jane Dawson

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One of the most significant partnerships that began during this decade of ministry was with Luis Retamal . Within 18 months of its inception, Iglesia’s ministry grew into a whole new church! We celebrate with them in this 20 year ministry journey together! Rev. Luis Retamal

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In 1997, Grace Covenant Church called it’s first full time female pastor. During her pastorate, a tone of compassion, mercy and justice was beginning. This was clearly the person that God needed at Grace because another major shift was coming… Rev. Debra Gustafson Pastor at Grace 1997-2006

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Benjamin Akol , Graduation from NIU , 2009

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Through the “Lost Boys” experience the people of Grace began to answer the call of compassion, mercy and justice in other intentional ways through: FED @ Grace Conversation Café Justice with Grace

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Grace continues to journey and grow together! See how the people have changed over the years…

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The Abbey – Winchester Family

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The Dorman Family

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The Hancock Family

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Brian Masters

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The Oliver Family

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Danielle Brown The Ng Family

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The Hopp Family

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Wilma Mylander

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Dorothy Hansen (Tom’s mom) Harry & Ione Nelson

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From the Faithful of Yesterday… Nina Larson

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Larry Hansen (Tom’s Dad)

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Mona O’Reilley (Susan Ripka’s mom)

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Jewel Kirkpatrick

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Jerry Reed

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The Faithful of today…

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We continue to grow deeper in Christ & further in his mission!

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God continues to move! H ow will we continue to be part of his story?