Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church sits on Torrence Avenue in Sauk Village, a small community in southern Cook County near the Illinois-Indiana border. The congregation describes itself as "A Family of God Following Jesus," and the rhythms of weekly worship are matched by an unusually busy set of community ministries - a Saturday food pantry, a thrift store that funds it, and two recovery groups - that make the church a steady presence in the neighborhood.
Sunday Worship at 10:30 AM
Each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM, the church gathers at 22515 Torrence Avenue for a single blended service that draws on both traditional and contemporary music, along with variety in the spoken acts of worship. Pastor Jeff Hale leads the congregation, and the service is livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person. Recordings of full services are kept online for catch-up viewing.
The church is multi-generational and racially mixed. Visitors are warmly welcomed: "No matter how your family defines itself and especially if you don't have a family or a safe place to call home, you are welcome in the family of God called Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church. We are a multi-generational, racially mixed Family of God and we are your neighbors." A Plan Your Visit page lists the address, Sunday time, and phone number so newcomers can arrive prepared.
A calendar of special services rounds out the year. A Thanksgiving Day service called "Our Litany of Thanks" is held each November, and Advent is marked by a sermon series - "At Just the Right Time" was the theme one December - that traces God's providence from creation to the coming of Christ. Epiphany brings a three-week focus on God's glory in Jesus, and Easter Sunday is celebrated with a 10:30 AM worship gathering. Monthly Evening Prayer is held on the third Sunday of each month at 6:00 PM as a quieter time of prayer between services.
What Emmanuel Believes
Emmanuel holds to the historic beliefs common to the Christian church worldwide. God, who is sovereign over all, created all things and called them good, entrusting human beings - made in his image - with care for the world. Sin entered through humanity's rebellion against God and has tainted every part of creation, yet God graciously preserves the world and holds all things in his care. The Holy Spirit continues that creative and restorative work, gathering people from every tongue, tribe, and nation into the body of Christ and empowering them for service. The Bible is the authoritative, Spirit-breathed Word of God, fully reliable for leading believers to know God and walk with Christ.
The church affirms three ecumenical creeds - the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed - along with three Reformed confessions: the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort. Together with these historic documents, Emmanuel also recognizes the Belhar Confession, a call for unity, justice, and reconciliation, and Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony as Reformed expressions adopted by synod.
Our Daily Bread Food Pantry
Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to noon, the church opens Our Daily Bread Food Pantry to provide supplementary food for residents of Sauk Village and neighboring Lynwood, Illinois. Visitors need to bring a photo ID with proof of residency on each visit. Volunteers run the pantry and can earn community service hours while working alongside others, and the ministry regularly welcomes new hands. The pantry is a tangible expression of the church's heartbeat for its neighbors and the wider community.
The Emmanuel Thrift Store
Right next door - at the west end of the food pantry building - the Emmanuel Thrift Store is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. The shelves carry household furniture, seasonal clothing, shoes, children's toys, school supplies, kitchen items, and more. Gently used donations are accepted during operating hours, and pick-ups of furniture or large items can be arranged by phone. Proceeds from sales support Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, so a Saturday shopping trip directly funds the food that goes out the door.
Addiction Recovery on Zoom
For those seeking recovery from an addiction, the church hosts a 12-step Christ-centered recovery group that meets virtually on Saturday mornings over Zoom. The meetings draw on a long-standing Christian recovery tradition and are open to anyone seeking help, regardless of where they live.
Co-Dependent No More
Co-Dependent No More is an open discussion group for women who share a close relationship with an addicted person. It meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM at the church, providing a regular midweek space to share, listen, and pray together.
A Heart for Missions and Prayer
Each year the church sets aside several Sundays for a Missions Emphasis that highlights partners serving around the world. Past guests have included representatives from Sunset Solutions, Mission Aviation Fellowship, and the Multiplication Network - organizations that put faith into action in places that are hard to reach. Prayer also runs through the year as its own discipline: a 32-day prayer challenge called "Draw the Circle" has gathered the congregation around a sustained rhythm of intercession, and the monthly Evening Prayer on the third Sunday keeps the church attentive to God's leading.
Getting Connected and Giving
The church's giving page points people to an online giving platform, and checks can be mailed directly to Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church at 22515 Torrence Avenue, Sauk Village, IL 60411. The office can be reached at secretary@emmanuelcrc.com or (708) 758-3343. Visitors who want a low-key introduction can drop by the thrift store or food pantry on a Saturday morning, then join the 10:30 AM worship the following Sunday - and sign up through the church's newsletter to receive regular updates from the pastor.