My visit to First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville
s I was beginning to despair of finding more egalitarian options to explore, the thought occurred to me that I ought to contact Perry Downs, whom I mentioned in the comments a few weeks ago. Perry had said to me at the Trinity Society of Women meeting that he was in favor of the ordination of women and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville which is part of the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.)—the mainline denomination I attended from the time I was 16 until I was about 20. Attending mainline churches as an evangelical can be rather hit-and-miss depending on how liberal the local congregation is, but I figured that if the Associate Dean for Doctoral Education at TEDS goes there, they must have a decent evangelical faction.
Besides, just look at that picture of Perry. Doesn’t that look like an awesome person to go to church with? Don’t even try to say “no” to that question. If there’s one thing evangelicals and Mormons can agree on, it’s the fate of liars.
So, here are some details about First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville:
- They have two women serving as associate pastors, Rev. Roberta Dodds Ingersoll and Rev. Amy Morrison Heinrich. See their staff page for bios. The women seem to be regularly cycled in to give the Sunday messages along with the male pastors.
- They hold two different services simultaneously on Sundays at 10 AM, a contemporary service in the Chapel and a traditional service in the Sanctuary. According to Perry, the traditional service features “robed clergy, organ, choir – just like Jesus envisioned!” Alas, I am the sort of person who prefers contemporary stylings (sorry Jesus!), but I think the dual-service offering is a brilliant way of accommodating different tastes.
- They serve Communion monthly. This was good to learn as my old PCUSA church only did it quarterly.
- Being Presbyterians, they are of course, Calvinists. I guess nobody’s perfect.
So I found my way out to Libertyville and met Perry and his wife, Sandy, in the foyer. They introduced me to the children’s program director and showed me where Harley would be playing and learning during services, then we headed off to the Chapel for the contemporary service. I also managed to meet three of the churches four pastors that morning, including both women.
The contemporary service was perfect. It reminded me very much of the Presbyterian church I used to attend in Washington state, which is great because I loved that church. The music was upbeat but appropriately worshipful and they even did a Caedmon’s Call song, “This World.” Rev. Roberta Ingersoll was conducting and Rev. Luke Hyder led worship and gave a sermon on embracing the “least of these” in service to Christ.
After the service, there was cake, fruit and punch in the social hall in honor of one of their ministers who is moving on, so I had a slice of cake and grabbed a cup of fruit for my daughter, who merrily devoured it after I picked her up from her father’s church. What better way to a person’s heart than food?
First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville could definitely work for us. I will pray and deliberate this week on which two or three churches I want to re-visit and have Paul visit, but I think I’m done visiting new churches at this point. It’s going to be either DeerGrove Covenant Church,Church of the Redeemer or First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, but I can’t say right now which one it will be. I’ll let you know when I decide.
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My visit to First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville — 6 Comments