LIFE TRANSITIONS
WEDDINGS
We celebrate the love found between two people! Love is from God. Whether you’re a member or not, whether you are LGBTQIA+ or not, whether you are Christian marrying someone of a different faith tradition or not, you are welcome to have your ceremony blessed by God here at Resurrection.
Our Pastor has worked with clergy of other denominations and faith traditions and specializes in Jewish-Christian ceremonies. Please contact the Pastor directly via email at pastor@resurrection-oakforest.org for availability.
Click below for our wedding information form.
BAPTISM
When you choose to be baptized, we believe it is an outward sign of an inward call of the Holy Spirit to have a relationship with you in a more profound and personal way.
When you choose baptism for your child, it is because you wish to give that same gift of an intentional relationship with God, vowing to raise your child in the ways of Christ.
When the church affirms baptism, we say “yes” to the spiritual gifts of God in a person’s life and we stand with you as they emerge, grow and manifest themselves in the world.
Baptisms are arranged on a person-by-person basis. Baptisms can happen anytime within the year and are especially suited for Easter vigil (night before Easter).
Each adult or parent(s) of an infant/child candidate for baptism meets with the Pastor and your chosen sponsors for a one-time discussion about baptism, the community of faith, the role of sponsors and the vows to be taken.
Click below for our baptism information form.
FUNERALS
When one loses a loved one, not only is there confusion over what to do next, but grief and pain accompany the very difficult process of saying good-bye. At Resurrection, we serve families at the funeral home as well as in our sanctuary for both the wake and the funeral service.
Our Pastor meets with the family to design a unique and personal homegoing service celebrating the life of the deceased. Following this difficult moment in time, we also offer times throughout the year for grieving families to remember their loved one – June (Summer Blues Service), All Saints Day (1st Sun. in Nov) and December (Blue Christmas Service).
Click below for our funeral planning guide and worksheet.
NEW MEMBERS
Each of us are on a journey to be an authentic image of who God created us to be. When the time comes to seek our highest spiritual and human self, church membership, fellowship, and discipleship become necessary on that path. That is…becoming a seeker of experiences, knowledge, and practices that form us into a follower of the “Way” of Jesus the Christ.
Joining a church is not a spectator sport – it’s not about the one hour you spend on a Sunday or weekday evening at a worship service. It is about learning a life direction/orientation that affects the way you live in this world – what you trust in, whether you are loving, gracious, generous, and forgiving, and whether you know your worth because of what God says to you or whether you listen to what society says of you. Joining a church is about relationships – with yourself, with God, and with others.
Classes are scheduled as people express interest in taking the next step to a life with Jesus, his family of faith, and his mission of loving all creation. This is but the beginning…
CONFIRMATION /
Affirmation of Faith
Many of us have been baptized as a little baby as a gift of our parents to us. They vow to raise us in the family of faith, teach us the tenets of the faith, and help us take our place as a faithful person in the world.
As often as an infant baptism happens so does the gradual movement away from those vows. Often the church – through its Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Children’s church and youth groups – assist parents in educating children about their relationship with God, themselves, and others.
However, if dis-connection with the church happens, this congregation offers both Confirmation studies (a year of formation training for those younger than 21) and an Affirmation of Faith pathway of 3 sessions for those over 21.
