Stories from Today
Read a Story
Enjoy stories from our present day members about why they enjoy being a part of this community of faith.
- “Surviving Cancer”
- “Finding God”
- “Power of Prayer”
- “Timely Sermon”
- “Guiding Principles for Life and Death”
- “Our Welcome Place”
Share a story
If you have a story, share it with us: Share Story.
Stories…
Click on the link to watch a video that tells the story of how Jennifer overcame her struggle with cancer and found a new beginning in life. The video shows pictures of her family, some of which are at worship. Click here: One in a Million. [Top of page]
For a long time I had no hope that I would ever find God. I called myself agnostic, all the while searching for answers. I had a lot of doubt and lack of direction in my life. I sought meaning, love, and acceptance, but couldn’t find it in my life at the time. The vague “belief in some higher power somewhere” thing that was popular with my peers at the time didn’t feel correct. I couldn’t accept that God would create the universe without continuing to be an active part of it. I couldn’t accept that Jesus was just a nice guy and teacher that coincidentally changed the world. This is when I first saw the light of something better to put my faith in.
When first invited to Cross of Glory, I was still full of doubts. I really began to hear the voice of God through music here at Cross of Glory. Music has the ability to strip away the mundane and open your ears to the sublime. Once I began to see that God was real and involved in my life and our world, I wanted to know more about him and God as Jesus. I became a little bit like a fan. I started listening to the scriptures and sermons and began asking questions (a lot of questions). I bought an actual Bible (yes, believe it or not). I found passages that I really liked and that really spoke to me. I felt God’s presence in the words and how they reflected in my world.
As a father of a single son, I cannot fathom the horrific pain and sorrow God had to face surrendering his only son to save us. Frankly, we never deserved that sacrifice. This pain and suffering is something that can never be minimized, and He did it for us.
In my family life we have had to deal with many serious issues, at times it seems like they come one after the other. I’ve found hope through this church because it helped me find the voice of God. I don’t think true hope can exist without God’s presence. [Top of page]
Tammy Skowron:
I want to share my God moment with you. The Sunday before my cancer surgery almost 3 years ago, a member of Cross of Glory approached me at church and suspected something was wrong. Well of course I started crying and told her I was having surgery the next day for lung cancer. A short time later she asked if my husband and I could stay after service.
We went into the prayer chapel and a hand full of people were there I had seen at church but did not know personally. I was overwhelmed. These strangers were praying for ME. Wow! My husband and I weren’t even members.
I will never forget that experience and their kindness in my time of need. That meant so much to me. This congregation came through for me. I could feel the Holy Spirit in that room that day and the next day and the days after my surgery. God took baby steps with me as I had to walk everyday to get back my resistance, first 1 minute then 2 minutes, etc.
I took 2 things into surgery with me that day: 1) the Lord by my side guiding the surgeons hands; and 2) Isaiah 41:10. This was my God moment and as usual he has not let me down. With the support of my husband, my family, friends, and wonderful doctors I survived. But we felt the most comfort from that prayer in that chapel that day. My husband and I so love our church and the church family. [Top of page]
Hello Pastor PJ,
I am aware of God’s presence in my life every day. Let me tell you my awareness of God’s presence, today.
Before I went to church, I passed by my bed stand. This is where I keep the rocks that we received during the Women’s Retreat. I walk by these rocks every day. Today, I felt moved to put one rock in my pocket. I have not put one in my pocket since I got them in October.
One rock had the word “Trust” written on it, and I thought the other read “Believe”. I contemplated for only a moment and decided to put the “Trust” rock in my pocket.
At church, I sat next to a woman whom I have known for a long time. Before service started, she shared something that is troubling her and explained how God showed her He was guiding her, this week. Then, your sermon started and you got to the point where you talked about the rock that a member of the congregation shared with someone else. I pulled the rock out of my pocket and thought about God’s clever ways.
I gave my friend my rock and told her how it came to be in my pocket. I asked her to trust that God is watching over her family and continue to pray. She was thrilled and thought of someone she would pass it on to. [Top of page]
I’d like to Take One Moment to share some thoughts with you. In trying to think of what to say I knew that “Thank You” was just not enough, so I thought I would use Cross of Glory’s 5 Guiding Principles.
The 1st Guiding Principle is Jesus Is Lord.
The day of Tom’s accident completely changed my life and the lives of so many others, but as my friend Karen drove me to Loyola Hospital while I made those most difficult calls to my children & family, I felt the presence of the Lord with me.
The week that Tom spent in the hospital is so bittersweet. As we suffered, watching Tom fight for his life, I was overwhelmed by the love that surrounded us. A constant flow of family & friends reinforced what I had already known, which is that I am so very blessed. I FELT the loving arms of God around me and this love helped me to get through a week that I know if I had to go through alone would never have been possible. This only strengthened my faith & knowledge that—Jesus Is Lord.
The 2nd Guiding Principle is Everyone Is Welcome.
Robin and I know first hand that from the very first Sunday we entered Cross of Glory we were welcomed into a brand new family. By experiencing this we are able to be open & welcome to anyone who has ever come into our lives. The nurses, doctors & social workers had to have seen this within our family as we sat for hours & days in Loyola’s waiting area. We were surrounded constantly by people who took time out of their lives to support & comfort us. We laughed, cried, prayed, and Pastor PJ & I even sang at Tom’s bedside. We welcomed everyone who came to the burn unit and we encouraged every visitor to go and talk to Tom because we KNEW he could feel the presence of family & friends. Everyone was welcome – a lesson reinforced by this place and by God.
Cross of Glory’s 3rd Guiding Principle is We Have What the World Needs.
The moment friends & family got to Loyola & learned the seriousness of Tom’s accident, offers were made to help in whatever way was necessary. We were told that Tom would require several surgeries if he pulled through & that he would most definitely require blood transfusions. There were selfless offers of so many who were willing to donate their blood. Although we knew that it was unrealistic to think that Tom would actually receive the blood given by our loved ones, we knew that somewhere, others had given of themselves to help him if he needed it. Today we give back to help someone who is in need of help – Each person here has given selflessly because: We Have What the World Needs.
Everyone Has Something to Offer is the 4th Guiding Principle.
Although not one of us could have helped Tom medically, there was not a single person present that week at the hospital, or who has been here for us since, who didn’t offer to help to take some of the emotional burden off my shoulders. I am so grateful for the help I received after Tom’s passing. I didn’t waste one minute before I searched for help (I think Tom was pushing me). I was not afraid or ashamed to ask. I received professional help & help through numerous support groups, but the greatest gift was that I was surrounded by constant love. Some may think that is not enough, however I believe that because of the love that Tom showed me and all those he knew, he helped teach us that: Everyone Has Something To Offer.
The last, and to me the most important Guiding Principle, is Love Changes Everything.
Tom’s passing at the age of 50 was something I could never have imagined. My life was forever changed on April 23rd, 2008. I don’t think anyone would have ever chosen this path, but I do know that I have become a stronger person, both emotionally & spiritually. A quote that I now keep on my fridge is from a book that I read after Tom was gone. It states: “Sometimes the richest things come into our lives from those places we would never choose to go.” So, I thank you for Taking One Moment to give of yourself so lovingly & selflessly, the way that God taught us and the way that Tom lived his life reminding us that: Love Changes Everything. Take One Moment to pass this love to others. Thank You! [Top of page]
My family and I have been members of Cross of Glory for a few years now. My family consists of my son Jacob Charles, my daughter Hannah Rose, and my beautiful and lovely wife of 17 years Marcia. I was born on the south side of Chicago some 49 years ago and was raised a Roman catholic, for which I was until about three years ago when I converted to Lutheranism.
For many years I tried to find a church that I would be happy with and that I could fit in with by being me and not someone or something that I wasn’t comfortable or proud of being part of. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being of another denomination, it’s that I didn’t feel it was a good fit for me. I bounced around from this church to that church, from this religion to that and wasn’t happy, sort of like the book “The Man without a country” I was “A man with out a church.”
That was until my brother-in law and sister-in law told us about Cross of Glory. They said, “You guys should really give it a chance. It’s probably what you guys are looking for!” So we gave it try, and you know what? From the very first sermon that day and the way we were welcomed by people that we had just met for the first time, we were hooked! How awesome is it to come into a place that you have never been to and be accepted for who you are and not for what they want you to be. To have someone that you never meet before come up to you and embrace you to their church and welcome you aboard was something that I hadn’t felt since I joined the army some 31 years ago.
The very first person that approached me was Tammy Mack, a totally wonderful and caring person. This was followed up by tie-dye Dan. Paul Niemeyer, my fellow history nut, was another person that I vividly remember.
These are just some of the memories that come to mind. It is memories like this and many more that make me proud to say I am a member of this church. It’s taken me a long time to find something that I am truly honored to be part of and that is Cross of Glory.
Because of this church and the people in it I have started to let GOD back into my life. He has fill a void that has been missing for many, many years. I mean I was alright before, but just getting by wasn’t enough. There had to be more … and there was. God gave his life for us. That is a very special and touching kind of love – a love that mustn’t go unanswered.
Cross of Glory helped bring God’s love back into this long lost person’s life and for that I am for ever grateful. What we have with Gross of Glory is something special and unique – that is people caring about people and not being embarrassed to spread God’s Word and care about their fellow man. I am a better person now then I was before.
I thank you all for giving me this chance to share what has been on my mind for a long time. I would ask that you approached someone that you haven’t seen in church before or someone that you haven’t seen in a long time, and approach them the way my family and myself were approached. Believe it or not, it will make a difference. It sure did with me! [Top of page]