Staff and Church Leadership
The Reverend Greg Sabetta was called as our pastor in February of 2023. In a previous life, he was a professional musician and has been directing the music for the Jewish High Holy Days at Emanuel Congregation for 20 years. He convenes a knitting group for men and his knitwear has been featured in an art gallery. Pastor Greg takes an incarnational approach to his sermons and ministry in general, constantly attempting to understand how the ancient narratives we’ve inherited can be faithfully applied to our living today. Favorite quote: “Pray as if everything depends on God. Act as if everything depends on you.” (Attributed to Augustine of Hippo)
Robin Smith is our office manager and has been with us for over 20 years! She is the friendly, welcoming, efficient face of our congregation and she has all the answers! Email Robin here.
Our search for a settled Director of Music is currently in progress. Please contact Pastor Greg for more information.
WELCOME
The members of Faith Community United Church of Christ greet you, and thank you for visiting our website. We are a congregation of caring and loving people who together are committed to be the embodiment of Christ’s loving and compassionate ministry in the Bensenville community and beyond. This is a church where all are welcomed to share with us in experiencing (or discovering for the first time) what it is to be a faithful follower of Jesus the Christ. While we know that we are not perfect, we do try to be loving and welcoming to everyone who joins us in striving to find a better relationship with Jesus, each other and our world.
Whether you are just visiting the Bensenville area or are exploring our village churches in search of a new faith community to call your home, we hope that you will consider Faith Community United Church of Christ. You are always invited to drop in and experience our worship celebration with us on Sunday morning, and to learn more about what we have to offer you.
Summer Sermon Series: The Lord’s Prayer
AUG 20, 10am
“Lead Us Not into Temptation” | Food Pantry Sunday
Genesis 3:1-8 | Matthew 4:1-11
AUG 27, 10am
“Get Behind Me, Satan!” | Guest Preacher Lesley Beulow
Psalm 138 | Matthew 16:21-28
SEP 3, 10am
Series Conclusion: “Amen” | Communion Sunday
Matthew 6:5-15
Faith Community United Church of Christ
and the
Fox Valley Association of the Illinois Conference
of the United Church of Christ
are pleased to invite you to the
Pastoral Installation of
The Reverend Gregory Sabetta
Sunday, October 15 at 10am
Guests include The Rev. Molly Carlson, Illinois Conference Minister,
Dr. Scott Haldeman, Professor of Worship at Chicago Theological Seminary,
Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman, Senior Clergy at Emanuel Congregation
along with the High Holy Day Choir under the direction of Pastor Greg.
Upcoming Events
Faith Community United Church of Christ
and the
Fox Valley Association of the Illinois Conference
of the United Church of Christ
are pleased to invite you to the
Pastoral Installation of
The Reverend Gregory Sabetta
Sunday, October 15 at 10am
Guests include The Rev. Molly Carlson, Illinois Conference Minister,
Dr. Scott Haldeman, Professor of Worship at Chicago Theological Seminary,
Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman, Senior Clergy at Emanuel Congregation
along with the High Holy Day Choir under the direction of Pastor Greg.
ADULT LEARNING SERIES
Each session explores a foundational element of our faith
in a casual, conversational forum facilitated by Pastor Greg.
SEP 24: Worship and Sacraments
OCT 1: Overview of the Bible
OCT 8: The Hebrew Bible
OCT 22: The Christian Scriptures
Snack & Chat
Join us after worship in Dettman Hall for… snacks and chat.
Members and friends volunteer to host our time together.
If you’d like to volunteer, there’s a sign-up on the Great Hall bulletin board
or see Cheryl Ruchti.
Food Pantry Sunday
Food Pantry Sunday is the third Sunday of each month.
We are proud to house and support the Bensenville-Wood Dale Food Pantry in our facility.
Greetings from Rev. Greg Sabetta
Early church reformer John Calvin said that we’re all ministers and the pastor’s function is to restore God’s people to ministry. As we embark our new ministry together, I look forward to meeting you and finding ways to engage our mutual ministry, to be a force for good, and to be God’s hands of compassion and healing in our community and in our world. Together we can continue to do great things!
August 2023
This time of year, is often called the dog days of summer. It’s not necessarily because dogs are more lethargic in the heat, but because the constellation known as Canis Major (Dog Star or Sirius) is most prominent in our hemisphere right now, and is associated with elevated temperatures. When temperatures elevate, sometimes tempers do the same.
That’s why I think of August as a month to take care of myself, my family, my community, and to be more sensitive to how I interact with those around me. I find that I’m better equipped to take care of others—to see the face of God in them when I take better care of myself.
August is American Adventures Month. This is news to me, but it sounds like a good way to take care of ourselves and have some fun, perhaps an opportunity to try something new. There seems to be a special observance for almost every day of the month, but here are a few I found interesting:
Aug 1: DOGust 1st, Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs.
Aug 2: National Coloring Book Day. Everybody loves to color!
Aug 6: Farmworker Appreciation Day. Shop your local Farmer’s Market.
Aug 10: National Lazy Day. Enough said!
Aug 14: Love Your Bookshop Day. Support your local bookstore.
Aug 20: National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day. Brilliant, right?
Aug 22: Be an Angel Day. Be gentle, be kind, take care.
Happy August! Stay cool, have fun, try something new. And, of course, we pause to give thanks for the blessings we have received, and pass those blessings onto others.
Here’s where you’ll find us
Faith Community United Church of Christ
192 South Center Street | Bensenville, IL 60106
630-766-1141 | office@faithcommunityucc.com
Mission Moment
HOLY WELCOME
[Jesus said:] “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:40-42
These are the very last words in the stirring and challenging set of instructions that Jesus gives to the disciples before he sends them forth to heal and to drive out evil. Their task is daunting, to go from town to town, carrying nothing with them. As they go, they are to speak to anyone who will listen, of Christ’s healing and saving power. Jesus warns them this task will be difficult and at times even feel divisive. If anyone does not listen to the disciples, they are to shake the dust of that place from their feet and move on, preaching and teaching to new people. Jesus ends his instructions by reminding his followers that those who welcome them welcome Christ among them, and those who welcome Christ among them will find their way to God.
These words continue to ring out for our denomination as delegates gather in person for the 34th United Church of Christ General Synod in Indianapolis, Indiana, under the theme, Making All Things New. During this time, attendees and delegates have the opportunity to fully live Jesus’ welcoming vision. Like the disciples, they are encouraged to speak the truth of Christ’s healing and life-giving presence. Like those who encountered the first disciples, sometimes that truth can feel challenging or even divisive. But Christ calls General Synod attendees to both speak and listen anyway.
This speaking and listening happens at General Synod this week over committees with clear agendas, in less formal conversations in hallways and parking lots, in worship and workshops, over vendor tables and, of course, in the main assembly, where all delegates gather to pray, deliberate, listen, and speak. We do all this because Christ continues to assure us that where our words are welcomed, God is present. And when we can discern God’s presence, we can better sense what God is calling us towards.
As the 34th General Synod draws to a close, we thank God for the opportunity to follow these old instructions as we Create A New Thing!
Faith Community United Church of Christ
is a congregation of the Fox Valley Association
of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ.
E-Giving
You can now set up your offerings to be made directly to the church from your checking or savings account, eliminating the need to write a check. Offerings can be made at any time and to whatever ministry of the church that you choose (i.e., General Fund, Building Fund, Christmas, Easter, church missions). You can set up your offerings weekly, monthly, or at any interval you choose.
Our partner in e-giving is Vanco Services. Vanco is the financial technology company that has been chosen by the United Church of Christ. It provides secure electronic giving to more than 10,000 churches. Your information provided to Vanco Services is safe and is kept strictly confidential.
Vanco is integrated with our church software, and your offerings are automatically recorded in your giving record. It eliminates the need for our church office to manually record your offerings.
If you have any questions, please call the church office at 630-766-1141