August 6, 2015
by Eric Rivera
| Tags: Mission, Food, Real Community, Always on Mission, 100, 100 Campaign, meals
With our 100th Sunday approaching on August 30th, we're setting a goal as a church of connecting with 100 people who are far from God or not a part of a local church. We envision this taking place over a cup of coffee in the evening with an old friend, on your lunch break with a coworker, an intentional invite to The Brook while on the bus with someone you started a conve...
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July 21, 2015
by Eric Rivera
| Tags: 100, The Brook 100
As we approach our 100th worship service at The Brook on August 30, 2015, we begin our 100 Campaign on July 19 revisiting what it means to see Jesus exalted in our lives, our marriages, our friendships, our singleness, our trials, our joys and our community Join us for the journey! www.thebrookchi.com
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June 29, 2015
by Eric Rivera
| Tags: Love, Gospel, Hope, Joy, Marriage, Homosexuality, Mercy, Grace, America, Sex, Sexuality
The God of the Bible is a good God, who is infinite in his worth, supreme in his love, and breathtaking in his compassion. He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart and supply us with lasting joy, forgiveness, and eternal hope. With him as the hope for humanity and the delight of the Church, we are faced with a historic day in our nation as it pertains t...
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June 10, 2015
by Eric Rivera
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Category:
ROOTED | Tags: Light, Gospel, Pornography, War, Purity, Bible, Darkness, Holy, Fight, Grey, Scripture Memory
I was in Jr. High the first time my eyes saw pornography. In God’s grace, he’s rooted out the image from my mind but the scenario is still there. I wasn’t looking for it, but it found me. I was heading into my classroom at school when a classmate had a picture in his hand and literally put it right in front of my face and then ran off. One of the most sobering lesson...
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June 9, 2015
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Prayer: Talking With God | Tags: Prayer, Pray, Thirsty Prayers, Talking With God
Prayer is that precious gift of direct communication with God. It's what Jesus did on the mountainside. It's what Jesus made possible by his death and resurrection. It's what Paul told us to do "without ceasing." It's what Hannah did in her time of need. It's what Jonah did from the belly of the fish. It's what David did, while hiding in caves. It's what Paul did on behalf...
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March 18, 2015
by Eric Rivera
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Easter | Tags: Forgiveness, Gospel, Hope, Peace, Easter, Jesus is Alive, Resurrection Sunday
On April 5 we will celebrate the glorious fact that Jesus is alive! If Jesus didn't raise from the dead, then our faith is in vain. "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead," writes Paul, and because he lives, we want to tell the world around us about our great hope in Jesus. This Easter, we are having two Easter services at 9am and 11am to double our praise and s...
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March 16, 2015
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Family Fun | Tags: Youth, teens, high school. jr high
BREAKAWAY Youth All-Nighter is April 11-12 for grades 6th-12th!
We'd love to see all of The Brook's youth at this event. Let us know if you're interested in coming. The night will include food, Cosmic Bowling, Odyssey Fun World, and activities like rock climbing and b-ball at Lifetime Fitness. To get the early rate of $40 you have to sign up by March 27. Otherwise it's ...
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January 19, 2015
by Eric Rivera
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Uncategorized | Tags: Martin Luther King, Gospel, Healing, Diversity, Racism, Race, Christ-Exalting Diversity
At The Brook, we are grateful for the many ways God used Martin Luther King, Jr. to advance racial equality through peaceful and yet sacrificial means. He was a courageous man who, among other things, cared deeply about something that God cares deeply about, Christ-Exalting Diversity.
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January 11, 2015
by Eric Rivera
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ROOTED | Tags: Jesus, Holy Spirit, Church, Ephesians, Grow, Maturity, Rooted, Deep, Attributes of God, Christian Life, Sovereign, Father
The tree with weak and shallow roots will crash in the storm.
The tree that is properly rooted is unshakeable.
Beginning this Sunday, at The Brook we'llsink deeply into the riches of who God is, what He's done, and why that matters for your life. If you're without a church home or exploring the Christianfaith, or you know of someone who is, we would love to get know...
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December 4, 2014
by Eric Rivera
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Vintage Christmas | Tags: Christmas, Hymns, Emmanuel, Israel
Thoughtfully read the words of this great hymn and you'll see a heartfelt cry to God that the Savior of the world would come. ...
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