User:Vnazaruk/Ukrainian Christian Pentecostal Church (Bensenville, Illinois)

Ukrainian Christian Pentecostal Church is located at 644 South John Street in Bensenville, Illinois.

About

The congregation consists of Ukrainian immigrants that have come from different places and different times, they are still coming into the church membership to this day. People come to this church to find their meaning in life while being able to worship and serve God in a safe place. The title of the church does include the word Ukrainian, but there are translators and some services are preached in English for the non-Ukrainian speaking Christians that are looking for a place to strengthen their faith.

The younger generations have a role and a place in the church too. There are Sunday school classes most every Sunday starting from kindergarten to middle school groups. High school students participate in a Bible Study class where there are more serious discussions that go in depth to help them find their answers from the Word of God. High school eventually stop going to the Bible study class towards junior and senior year. They are more able to interpret the Bible so they sit in church listening to sermons. Along with that they join youth group.

The youth group has a wide range of ages, it starts from about age 16 and goes to 30 (usually youth leaders). The youth group is a place where younger generations can get together to learn about the Bible and worship. Every Friday they put preparation efforts into leading a Sunday church service, these are held every first Sunday of a new month.

The church also has Baptisms for those who have come to a mature age and are able to decide for themselves if they would like to take the first step in becoming a member of the church and accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Once that decision is made the person is called up in front of the church with others that have decided to take baptism and they get blessed and prayed for during the first few months of the year. The deacons eventually stop calling people up and begin Sunday morning baptism classes for those that chose to take the step. These classes start in May and go until July. At the end of the class every student is called in individually to talk to the pastor and elders. They answer a few questions that were taught during the classes and clarify intentions for taking baptism. If the intentions are pure and clear the deacons bless the student. A service is held at Round Lake for the students where they dress in white, sit through a service, and then get immersed under water being accepted into the church membership and the body of Christ.

In addition to youth group there is a church choir. They gather every Saturday for practice and rehearsals. If you someone has come to a mature age and has the motivation to work on their vocal talents they are welcome to join choir. There is an even wider range of ages in the choir, all that matters is that the people that join have a willingness to sing for the church on Sunday services and shows up for rehearsals on Saturday.

Weekly Schedule:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: Nothing

Wednesday: Prayer (7-8:30 PM)

Friday: Youth Group (8:30-10 PM)

Saturday: Choir Practice (7-8:30 PM)

Sunday: Morning Service (10-12 AM) Evening Service (6-8 PM)

History

The church congregation began in the year of 1962 in Chicago. Senior Pastor Harry Matviiv started up the first Ukrainian Christian Pentecostal Church in a different church but had bigger, better plans. Then the Pastor of the congregation gathered enough funds from collection days to be able to pick up and move to build a church in Bensenville in the year 1982. Many changes were made to the previous building in order to fit the members of the church and to qualify as a safe building. The construction began some time in 2002, there constant renovations and additions made to the old building. The people a part of this building were members of the church. Both women and men were able to contribute to the church building process. All the hard work and time put in finally came to an end in November, year 2009.

Annual Events

Every year there are special services for certain holidays. More people from out of state show up, family and friends come together to celebrate holidays as a united church. There is more participation from all generations in the church for holidays. The Sunday School teachers prepare their kids for verses, songs, and skits. Other people from the church volunteer to either preach, sing or say a verse. The adult and sometimes youth choir participates in the service if they have prepared something. After some major holiday services the church hosts a lunch in the basement with plenty of food an drinks for members and guests, it is the time for friendly connections and socialization with people who share the same beliefs.

Holidays: New Years Eve, Ukrainian Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Baptism, Ukrainian Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

In addition to this the church has encounters outside of the building. For holidays such as, labor day and memorial day friends and family get together in a park where they barbecue, play volleyball or soccer, go fishing, and spend the day socializing.