Welcome to LOV

Our worship gatherings are on Sundays from 10:15 to 11:45am. 

We are located at 5105 N Arlington Heights Rd, Long Grove, IL.  


First Sundays of the Month: All-Age Worship Services

Because we value being an intergenerational family, once a month we plan a special intergenerational worship service. Children ages 2+ stay with us for the whole time rather than going to their classes midway through the service, and we often experience a story or spiritual practice together. We start with a breakfast potluck, but if you're visiting with us, no need to bring anything. We've got you covered!


All Other Sundays of the Month: Regular Worship Services

Children ages 2-5 start off in Blossoms Class

Children ages 6-12 join the worship service at the beginning

And then travel to Children's Worship together after the scripture readings


We're a friendly community and we're glad you may want to visit! Our hope is whether you stay for just one Sunday or continue to attend, you'll encounter Jesus within our doors.


It's difficult to remain invisible in a small church community like ours. Somebody will likely welcome you and introduce themselves and give you a small handout that describes the order of our Sunday worship.  Grab a cup of coffee or tea!  And keep reading below for more details about what you can expect on a Sunday morning...

What to Expect

Visiting a church for the first time can be a daunting experience! Here are some things that will hopefully help you feel comfortably prepared.

  • An eclectic style: Our liturgy and our music are crafted using resources from throughout church history: some ancient hymns and prayers, and other more recently written songs and prayers composed just this week for our specific church community.
  • Facing the center: We sit "in the round" with a large table in the center of the room from which we serve communion each week. There isn't a stage or platform - and this is intentional! We've found that when we worship facing one another around the Communion table, we aren't being formed into passive spectators watching a show. Instead, we are formed into a community with Christ at our center.
  • Art and symbol: God redeems our imaginations as we learn how to live as new creation. You'll notice art on the walls and objects on our worship table that point us to who God is and what we believe He's up to in this world.

Read more about our worship liturgy.


Communion


We observe communion every Sunday.  


You are invited to come up and receive the bread and the juice from a server. We take the bread and the juice "by intinction" - which is a fancy way of saying that as you are offered the bread and cup by the Eucharist server, you can tear a piece of bread off the common loaf, then dip it into the juice and eat it together. When the server offers you the bread and juice, they will say, “The body of Christ broken for you, and the new life in Christ’s blood.”  We also have gluten-free wafers available at each station.
 
Communion is open to all who have been baptized at any age. Those awaiting baptism are still welcome to come forward to the table and receive a blessing. Cross your arms over your chest (an ancient expression that communicates you would like to be prayed for) and a prayer blessing will be offered for you. You are also welcome to remain in your seat if that is more comfortable for you.


What Should I Wear?  


Feel free to dress in whatever way is comfortable for you.  We dress casually. Jeans and a t-shirt are normal.  

What about kids?

We love being an intergenerational family at Life on the Vine!


If your kids choose to stay with you throughout the service, know that we believe children are fellow worshippers with us, and we embrace all that children bring: their wonder and curiosity, as well as their distractedness, noise, and chaos! Jesus says that anyone who receives a little one in his name, receives him. We also have activity bags with legos and small whiteboards to help keep little hands busy as the kids listen along and participate.


If your children would prefer to join one of the children's classes, children over the age of 4 join us for the first part of our worship service before they continue together in another room. Children under the age of 4 are dropped off in their classes before the worship service begins and rejoin the service just before Communion. 


On the first Sunday of every month, we have an All-Ages Worship Service. All children 3 years old and up remain in the sanctuary. This service typically involves reading a children's book and opening up a time of discussion that engages both the children and adults.


To learn more about our Children's Ministry, go here.