Worship

Join us daily from 11-11:20 a.m. (CST/SDT) during the Fall and Spring semesters to receive strength from the Lord and His Word, especially His Gospel promises. This is considered Sacred Time as the Lord of Heaven and Earth stoops down to serve us. To encourage our campus community to receive His extraordinary gifts, this time is set apart for a special purpose—no classes or meetings are scheduled.

During morning chapel, we make joyful use of the church’s rich liturgical tradition, which serves as a beautiful and reverent vehicle for God’s Holy Word. The gifts and talents of CUC’s accomplished and excellent music faculty, students, and occasional visiting ensembles, serve to adorn God’s Word and to embellish our praise of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Concordia University also enjoys strong relationships with the pastors and congregations of the Northern Illinois District LCMS and the wider Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Many of these LCMS pastors serve as guest preachers during daily chapel, alongside the University Chaplain and other ordained members of CUC’s faculty and staff.

Christ died for all and desires all to know Him and receive His salvation. Daily Chapel, therefore, is for all students, faculty, and staff! Members of the community are also warmly welcomed.

On Sunday mornings, there are usually no services in the Chapel of Our Lord. Instead, students are encouraged to receive God’s gifts together with God’s people at one of the many local churches in the area. We believe that this further edifies both the students and the congregations they attend.

For students unable to drive, the University Chaplain arranges and schedules a group of university vehicles to provide transportation to several Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) churches.

A schedule of the available options is posted at the beginning of each semester on the bulletin board outside the Chaplain’s study (Kretzmann 270) and near the entrance to the chapel.

There are many other Christian churches, both Lutheran and non-Lutheran in the River Forest and Oak Park communities. The University Chaplain is happy to assist any student in finding a church that aligns with his or her confession of faith.

Occasionally, special services are conducted on Sunday mornings in the Chapel of Our Lord. These will typically be announced beforehand to the CUC community.

• Compline is prayed each Monday night at 9:45 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters. This student-led service is one traditionally prayed at the close of the day.
• Vespers is prayed each Tuesday night at 9:45 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters. This student-led service is one traditionally prayed in the evenings.
• Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper or Holy Eucharist) is celebrated each Wednesday night at 6:20 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters. The service is conducted by the University Chaplain or another ordained pastor.
• Evening Prayer is prayed each Thursday night at 9:45 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters. This student-led service is one traditionally prayed in the evenings.
• Prayer and Praise is held each Wednesday and Sunday night at 9 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters. This is led by the Prayer and Praise Ensemble, and students are invited to a time of word, fellowship, prayer, and praise.

It emphasizes the importance of worship as the very heart and center of all college activities. The Clara and Spencer Werner Auditorium is a symbol of the Christian use of the arts in the service of God and His people.

The ecclesiastical appointments of the chapel emphasize the importance of the proclamation of the Word of God and the celebration of the Sacraments. Carved from Botticino marble, the altar, baptismal font, lectern and pulpit remind us of the solid foundation upon which our faith is based, namely, "the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20).

The design of the building permits its use either for worship purposes or for a variety of musical and dramatic productions.

The Organ

The Schoknecht organ was built by Wilhelm Zimmer & Sons and designed by Paul Bunjes. It was repaired and refurbished in 2004 to better meet the needs of near-constant use by University students and faculty. The organ has 52 ranks with 2,791 pipes.

The Christ Sculpture

The bronze Christ Sculpture on the building's exterior shows the resurrected Christ. The lower portion displays the open tomb. The Christ figure is depicted with arms extended in victory and in blessing. Above and to the right of the figure is the sun representing the statement of Malachi 4:2: "The Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings."

The Windows

The north chancel window symbolizes the Holy Trinity. There are no predominant symbols other than the color of white representing the Father, the cross representing the Son and the color of red representing the Holy Spirit.

The east chancel window depicts the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the graduates. Represented are the graduates and various scenes symbolizing teaching, the family, the spread of the Gospel in the world and service to the needy. The descending dove, together with the flowing of red color throughout the window, represents the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's people.

The south sanctuary window represents "the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). The five figures symbolize the five races of men—all redee