LaGrave Live

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 07-05-2026 The Way of Wisdom: A Teachable Spirit About The Service: We will continue our summer sermon series called The Way of Wisdom. Pastor Manion will be focusing on Proverbs that show us the value of learning and receiving feedback from others. Her sermon is entitled "A Teachable Spirit." Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-7-5-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The June special offering is for Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund: Part of Pine Rest Foundation Fund offering financial assistance for individuals, families and children who need care. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Learning to Love Correction: Wisdom, Humility, and the Teachable Spirit Summary A Service Framed by Wisdom and Grace The service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church opens with worship, welcome, and a reminder that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is present with the congregation. The morning centers on wisdom, correction, humility, and the grace of being restored when one has wandered. The call to confession draws from Matthew 18 and James 5, emphasizing that correction is not meant for shame or exclusion but for reclaiming one another in love. Confession That Breaks Pride Open The confession acknowledges the ways people resist wise correction, ignore the community God provides, and cling to pride. The assurance of pardon from Ezekiel 11 promises a new heart and new spirit, replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. The worship language presents repentance not as humiliation but as an opening to God's mercy and transforming work. Prayer for a Church and Nation in Need of Holiness The pastoral prayer reflects on creation, sin, national life, and the need for God to purify and remake his people. The congregation prays for those recovering from surgery, those receiving treatment, those in nursing care, and families grieving recent deaths. The prayer also recognizes the nation's anniversary while placing ultimate trust not in earthly governments but in God's sovereignty. A Children's Lesson from the Recipe for a Sweet Life The children's message uses cake ingredients as a picture of instruction. Some ingredients taste sweet by themselves, while others are bitter, yet all can work together in a recipe. In the same way, children are told that parental guidance can feel pleasant or unpleasant, but loving instruction helps shape a good life that honors God and blesses others. The Sermon: Receiving Correction Without Fear The sermon explores Proverbs on rebuke, discipline, and teachability. It contrasts wounded responses to correction with a wiser posture that sees every Christian as a lifelong learner. The preacher names the damage caused when abuse is mislabeled as discipline, while also challenging the opposite tendency to resist apology, accountability, and change. Three Pathways Toward a Teachable Spirit The sermon offers three pathways: see yourself first as a learner, seek trustworthy people who can offer wise feedback, and receive God's correction as an expected expression of divine love. Correction is compared to gold when it comes from a wise and loving source. The message closes by grounding human change not in self-improvement or shame but in Jesus, who loves people enough to redeem and transform them.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Powers, Principalities, and the Promises of God About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on Ephesians 6:10-20. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The June special offering is for Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund: Part of Pine Rest Foundation Fund offering financial assistance for individuals, families and children who need care. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Stand Firm in the Armor: Faith, Children, and the Promise That Christ Already Reigns Worship Rooted in God’s Sovereign Grace This LaGrave Live church service from LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church opens with a call to worship from Psalm 145, praising God’s greatness and the way one generation commends His works to another. Reverend Peter Jonker then frames the evening around the book of Ephesians, beginning with readings from the opening chapter. He highlights three major proclamations: that believers are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, that God’s plan is to unite all things in heaven and earth under Christ, and that Christ already possesses power above every rule, authority, power, and dominion. Prayer for Children, the Vulnerable, and the Congregation The service includes a congregational reading from Our World Belongs to God, followed by an evening prayer centered especially on children and young people. Reverend Jonker thanks God for the gift of life and prays for children living in poverty, hunger, war, conflict, neglect, and abuse. He also prays for the church’s own children’s ministries, including Kids Hope and youth ministry leadership, asking that LaGrave’s children feel known, loved, and formed within God’s love. The prayer also lifts up members of the congregation who are sick, in hospice, grieving, or otherwise in need of comfort. The Armor of God and the Reality of Spiritual Struggle The sermon is based on Ephesians 6:10–20, where Paul tells believers to be strong in the Lord, put on the full armor of God, and stand against the devil’s schemes. Reverend Jonker describes Paul’s picture of spiritual warfare as vivid and serious: on one side are the powers of darkness, spiritual forces of evil, and flaming arrows; on the other side are ordinary believers wearing the armor of God. He emphasizes that this struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual forces that work against God’s people. Passing Faith to the Next Generation To bring the passage into ordinary life, Reverend Jonker focuses on the struggle to pass Christian faith to the next generation. He cites demographic concerns about the growing number of religiously unaffiliated people, often called “nones,” noting the rise from small percentages in previous decades to much larger numbers today, especially among younger generations. He mentions research from Ryan Burge and describes the concern many churches feel as they wonder how to help children, grandchildren, and young adults remain connected to faith, worship, Scripture, and the Christian community. Principalities, Powers, and the Culture That Shapes Young People Reverend Jonker explains that the spiritual battle is not primarily against individual neighbors, critics, or young people who reject religion. Instead, he says the battle is against deeper powers and systems that shape culture. Drawing on Christian Smith’s Lost in Transition, he names several forces affecting younger generations: moral relativism, rampant consumerism, intoxication or escapist experience, sexual confusion, and radical individualism. He describes these not merely as isolated choices, but as cultural forces that sweep people along and make it harder for young people to receive and live within the Christian faith. Warning Without Fear Although Reverend Jonker takes the struggle seriously, he warns against panic. He places Ephesians 6 in the larger context of Ephesians, where Paul confidently proclaims that believers are chosen by God, that Christ reigns above every power, and that God’s plan to bring all things under Christ cannot be stopped. He cites C.S. Lewis’s warning that people can give the devil either too little credit or too much credit. For Jonker, the church must be vigilant without becoming fearful, protective without becoming overly sheltered, and confident that children ultimately belong to the Lord. Standing Through Prayer, Truth, Love, and Presence The sermon closes by returning to the armor of God as a practical pattern for faithful living. Reverend Jonker describes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit as ordinary but powerful practices: teaching the faith, telling the truth, doing justice, bringing peace, praying, worshiping, and staying present with the next generation. He recalls research from the Fuller Youth Institute suggesting that one of the strongest predictors of faith continuing in a child’s life is having several caring adults in the congregation who know, love, and pray for that child. The message ends with encouragement: keep praying, keep loving, put on the armor, and stand.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 06-21-2026 Small Things with Great Love About The Service: June 21 is SERVE Sunday! Pastor Jonker will be leading us in worship, and his sermon will be based on Job 5:9. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-6-21-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The June special offering is for Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund: Part of Pine Rest Foundation Fund offering financial assistance for individuals, families and children who need care. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Faith, Service, and the Hidden Strength of Love A Service Shaped by Surprise and Surrender The service opens with a welcome to LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church and a special greeting to the Serve Week participants from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan. The worship leader introduces the theme "Surprised by God," inviting the congregation to consider whether God's unexpected leading brings joy, anxiety, or both. The opening reflection calls worshipers to confess the ways they rely on their own understanding instead of listening to the Spirit's guidance. Confession, Grace, and the Spirit's Guidance The congregation joins in a prayer of confession, acknowledging sin in thought, word, and deed and asking God to correct their lives. The assurance of pardon is drawn from Ephesians 2, emphasizing grace as God's gift and reminding the congregation that they are created in Christ Jesus for good works. The pastoral prayer continues this theme by asking God to consecrate the congregation's lives, hands, and wills for service. Prayers for Service, Healing, and Trust The prayer section lifts up the Serve team as young people and leaders prepare to serve the local community. It also remembers missionaries Daniel and Priscilla Cummings and prays for health-care work in Angola. Several members and loved ones are named in prayer for recovery, surgery, deep brain stimulation treatment, and strength for a premature baby named Oliver in the NICU, with the worship leader framing these concerns as acts of trust placed into God's hands. Encouragement for Children and Serve Participants Ms. Rachel leads the children's message by explaining encouragement as saying or doing something that helps someone feel supported, joyful, or happy. She connects encouragement to the Serve participants, who will be pulling weeds, building, cleaning, and serving food during the week. The children practice encouragement by waving and saying, "You can do it," and the congregation reminds the children that they are loved by Jesus. Naaman, the Servant Girl, and Two Kinds of Power The sermon centers on 2 Kings 5:1-6, focusing not on Naaman's public power but on the unnamed Israelite servant girl who points him toward the prophet in Samaria. The speaker describes Naaman as a man of military influence, wealth, and status, then contrasts him with a young captive girl who has endured trauma, displacement, and servitude. Despite her suffering, she holds onto faith and speaks with compassion toward the very household connected to her pain. Small Acts of Love as the Strongest Gift The sermon argues that the servant girl's faith and love reveal a deeper power than status, money, or military strength. Her words lead Naaman toward healing and a changed heart, showing that small acts done in love can carry the power of God's kingdom. The message closes by applying this lesson to the Serve participants and the broader congregation, urging everyone to serve with hope, love, and the strength of the risen Lord.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Questions and Answers 6-14-26 About The Service: LaGrave member, Rev. Laurie TenHave-Chapman, will preach from Acts 8:26-40, a passage that reminds us that there are many who are looking for Jesus as the answer to their deepest questions. We will also celebrate the Lord's Supper together. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The June special offering is for Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund: Part of Pine Rest Foundation Fund offering financial assistance for individuals, families and children who need care. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Who Will Teach Me About Jesus? Questions, Witness, and the Spirit’s Unexpected Appointments A Service Framed by Mission and Worship This live evening worship service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church opens with worship language drawn from Psalm 96, calling the congregation to sing to the Lord, declare His glory among the nations, and worship in the splendor of His holiness. The service includes a welcome to those gathered in the sanctuary and online, and a warm introduction of Reverend Lori TeneHape Chapman, a LaGrave member, as the evening preacher. Because this is a worship-service transcript, the music portions appear heavily distorted by transcription and should be treated only as musical segments rather than reliable lyrical text. A Confession of Faith and a Prayer for Missionaries Before the sermon, the congregation reads from the contemporary testimony “Our World Belongs to God,” focusing on the church’s mission to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, and free the prisoner. The pastoral prayer then expands that mission focus globally. The congregation prays for missionaries and ministries in North America, Haiti, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Africa, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India, Peru, and other regions. The prayer asks God to bless those serving students, children, families, churches, special-needs communities, and unreached or difficult mission fields. Philip, the Ethiopian, and the Question That Opens the Door The Scripture reading comes from Acts 8:26–40, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The passage tells how an angel directs Philip to the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he encounters an Ethiopian official reading from Isaiah. When Philip asks whether the man understands what he is reading, the Ethiopian responds, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” Philip then begins with that passage and tells him the good news about Jesus. When they come to water, the Ethiopian asks what prevents him from being baptized, and Philip baptizes him. Searching for Truth in a Confusing Culture Reverend Chapman begins the sermon with a memory of seeing a billboard for a cannabis company using religious language: “church,” “cannabis,” and “baptism by fire.” She reflects on how jarring those words felt together and uses the example to raise a larger question about how Christians engage a pleasure-seeking culture filled with confusing messages. She connects this to Pilate’s question to Jesus, “What is truth?” and reminds listeners that Jesus is the one who called Himself the way, the truth, and the life. Ordinary Time and the Growth of the Church The sermon then places the congregation in the church season of Ordinary Time, represented by the color green and associated with growth. Reverend Chapman explains that after Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and the giving of the Holy Spirit, the disciples spread out like seeds, preaching, teaching, and planting churches. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian becomes a picture of that Spirit-led growth: not only through large crowds, but through one unexpected person in one unexpected moment. The Ethiopian as an Unlikely but Prepared Seeker Reverend Chapman describes the Ethiopian official as educated, wealthy, powerful, and spiritually curious. He had traveled a great distance to Jerusalem to worship, had access to Scripture, and was reading aloud from Isaiah. Yet he did not understand the passage about the suffering servant. Philip, freshly coming from fruitful ministry in Samaria, is sent not to another crowd but to one individual. The sermon emphasizes that Philip obeys, runs alongside the chariot, listens, and becomes available to explain Jesus. The Interruptions Are the Ministry A central theme of the sermon is that ministry often comes through interruptions. Philip does not treat the Ethiopian’s race, nationality, rank, or difference as a barrier. Instead, he recognizes that the Spirit has called him to be present. Reverend Chapman suggests that, just as Jesus often showed, the interruptions are the ministry. Philip’s readiness allows the Ethiopian to hear the gospel, understand Isaiah in light of Jesus, and receive baptism with joy. Jesus, Questions, and the Art of Opening Hearts Reverend Chapman reflects on the many questions Jesus asked during His ministry. She notes that Jesus often answered questions with questions, not to be evasive, but to open people to deeper understanding. Good questions, she says, can challenge, comfort, confront, and reveal love. The sermon quotes T.S. Eliot’s line about being prepared for the stranger who knows how to ask questions, connecting it to the Christian calling to ask questions that help people examine their lives, their assumptions, and their need for Christ. “Who Will Teach Me About Jesus?” The sermon then shifts into a personal story from Reverend Chapman’s chaplaincy work in a locked unit. After a man angrily left a spiritual-growth group, she followed him to apologize. Instead, he apologized and then asked, “Who will teach me about Jesus?” She learned that he had struggled with mental illness, addiction, the loss of his marriage and custody of his children, and a painful upbringing in which he was often blamed. Yet he also described moments when he believed God had rescued him and said he had sensed a prompting to “learn about Jesus.” Being Ready When the Spirit Has Already Been Working Reverend Chapman compares that man to the Ethiopian seeker. In both cases, the Holy Spirit was already at work before the teacher arrived. Her role, like Philip’s, was to listen, understand the person’s story, and explain Jesus in a way that could be received. She reminds the congregation that not everyone will say out loud, “Who will teach me about Jesus?” but many people are searching silently. Christians must be ready to listen well, ask honest questions, and speak clearly about the hope within them. Communion, Benediction, and the Assurance That Jesus Is Enough The service continues with prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, remembering Christ’s body given and blood shed. The transcript’s music sections after communion are again heavily garbled, but the service clearly includes responsive words from Psalm 103 and Revelation 5, praising the Lord who forgives, heals, redeems, and crowns His people with love and compassion. The final blessing sends the congregation out with confidence in the God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. The central message of the service is that Jesus is the answer to the deepest questions, and the Spirit continues to place believers alongside those who are ready to hear.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 06-14-2026 In the Hands of the Living God About The Service: We welcome Pastor Shawn England to our pulpit. Shawn is a commissioned pastor at Celebration Fellowship CRC and a regular LaGrave attender. He will preach on Hebrews 10:26-31 with the message "In the Hands of the Living God." Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-6-14-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The June special offering is for Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund: Part of Pine Rest Foundation Fund offering financial assistance for individuals, families and children who need care. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC When God Is Good but Not Safe: Grace, Judgment, and the Call to Faithful Living A Worship Service Rooted in Grace and Confession The service opens with music, welcome, and a call to worship at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. The worship leader welcomes members, visitors, and delegates attending the Christian Reformed Church Synod, while also introducing Pastor Sean England as the morning preacher. The early portion of the service emphasizes God's grace, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the congregation's need for confession and forgiveness. New Members Welcomed into the Church Family The congregation welcomes new members Mark and Judy Mulan and Isaac Kerr. Mark and Judy are described as having discovered LaGrave through the livestream during COVID and as having a background in ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Isaac is introduced as a Calvin student who spent much of his life in Korea and is seeking to grow in faith and understand Christian life in the United States. Prayer for Healing, Grief, Renewal, and the World The congregational prayer draws on Psalm 145 and repeatedly returns to the theme that the Lord is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love. The prayer includes concerns for members facing surgery, recovery, grief, cancer treatment, and spiritual wandering. It also widens to include war, unrest, Christians in Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, Cuba, aid organizations, local ministries, missionaries, and the Christian Reformed Church Synod. A Children's Message on Sin and Forgiveness The children's message uses pencils with worn-down or missing erasers to explain sin, confession, and God's forgiveness. The worship leader contrasts ordinary erasers, which eventually wear out, with God's mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness, which never run out. The congregation then joins the children in singing "Jesus Loves Me" as a reminder that believers are weak but Christ is strong. A Hard Scripture from Hebrews The sermon begins with Hebrews 10:26-31, a difficult passage about deliberate sin, judgment, and falling into the hands of the living God. Pastor Sean England frames the passage through C. S. Lewis's image of Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia: not safe, but good. The sermon explains that Hebrews was written to early Jewish Christians tempted to return to a safer, more familiar religious life under pressure from the Roman world. The Living God Who Changes His People The sermon argues that faith in Christ cannot be reduced to comfort, safety, or cultural accommodation. The preacher warns against ignoring the Spirit, looking away from injustice, and choosing convenience over faithfulness. Yet the message does not end in despair; it emphasizes the great cloud of witnesses, the sustaining church community, Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, and the promise that God changes His people into who they were meant to be.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Follow Me About The Service: Rev. Manion will preach from Matthew 9. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The June special offering is for Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund: Part of Pine Rest Foundation Fund offering financial assistance for individuals, families and children who need care. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Follow Me: Reverend Kristy Manion on Mercy, Discipleship, and Jesus’ Call to Matthew LaGrave Live Opens with Worship This LaGrave Live worship service, titled “Follow Me,” begins with music, a call to worship, and a greeting of grace and peace. The congregation is invited to worship God as light, salvation, and the stronghold of life. The service frames worship as a time to seek God’s ways, gather in community, and listen for the Lord’s guidance. Reverend Kristy Manion welcomes those gathered in person and those joining by livestream, noting the gift of worshiping together in the warmth of the evening. Deuteronomy 30 and the Choice of Life The first Scripture reading comes from Deuteronomy 30:11–20, where Moses speaks to Israel before they enter the promised land. The passage presents God’s command as near, not unreachable, and sets before the people life and prosperity, death and destruction, blessings and curses. The reading emphasizes that a good life is found in loving the Lord, listening to His voice, holding fast to Him, and walking in obedience. This theme prepares the congregation for the sermon’s later question: what does it mean to follow Jesus into a life shaped by mercy? Confession and Prayer for the Church and World The congregation then joins in a confession that salvation comes by God’s grace through Christ, while good works flow from gratitude, renewal, assurance of faith, and witness to neighbors. Reverend Manion leads a pastoral prayer thanking God for creation, community, and worship, while also confessing fear, impatience, self-centeredness, and the tendency to focus on what is wrong. The prayer includes intercession for people suffering from war, displacement, illness, grief, hospice care, surgery recovery, new babies, baptisms, church leaders, and the upcoming Christian Reformed Church Synod. Matthew’s Call and Jesus’ Table Fellowship The sermon Scripture comes from Matthew 9:9–13, with additional verses from Matthew 9:35–10:4. Jesus sees Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth and says, “Follow me.” Matthew gets up and follows Him. Jesus then eats at Matthew’s house with tax collectors and sinners, which leads the Pharisees to question why He would share a table with such people. Jesus answers that the sick, not the healthy, need a doctor, and quotes the words, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Why Matthew’s Profession Matters Reverend Manion highlights that Matthew stands out among the disciples because he is identified by his day job: Matthew the tax collector. She explains that tax collectors were despised because they often made money by overcharging others and were associated with corruption, dishonesty, and exploitation. Matthew may have had money, but his profession also meant loneliness, social rejection, and moral suspicion. Naming him as a tax collector shows the kind of person Jesus deliberately called and welcomed. The Pharisees’ Concern and the Tension of Jesus’ Ministry The sermon carefully explores the Pharisees’ question. Their concern was not random; Scripture warns against walking with the wicked or sitting with sinners, and parents often give similar advice to children about choosing good companions. Reverend Manion acknowledges that this tension is real. The question becomes how faithful people discern when Jesus is calling them toward “Matthew’s house,” into complicated spaces where wisdom, mercy, and holiness must all be held together. Piety, Doctrine, and Transformation Reverend Manion introduces three Reformed emphases for engaging the world: the pietist, doctrinalist, and transformationalist accents. The pietist emphasis focuses on the heart’s devotion to God through prayer, worship, reflection, and service. The doctrinalist emphasis focuses on right understanding, Scripture, and truth. The transformationalist emphasis focuses on participating in Christ’s redeeming work in creation and culture. She explains that healthy Christian faith needs all three: heart, head, and hands working together as believers follow Jesus into the world. Mercy, Not Sacrifice At the center of the sermon is Jesus’ response: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Reverend Manion explains that Jesus sees Matthew not only as a sinner or social outcast, but as someone who could become different under the mercy of Christ. Jesus does not catch Matthew’s corruption; rather, Jesus becomes the cure. The sermon emphasizes that both Matthew and the Pharisees need mercy, though they may differ in how aware they are of that need. Jesus’ goodness spreads to sinners, and His call creates a new story for Matthew’s life. Darryl Davis and the Practice of Costly Mercy To illustrate this kind of mercy, Reverend Manion tells the story of jazz pianist Darryl Davis, an African American Christian musician who spent decades speaking with members of the Ku Klux Klan. His approach was kind, respectful, persistent, and often dangerous. He asked how people could hate him without knowing him and built relationships that eventually led many Klan members to give him their robes. Reverend Manion uses Davis’s story as an example of costly, person-to-person engagement that some might call foolish, but others might recognize as grace. Following Jesus with Wisdom and Courage The sermon closes by calling the congregation to follow Jesus into the places and relationships God brings before them, with curiosity, respect, kindness, wisdom, and mercy. Reverend Manion reminds listeners that Jesus called Matthew just as surely as He called the more respectable disciples, and that if Jesus could use Matthew, He can use ordinary believers too. The service ends with prayer, blessing, and the reminder to go into the week under the Lord’s peace, ready to encounter the people God places in their path.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Paul and the Agnostics About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on Acts 17:16-34 Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC The Known God in an Age of Uncertainty: Paul, Athens, and the Truth Found in Christ Reverend Peter Jonker Opens the Evening Worship Service In this evening worship service from LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, the primary speaker, Reverend Peter Jonker, welcomes the congregation and begins with a brief correction to the bulletin regarding the opening hymn. The call to worship comes from Psalm 61, where the psalmist cries out to God for refuge, shelter, and stability when the heart grows faint. This sets the tone for the service: a worship gathering centered on finding spiritual shelter, clarity, and confidence in God amid uncertainty. Faith, Shelter, and Ancient Words of Truth After the opening worship, Reverend Jonker introduces the theme of truth and how Christians can find truth in a world filled with opinion and confusion. He reads from 1 Peter 1:3–9, describing the early church as an “exile church” surrounded by people who thought differently from them. He explains that Peter’s words helped anchor believers in living hope, resurrection, inheritance, faith, joy, and salvation even during trials. The congregation then recites the Nicene Creed, which Jonker frames as ancient words that have anchored Christian faith for more than 1,700 years. Prayer Beneath the Shadow of God’s Wings The service includes a pastoral prayer built around the image of living and singing beneath the shadow of God’s wings. Reverend Jonker prays for shelter amid global conflicts, including wars in Sudan, Iran, and Ukraine, as well as conflict and cynicism within the nation. He asks God to help the congregation become people of faith, hope, love, and truth rather than fear, anger, and cynicism. The prayer also lifts up church members facing surgery, recovery, hospice care, cancer, mission work, and grief, including the sudden loss of Lori Vanderhardt. Paul in Athens and the Marketplace of Ideas The sermon text is Acts 17:16–34, where Paul arrives in Athens and sees a city full of idols. Reverend Jonker imagines the Athenian marketplace as both a literal market and a “marketplace of ideas,” filled with philosophers debating, gesturing, criticizing, and chasing the latest intellectual trends. He describes Athens as the Cambridge, Oxford, or Harvard of its day, but also as a place marked by intellectual boredom and weariness. The people were always looking for something new, not necessarily because they were open-hearted, but because they were tired of hearing the same old arguments. Epicureans, Stoics, and Modern Echoes Reverend Jonker explains that Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. He describes the Epicureans as materialists who believed the gods had created the world but no longer cared much about it, leaving people to pursue modest happiness and avoid excess. Jonker compares this to many modern Americans who may vaguely believe in God but mostly seek comfort, amusement, and personal happiness. He describes the Stoics as more pantheistic, believing in a divine life force within and urging people to go inward to find truth and stability. He connects this to modern self-focused spiritual language such as “live your truth” or “follow your dreams.” The Altar to the Unknown God A central image in the sermon is the Athenian altar “to an unknown God,” or agnosto theo, from which Jonker notes we get the word agnostic. He considers several possible meanings: perhaps the Athenians sensed their gods were insufficient, perhaps the altar was a kind of religious insurance policy, or perhaps it represented an altar to unknowability itself. Jonker leans toward the third possibility, describing the altar as a philosophical shoulder shrug from educated people who had heard every argument and no longer knew what to believe. Modern Idols to Agnosticism Jonker then connects Athens to the present day, arguing that modern people still build idols to agnosticism. He points to the rise of the religious “nones,” the influence of postmodernism, and the belief that truth is unknowable or merely a power game. He also uses popular culture examples, including Seinfeld as a “show about nothing” and the song “Some Nights” by the band Fun, whose lyrics ask, “What do I stand for?” For Jonker, these examples reveal a culture that often shrugs at truth, meaning, and conviction. Paul Proclaims the Known God Into this weary and cynical environment, Paul announces that the God they call unknown can be made known. Reverend Jonker explains that Paul’s speech is brilliant because it speaks to both Epicureans and Stoics. Paul agrees that God does not live in temples made by human hands and does not need human service, which would appeal to Epicureans. But Paul also says God is not far from anyone, and that in Him “we live and move and have our being,” which would resonate with Stoic thought. Yet Paul ultimately moves beyond both systems by proclaiming repentance, judgment, resurrection, and the man God raised from the dead: Jesus Christ. Truth Is Not Merely an Idea, but a Person The heart of the sermon is Jonker’s claim that Paul does not simply offer the Athenians another teaching or philosophy. Instead, he points them to a person. Jonker connects this with John 1, explaining that the Greek word logos had meaning within Stoic philosophy as an organizing principle of the universe, but John declares that the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us. Truth, Jonker says, is ultimately found not in winning arguments, mastering systems, or collecting ideas, but in Jesus Christ, the living Lord who calls people into relationship. Three Responses to the Gospel Jonker notes that Acts 17 records three responses to Paul’s message. Some people sneer and dismiss him as a babbler. Others say they would like to hear more, though Jonker wonders whether they still want to keep the conversation at the level of ideas rather than surrender to Christ. A few believe, including Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, and Damaris, along with others. Jonker presents this as the choice before hearers today as well: cynicism, endless debate, or faith in the risen Christ. Closing Prayer and Blessing The sermon closes with Reverend Jonker acknowledging that believers will always face gaps in understanding, disagreement, uncertainty, and fog because human beings are fallen and limited. Yet when he feels overwhelmed by uncertainty, he says he turns not first to ideas, but to the person of Jesus Christ, the one who shelters him and knows his name. He closes in prayer, thanking Christ for the shelter of His wings and asking that believers become truth-seeking people who point others to relationship with Him. The service ends with a blessing: that the Lord would bless, keep, shine upon, be gracious to, and fill His people with peace.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 05-31-2026 The Way of Wisdom: The Beginning of Wisdom About The Service: We will start our summer sermon series. This summer our sermons will all be drawn from the parts of the Bible that are considered Wisdom Literature. These are Bible books and Bible passages that address the practicalities of living in God's world. Pastor Jonker will begin the series with a sermon on Proverbs 1:1-7 where the teacher of Proverbs shares with us the place where wisdom starts. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC The Way of Wisdom: The Beginning of Wisdom Opening Welcome and a New Summer Focus The service opens with a greeting centered on Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, followed by a warm welcome to the congregation, online worshipers, and visitors attending for the baptism service. Announcements include hospitality details, coffee fellowship, and an invitation for visitors and new members to gather in the parlor after worship. The congregation is also introduced to the church’s summer sermon series, The Way of Wisdom, which will focus on biblical wisdom literature and its guidance for life in God’s world. Confession, Assurance, and the Theme of Wisdom The liturgical opening turns toward confession by connecting wisdom with surrendering control to God, drawing on Proverbs 16:9 and a responsive prayer from Psalm 119. The congregation prays for understanding, delight in God’s commands, and hearts turned away from selfishness and toward God’s statutes. After this corporate confession, the congregation hears an assurance from Psalm 37, reminding worshipers to commit their way to the Lord and trust him. This moment establishes wisdom not merely as intelligence or strategy, but as a life ordered under God’s care and direction. Baptism as Covenant, Family, and Promise A major part of the service is devoted to the baptism of three children: Grace, Arlo, and Joni. The presiding pastor explains baptism as participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, cleansing from sin, and entry into the covenant family of God. He places baptism within the larger biblical story, moving from God’s covenant with Abraham and the sign of circumcision to baptism as the New Testament sign of belonging to God’s people. The parents make vows to raise their children in the faith, and the congregation vows to receive, pray for, and nurture them, underscoring the shared responsibility of the Christian community. Prayer, Congregational Life, and Care for the Church Family The pastoral prayer reflects the life of the congregation by giving thanks for the newly baptized children, milestone birthdays, missionary service, and the birth of Catherine Marie VanEerden. It also lifts up members recovering from surgery, receiving rehabilitation or hospice care, and families facing grief after the death of Lori Vanderarc. Throughout the prayer, the church’s needs are framed through the language of walking faithfully with God and asking the Holy Spirit for courage, wisdom, openness, service, and gratitude. The prayer portrays the church as a community that celebrates, intercedes, and grieves together. Children’s Message and the Incarnation of Christ In the children’s message, the pastor reflects on the fragile nature of babies and uses the morning’s baptisms to help children imagine the humility of Christ. He explains how carefully one must hold a baby, especially the neck and head, and then observes that Jesus, who is mighty and powerful, willingly became that small and vulnerable. This becomes a simple but powerful lesson in the incarnation: Jesus became weak in order to be with humanity and save humanity. The message emphasizes that Christ fully entered human life, from infancy onward, out of love for his people. The Beginning of Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord The sermon begins the new series by asking what biblical wisdom is and distinguishing it from both moral law and abstract knowledge. Wisdom is described as practical, embodied, decision-making knowledge that operates in the complexity of real life, where rules alone are often not enough. The pastor then focuses on Proverbs 1:7 and explains “the fear of the Lord” as the beginning of wisdom, distinguishing punishment-based fear from affection-based fear. He argues that the fear Scripture commends is rooted not in terror, but in love, admiration, reverence, and the desire not to disappoint God. The sermon concludes by grounding this fear in grace, especially in the saving work of Jesus Christ, and presenting biblical wisdom as something that becomes life-giving only when it begins in humble relationship with God.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 05-24-2026 Portraits of Pentecost May 24 is Pentecost Sunday! Pastor Jonker will preach on Ephesians 4: 17-31. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-5-24-AM-Order-of-Worship1.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Portraits of Pentecost: The Spirit Who Breathes New Life Into Ordinary Places Pentecost Welcome and the Gift of the Spirit This LaGrave Live service opens on Pentecost Sunday with a welcome to in-person and livestream worshipers, a summer schedule reminder, fellowship invitations, and an explanation that Pentecost is the day when the church remembers and gives thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The liturgist frames the Spirit as the helper and advocate promised by Jesus, emphasizing that the Spirit still lives, moves, breathes, and transforms believers each day. Dry Bones, Confession, and New Life The call to confession draws from Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, inviting worshipers to recognize the ways sin can make people rigid, dry, selfish, and bitter. The congregation prays for the Holy Spirit to wash away sin, kindle the fire of God’s love, bend rigidity, and guide wandering feet into paths of peace. The assurance of grace then turns to the risen Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit on his disciples and saying, “Peace be with you.” Pentecost Prayer and Congregational Care The prayer portion of the service gives thanks for the Spirit’s presence, the long-range planning work connected to the community and service center, city leaders, and servicemen and women. The congregation also prays for members recovering from surgery, those receiving rehab or hospice care, families grieving loss, local ministries serving people in crisis or seeking employment, people affected by evacuations and a chemical explosion in California, and world leaders involved in peace talks. The prayer repeatedly asks the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into people, communities, and the world. Ephesians and Life Under the Spirit The Scripture reading comes from Ephesians 4:17–32, where Paul contrasts the old self with the new self created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. The passage calls believers to put off falsehood, speak truthfully, refuse to let anger become sin, avoid unwholesome talk, and be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. The sermon presents this reading as a portrait of what life looks like under the influence of God’s Holy Spirit. Grand Landscapes and Small Portraits of Pentecost The sermon explains that the Holy Spirit’s work can be painted in two ways: as a grand landscape of redemptive history or as a small domestic portrait of ordinary life. The preacher compares the first half of Ephesians to broad, dramatic landscape paintings and the second half to intimate Vermeer-like scenes. Pentecost can be understood as the Spirit moving through history, uniting Jews and Gentiles and expanding the gospel, but also as the Spirit quietly transforming conversations, forgiveness, kindness, and relationships. Truthful Speech, Forgiveness, and Compassion The sermon focuses on three smaller “portraits” of the Spirit’s work: truthful, vulnerable speech that shares joys and sorrows; quick forgiveness that prevents anger from fermenting into bitterness; and kindness toward vulnerable people. Examples include friends sharing grief and joy, a student whose struggle with math changes after forgiving a first-grade teacher, and a middle-school choir showing patience and compassion toward a distressed neurodivergent student. The message concludes that the Spirit moves not only in dramatic signs of wind and fire, but also at kitchen tables, in coffee shops, in classrooms, and in small acts of mercy.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - The Renovation of Simon Peter About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on John 21:15-19. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC The Renovation of Simon Peter: From Self-Reliance to Grace-Filled Service Worship Centered on God’s Renovating Grace In this evening worship service from LaGrave Live at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, the congregation gathers around the theme of change, repentance, and spiritual renovation. The service opens with words from Psalm 30 about God turning mourning into dancing and replacing sorrow with joy. Psalm 116 is also read, emphasizing the Lord’s compassion, deliverance, and ability to rescue those who cry out in distress. The minister introduces the sermon theme, “The Renovation of Simon Peter,” by explaining that renovation is one of God’s repeated works throughout Scripture and in the lives of believers. Repentance, New Life, and Prayer for Healing The congregation participates in a responsive reading about gratitude, good works, and genuine repentance, describing conversion as the dying of the old self and the rising to life of the new. In the pastoral prayer, the minister thanks God for the beauty of human life while acknowledging the mixture of sin, sorrow, illness, anxiety, grief, addiction, persecution, and spiritual struggle that people carry. He asks Jesus to have mercy and “renovate” the hearts of leaders, children, the sick, the imprisoned, those nearing death, and those mourning losses. The prayer presents sanctification as a process that may feel slow or confusing to people but remains clear within God’s timing and grace. Peter’s Failure and the Empty Nets The sermon is based on John 21:15–19, where the risen Jesus speaks with Simon Peter after the miraculous catch of fish and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” The minister imagines Peter fishing in the darkness with empty nets, feeling that his failure as a fisherman mirrors his failure as a disciple. Earlier in the Gospel, Peter had been energetic, confident, and eager to act for Jesus. He declared loyalty, resisted having his feet washed, promised to lay down his life for Christ, and drew a sword in the garden. Yet when confronted during Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied knowing him three times and was left broken by his own failure. Two Versions of Peter with the Same Spiritual Problem The minister explains that Peter’s confident stage and his broken stage may appear opposite, but both are centered on Peter himself. When he was bold, Peter focused on his performance, achievements, and ability to succeed for Jesus. After his denial, he remained focused on his performance, but now through disappointment, shame, and emptiness. In both conditions, Peter’s spiritual problem was self-reliance and preoccupation with how he measured up. The sermon suggests that believers can likewise make even good works about personal success, usefulness, failure, or reputation rather than about dependence on Christ. Jesus Confronts, Restores, and Reassigns Peter The heart of the sermon identifies three ways Jesus renovates Peter. First, Jesus confronts him gently but pointedly by asking three times whether he loves him, echoing Peter’s three denials and bringing his failure into the open. Second, Jesus restores Peter with the words, “Follow me,” repeating the call with which their relationship began and showing that Peter’s failure has not removed him from grace. Third, Jesus gives Peter a new task: “Feed my lambs” and “Feed my sheep.” Rather than offering Peter the heroic role he once seemed to desire, Jesus gives him a humble calling of faithful care and service. Empty Hands Made Ready for God’s Work The sermon closes by applying Peter’s renovation to the congregation. The minister says some people may be eager to do impressive things for God, while many others may feel discouraged, inadequate, or emptied by failure and disappointment. Yet emptiness may be exactly the place where God is ready to plant something new. Through a humorous imagined pastoral search committee evaluating flawed biblical figures such as Noah, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Jonah, Paul, and Judas, he illustrates that people often misjudge what true spiritual strength looks like. God regularly works through weakness, humility, and dependence. The final prayer asks Christ to uproot pride, fill believers with the Holy Spirit, and lead them by their empty hands wherever he wants them to serve.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 05-17-2026 The Frivolous Miracle About The Service: May 17 is our last Sunday with two services. For the rest of the summer there will be one morning service at 10am. We will celebrate communion so Pastor Jonker will preach on John 2:1-12, the story of the wedding feast at Cana. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-5-17-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC The Frivolous Miracle: Cana, Communion, and the Joy at the Table of the King Ascension Sunday Worship and the Reign of Christ The service opens on Ascension Sunday with worship, a greeting centered on the risen and ascended Lord Jesus, and the affirmation that Christ is risen. The liturgist welcomes the congregation, provides announcements about the final 10 o’clock hour before summer scheduling begins, and introduces confession through a psalm describing the holy life of those who dwell near God. The congregation confesses its failures and receives assurance that those once far from God have been brought near through Christ. Children Invited to the Table of the King In the children’s message, the leader asks the children to imagine King Charles arriving at their home for a meal, then turns the illustration toward Communion. Jesus, the children are told, is the ascended King who invites his people to sit at his table, feeds them, assures them of his love, and promises that they will one day feast with him forever. The image prepares the congregation for the service’s Communion emphasis. Prayer for the Church and Those in Need The congregational prayer praises Jesus as King over history, nations, creation, neighborhoods, churches, families, and individual lives. The leader asks God to strengthen people serving in difficult places, gives thanks for recent baptisms and a milestone birthday, and prays for grieving families, people facing procedures, recovery, and chronic pain. The prayer connects the ascended reign of Christ with the church’s present joys and burdens. Cana as a Miracle That Initially Seems Small The preacher reads John 2:1–12, the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. He admits that this first sign can appear less weighty than healings, deliverance from evil spirits, or the raising of Lazarus, because the immediate problem is that a wedding celebration has run out of wine. He therefore asks why John begins Jesus’ signs with a miracle that seems to rescue a party rather than confront a more obvious crisis. The Wedding Feast as a Foretaste of Final Joy The sermon answers by connecting the wedding at Cana with the wedding supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. Cana’s restored joy is presented as a foretaste of the everlasting celebration awaiting God’s people when death, sorrow, and evil are finally overcome. Before the disciples enter the conflict and suffering of Jesus’ ministry, he gives them a glimpse of the promised ending; in the same way, Communion gives believers a taste of final joy before they enter the difficulties of another week. Communion in Valleys, Solitude, and Daily Life The preacher illustrates Communion’s sustaining power through the account of an archbishop identified unclearly in the transcript as Francis Xavier, who celebrated Communion while imprisoned in Vietnam, and through pastoral visits bringing Communion to members whose worlds have grown smaller through isolation or illness. The table of the ascended King assures worshipers that their valleys do not define them and that their true home is with Christ. The service concludes with the Lord’s Supper and the blessing of the ascended King.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 05-10-2026 Making a Name for Ourselves About The Service: Rev. Kristy Manion will preach on Genesis 11 and we will celebrate baptisms at the 11:00 service. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-5-10-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Making a Name for Ourselves: Babel, Abram, and Learning to Trust the Name God Gives A Worship Service Centered on Trust The Mother’s Day service begins with sung praise, a greeting in the name of the triune God, and the Easter affirmation that Christ is risen. Worship leaders welcome visitors, announce opportunities to learn about church life and study Practicing the Way, and frame the morning around trust in God rather than reliance on human achievement, skill, or ability. Confession, Forgiveness, and God’s Name on His Children Using Psalm 62, the congregation confesses its tendency to build on sand rather than on God as its firm foundation and receives the assurance that God is rock, salvation, and fortress. In the children’s message, Kristi Renee asks what every person receives and carries through life, leading to the answer of a name. She connects personal names and baptism by telling the children that God places his name on them and brings them into one family. Mother’s Day Prayer and Congregational Care The service’s prayer recognizes Mother’s Day as both a time of gratitude and a time when strained relationships and unfulfilled hopes may be especially painful. The congregation prays for people experiencing cancer, unsuccessful treatment, hospice care, and bereavement, along with missionaries and service ministries. The prayer continually returns to dependence on God’s faithful care in an uncertain world. Babel and the Problem of Making a Name The sermon reads Genesis 11:1–9 and asks what troubled God about the city and tower of Babel. The preacher argues that Scripture is not anti-city; rather, Babel reveals people attempting to make a name for themselves and to reduce God to a manageable local deity who will serve their ambitions. Seen against Adam and Eve, Cain, and Noah, Babel becomes another instance of God interrupting destructive human self-exaltation. Graduation Season and Babel’s Continuing Appeal The preacher connects Babel’s temptation to graduation season and to life beyond it, recognizing accomplishments and supportive families while warning against the pressure to establish identity through achievement, status, school, company, family legacy, or personal goals. The sermon describes two misleading versions of Babel’s message: that everything depends on individual striving, and that God exists simply to bless whatever people choose to pursue. Abram, Jesus, and the Name God Gives The sermon turns to Genesis 12, where God promises Abram the very gifts Babel tried to grasp: a great name, a great nation, and blessing for all peoples. This promise ultimately points to Jesus Christ, whose name alone is strong enough to bear unconditional love and loyalty. The service closes by inviting worshipers to live in humble dependence on the God who has redeemed them, summoned them by name, and sends them with his blessing and peace.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - A Hopeful Future About The Service: Our worship service begins at 5:30pm. It is Graduate Night so there will be a part of the service where we honor our 12th grade graduates. Rachel Thorne will give the message and this will fulfill requirements for her Master of Divinity studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This special evening worship service at La Grave Church was dedicated to honoring the graduating class of 2026, focusing on God's sovereignty during life's transitions. Through liturgy, prayer, and a message from Jeremiah 29, the congregation explored how to find a sense of "place" even when feeling displaced by change. Liturgical Foundation and the Vision of a New Creation The service opened with a call to worship based on Psalm 98, celebrating the marvelous things God has done and the revelation of His righteousness to the nations. This was followed by a reading from Revelation 21, which provided a future-oriented context for the evening. The scripture described the "new Jerusalem" and the promise that God will dwell with His people, wiping away every tear and making all things new. This vision served to anchor the graduates' personal plans within the much larger framework of God's kingdom. Sermon: Living in the "Tension of the Middle" Pastor Rachel Thorn addressed the "tension of the middle"—the space between feeling displaced and trusting in God’s plan. Using the analogy of Frodo and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, she compared the graduates' transition to the Jewish exile in Babylon described in Jeremiah 29. Just as the exiles were told to "build houses and settle down" in a foreign land, graduates were encouraged to seek the shalom (peace and prosperity) of their new environments rather than simply waiting for the next stage of life to begin. The sermon emphasized that God’s famous promise in Jeremiah 29:11—plans to give "a hope and a future"—was originally given to people who would remain in "exile" for 70 years, proving that God's faithfulness is not dependent on immediate comfort. Pastoral Intercession for the Class of 2026 A comprehensive prayer was offered for the graduates, acknowledging the support of families, teachers, and mentors. The prayer specifically touched on the practicalities of their upcoming independence, including health, financial wisdom, and the courage to face uncertainty. It also included a modern exhortation regarding intellectual integrity, praying that students would value the journey of learning over shortcuts provided by technology. Recognition and Sending The service culminated in the formal presentation of gifts to the 14 seniors present. The congregation participated in a "communal hug" through a song of blessing and the extension of hands, symbolizing the church family's ongoing support as the students depart for new cities, dorms, or jobs. The service provided a poignant reminder that while transitions often bring a sense of displacement, believers are held by a God who knew them before they were born. By seeking the flourishing of their current "exile" and trusting in the future hope of Christ, graduates can move forward with confidence and peace.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 05-03-2026 What’s Good About the Church About The Service: We will witness the installation of our new Elders and Deacons. Reverend Jonker will preach on Acts 11:19-30, a passage where, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we see the church beginning to take form. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-5-3-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC What’s Good About the Church: Embracing the Spirit and the Institution What’s Good About the Church? A defense of the institutional church and the movement of the Holy Spirit. May 03, 2026 Core Argument "Negative stories are not our main story. We are still the bride of Christ, and the Holy Spirit still moves in us." 1 The Spirit’s Surprise The Spirit moves beyond strategic plans (e.g., the Gentile mission in Acts, the Ethiopian revival, and modern digital shifts like livestreams). 2 Institutional Grace Structure provides essential oversight, theological teaching, leadership training, and organized benevolence to the community. 3 The Barnabas Model Being a "Son of Encouragement"—standing by others when they are untrusted and fostering growth in new communities. Crisis of Trust 32% Church Favorability (2024) 27% Trust in Leaders (2024) *Down from ~65% in the 1960s/90s Key Figure: Barnabas Meaning "Son of Encouragement." He bridged the gap for Paul when the church was suspicious and led the Antioch mission. #Acts11 #HolySpirit #Ordination #Leadership Source: LaGrave Avenue CRC Service TranscriptEst. Reading Time: 12 min This worship service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church centers on the ordination and installation of new church officers while addressing modern skepticism toward religious institutions. The message highlights how the Holy Spirit works through both spontaneous movement and organized church structures to foster encouragement and benevolence. Detailed Point Summary The Call to Servant Leadership and Ordination The service emphasizes that leadership within the church is defined by servanthood rather than the exercise of authority, following the example of Jesus who came to serve and give his life as a ransom. During the ceremony, several individuals were ordained and installed into the offices of elder and deacon, committing to oversee the spiritual life of the congregation and promote ministries of service. These leaders are charged to be mature in faith, exercising their duties with prayer, patience, and humility while supporting the pastors and the community. The Ministry of Encouragement A central theme of the service is the biblical figure Barnabas, whose name means "Son of Encouragement." Through the children's message and the subsequent sermon, the congregation is reminded that encouragement is a vital tool for helping others persevere through difficulties. Barnabas serves as a model for the church because he stood by those whom others mistrusted, such as the apostle Paul, and empowered new faith communities to remain true to the Lord. The Decline in Public Trust (1965 vs. 2024) Reflecting on the sermon's data regarding the general public's perception of the church and its leaders. 65% 1965 Favorability 32% 2024 Favorability Trust in church leaders has similarly dropped from 65% to 27% in the same period. The Synergy of Spirit and Institution The sermon addresses the tension between the "organic" movement of the Holy Spirit and the "institutional" nature of the church. Using the growth of the church in Antioch (Acts 11) and modern examples like the Ethiopian Lutheran Church, the message argues that while the Spirit often initiates surprising new directions—such as LaGrave’s unplanned adoption of livestreaming and property acquisition—the institution provides the necessary framework to sustain that growth. The institutional church functions through oversight, teaching, the training of leaders, and the organized response to community needs. Four Pillars of the Institutional Church ⚖️ Oversight: Discerning the spirits to ensure movements are of God. 📖 Teaching: Providing theological formation beyond mere enthusiasm. 🎓 Training: Encouraging and equipping new leaders for ministry. 🤝 Benevolence: Recognizing community needs and responding with resources. Community Prayer and Global Concerns The congregation engaged in extensive intercessory prayer, covering local health needs, the celebration of new births, and the support of missionaries. The prayer also extended globally, seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, and Iran, and requesting protection for persecuted believers in nations such as Sudan, Nigeria, China, and North Korea. Key Data Public Perception: Favorable impression of the church has declined from 60-65% in the mid-1960s to 32% in 2024. Trust in Leaders: General trust in church leaders has fallen from 65% in 1990 to 27% today. Historical Growth: The Ethiopian Lutheran Church grew from 100 to 10,000 members between 1938 and 1945 without foreign missionaries. To-Do / Next Steps Members should check the bulletin for events occurring during the 10:00 hour following the service. Attend the evening service recognizing graduates tonight at 5:30 PM (note the earlier start time). Submit prayer requests using the cards in the pew racks and drop them in the wood box outside the chapel. Participate in the National Day of Prayer noontime gathering this coming Thursday. Conclusion Despite the prevailing cultural cynicism toward organized religion, the church remains a vital vessel for the Holy Spirit’s work. By balancing spontaneous spiritual movement with institutional stability and a commitment to servant leadership, the community continues to offer a unique narrative of hope, healing, and benevolence to the world.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-26-2026 Stepping Out About The Service: It's GEMS Sunday, the Sunday when our GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) help lead the service. Pastor Jonker will be preaching, and he will preach on the GEMS text, Deuteronomy 7:19 and their theme, “Walk on Water.“ Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-26-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Stepping Out: A Celebration of Faith and Growth LaGrave Live: Stepping Out A spiritual roadmap on trusting God’s faithfulness amidst life's storms. 1 GEMS Celebration "Walk on Water" theme focusing on youth trust. 2 Public Profession Commitment of faith by Charlie & Will. 3 The Call Peter's choice to leave the boat in the storm. 4 Divine Assurance Jesus is ahead, behind, and all around us. Sermon Core: Matthew 14 "Stepping out is hard because there is nothing between you and the icy depths... but Jesus is already out there." ✔The Risk: Faith requires leaving the "safety" of the boat (comfort/stagnation). ✔The Scale: Stepping out is often small/daily (e.g., including a difficult classmate). ✔The Safety: Success isn't guaranteed, but being "okay" in Christ is. 1,000Generations of faithfulness (Deut 7:9) Avoid Pitfalls The voice of "Reasonable Safety" Keywords #GEMS #Faith #Resurrection #Community Duration: ~87 mins | Speaker: Pastor Peter & Tina LaGrave Avenue CRC Introduction On April 26, 2026, La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church held a vibrant service centered on the theme of "Stepping Out." The congregation celebrated the GEMS girls' ministry, witnessed the public profession of faith of two new members, and explored the biblical call to trust God’s faithfulness amidst life's storms. Detailed Points of Reflection 1. GEMS Sunday: Walking on Water The service highlighted the GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) program, a youth ministry for girls in kindergarten through eighth grade. This year’s theme, "Walk on Water," focused on stepping out to trust a faithful God. Hailey Cornolia and Annalee Vandenberg shared "ministry moments," describing a year filled with Bible stories, creative crafts, and community-building events like the Lake Michigan overnighter and a father-daughter Western line-dancing night. The program aims to create a space of belonging where girls learn to rely on Jesus to stay afloat through life's challenges. GEMS 2025-2026: "Walk on Water" 🌊 Theme: Stepping out in faith and trusting God's covenant. 🎨 Activities: Bible character reenactments, craft coordination, and outdoor games. ✨ Highlights: Lake Michigan retreat, Orchard hayrides, and Father-Daughter dance. "God is our refuge, our lighthouse, and our peace." 2. Public Profession of Faith The congregation witnessed Charlie Cornolia and Will Sadler make their public profession of faith. Both men, joined by their wives Haley and Jenny, were welcomed into the full life and mission of La Grave. By answering the liturgical questions, they affirmed their belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, their trust in the Word of God, and their commitment to the work of the Lord within the church community. The congregation in turn promised to support them through prayer and encouragement. 3. Sermon: The Call and the Storm Pastor Peter delivered a sermon based on Matthew 14, focusing on Peter’s attempt to walk on water. He challenged the common perception that Peter "failed" by sinking, noting that Peter was the only disciple brave enough to leave the boat. The sermon outlined four core truths: everyone is called to step out by the Holy Spirit; internal voices of "safety" often discourage us; stepping out is usually found in small, daily acts of inclusion or sacrifice; and we need not fear because Jesus has already gone ahead into the storm. The Four Pillars of "Stepping Out" Universal Call: No matter your age or ability, the Spirit pushes you to move. The "Boat" Voice: Recognizing the inner urge to choose comfort over risk. Daily Bravery: It’s often about small acts, like inviting a lonely peer. Divine Presence: Jesus is ahead, behind, and all around us in the storm. 4. Community Prayer and Global Mission The service concluded with a comprehensive prayer for the community. This included gratitude for recent marriages and building project progress, as well as intercessions for members recovering from surgery, those serving in the military, and missionaries working abroad. The prayer emphasized resting in the "resurrection power" of Easter during the spring season. Key Data Primary Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus walks on water) and Deuteronomy 7:9 (God’s faithfulness). GEMS Scope: Serving girls from Kindergarten through 8th grade. New Members: Charlie & Haley Cornolia, Will & Jenny Sadler. To-Do / Next Steps Visit the multipurpose room after the service for GEMS-provided cookies and a slideshow of the year's activities. Connect at the Welcome Desk in the narthex if you have questions about church happenings or membership. Support GEMS by continuing to pray for the leaders and the girls as they navigate "waves of doubt and pressure." Reflect on daily "Step Out" moments, such as choosing to answer a stressful phone call or including a difficult acquaintance in social plans. Conclusion The service at La Grave Avenue CRC provided a powerful reminder that faith is not a static state of safety, but a courageous movement toward Christ. Whether through the eyes of a GEMS student or a new member making a profession of faith, the message remains clear: because God is faithful to a thousand generations, we can step out of the boat with confidence.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Tips for the Tightrope About The Service: Pastor Jonker will lead us in worship and we will welcome missionaries Dan and Priscila Cummings, who will give an update on their medical ministry in Kalukembe, Angola. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This evening service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church centers on the metaphor of life as a challenging journey or "tightrope." Through scripture from Philippians 4 and insights from a long-term study on happiness, the service explores how prayer and joy provide a divine "fortress" of peace amidst life's inevitable crosswinds. The Journey and Global Mission The service opens with a call to worship from Psalm 125, emphasizing that those who trust in the Lord are as unshakable as Mount Zion. This theme of a "journey" or "ascent" is woven throughout the liturgy, mirroring the Psalms of Ascent used by Israelites traveling to Jerusalem. A significant portion of the service is dedicated to a mission update from Daniel Cummings, a medical missionary serving at the Kalu Kembe hospital in Angola. He describes the stark reality of serving in a region where subsistence farmers earn roughly $15 a month and spiritual needs are as pressing as physical ones, yet emphasizes that the same "living Savior" worshipped in Michigan is at work in Angola. The Illusion of Advantage: The Harvard Happiness Study The sermon introduces the "Harvard Happiness Study," a longitudinal project spanning nearly 90 years that tracked 268 undergraduates to determine what makes humans flourish. Surprisingly, the study revealed that even highly advantaged individuals—Harvard graduates—frequently struggled with depression, addiction, and mental illness, with one-third of the cohort facing mental health issues by age 50. This data serves as a backdrop to the biblical reality that life is a "tightrope walk with a strong crosswind," where worldly success and "righteousness Olympics" fail to provide true stability. The Fortress of Prayer and Transcendent Peace Focusing on Philippians 4, the sermon redefines prayer not as a tool to change circumstances, but as a means to enter a "safe room" of peace. Paul’s promise is not necessarily the removal of obstacles, but that the "peace of God" will guard the heart like a soldier protecting a fortress. This internal sanctuary allows believers to remain steady even when "storms" of disease, loss, or worry rage outside the perimeter. The sermon notes that while prayer may not solve every problem, it connects the believer to a peace that "transcends all understanding." Joy as a Rooted Reality The final movement of the service distinguishes between "happiness" and "joy." While happiness is an "above-ground phenomenon" dependent on favorable weather and circumstances, joy is rooted in the unconditional love of God. Using the illustration of a grandchild’s unconditional embrace of a grandparent, the sermon explains that joy does not depend on skill or status; it is a "wild, wonderful overflow" of grace. Believers are encouraged to live under this "waterfall" of love, which holds them steady on the tightrope of life. The service concludes with a reminder that while the "tightrope" of life is difficult for everyone—regardless of their advantages—believers are not left to walk it alone. By inhabiting the "safe room" of prayer and rooting themselves in the unconditional joy of Christ, they can find a peace that remains unshaken by the world's crosswinds.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-19-2026 More Than Merely Human About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on 1 Corinthians 3. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-19-AM-order-of-worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC More Than Merely Human: Living the Resurrection Life Beyond the Mortal: Reflections on Life After Easter More Than Merely Human: A guide to spiritual reconstruction based on 1 Corinthians 3 "We are no longer defined by the sum of fear, sorrow, or sin. Our Judge is also the Redeemer, and we are the resurrected people. ” — LaGrave Sunday Sermon Summary Core metaphor: dots and stars Quote from Max Lucado's fable: Wemmicks wooden figures label each other every day – good for Venus and mess up gray dots. Secular trap: Corinthian "climbing spirit" that turns faith into competition and comparison. Path to Freedom: Like Lucia, the label can no longer be attached to her body due to her connection to the Creator. Comparison of the two foundations of life Secular Mode (Merely Human)Grass and straw / pride / comparison In ChristGold, silver, gemstones, grace, and security Action Guide: Build the Eternal Project # Stop comparison# Build confidence# Live your love 1. Recognize: Realize that social media and the workplace are essentially a "dot and star" game. 2. Rooted: Christ alone is the unshakable foundation. 3. Build: Invest in things that will survive even after the trial of fire with "faith, hope, and love." Reading time: about 12 minutes | Suitable for: Seeking spiritual growth Easter Season 2026 2026, at LaGrave Church. The service explores the transition from celebrating Christ's resurrection to understanding its practical implications, specifically how believers can move beyond "merely human" tendencies of competition and comparison to live a life rooted in grace. Detailed Point Summary The Call to Resurrection Life The service opens with a celebration of the Easter season, emphasizing that Jesus’ victory over death allows believers to shrug off fear and live a life that is "really life." This "Resurrection Life" is not just a future hope but a present reality that redefines how individuals view their griefs, sins, and identities. By setting their minds on "things above," the congregation is encouraged to put to death earthly practices like anger and greed, instead clothing themselves in compassion, humility, and love. The "Merely Human" vs. The New Creation Merely Human Competitive Climbing "Dots and Stars" Validation Factions & Pride Worldly Wisdom In Christ Radiant Grace Secure Identity in the Maker Unity in Love Faith, Hope, & Love The Spirit of Corinth and the Climbing Culture Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the sermon highlights Paul’s frustration with the early church's "worldliness." Ancient Corinth was a strategic, wealthy trade hub—a city of "competitive climbers" and aggressive entrepreneurs who sought to make something of themselves in a new Roman colony. This cultural spirit of climbing the ladder of success had infected the church, leading to factions where members competed over spiritual maturity, knowledge, and gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul critiques this as being "merely human," noting that such behavior is indistinguishable from the surrounding secular culture. The "Dots and Stars" Analogy To illustrate the exhaustion of a life built on comparison, the sermon references Max Lucado’s You Are Special. In the story, the "Wemmicks" spend their days sticking gold stars on the impressive and gray dots on the clumsy. This "dots and stars game" mirrors modern social media and workplace dynamics, where validation is external and performance-based. The character Lucia, however, remains unaffected by these labels because she maintains a constant relationship with her Maker. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life: when one's foundation is the grace of Christ, the "dots and stars" of worldly opinion no longer stick. The Foundation of Endurance Paul identifies that while knowledge and status pass away, three things endure: Faith Hope Love "The greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13 Building on the True Foundation The sermon concludes by challenging the congregation to build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ using materials that last: faith, hope, and love. Unlike the "straw" of pride and competition, these virtues survive the "fire" of life's stresses. Living this way often appears "foolish" by worldly economic standards—such as giving generously to the needy or investing in community rather than self-advancement—but it is the hallmark of being "more than merely human". Key Data & Milestones New Members/Births: Grace Elizabeth and Henry Roger were born last week. Milestones: Laura Jean Colbert is celebrating a milestone birthday. Community Arrivals: Jim and Beverly Ludema are new to the community and being welcomed. Missions: A mission team recently returned from service in Mexico City. To-Do / Next Steps Participate in the congregational meeting during the 10:00 hour to select new elders and deacons. Attend the 6:00 PM evening worship service featuring a visit from missionaries Dan and Priscilla Cummings regarding their ministry in Angola. Engage in the daily practice of "clothing oneself with Christ" by choosing compassion and forgiveness over worldly competition. Support and encourage the mission team as they debrief from their recent trip to Mexico City. Pray for healing and strength for members recovering from illness or injury, including Ellen, Dan, Bill, and Jack. Conclusion The service serves as a profound reminder that the Resurrection is a call to exit the "merely human" cycle of comparison. By finding security in the Maker’s love, believers are freed from the "dots and stars" of culture, enabling them to build a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and love.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Resurrection Risk About The Service: Rev. John Steigenga will lead us in worship. He will preach on John 12: 1-11 and his sermon is entitled “Resurrection Risk.” Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This evening worship service at La Grave explores the profound implications of Christ’s resurrection through the lens of Lazarus’s story in John 12. The service calls believers to shed the "grave clothes" of their old selves—specifically prejudice and selfishness—to embrace a new identity defined by "good trouble" and sacrificial love. Liturgical Foundation and Global Intercession The service opened with a call to worship from Psalm 100 and a responsive reading of Psalm 146, emphasizing God’s role as the maker of heaven and earth who remains faithful forever. This liturgical focus shifted into a pastoral prayer that acknowledged the "recreating power" of spring as a testimony to God's covenant. The prayer specifically interceded for those suffering in global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and the uncertainties facing people in Iran and Israel. The congregation sought the strength to "see like Christ" and to act justly in a broken world. Shedding the "Grave Clothes" of the Old Self Drawing from Colossians 3 and Romans 6, the sermon compared spiritual transformation to Lazarus being told to "take off those grave clothes." These metaphorical clothes include sexual immorality, greed, anger, and—most stubbornly—prejudice and racism. The speaker noted that even the founders of the United States, despite declaring all men equal, failed to shed the "grave clothes" of slavery because they viewed others as subhuman. True conversion requires "new eyes" to see that in Christ, there is no distinction between Greek or Jew, slave or free, as Christ is all and in all. The Identity of a Witness and "Good Trouble" The service highlighted that following Jesus inevitably leads to "trouble," which the late Senator John Lewis called "good trouble." Historical examples, such as the 16th-century "hidden Christians" of Japan, and modern examples, like a retired pastor visiting undocumented immigrants in detention centers, illustrate the cost of being a "living sign" of Christ. Lazarus’s core identity became inseparable from the man who brought him back to life; similarly, believers are called to live as those who are safe in God's arms even while serving in a hostile world. The service concludes with a powerful reminder that while the world may target those who follow Christ, the resurrection is proof that the "old order of things" is passing away. To live as Lazarus is to be a living testimony of life-giving power, choosing intimacy with God over the safety of silence.

The Reality of the Resurrection: A Service of Eastertide The "What If" of Easter A logical defense of the Resurrection based on 1 Corinthians 15 2026-04-12 Service The 6 Logical Consequences 01 Useless Preaching Empty shells without a nut; just hot air. 02 Futile Faith Faith is only as good as its object. 03 False Witness Apostles misrepresenting God's actions. 04 Unsolved Guilt No atonement; we are still in our sins. 05 No Hope for Dead Those who "fell asleep" have perished. 06 Most to be Pitied Living a grand delusion; a crime to share. Key Quote "Christianity is not a philosophy... it is first and foremost a claim that something happened." Speaker DB David Bass Guest Preacher Keywords #Eastertide #1Corinthians15 #Resurrection #ApostolicCreed Summary: The sermon pivots on the word "BUT"—Christ has indeed been raised. Reading Time: 4 mins This worship service, held on April 12, 2026, at LaGrave, centers on the theological and practical necessity of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through liturgical music, intercessory prayer, and a rigorous examination of 1 Corinthians 15, guest preacher David Bass explores the "counter-factual" history of what the Christian faith would become if the resurrection were merely a myth. Liturgical Celebration and the Season of Eastertide The service opens with a vibrant celebration of "Eastertide," a period the church observes for six Sundays following Easter Sunday. During the children's message, it was explained that the continued use of white banners and festive decorations serves as a reminder that the "Good News" of the resurrection is too significant to celebrate for only a single day. This liturgical season emphasizes the ongoing presence of the risen Christ and the mandate given to his followers to share this message with the world. The Eastertide Calendar Why the celebration continues for 50 days 6 Sundays of Celebration 50 Days to Pentecost 52 Lord's Days per Year "We celebrate Easter for 52 Sundays a year because Christ rose on the Lord's Day." Community Intercession and Global Mission The congregation engaged in deep intercessory prayer, focusing on three distinct areas: the global church, the local community, and the internal needs of the parish. Specific prayers were offered for persecuted Christians worldwide and for peace in conflict zones including the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. Locally, the church reaffirmed its commitment to ministries such as Dégagé, Guiding Lights, Mel Trotter, and the Downtown Food Pantry. The service also marked the safe return of the Mexico City mission team, who spent the previous week engaged in ministry and vacation bible school. The Sermon: "What If?" Guest preacher David Bass delivered a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, addressing the "logical hammer blows" Paul uses to defend the resurrection. Bass argued that Christianity is not a mere philosophy or moral code, but a claim that a specific historical event occurred. He utilized a "counter-factual" approach—asking "What if Christ has not been raised?"—to illustrate that without the physical resurrection, preaching is empty, faith is futile, the New Testament is a record of false witnesses, and there is no atonement for sin. The sermon concluded with the "flip of the script," asserting that because Christ has indeed been raised, he is the "firstfruits" of a future harvest of all believers. The Six "Hammer Blows" of 1 Corinthians 15 1. Useless Preaching: The apostolic message becomes "hot air." 2. Futile Faith: Faith is only as good as its object; a dead Christ cannot save. 3. False Witness: The New Testament authors become liars misrepresenting God. 4. Unforgiven Sin: Without the resurrection, the "atonement" has no divine seal. 5. Perished Saints: Those who died in Christ are simply gone forever. 6. Pitiful Delusion: Christians become the most pitiable people on earth. Key Data Mission Update: The Mexico City mission team returned home at 1:00 AM on the day of the service. Pastoral Care: The congregation recorded 44 funerals in the previous year. Upcoming Event: A detailed report from the Mexico City team is scheduled for May 2. To-Do / Next Steps Members are encouraged to check the bulletin for various opportunities and events happening during the 10:00 hour. Attend the special presentation regarding the Mexico City mission trip on May 2 during the 10:00 hour. Pray for Ellen Decker and Bill Stroh as they both face surgeries scheduled for Monday. Keep Jack VanSledwight in prayer for healing from blood clots. Continue to support and pray for local ministry partners including Dégagé, Guiding Lights, and Mel Trotter. Conclusion The service concludes by affirming that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope. As summarized by the closing story of a child’s perspective, the resurrection is not just a past miracle to be studied, but a present reality that promises future restoration for all who believe.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service -Easter Morning Worship The Two Enemies of Easter - 2026-04-05 About The Service: We will celebrate Christ’s resurrection at both our 8:40am and 11:00am services. Pastor Jonker will preach. There will be brass and timpani and the choir will sing. We praise God for the grace and faithfulness represented in the celebrations this week and we hope many of you will be able to join us at these services. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This Easter service at La Grave celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, framing it as the definitive victory over the physical finality of death and the spiritual weight of cynicism. Through liturgy, song, and sermon, the congregation is encouraged to trade "cynical glasses" for a perspective of hope. The service commenced with a vibrant liturgical celebration, utilizing traditional hymns and scripture to establish the reality of the resurrection. Readings from Psalm 16 and Revelation 21 emphasized the promise of a "new heaven and new earth" where the "old order of things," characterized by mourning and pain, is replaced by God's eternal presence. The children's messages bridged the gap between historical narrative and personal faith. By recounting the story of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb and the eventual belief of "Doubting Thomas," the speakers illustrated that while doubt is a natural response to the impossible news of the resurrection, a personal encounter with Christ transforms that doubt into the confession, "My Lord and my God". In the central sermon, the speaker addressed the modern struggle with "Death’s prescription glasses"—cynicism. Using personal anecdotes about physical aging (tinnitus) and the scientific concept of entropy, he described how death seeks to "flatten" the world into a cold, mechanical process. He argued that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a "new prescription" of hope that restores transcendence, beauty, and the presence of God to a world that cynicism tries to make dull. The service concluded with a call to global and local intercession. The congregation prayed for a mission team currently in Mexico, celebrated new births within the community, and sought comfort for those grieving recent losses, asserting that the "Easter hope" must sustain believers as they act as faithful servants in a cynical world. The service serves as a powerful reminder that while death and cynicism are persistent enemies, the resurrection of Christ provides a "bloodless revolution" of hope. By rejecting the "nonsense" of a flat world and embracing the reality of a risen Lord, the community is empowered to live with joy and transcendence.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-05-2026 Easter Morning Worship: The Two Enemies of Easter About The Service: We will celebrate Christ’s resurrection at both our 8:40am and 11:00am services. Pastor Jonker will preach. There will be brass and timpani and the choir will sing. We praise God for the grace and faithfulness represented in the celebrations this week and we hope many of you will be able to join us at these services. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-5-AM-easter-order-of-worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Summary The text is a detailed transcript of an Easter worship service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It includes musical interludes, scripture readings, sermons, prayers, and a children’s message. The core message emphasizes the significance of Christ’s resurrection as the foundation of Christian faith and hope, triumphing over death and cynicism. The narrative highlights the initial disbelief of Jesus’ followers, the angelic proclamation of His resurrection, and the transformation from despair to joy and hope. The sermon explores death and cynicism as the two main enemies faced by believers, contrasting them with the hope and new perspective offered by faith in the risen Christ. The service concludes with communal prayer, blessings, and joyful praise, reaffirming the resurrection as the ultimate source of hope, renewal, and eternal life. Highlights The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated as the cornerstone of Christian faith. Death and cynicism are identified as key enemies confronting believers daily. The angel’s message, “He is not here; He is risen,” overturns despair with hope. The initial disbelief of Jesus' disciples exemplifies the struggle with doubt and cynicism. Faith in the resurrection offers a transformative worldview filled with hope and joy. The global church community and mission work underscore the universal impact of Easter. The service balances scripture, worship, prayer, and teaching to engage all ages. Key Insights Christ’s Resurrection as the Heart of Scripture: From Genesis to Revelation, the resurrection is the central promise and fulfillment, providing a continuous narrative of hope and divine faithfulness. This theological anchor transforms Christian identity and mission. Death as the Ultimate Enemy: Death is portrayed as a powerful, tangible adversary that brings physical end and spiritual despair. It represents entropy and decay, the inevitable fate of all living things, emphasizing human mortality. Cynicism as Death’s Co-conspirator: Unlike doubt, which is momentary, cynicism is a hardened, habitual skepticism that blinds people to hope. It represents a spiritual and emotional barrier that dismisses resurrection and joy as nonsense. The Transformative Power of Resurrection Hope: Believers are called to reject death’s cynical glasses and adopt the “glasses of hope” through faith in the risen Christ. This hope is robust and historically impactful, having revolutionized the world. Historical and Personal Struggles with Faith: The text illustrates the challenges even early disciples faced in accepting the resurrection, mirroring modern believers’ struggles with doubt and cynicism. It shows faith as a journey from skepticism to conviction. Global and Communal Dimension of Easter: The service connects local worship with global mission efforts, reflecting the resurrection’s worldwide significance and the church’s unity across cultures. Resurrection as a Promise of New Creation: The ultimate hope is not just personal eternal life but a renewed heaven and earth, free from death, sorrow, and pain, affirming God’s sovereign restoration of all things. Keywords Resurrection Cynicism Death Hope Faith New Creation Easter FAQs Q1: Why is the resurrection central to Christian faith? A1: The resurrection of Jesus is central because it confirms His victory over death, validates His divine identity, and assures believers of eternal life and God’s faithfulness. Q2: What are the two main enemies discussed in the Easter message? A2: The two main enemies are death, which represents physical and spiritual death, and cynicism, a habitual skepticism that dismisses hope and divine promises. Q3: How did Jesus’ disciples initially respond to the news of the resurrection? A3: Many disciples initially doubted or were cynical about the resurrection, finding it hard to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until they saw Him personally. Q4: What is the significance of the "glasses" metaphor? A4: The "glasses" metaphor illustrates how death tries to make people see the world through cynicism and despair, while faith in Jesus offers a vision of hope and joy. Q5: How does the resurrection impact the Christian view of the future? A5: It assures believers of a future new heaven and new earth where death and suffering are no more, reinforcing hope for eternal life and restoration. Core Concepts The Resurrection as the Foundation of Christian Hope: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivotal event that defines Christian faith. It represents the defeat of death and the guarantee of eternal life, as proclaimed from the earliest days of the church and throughout Scripture. This event is not just a historical fact but a transformative reality that shapes the believer’s worldview. Death as a Real and Present Enemy: Death is portrayed as the ultimate adversary, responsible for physical demise and spiritual despair. It is linked to the scientific principle of entropy, symbolizing inevitable decay and loss. Death threatens to extinguish hope by convincing humanity that life ends in darkness and nothingness. Cynicism as a Spiritual Barrier: Beyond death, cynicism is identified as a deeply ingrained attitude that rejects hope and divine promises. It is the hardened skepticism that dismisses joyful news as foolishness, preventing people from embracing the resurrection’s truth. This mindset is a daily challenge for believers, often reinforced by cultural and intellectual influences. The Power of Faith to Overcome Death and Cynicism: Faith in the resurrection offers a new lens—one of hope, joy, and divine presence. This “prescription” from Jesus changes how believers perceive the world, infusing life with meaning beyond mere material existence. The resurrection message, once embraced, has historically revolutionized societies and individuals alike. The Continuing Struggle with Doubt and Belief: The initial disbelief of Jesus’ followers reflects the natural human struggle with faith. The narrative of Thomas, who required physical proof, highlights the journey from skepticism to conviction. This story encourages believers to trust in the resurrection despite doubts. Global and Communal Dimensions of Easter: Easter is celebrated not only locally but as a global event uniting Christians worldwide. The service emphasizes the importance of mission and community, reflecting the church’s role in spreading the resurrection’s hope beyond cultural and geographic boundaries. Eschatological Hope in New Creation: The resurrection points forward to the final restoration of all creation. The promise of a new heaven and earth where suffering and death are abolished provides ultimate hope and sustains believers through present trials. This eschatological vision completes the Easter message, anchoring faith in God’s future kingdom. Together, these concepts form a comprehensive theological and practical framework for understanding Easter’s significance and living out its hope in daily life.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Misery and Belonging - 2026-03-29 About The Service: Reverend Bob Arbogast will preach a sermon titled Misery and Belonging Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026 Cross Words: He Descended into Hell About The Service: March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026 Cross Words: He Descended into Hell About The Service: March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Summary The provided content is a detailed transcript of a Palm Sunday worship service, blending musical worship, scripture readings, sermons, and prayers focused on the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. The central theme revolves around the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, a key article of the Apostle’s Creed. The sermon explores biblical references and theological interpretations of hell, its meaning, and Jesus’ experience of suffering and victory over evil through His death and resurrection. The service also includes reflections on human suffering, the presence of evil, cultural attitudes towards hell and the devil, and the hope found in Christ’s redemptive work. Prayers for healing, community needs, and missionary work are included, along with traditional hymns and Christian liturgical elements. The message encourages believers to find strength and hope amid life’s trials by remembering Christ’s victory over death and the devil. Highlights Palm Sunday worship commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and anticipates His death and resurrection. The Apostle’s Creed includes the phrase "He descended into hell," a doctrinal point explored in depth. Biblical terms related to hell—Sheol (Old Testament), Hades (Greek Scriptures), and Gehenna (New Testament)—illustrate evolving views of the afterlife and judgment. Modern secular culture shows declining belief in hell and the devil but paradoxically exhibits fascination with horror and chaos, reflecting an underlying spiritual awareness. The sermon contends that Jesus experienced the full despair and separation of hell on the cross, bearing all human suffering and sin. The concept of the Harrowing of Hell, where Jesus triumphantly frees Old Testament saints, is discussed as a traditional but debated interpretation. The service includes communal prayers for healing, peace, and spiritual growth, emphasizing Christ’s ongoing presence and victory. Key Insights Theological significance of "He descended into hell": This phrase assures believers that Jesus fully experienced human despair and spiritual separation from God, affirming that no suffering is beyond His redemptive reach. Evolution of hell in Scripture: Old Testament Sheol is a neutral realm of the dead, while New Testament Hades incorporates judgment, and Gehenna represents eternal punishment, reflecting deepening biblical understanding of the afterlife. Cultural paradox of belief and fascination: Despite declining explicit belief in hell and the devil in modern society, horror movies and dark themes flourish, suggesting a subconscious grappling with evil and chaos. Christ’s victory over evil: The sermon highlights that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the power of Satan and death is broken, offering believers hope amid suffering and loss. Pastoral application: Recognizing Jesus’ descent into hell as both experiential (sharing human suffering) and victorious (defeating evil) provides comfort and courage for believers facing trials. The Harrowing of Hell tradition: The idea that Jesus physically descended to free righteous souls before resurrection enriches Christian art and liturgy but remains a debated biblical interpretation. Community and mission focus: The service integrates prayers for real-world needs, health, and missionary efforts, connecting doctrinal reflection with practical Christian living. Keywords Apostle’s Creed Descent into hell Sheol Hades Gehenna Harrowing of Hell Redemption FAQs Q1: What does the phrase "He descended into hell" mean? A1: It means that Jesus Christ experienced the full depth of human suffering, including spiritual separation from God, and through His death overcame the power of evil and death. Q2: How is hell described differently in the Bible? A2: Hell is described using three terms: Sheol (Old Testament realm of the dead), Hades (Greek term for the underworld, sometimes a place of judgment), and Gehenna (New Testament term for eternal punishment). Q3: Why is belief in hell declining in modern culture? A3: Secularization and changing worldviews have led many to reject traditional beliefs in hell and the devil, though cultural expressions like horror films suggest an underlying awareness of evil’s reality. Q4: What is the "Harrowing of Hell"? A4: It is a traditional Christian belief that Jesus descended into hell after His death to free the souls of Old Testament saints, illustrating His victory over death and Satan. Q5: How does understanding Jesus’ descent into hell help Christians today? A5: It offers assurance that Jesus has shared in human suffering and despair, providing hope and strength for believers facing trials, knowing He has defeated evil and death. Core Concepts Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative: Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, anticipating His suffering and death, which are central to Christian faith and worship. This day contrasts the initial celebration with the sorrow that follows, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ mission. The Apostle’s Creed and its Central Doctrines: The Creed is a concise summary of orthodox Christian beliefs, including Jesus’ suffering, death, burial, and descent into hell. The phrase "He descended into hell" is a pivotal theological assertion signifying Jesus’ solidarity with human suffering and His triumph over evil. Biblical Terminology for Hell: Sheol is the Hebrew term for the place of the dead, depicted as a shadowy, non-judgmental realm in the Old Testament. Hades is the Greek counterpart used in the New Testament, initially similar to Sheol but increasingly associated with judgment and torment. Gehenna is a term Jesus used to describe eternal punishment, a fiery place reserved for the wicked, emphasizing the reality of final judgment. Theological Interpretations of Jesus’ Descent: The sermon presents two main views: one that Jesus experienced the emotional and spiritual anguish of hell on the cross, and another traditional view (held by Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions) that He physically descended to the realm of the dead to liberate the righteous, known as the Harrowing of Hell. Cultural Context and Spiritual Reality: Despite declining intellectual belief in hell and the devil in Western culture, the popularity of horror films and dark narratives reflects a deep-seated awareness of evil’s reality and the human struggle with chaos and despair. The figure of the Joker in The Dark Knight exemplifies this chaotic evil seeking to undermine order and hope. Pastoral Application and Encouragement: The message encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and evil, recognizing that He has borne every human pain and temptation. This assurance offers comfort amid suffering and fosters spiritual resilience. Christian Worship and Community Life: The transcript reveals the integration of liturgical elements—hymns, prayers, scripture readings—and community concerns, including prayers for healing, missionaries, and social justice, demonstrating the holistic nature of worship that engages both doctrine and daily life. Through these core concepts, the content provides a rich theological, cultural, and pastoral exploration of one of Christianity’s foundational beliefs, inviting believers to deepen their faith and find hope in Christ’s redemptive work.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - The Grace of Kindness - 2026-03-22 About The Service: Pastor Jonker will lead us in worship. He will preach on Galatians 5:22 and he will talk about kindness. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC More about this evening worship: This evening worship service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church centers on "Kindness" as a vital fruit of the Spirit. Through scriptural reflections on Ruth and the teachings of Paul, the service explores how God’s "incomparable riches" transform kindness from a meager social politeness into a gritty, life-giving force that reflects the character of Christ. The Scriptural Narrative of Kindness The service opens with a call to worship from Psalm 138, emphasizing that although the Lord is exalted, He looks kindly upon the lowly. This theme is woven through the Old Testament narrative of Ruth and Boaz. In the fields of Bethlehem, Ruth—a destitute foreigner—finds more than just grain; she encounters the "guardian-redeemer" kindness of Boaz, who provides protection, sustenance, and dignity. Naomi recognizes this as a manifestation of God’s persistent kindness to both the living and the dead. Defining Christian Kindness The sermon defines Christian kindness as "active love used to build up another person" specifically towards the life of Jesus Christ. Using the contrast between a warm gas station attendant and an indifferent cashier, the message illustrates how the human spirit is contagious. However, Christian kindness goes deeper than mere friendliness; it is "gritty and wonderful," sometimes manifesting as a gentle smile and other times as firm discipline or the "hard medicine" of truth-telling in the face of opposition. This reflects the kindness of God in Ephesians 2, which raised humanity from spiritual death to being "seated in heavenly realms." Kindness as an Infinite Resource A primary obstacle to kindness is the "scarcity mindset"—the belief that kindness is a finite resource like time or money that will run out if spent too freely. The sermon refutes this using Paul’s descriptions of God’s "incomparable riches" and "immeasurably more" power. Because the well of divine kindness never runs dry, believers do not need to be frugal or budget their compassion; they can afford to be extravagantly kind even in a society marked by rising anger and declining trust. Community Prayer and Intercession The service concludes with a deep intercessory prayer, acknowledging the "gentle push of spring" as a sign of God's grace while bringing specific community suffering before God. The prayer covers national concerns—asking for truth and love to replace anger and deception—and specific congregational needs, including those facing transplants, hospice care, and sudden illness. Kindness is not a "thin virtue" but a robust, Christ-centered power rooted in the infinite grace of God. By shifting from a mindset of scarcity to one of divine abundance, the community is called to be a "contagion" of positivity and mercy in a fractured world.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-22-2026 Cross Words: Taking Up the Cross About The concert: We continue our Cross Words series, focusing on the meaning and impact of Christ's cross. Pastor Jonker will preach on Mark 8:31-9:1. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-22-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Taking Up the Cross: A Lenten Journey into Sacrificial Power Taking Up the Cross: The Revolutionary Path Lenten Series: Cross Words | LaGrave Avenue Church (March 22, 2026) Fifth Sunday in Lent Theological Core: Matthew 16:21-28 "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Roman Power (The World) Pure strength & domination Boasting in casualties (Caesar) "Iron laws of force" Cross Power (The Kingdom) Sacrificial love & weakness Absorbing pain for others "The last shall be first" Key Concept: Strepho Jesus' "dynamic turn" on Peter. It wasn't a casual glance; it was a passionate rebuke of the temptation to choose success over sacrifice. Illustrative Narratives The Mission (1986) Rodrigo (the gun) vs. Gabriel (the cross). True change comes through blood of the cross, not force. Leroy Smith (2015) A Black officer assisting a KKK marcher in the heat. Grace vs. the "bottles" of counter-protest. Community Pulse #SeminaryTraining #NewMembers #CaminoDeSantiago #GlobalPrayer Speaker: Pastor Peter | Liturgist: Levi Huizinga ⏱ ~85 min Service📖 Matthew 16:21-28 This worship service at LaGrave Avenue explores the radical call of Jesus to "take up the cross," contrasting worldly domination with the transformative power of sacrificial love. Through liturgy, scripture from Matthew 16, and contemporary illustrations, the congregation is invited to move beyond human concerns toward the "dynamic turn" of Christ. Detailed Summary Community Welcomes and Transitions The service marked a "homecoming" for Levi Huizinga, a pre-seminary student and former member returning to lead the liturgy as part of his training. The community also celebrated the addition of three new members representing three generations of one family: Lynn Stinson, Sarah Turnage, and Francesca Turnage. Notably, Sarah and Francesca shared their upcoming plans to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain this June. These introductions emphasize the church as a multi-generational covenant family where members support one another’s spiritual and personal journeys. Lenten Liturgy and the Theology of Betrayal During this fifth Sunday in Lent, the liturgy focused on the "shape of the cross" in daily life. The prayer of confession acknowledged the human tendency to deny the necessity of suffering or to hide behind religious "busyness" rather than truly following Christ. In a message directed at children, the betrayal of Jesus by his friend Judas was used to illustrate that Jesus intimately understands emotional pain and abandonment. This teaching framed the cross not just as a physical sacrifice, but as a place where Jesus absorbed the "mean" actions of others to offer healing. The "Dynamic Turn" (Strepho) In Matthew 16:23, when Jesus rebukes Peter, the Greek word strepho denotes more than a simple movement. It is a passionate, dynamic spin. Human Concerns Success, safety, and avoiding the cross. God's Concerns Sacrifice, love, and the path of the cross. The Radical Contrast of Power The sermon centered on Matthew 16:21-28, highlighting the moment Peter moved from being the "Rock" to a "stumbling block" by rejecting Jesus’ path of suffering. The message contrasted the Roman concept of power—pure domination and the slaughter of enemies as seen in Julius Caesar’s conquests—with the revolutionary power of Jesus. While the world values "pure winning," Jesus introduced a power that absorbs pain and offers forgiveness. This "cross-shaped power" is described as the only force capable of truly changing the world, moving beyond the "pagan" temptation to solve problems through brute force. The Choice: The Gun vs. The Cross To illustrate the difficulty of choosing the cross, the sermon presented two models of response to evil. First, a scene from the movie The Mission contrasted a priest who took up arms (Rodrigo) with one who carried the cross into a massacre (Gabriel). Second, a real-life example from 2015 described Leroy Smith, a Black police officer, who chose to help an elderly KKK protester suffering from heat exhaustion. While counter-protestors responded with anger and bottles, Smith responded with water and grace. These stories serve as a call for modern believers to recognize that the hope for the world lies not in "the end of a gun," but in the "blood of the cross." Models of Response to Evil ⚔️ Worldly Power: Forceful restraint, shouting, and "pagan strength" to crush enemies. ✝️ Cross Power: Absorbing pain, offering water to enemies, and sacrificial love. "The hope for the change of the world will not come at the end of a gun, it will come through the blood of the cross." Key Data Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:21-28 (The rebuke of Peter and the call to discipleship). Historical Context: Julius Caesar boasted of killing 1 million Gauls and enslaving another million to demonstrate "power." Biblical Terminology: Strepho (Greek) – A dynamic, intense turn or spin. To-Do / Next Steps Community Fellowship: Join the coffee time in the multipurpose room following the service. Congregational Care: Pray for Jim Kroll as he begins radiation for multiple myeloma. Healing Petitions: Keep Dan Goris in prayer as he recovers from a recent stroke and surgery. Global Intercession: Pray for those living in the "valley of the shadow of death" in Congo, Yemen, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Tel Aviv, and Tehran. Support Missions: Remember Mike and Megan Ribbens in their ongoing ministry in South Africa. Conclusion The service concludes with a sobering yet hopeful reminder that following Jesus requires a "death to self" and a rejection of pagan power structures. By picking up the cross, the believer participates in the same revolutionary grace that Jesus modeled—a grace that seeks not to dominate, but to redeem through sacrifice.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Bones and Breath - 2026-03-15 About The Service: Rev. Kristy Manion will lead this service Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC More about this evening worship: This evening worship service at La Grave Church explores the transformative power of God’s Spirit (Ruah) to bring life out of death. Centered on the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37, the service invites the congregation to move from spiritual exile toward a living hope anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The service opens with a liturgical call to worship and hymns that celebrate God as the redeemer who "crowns us with love and compassion." The minister welcomes both in-person and online worshippers, noting that this specific evening service includes a longer liturgy for the celebration of Communion. This "table of grace" is presented as a source of strength and "fuel for the week" for a community seeking to draw closer to the Divine. The scriptural foundation for the evening is established through readings from John 5 and Ezekiel 37. In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the authority granted to the Son to bring the dead to life, asserting that those who hear His voice will live. This sets the stage for the Old Testament narrative of Ezekiel, who is transported by the Spirit to a valley filled with "very dry bones"—a vivid metaphor for the physical and spiritual hopelessness of the Israelites in Babylonian exile. The sermon reflects on God’s "nonsense question" to Ezekiel: "Can these bones live?" The preacher notes that Ezekiel’s response—"Sovereign Lord, you alone know"—reflects a tempered hope born of suffering. The message emphasizes the Hebrew word Ruah, which encompasses wind, breath, and spirit. It is this Ruah that reassembles the bones and breathes life into the "vast army" of the dead. This divine intervention is not just a historical account but a promise for those currently experiencing "living death" or despair, offering a compass that points "true north" even in dark valleys. The service culminates in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, described as a "rest stop" that fuels Christian hope. The congregation participates in the liturgy of the bread and cup, proclaiming Christ's victory over death and the grave. The prayer of thanksgiving emphasizes that through Christ, believers receive mercy instead of condemnation and freedom instead of slavery, entrusting their "unfinished tasks and unsolved problems" to God's protection. The service concludes with a powerful reminder that because Jesus lives, physical death and spiritual despair never have the last word. The congregation is sent out with a benediction to live as people whose "inheritance is hope," empowered by a God who sustains and fulfills His promises even in the midst of life's "jagged edges".

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-15-2026 Cross Words: Sin & Slavery About The concert: We continue our Cross Words series, focusing on the meaning and impact of Christ's cross. Pastor Jonker will preach on Romans 7:7-25. He will talk about how the cross is a defeat of the powers of evil. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-15-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Cross Words: Sin, Slavery, and the Liberating Power of Jesus Christ Cross Words: Sin and Slavery A Lenten exploration of Romans 7 and the cosmic liberation of the Cross. Lent Series 2026 The Central Thesis "I have the desire to do good, but I cannot carry it out... Who will rescue me from this body subject to death?" — Apostle Paul, Romans 7:24 01 Sin as Enslavement Beyond individual choices, sin is an addictive power that fixates the soul and overrides the will. 02 The Law as Intervention The Law doesn't cause sin; it acts as a diagnostic tool that reveals the depth of our spiritual captivity. 03 Cosmic Liberation The Cross is the turning point of history—a decisive victory over dark powers and the liberation of all creation. Service Highlights ✔Table Fellowship: Edward & Henry's declaration. ✔Children's Message: Habits (Good vs. Bad). ✔Global Prayer: Peace in Iran & Middle East. The Stained Glass Symbol The sun and moon under Jesus' arms represent the cosmic implications of the sacrifice—victory over all created things. Keywords #Romans7 #Addiction #Liberation #Lent#Victory Speaker: Rev. Peter Jonker | Location: LaGrave Ave CRC Reading Time: ~83 min audio Introduction This Lenten service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church explores the profound theological theme of "Sin and Slavery." Through the lens of Romans 7, the service moves from the confession of personal transgressions to a celebration of Christ’s cosmic victory over the dark powers that seek to enslave humanity. Detailed Summary 1. Covenantal Milestones and Community Prayer The service opened with a call to worship and a time of confession, emphasizing that through Christ’s wounds, believers find healing and return to the "shepherd and overseer" of their souls. A significant highlight was the declaration of "table fellowship" for Edward Havlichek and Henry Slotsema. This milestone marks their public acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and their transition to participating in Holy Communion, a second step in their journey that began at baptism. Following this, the congregation engaged in intercessory prayer for community members facing health crises—including cancer treatments and bone marrow transplants—and for global peace, specifically focusing on the lack of religious freedom and the ongoing conflict in Iran. Spiritual Habits for Growth During the children's message, the distinction between "bad habits" (like nail-biting) and "good habits" was used to illustrate the Christian life. Weekly Worship: Consistency in gathering with the community. Daily Prayer: Maintaining a constant connection with God. Scripture Engagement: Learning the stories of Jesus to remind ourselves of His love. — Based on Segment [24-64] 2. The Anatomy of Sin: Choice vs. Enslavement The sermon, titled "Sin and Slavery," utilized the modern analogies of hoarding and addiction to explain the "deep dynamics of sin" described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. It was argued that while sin begins with individual choices, it often evolves into an external, oppressive power that bypasses the human will. Paul’s struggle—doing what he hates and failing to do the good he desires—illustrates that sin is more than a list of broken rules; it is a "dark power" that takes hold of the soul. In this context, the Law of God acts as an "intervention," showing the believer the depth of their problem and their inability to self-liberate, thereby pointing toward the necessity of a Savior. 3. Christus Victor: The Cross as Cosmic Victory The theological climax of the service centered on the cross as a site of liberation rather than just a transaction for debt. Referencing the stained-glass "cross window" at LaGrave—which depicts the sun, moon, and red lightning—the sermon explained that Christ’s death has cosmic implications. While the "evil one" viewed the crucifixion as a victory, it was actually the moment God defeated the powers of darkness through "suffering love." This victory ensures that believers are no longer "prisoners of the law of sin" but are brought into the "glory and freedom of the children of God". The service concluded with a call to "light candles of hope" in a world often characterized by fear and noise. The "Cross Words" Framework The Law An "Intervention" that exposes the depth of sin. ➔ The Cross A "Liberation" that breaks the power of evil. "For through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit... has set us free." Key Data Scripture Reference: Romans 7:7-25 (The struggle with the law and sin). Community Health Updates: Millie Vriend and Jean DeKryger have returned home; Steve Palazzolo completed a bone marrow transplant. Global Focus: Prayer for the Padilla DeBorst family’s ministry at Casa Esperanza in Costa Rica. To-Do / Next Steps Community Engagement: Attend the 10:00 AM events listed in the church bulletin. Prayer Requests: Use the new prayer cards located in the pew racks to submit requests to the prayer team. Service Opportunity: Participate in or pray for the "Spa Day" event occurring this Tuesday in the multipurpose room. Spiritual Reflection: Meditate on the "Cross Window" symbolism (sun, moon, and lightning) as a reminder of Christ's cosmic victory. Conclusion The service serves as a powerful reminder that while sin may "crouch at the door," it cannot claim those who belong to Christ. By shifting the focus from sin as a mere moral failure to sin as an overcome power, the congregation is encouraged to walk into the world with "joyful hope," confident that the "sacrificed lamb" is indeed the "Lion of Judah" who has set them free.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Healing and Forgiveness - 2026-03-08 About The Service: We will hold a service of prayer and healing. Pastor Jonker will lead this service. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This worship service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church marks the revival of a communal tradition focused on bringing physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds before God for restoration. The Revival of a Healing Tradition The service represents the first "Annual Service of Prayer and Healing" held at the church since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a dedicated space for members and visitors to bring their diseases, grief, and spiritual burdens to God, facilitated by the presence of pastors and elders available for direct intercession. The liturgy emphasizes that God meets the congregation as a healer who redeems life from "the pit" and crowns the faithful with love and compassion. Biblical Foundation: The Multidimensional Healing of Jesus The theological center of the service is a meditation on Mark 2:1-12, the story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man in Capernaum. The sermon highlights that while the man sought physical restoration, Jesus addressed his spiritual state first by declaring his sins forgiven. This illustrates that Jesus views human struggle differently than the world; he sees "paralysis" not just as a physical ailment but as a potential grip of fear, worry, and spiritual bondage. The Role of the Intercessory Community A significant portion of the message focuses on the friends who carried the paralyzed man to Jesus. The sermon posits that when an individual’s faith is "paper thin" or their hope is exhausted, the community steps in to carry them into the presence of Christ. This communal faith is mirrored in the church's weekly prayer team, which systematically prays through the entire congregation directory alphabetically. Liturgy of Confession and Invitation The service includes a structured litany of confession based on James 5:16, linking the act of confessing sins to one another with the process of healing. Participants are invited to approach one of four prayer stations to share specific requests written on cards, symbolizing the act of "lowering a friend through the roof" to reach Jesus. The service concludes with the assurance that while complete physical healing may not always occur in the manner expected, every prayer offered results in a flow of strength from Jesus to the believer. The congregation is sent out with a benediction to carry the peace of God into their week, grounded in the hope that they will eventually be made entirely new.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-08-2026 Cross Words: The Atoning Sacrifice About The concert: March 8 is the third Sunday in the season of Lent and we will continue our Cross Words sermon series. Pastor Jonker will preach on Romans 8: 1-4. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-8-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC The Atoning Sacrifice: Understanding the "Blood Story" of the Cross Cross Words: The Atoning Sacrifice A deep dive into Romans 3 and the "strange" logic of blood, debt, and eternal grace. LENT SERIES The Central Paradox "Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. It is a phrase as simple as a nursery rhyme, yet as strange as ancient ritual." The Theology of Debt Sin accrues a debt unpayable by humans. Only God has the capacity; only a human deserves the sentence. Christ, being both, bridges the gap through Atonement. From Ritual to Reality Referencing Leviticus 16 (Yom Kippur): The high priest used blood to purify the Holy of Holies. Paul argues Christ is the final sacrifice, ending the cycle of yearly rituals. The "Blood Story" Logic 01 Tim O'Brien: A soldier breaks his own nose to "square" a debt of guilt with a friend. Blood is the currency of justification. 02 Kazuo Ishiguro: "The Buried Giant" explores how forgotten atrocities (blood stories) eventually rise to demand justice. 03 The 100 Ribbons: A story of a prisoner returning home to find a tree covered in white ribbons—a visual of lavish, total forgiveness. Key Takeaways Boasting Excluded: Faith, not works, is the leveler. Grievance Ended: Christ's blood absorbs our personal "blood stories." Transformed Living: Humility and grace become the new social rule. #Atonement #Romans3 #Grace Reading Time: 12 min • LaGrave Ministries This Lenten service at LaGrave explores the theological depth of "Atonement" as presented in Romans 3, reconciling ancient sacrificial rituals with the modern human experience of guilt and justice. The message challenges believers to move from external grievances to a personal realization of grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Detailed Summary Liturgy, Confession, and the Call to Love The service commenced with a series of hymns and a formal call to worship, emphasizing the "wondrous cross" and the redemptive power of Christ's blood. The congregation engaged in a corporate prayer of confession, seeking God’s mercy to blot out transgressions and wash away iniquity. This liturgical opening served to reorient the community toward the "first and greatest commandment": to love God with all heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself. The assurance of pardon, drawn from 1 Peter, reminded the faithful that Christ bore their sins in His body so they might live for righteousness. The Parable of Forgiveness During the children's message, the concept of forgiveness was illustrated through a story of a young man returning home after ten years in prison. Fearing rejection, he asked his parents to tie a white ribbon on an apple tree if they were willing to welcome him back. Upon his return, he found the tree covered in a hundred white ribbons. This narrative served as a poignant analogy for the cross: a sign of God’s overwhelming love and a "welcome home" for those burdened by the shame of their past. The Ritual of Atonement: Then & Now Old Testament (Yom Kippur) High Priest enters the Holy of Holies once a year with animal blood to cover Israel's sins. [Leviticus 16] The New Covenant (The Cross) Jesus, as both Priest and Sacrifice, sheds His own blood to provide eternal redemption. [Romans 3] The Theology of the "Blood Story" The sermon focused on the "crossword" of atonement, addressing the modern discomfort with the language of blood sacrifice. By referencing the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur, the message explained that blood was the "currency" required to pay the debt of sin. The speaker argued that even in secular society, the intuition that "the price of justice is blood" remains prevalent. Examples from literature—such as the physical penance in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried and the "buried giant" of unpunished atrocities in Kazuo Ishiguro’s work—demonstrate that humans naturally recognize that sin creates a debt that cannot be ignored or simply forgotten. Personal Transformation and Community Grace The message concluded by personalizing the "blood story." Rather than using the language of grievance to condemn others, believers are invited to see their own lives "scrolled" before God, recognizing their own need for cleansing. The blood of Christ is described as both absorbing the pain caused by our sins and washing our "hands" clean. This realization excludes boasting and fosters a community defined by humility, kindness, and pervasive grace. When the story of one's own forgiveness stands between them and their grievances, the result is a transformative joy that flourishes within the church. The Logic of Justification "Where then is boasting? It is excluded." 1. The Problem:All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. 2. The Price:The debt of sin is death; the currency is blood. 3. The Provision:God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement. 4. The Result:Justification by faith, apart from works of the law. Key Data Scripture Text: Romans 3:21-31 (Page 1,748 in the pew Bible). Historical Context: The ritual of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) from Leviticus 16. Congregational Milestone: Steve Palazzolo was cleared for a bone marrow transplant scheduled for Wednesday in Ann Arbor. To-Do / Next Steps Check the bulletin for 10:00 hour opportunities immediately following the service. Attend the coffee fellowship located down the hall and to the right in the multipurpose room. Pray for Steve Palazzolo and his wife Lisa as he undergoes his transplant this Wednesday. Offer prayers of peace for those grieving family members, specifically the Colbors, Gruesings, and Buskers. Support those in rehab or facing cancer, including Jean de Kryger, Millie Friend, and Andrea Heckman. Reflect on personal "blood stories" and ensure the story of Christ’s forgiveness stands between you and your grievances. Conclusion The cross is not merely a primitive symbol of sacrifice but a profound answer to the universal human experience of guilt and the need for justice. By accepting Christ as the ultimate sacrifice of atonement, believers are freed from the weight of their own "blood stories" and invited into a life of humility, joy, and radical grace.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Don’t Run On Ahead - 2026-03-01 About The Service: We will meditate on Exodus 2: 11-22 with the message: “Don’t Run On Ahead.” Chad Boorsma will preach. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This worship service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church explores the intersection of God's eternal providence and the human struggle to follow His timing. Through the lens of Psalm 90 and the early life of Moses, the message challenges believers to move from self-driven ambition to a life of surrendered servanthood. Foundations of Providence and Human Fragility The service opened with a prayer based on the Belgic Confession, Article 13, acknowledging that God governs all things according to His holy will and that nothing happens by chance. This theme of divine sovereignty was further explored through a responsive reading of Psalm 90, often considered the oldest psalm in the Psalter. The congregation reflected on God's eternal nature—existing before the mountains were born—contrasted with the brevity of human life, which is described as grass that withers by evening. These reflections served as a call to recognize human limitations and the necessity of finding a "dwelling place" in God throughout all generations. The Contrast of the "Cinematic" vs. Biblical Moses The sermon addressed the popular cultural depictions of Moses, such as those in The Ten Commandments or The Prince of Egypt, which often portray him as a consistently confident, "debonair" hero. However, the biblical narrative reveals a much harsher reality. Moses was born into a period of intense persecution and infanticide under a threatened Pharaoh. His survival was not a matter of cinematic luck but the result of his mother Jochebed’s clever planning and the direct providence of God, who placed him in the heart of the Egyptian palace to be nurtured in the wisdom of the empire. The Danger of Running Ahead of God A pivotal moment in Moses' life occurred when he attempted to take justice into his own hands by killing an Egyptian taskmaster. While his intentions to help his people were sincere, he acted "deliberately and according to a plan he concocted" without consulting God. This "self-driven life" led to a sinking heart and forced exile. The sermon illustrated this through a modern example of a pastor who attempted to force a neighborhood evangelism program too quickly, resulting in an empty event because he had not earned the congregation's trust or waited for God's timing. The School of Servanthood in Midian Moses' 40-year exile in Midian is portrayed as a period of divine reorientation. At a well in a barren land, God began to mold Moses' character through small, seemingly insignificant tasks, such as protecting seven women from shepherds. This stage of life taught Moses that a servant's duty is simply to do the "next task" available. This principle was echoed in the story of a modern-day church member who served as a helper to her husband with MS for 46 years, illustrating that true servanthood is found in daily faithfulness rather than personal glory. The Ultimate Example: Christ’s Surrender The sermon concluded by pointing to Jesus Christ as the "far greater example" of servanthood. Unlike Moses' early impulsive actions, Jesus demonstrated complete surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying, "Yet not my will, but yours be done." While Moses served faithfully in God’s house, Jesus is the faithful Son whose journey to the cross provides the ultimate model for believers to follow God's ways and timing through the power of the Holy Spirit. The life of Moses serves as a profound reminder that God’s servants are not born in palaces but molded in the wilderness. By surrendering personal agendas and waiting on divine timing, believers can move from the "disrepair and turmoil" of self-driven lives into the "holy rest" of God's eternal purposes.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-01-2026 Cross Words: Contrition About The concert: March 2 is the second Sunday in the season of Lent and we will continue our Cross Words sermon series, a series which focuses on different aspects of the cross. Pastor Jonker will preach on Psalm 51 Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-1-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC The Path of Contrition: A Lenten Service of Reflection and Renewal This document summarizes the Lenten worship service held at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, focusing on the spiritual discipline of contrition. The service explores the transition from the weight of human sinfulness to the transformative joy found through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Detailed Points of Reflection The Symbolism of the Cross in Worship The service emphasizes the cross as the central motif of the Lenten season, both theologically and physically. During the children's message, it was noted that the sanctuary contains over 360 crosses—found in the architecture, windows, and light fixtures—serving as a daily reminder for the entire year that Jesus cares for the "hard things" in life. This visual abundance reinforces the message that the atonement is a "full and free" gift for those in affliction. The Presence of the Cross In the LaGrave sanctuary, the cross is integrated into the very fabric of the environment, symbolizing constant support: Reredos & Windows: Visual depictions of the crucifixion. Light Fixtures: 288 crosses embedded in the main lights. Wall Sconces: Additional crosses bringing the total to over 360. "One cross for every day of the year." The Theology of Contrition The sermon defines "contrition" as a "godly sorrow for sin," distinguishing it from mere guilt. Drawing from Psalm 51 and the writings of Robert Roberts, the message argues that contrition is a vital spiritual emotion—akin to joy or peace—that every Christian should cultivate. Unlike secular remedies for unworthiness, such as denial or self-harm, contrition serves as a "remedy" and a "gift" that addresses the deep moral failures of the human heart. The Three Stages of a Contrite Heart Using King David’s confession after his transgressions with Bathsheba as a framework, the service outlines a three-part progression of contrition. First, one must recognize the depth of sin, acknowledging that it is not a momentary lapse but a condition that goes "all the way down". Second, the individual must accept their total helplessness to change themselves, shifting the "verbs of change" entirely to God. Finally, the process culminates in turning to the Redeemer, where the realization of helplessness meets the "unfailing love" and victory of Jesus Christ. The Three Stages of Contrition 1. Depth: Realizing sin is a deep-seated nature, not just a mistake. 2. Helplessness: Admitting that personal willpower cannot fix the heart. 3. Redemption: Hurling oneself upon the mercy and compassion of Christ. Community Intercession and Global Concerns The congregation engaged in extensive prayer for local and global needs. This included petitions for the healing of hospitalized members, guidance for church leaders in the nomination process, and support for city partners addressing homelessness. The prayer also extended to world leaders and the pursuit of lasting peace in the Middle East, resting in the "good news" that God remains in control. Key Data Sanctuary Symbolism: There are estimated to be more than 360 crosses within the church sanctuary. Mental Health Context: Approximately 1 in 5 young people in society engage in some form of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to cope with feelings of unworthiness. Liturgical Calendar: The service marked the Second Sunday in Lent. To-Do / Next Steps Participate in the Generation Spark Survey: Attendees are asked to fill out index cards on the puzzle tables in the multipurpose room to help develop intergenerational relationships. Attend Visitor Coffee Time: Visitors and new members (joined within the last two years) are invited to the parlor after the service for a meet-and-greet. Review Elder and Deacon Nominations: Members nominated for leadership roles should discern their acceptance of these positions. Practice Daily Contrition: Individuals are encouraged to bring specific "broken" areas of their lives to God in nightly prayer for cleansing. Conclusion The service concludes with the affirmation that contrition is not a "morbid" focus on failure, but a "joyful" gateway to a second chance. By standing before the cross and offering a "broken and contrite heart," the believer finds that Jesus descends into the deepest parts of human misery to bring them home.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Forgiven and Blessed - 2026-02-22 About The Service: Rev. Kristy Manion will lead us in worship and will preach on Psalm 32. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC This worship service at La Grave Church marks the first Sunday in the season of Lent, a period dedicated to contemplating human limits, sin, and the joyful necessity of a Savior. Through liturgy, missionary testimony, and an exploration of Psalm 32, the congregation is invited to move from the "wasting away" of unconfessed sin into the restorative grace of divine forgiveness. The Call to Worship and the Lenten Journey The service opens with a call to recognize Jesus, even when the world fails to do so, asking for faith to see His glory and wisdom. As the first Sunday of Lent, the liturgy emphasizes that while this season involves reflecting on sin and the need for saving, it is ultimately grounded in the "joyful truth" of having a Savior. This is reinforced by a reading from Acts, where the Apostle Paul proclaims that through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins and a justification unattainable under the Law of Moses are now available to all who believe. Ministry Spotlight: Resonate Global Mission in Hungary Jeff and Julie Baumann, missionaries serving in Budapest, shared the story of Pamela Shammas to illustrate God’s "surprises" in mission work. Pamela, a Syrian Christian from Aleppo, fled the war to study psychology in Hungary on a scholarship. After connecting with the Baumanns' church and university fellowship, she eventually joined the "Cohort Europe Program." She is now serving as a missionary herself, working with refugees in Berlin. The Baumanns highlighted how their ministry has evolved from direct refugee aid to supporting "people on the move" who fall between traditional legal categories. Pastoral Prayer and Community Concerns The pastoral prayer focuses on the "dustiness" of humanity and the intercession of the Holy Spirit. It includes specific petitions for justice where the strong exploit the weak and for the repair of broken trust. The congregation also remembers several members facing significant life events, including milestone birthdays and serious health challenges ranging from cancer diagnoses to pediatric internal bleeding. Sermon: The Anatomy of Confession The sermon explores the "complicated" emotional landscape of Psalm 32, which blends suffering, regret, and relief. The speaker notes that the Hebrew syntax places "Blessed" at the very beginning, emphasizing that the state of being forgiven precedes the description of sin. A central theme is the danger of "keeping silent" about sin, which the psalmist describes as a physical wasting of the bones. The message concludes with Martin Luther’s famous advice to "sin boldly"—not as an excuse to transgress, but as a directive to rely even more boldly on the "true and not fictitious grace" of Christ, who is victorious over the world. The service concludes with a reminder that while all are sinners, all have a Savior. The congregation is sent out with a benediction of peace, encouraged to live as "grace-receiving people" who keep their eyes fixed on Jesus' grace rather than the "ditch" of their past transgressions.

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 02-22-2026 Cross Words: Foreshadowings About The concert: We will start a new sermon series called Cross Words. These sermons will go through the Bible and look at what the Bible teaches us about the cross. We will begin by looking at how the Old Testament points towards the cross. Pastor Jonker will preach on Genesis 3: 21-24. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-2-22-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC Cross Words: The Foreshadowing of Grace Cross Words: Foreshadowings First Sunday of Lent | LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church SERMON ABSTRACT Feb 22, 2026 • 82 min read Core Theological Argument "God does not have the heart of an accountant; He has the heart of a Father. He has a cross-shaped heart." The Moral Accounting Standard justice demands the offender pays the debt. Common sense suggests "demolition and a new build" for a broken creation. The Divine Absorption God breaks the rules of accounting by seeking the offender, absorbing the misery, and paying the cost Himself. 🚗The Cadillac Illustration A daughter crashes her father's prized 1955 Cadillac into the garage. Instead of anger, the father gives her money for her youth event—absorbing the cost and misery to preserve the relationship. This mirrors the Gospel. Biblical Roadmap •Genesis 3:21-24: The first "garments of skin"—God's first act of covering human shame. •The Wilderness: Israel "crashes the car" with the golden calf; God continues to provide manna. •The Cross: The ultimate absorption where Jesus weaves "clothes of righteousness." Liturgical Highlights #LentBeginnings#Communion#Genesis3#Grace#Atonement Community Note: Welcomed the Karsten family. Prayers offered for Caleb Vandenberg (surgery) and the family of Yvonne Pileman. Speaker: Rev. Peter Jonker (Speaker_4) "Go in peace, clothed in His grace." This worship service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church marks the beginning of the Lenten season and a new sermon series titled "Cross Words." The service explores the profound theme of God’s "cross-shaped heart," tracing how the Old Testament anticipates the sacrifice of Jesus through God’s consistent choice to absorb the cost of human sin. The gathering culminates in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, emphasizing grace for the imperfect. Detailed Summary Community Milestones and Lenten Observance The service opens with a warm welcome to both long-time members and first-time guests, specifically introducing the Karsten family—Neal, Natalie, and Lydia—as new members of the congregation. This week is particularly significant as the church celebrates its 139th anniversary of ministry. As the first Sunday of Lent, the congregation is reminded of the upcoming noontime Wednesday Lenten services and encouraged to participate in anniversary activities detailed in the bulletin. The community also joins in prayer for those grieving, particularly the family of Yvonne Pileman, and for those facing health challenges, including Caleb Vandenberg following his recent surgery. The Divine Decision: Redemption over Demolition Centering on Genesis 3, the sermon challenges the "moral accounting" of human logic through a metaphor of "Common Sense Consulting." From a purely business or structural perspective, a corrupted creation and a "unreliable workforce" (humanity) would warrant demolition and a fresh start. However, the narrative of the Fall reveals a God who does not follow the rules of maximum profit and minimum pain. Instead of abandoning Adam and Eve, God seeks them out, providing "garments of skin" to cover their shame. This act establishes a recurring Old Testament pattern where God repeatedly absorbs the misery and pays the debt of His people's failures, from the golden calf in the wilderness to the era of the kings. The "Consultant" vs. The Father Human Logic Maximum profit, minimum pain. Recommend "demolition" due to significant corruption and poor ROI. Divine Grace The "Cross-Shaped Heart." Choosing to rebuild and absorb the cost of the "wreckage" personally. The Cadillac Parable and the Heart of Grace To illustrate the practical manifestation of a cross-shaped heart, the pastor shares the story of Tom DeGroat and his daughter, Sherry. After Sherry accidentally caused significant damage to her father’s prized 1955 Cadillac and the family garage, Tom responded not with anger, but by giving her money to continue her day at a youth event. By absorbing the financial and emotional cost of the accident, Tom mirrored the character of the Heavenly Father. This "gracious intuition" is what ultimately leads to the cross, where Jesus absorbs all human pain and pays the ultimate cost to clothe humanity in righteousness. Sacrament of the Lord's Supper The service concludes with the celebration of Communion, described as a "place of grace" for those who feel they have "crashed the car" of their lives. The liturgy emphasizes that even the disciples who betrayed, denied, or doubted Jesus were invited to His table. The bread and wine serve as tangible reminders that Christ’s body was broken and His blood shed for the complete forgiveness of sins. The congregation is sent forth with a prayer that God’s cross-shaped heart would take root in them, transforming them into joyful and giving people. The Moral Accounting of the Cross 📉 The Debit: Damaged relationships and the "wreckage" of sin. ⚖️ The Human Way: The offender must pay the debt and initiate the apology. ✨ The Way of the Cross: The offended party (God) seeks the offender and pays the total cost. Key Data Church Anniversary: 139 years of ministry. Significant Birthdays: Annette Haverkamp (90), Clarence Van Dyken (95), and Paul Byden (91). Memorial: Yvonne Pileman passed away at age 95. To-Do / Next Steps Attend the noontime Wednesday Lenten services beginning this week. Check the church bulletin for activities related to the 139th anniversary. Submit prayer requests using the cards found in the pew racks to be dropped in the wood box by the chapel. Participate in the 10:00 AM hour activities following the main service. Conclusion The service serves as a powerful reminder that the cross was not an afterthought but was present in the heart of God from the beginning of time. By moving from the "moral accounting" of the law to the radical "grace" of the Father, the congregation is invited to live out of a sense of being fully forgiven and clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship - For You Died... - 2026-02-15 About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on Colossians 3:1-4. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org This Vesper service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church explores the profound theological paradox found in Colossians: the declaration that believers have already died. Through scripture, the imagery of C.S. Lewis, and real-world reflections, the service examines the tension between our "ghostly" old selves and the "substantial" new life found in baptism. The Theology of Rootedness and Righteousness The service opens with a call to worship from Psalm 84, emphasizing the blessing of those whose strength is in God as they pass through the "Valley of Baca" or suffering. Drawing from Jeremiah 17 and 2 Corinthians 5, the message contrasts two ways of living: the "tumbleweed" life of one rooted in self versus the "tree by the water" rooted in the Lord. This rootedness is further defined by the Heidelberg Catechism, which clarifies that righteousness before God comes not through the worthiness of one's faith, but through the "perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ" credited to the believer by grace alone. The Paradox of the "Dead" Self A central challenge of the sermon is Paul’s assertion in Colossians 3:3: "For you died." While this refers to the "death" of the old self in baptism, the reality of daily life often suggests otherwise. The speaker acknowledges the "strange gap" between the theological declaration of death to sin and the persistent experience of temptation, guilt, and hypocrisy. This gap is illustrated through the tragic history of baptized individuals participating in the Holocaust, highlighting that baptism does not magically end the struggle against the old self, which remains "alive and kicking". Ghostly Wraiths vs. Substantial Souls Using C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce as a framework, the sermon describes the "great interior drama" of life as a choice between becoming a "ghostly" wraith or a "substantial" soul. Sin—such as deceit, rage, or the violence depicted in a seven-year-old’s drawing—makes a person "insubstantial" and "smudgy," like a stain in the air. Conversely, acts of compassion, kindness, and the joy of the Holy Spirit make a person "weighty" and "fully alive." The "true self" is not something believers must manufacture; it is already resurrected and "hidden with Christ in God," waiting to be lived out through the power of the Spirit. The service concludes with a call to live out the "shining reality" of baptism. While the struggle between the old and new selves defines the human experience, the congregation is encouraged by the fact that their true, resurrected life is already secure in Christ. By the breathing of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to turn away from the "ghostly" and embrace the substantial life of grace