LaGrave Live

LaGrave Live, May 17, 2026

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, May 10, 2026

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Doubt Whittled Away by the Word About The Service: Chad Boorsma will preach as we will conclude the Easter season by looking at Luke 24:36-49, a passage where doubt is whittled away as our eyes are opened to the Word. 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 This evening worship service at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church centers on the transformative power of the Word of God and the reality of Christ’s resurrection. Through liturgy, song, and a message from Luke 24, the congregation explores how Scripture addresses human doubt and provides lasting peace. Liturgical Foundation and the Call to Praise The service opens with a focus on the Easter season, moving from the solemnity of Lent into a celebration marked by white and gold decor, symbolizing the victory of Christ over death. The congregation is invited to extol the Lord through Psalm 111, reflecting on the "glorious and majestic" deeds of God and the trustworthiness of His precepts, which are established forever. This liturgical start establishes the "Power of the Word" as the central theme, framing the Bible not just as a historical record, but as a living instrument of wisdom and redemption. Global Intercession and the Mission of the Church A significant portion of the service is dedicated to corporate prayer, focusing on the renewal of the global church and the plight of the suffering. The congregation intercedes for those displaced by war and famine, praying that host nations would rise to meet their needs. Furthermore, there is a specific emphasis on the role of media and missions in spreading the Gospel. Confronting Doubt with the Resurrected Christ The sermon, based on Luke 24:36-49, recounts Jesus appearing to His startled disciples on Easter evening. Despite hearing reports of the resurrection, the disciples are "startled and frightened," suspecting they are seeing a ghost. The message draws a parallel between the disciples' fear and modern "lingering doubts"—the persistent anxieties that remain even when one has faith, much like a person repeatedly checking an online tracking link despite knowing the package is on its way. To "whittle away" these doubts, Jesus provides a threefold proof: Physical Proof: He invites them to touch His hands and feet. Experiential Proof: He eats broiled fish in their presence to demonstrate His physical reality. Scriptural Proof: He "opens their minds" to understand how the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms all pointed toward His suffering and resurrection. Application: The Word as Living Comfort The service concludes by emphasizing that while Jesus is no longer physically present, He remains with the church through the Holy Spirit. The story of "Ethan," a man facing the end of his life with regrets, serves as a poignant illustration of how the Word—specifically Psalm 32—can dispel the "guilt of sin" and bring peace where logic or memory cannot. The congregation is challenged to stop leaving the Word "on the shelf" and instead allow it to illuminate their daily lives. The worship service reaffirms that the Bible is the "fully reliable" record of God's redeeming work. By looking to the resurrected Christ and the fulfillment of Scripture, believers are encouraged to move past their doubts and walk into the new week with the peace and power of the Holy Spirit.

LaGrave Live, May 3, 2026

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, May 3, 2026

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, April 26, 2026

LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship Service - Outward Bound About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on Luke 4: 42-44 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 worship service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church explores the dual nature of the Christian life through the example of Jesus. It emphasizes the necessity of both inward spiritual replenishment and the outward mission to engage with a distracted world. Community Worship and Mission Focus The service opened with a call to worship from Psalm 108, celebrating God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. A significant portion of the gathering was dedicated to the mission of the church, specifically highlighting the work at Zuni Christian Mission School (ZCMS) in New Mexico. Tim Beckford shared that the school is currently experiencing a "season of harvest," evidenced by recent baptisms of students and their family members. He emphasized that this work is sustained not by human strength, but through the Holy Spirit and the collective prayers of the global church. Intercessory Prayer and Social Reflection During the pastoral prayer, the congregation reflected on the beauty of creation while acknowledging the "dark valleys" of modern life. Specific concerns were raised regarding the rise of hatred, violence, and tension within the nation. The prayer sought peace, patience, and the frustration of those who promote fear. Additionally, the community interceded for those facing acute medical needs, specifically mentioning individuals battling cancer, chronic pain, and addiction, asking for both physical and soulful restoration. The Sermon: The Two Moves of Jesus The core message, based on Luke 4:42-44, examined Jesus’ devotional rhythm, which consists of two essential "moves": 1. The Inward Move (Replenishment) Jesus frequently sought "deserted places" to pray and commune with the Father, especially after exhausting periods of ministry. This inward discipline is framed as vital for restoration. In a modern context, this is challenged by the "Attention Economy," where smartphones and digital distractions are designed to prevent quiet contemplation. The sermon noted a resurgence of interest in ancient spiritual disciplines (Sabbath, silence, fasting) among younger generations, such as Millennials and Gen Z, who are seeking "food and water" for their distracted souls. 2. The Outward Move (Mission) The second move is the "must" of the Gospel—the necessity to move toward others. Jesus resisted the temptation to stay in a comfortable, successful ministry in Capernaum to reach other towns. His outward move was characterized by radical inclusion, reaching out to tax collectors, Samaritans, lepers, and the poor. The sermon argued that outward disciplines, such as hospitality, do not just bless others but also form and change the believer. By engaging with people from different backgrounds, Christians gain a fresh perspective on their own lives and ministries. The Christian life is compared to the act of breathing: the inward move of spiritual replenishment is the "breath in," and the outward move of mission and hospitality is the "breath out." True human life, fully lived in the Holy Spirit, requires both moves to remain healthy and faithful to the example of Christ.