TWO CHURCHES & THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - Update August 14, 2021

Hello! If this is your first time visiting our website, welcome! And thank you for taking the time to check us out!

The Covid-19 pandemic certainly changed a lot of our lives, in so many ways, including the way we worship and the way we do ministry. For us at Two Churches, our ability to meet in person, or even at times to use our building, has been determined by the Episcopal Pastoral Directive as well as recommendations from our ELCA Bishop and the CDC. During this time, we've learned to worship online, and have strived to find new and innovative ways to reach out to the community and continue to do God's work while still keeping people safe.

We are now in Phase 3 of the pastoral directive, and are now back in our sanctuary for worship. Praise God! We will also continue to stream our services on Facebook Live (clicking on that big yellow box will get you there). Either way, we hope you join us.

Due to recent rises in Covid-19 Delta variant transmission rates, our joint leadership (Council & Vestry) has voted to once again require masks (or face shields) indoors at all times, regardless of vaccination status. We are not, however, restricting occupancy. It is likely that we will continue this mask requirement until such time as the CDC has declared Kent county's transmission rate to be "low" once again.

We will continue the distribution of communion in one kind only, wafer or bread - and our denominations are very clear that when we receive in one kind, we receive in both kinds. And we will continue to sing God's praises, even though masked. .

Due to the mask requirement, our coffee fellowship time after worship will be temporarily suspended. We know that all these changes and restrictions can seem overwhelming, and sometimes it seems so very long ago that this all began. But our faith remains in the healing care of a loving God. And our response to that love must continue to be care for our neighbors in the best way that we are able.

We look forward to being together in community with you – either in-person or "virtually"! We truly do believe that God's love is for all people, and you will be welcomed here. Please prayerfully consider our church as a family you would like to worship with as we continue to grow in God's amazing love. And please contact us if you have any questions.

PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE CHANGING OUR WORSHIP TIME
TO 9:00 AM BEGINNING SUNDAY SEPT. 26!

Welcome to Two Churches

In a spirit of community, Two Churches brings together people from all walks of life. Our congregation believes in justice and equality, love and responsibility, and overcoming denominational tribalism. Here you will find ancient traditions yet modern language, authentic sermons, and open doors. No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here. Please join us for one of our worship services.

“Together in faith, bringing God’s love to the world.”

What you'll find

Two Churches is a community of Christians who practice an ancient faith through a modern lens. We come together to bring the love of Christ alive in Kentwood.

Worship is both traditional and modern, with scripture readings, a sermon, & prayers. There's typically a Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion — the presence of Christ in the forms of bread and wine), and you are invited to join us at the Lord's Table. We are currently offering a 10 AM worship service both in-person and streamed via Facebook Live. We continue to join together with our on-line worshippers in a prayer for Spiritual Communion, and also to welcome virtual worshippers to come to the church for a curbside communion which is available for 30 minutes following the service. There will be some organ or piano music provided, the presider may occasionally chant for part of the service, and we are gradually adding some singing back to our worship.

If you are able to join us at the church, please feel free to wear what’s comfortable. You’ll see a wide range of styles here, from business casual to jeans and shorts. Whether you prefer to worship in-person or online, we will continue to stream our service online, we hope you can join us. Our worship has in the past typically been followed by a coffee hour. While that has been curtailed since the pandemic, we are beginning to get a little more social after worship, so please feel free to stick around and get to know us. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. We look forward to meeting you!

Ministries

Two Churches strives to make a REAL difference in the community around us.
"What happens at Two Churches does not stay at Two Churches!"

Diaper Depot

Low-income families with infants & small children often have to choose between diapers and other necessities such as food or transportation. Diaper Depot helps those families stretch their budgets by offering a free package of diapers, and currently serves an average of 173 infants & children each month. Due to COVID-19, a small but dedicated crew of volunteers have been operating our Diaper Depot as a "curbside" service each month so we can continue to serve our neighbors, whose needs are greater now than ever!

Feeding Ministries

Much of our community ministry efforts focus on supporting organizations that seek to find solutions to poverty, and more specifically food insecurity. This includes the Green Apple Food Pantry (formerly John Knox Food Pantry), ACCESS of West Michigan, and St. Mark's Cafe. Our ministries include monthly collections as well as special events. During the pandemic, our monthly collections continue as able, and we are supporting many of our ministry efforts with "virtual" events. Even our 16th Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser went virtual!

Other Ministries

Matthew 22:36-40 teaches us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and it is our understanding that this means EVERYONE. We strive to show that love in a tangible way through a variety of programs and volunteer events. Reflecting a key phrase of the ELCA, this is "God's Work. Our Hands."

Who we are

Two Churches is The Church of the Holy Cross (Episcopal) & Ascension Lutheran Church (ELCA), two Kentwood congregations with a long history of collaboration, who came together in 2014 as one Christian community, worshipping and “being church” together in one building. We are inclusive and ecumenical. We are both Lutheran & Episcopal, yet many of our members & friends come from other backgrounds as well, all finding welcome here. Together, we seek to better understand God’s unconditional love for us all, and to share God’s message of love with the community around us.

From the blog

Sermons Sept. 5 – Sept 19

September 5, 2021

While Rev. Mike is on vacation, there will be no weekly posting of the sermons here. However, you can still “tune in” to our weekly worship service as the videos remain accessible on our Facebook page at: The sermon postings will resume Sept. 26.

Aside from God’s Love, Change is the Only Constant

August 30, 2021

Those of you who read the MailChimp email I sent on August 22nd, or who heard or read my sermon on the August 29th know that change is afoot. It began on April 15, when the Rev. Canon Val Ambrose (of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan) had a Zoom meeting with several of...

The Speaking Heart

August 29, 2021

Year B Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 May the words of my mouth O God… speak your truth… There’s a passage in Deuteronomy 6:5-9… which is a fuller expression of our reading from a few minutes ago… it’s a prayer we used to recite every week at Friday...