TWO CHURCHES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - Update December 27, 2020

Hello. If you are visiting our website for the first time, welcome.!

Since March 2020, our ability to gather for in-person worship has been and continues to be determined by the Episcopal Pastoral Directive and recommendations from our ELCA Bishop, by rising or falling COVID-19 infection rates and orders issued by Gov. Whitmer or the Michigan Health Department as well as other relevant sources.

Over the months, we've had some occasional moments when we've been able to gather in limited numbers for worship, carefully distanced and with no singing, but much of the time we've been worshipping via online streaming, and holding meetings via Zoom. We have been able to continue certain of our community ministry programs (such as Diaper Depot) as a curbside service, or in the case of collections (such as for the Green Apple Food Pantry) via monetary donations.

We make these decisions as well and as intelligently as we're able, to care for one another and our community during this pandemic. We all long for the day when we can once again greet one another with hugs or handshakes, and smiles for our new friends and visitors, and sing God's praises - because that's who we are! And that time will come...eventually.

But for right now, our worship is streamed live from the sanctuary on our Facebook page, each Sunday at 10 AM, with only a handful of "necessary" people present to make that happen. Most Sundays, the worship is followed by a "virtual coffee hour" via Zoom, and a link to that Zoom meeting is sent out each week via our MailChimp email notifications (you can subscribe via the link further down this page).

If you are new to Two Churches - please check out our recent newsletters and perhaps consider subscribing to our notifications. If you have any questions, you can reach out to us by phone, email, or message us via our Facebook page.

O Lord, Most Holy God, we earnestly pray that you would continue to bless us with the grace to endure this on-going pandemic, which has impacted our lives in so many profound and challenging ways. Keep us steadfast in faith and give us a hunger for your Word. Grant us courage and patience, and help us to support one another, sharing your message of unchanging, unconditional love for ALL people. In the name of Jesus Christ our savior, Amen.

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 breaking down 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. Due to the pandemic, we are currently offering a 10 AM virtual worship service via Facebook Live, and joining together with a prayer for Spiritual Communion. While there may be some background organ or piano music provided at times, there is currently no singing.

When we return again to in-person 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 we are able to worship in-person or not, we will continue to stream our service online via Facebook Live, and we hope you can join us. Our worship is also often followed by a "virtual" coffee hour held via Zoom. Subscribe to our email notifications to get the link for the Zoom meeting, or contact the church office. Either way, 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), and ACCESS of West Michigan, and 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 has gone 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

Immediately!

January 24, 2021

Year B Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 62:6-14 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 May the words of my mouth… O God… speak your Truth… It was the last straw… it was the straw that broke the camel’s back… I mean… there’s only so much you can stand… so much weight of wrong… you can carry… ...

Speak Lord, We’re Waiting.

January 17, 2021

Year B 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 May the words of my mouth… O God… speak your Truth… In today’s passage from 1 Samuel… the boy Samuel mistakes God’s voice… for Eli’s voice… mistakes the One divine voice… for one human voice… God calls Samuel three times… and...

Truth Telling

January 10, 2021

Year B Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 May the words of my mouth… O God… speak your Truth… In the beginning… the earth was a formless void… and darkness covered the face of the deep… then God said… Let there be light… and there was light… but wait a minute… ...