Two Churches & Covid-19

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 changed our lives in many ways, including the way we worship and do ministry. 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 everyone as safe as possible.

We continue to follow Phase 3 of the Episcopal Pastoral Directive, as well as recommendations from our ELCA bishop and the CDC. This currently means we are worshipping in our building with no specific limitations regarding occupancy levels or type of activity. Masks are OPTIONAL but still highly recommended. If you choose to wear a mask while in the building, you'll find no judgement here, but please know there will likely be others who choose not to wear one. Like many, we continue to monitor current "risk" rates for our state and county, and may adjust protocols as needed. Typically any changes would be communicated through our MailChimp email system, which you can receive by subscribing to our newsletter (there's a link towards the bottom of this page.)

We have reinstated our coffee hour which follows worship, and we do hope you'll be able to join us after worship for a cup of coffee (or tea) and perhaps a treat or two. We're a pretty friendly bunch, and a chat over coffee is a great way for us all to get to know one another.

If you worship with us in-person, we now are using both wine and wafer for communion. Our most recent pre-covid traditions were to offer both intinction and common cup, and we hope to return to this eventually. But for now, in order to minimize possible exposure, we are partaking of communion via intinction, with the presider dipping the wafer in the chalice and then placing the wafer in the recipient's hand. Those who wish to may also receive the bread alone, confident in our belief that "when we receive in one kind, we receive the benefits of both kinds." And as always, gluten/wheat-free wafers are available as well.

We continue to stream our services on Facebook Live for our out-of-towners & those who prefer to worship from home. The big yellow button will take you to the correct page for that. And you don’t have to have a Facebook account to view our worship stream/videos. Be aware, if you don't log in to a FB account, there will likely be some pop-up windows and you'll need to click the area behind them in order to see the video. If you do have a FB account, you'll be able to comment during the video, and we encourage you to do so - just a friendly hello is great so we know you are with us, or if you have a specific prayer request there'll be a time for that too. Whatever way you choose to connect with us, we look forward to worshipping with you! Please join us!

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.

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. Our Sunday worship service is held at 9 AM both in-person and streamed via Facebook Live. We continue to join together in a prayer for Spiritual Communion for our online worshippers who are not able to physically receive the Eurcharist. There will be some organ or piano music provided, the presider may occasionally chant for part of the service, and we will be singing parts of the liturgy and have 2 or 3 hymns/songs.

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 hope you can join us. Our worship is typically followed by a coffee hour, and there will usually be some sort of treat available. 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. Diaper Distribution Dates & Times

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.

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

Sermon for Sunday, July 31st

July 31, 2022

The Rev. Pauline Standley (known to us as Pastor Polly) presided and preached this Sunday while Rev. Mike was on vacation. While her sermon is not available in written form, you can view it (and the entire worship service if you wish) at https://www.facebook.com/557212050997374/videos/368286395454970 The sermon begins at about the 22 minute mark.

Knock Three Times

July 24, 2022

Year C Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 138 Colossians 2:6-15 Luke 11:1-13 May the words of my mouth O God… speak your truth… O God… let me pass this test… and I promise I’ll go to church every Sunday for a year… O God… let me just make it to the gas station… and I promise I’ll always remember to...

Vulnerable Hospitality

July 17, 2022

Year C Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 15 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 May the words of my mouth O God… speak your truth… The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre… and he looked up and saw three men… one Hebrew commentary I have… says that as in some Canaanite literature… as was often the case… the deity...