Two Churches & Covid-19 - Update March 1, 2022

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 has changed our lives in many ways these past two years, 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 everyone safe.

We continue in Phase 3 of the pastoral directive, which means we are worshipping in our building with no restrictions as to number of people allowed in the building, and as of March 1, 2022, masks are now OPTIONAL. If you choose to wear a mask while in the building, there will be no judgement, but please know there will also likely be others who choose not to wear one.

We continue to stream our services on Facebook Live for those who prefer to worship from home. Clicking on the big yellow box will take you to the correct page for that. You don’t have to have a Facebook account to view our worship stream/videos. Be aware, if you don't log, Facebook will likely give you some annoying pop-up windows and you'll just 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 do love to hear from the folks worshipping with us online - just a friendly hello is great, 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!

With our mask mandate having expired, we are now resuming our coffee hour following worship, and we will be trying to arrange the tables and seating such that we aren't all on top of each other (I'd call it "somewhat socially distanced".) 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.

During worship, we are continuing for now the distribution of communion in one kind only (wafer or bread, but no wine) with both our denominations being very clear that when we receive in one kind, we receive in both kinds. And we are continuing to sing God's praises!

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. We are currently offering a 9 AM worship service 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 a couple of 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. 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

Glorified Through Love

May 15, 2022

Year C Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35 May the words of my mouth O God… speak your truth… In today’s Gospel… Jesus is on a cusp… he’s just been betrayed into the hands of the authorities… but he’s also just been glorified… his glorification is the divine expression of how love saves human life… and...

Lights, Sheep, and Mothers

May 8, 2022

Year C Acts 9:36-43 Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30 May the words of my mouth O God… speak your truth… Light is a universal symbol of enlightenment… it helps describe God’s Shekinah… of God’s presence in feminine form… which is embodied in so many mothers… whose sacrifices for their families… we honor today… and lights and candles...

What Lies Ahead

May 1, 2022

As I write this reflection, the war in Ukraine has been going on for more than two months. Thousands of civilians, including children, have been injured or killed. As of April 21, almost 5.4 million refugees have fled Ukraine, and an estimated 7.7 million people have been displaced within the country itself. Some of...