Digital Bulletin

Order of Worship

Sunday, September 22
*All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Welcome & Call to Worship
Passing the Peace
*Graves into Gardens
*Steadfast
Prayer & Offering
Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 12
Message | Julia Sandstrom, Teaching Pastor
*Abide with Me
*All I Have Is Christ
Benediction

*Congregational Song    

Connection card

New(er) to Thornapple?
Learn a little more about us by getting an email from each one of our pastors (we promise, we will only send you three emails unless you ask us for more info or to be added to a list)!
Want to learn more about one of our ministry areas or get signed up to receive emails?
Fill out the form and someone will be in contact with you to share more info or you'll be added to our email list(s). 
Help us keep our
info current!

Recently moved? Changed your email or got a new phone number? Please share your new contact info with us and we'll update our database! 
How can we pray for you?
Share your prayer request with the pastoral staff - you can choose to keep the request private, share it with staff or have it added to the weekly Prayers of the People email. 

sermon Notes

Take Notes and Send Them To Yourself

Giving

Offering
Support the ministry and mission of Thornapple through the regular practice of giving generously from the financial resources entrusted to you by God.  
Your financial gifts can be:
  1. Made online through our online giving platform 
  2. Mailed to the church office (6595 Cascade Rd. SE; Grand Rapids, MI 49546)
  3. Given during in-person worship on Sunday mornings

August giving fell below budget (the 4th month in a row) and we are now further below budget year-to-date.  Please keep this in mind as you make your giving decisions in the upcoming months.  Your generosity is needed and very much appreciated!!  

Events

  • Saturdays at the Fireside | 6:30-9pm, Sept. 28 & Oct. 5 | Spend a Saturday evening in the Sandstrom's backyard getting to know others from Thornapple, making smores and sharing stories around the campfire. Learn more and sign up HERE.
  • Blood Drive, Monday, Sept. 23, 11am-5pm at Cascade Fellowship 
    Sign up to volunteer HERE | Sign up to donate HERE | Save the date for the next drive on Nov. 26 at Thornapple
  • Ladies Game Night | Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:30pm | Join the women of Thornapple (and any friends they invite) for an evening of games, good food (everyone bring an appetizer or dessert) and fellowship. Learn more and register HERE.
  • Men's Breakfast | Saturday, Oct. 5 at 8am (childcare available) | We'll have multiple guest speakers sharing their stories of how small groups - and more importantly men’s small groups - have affected their spiritual and personal lives. Learn more and register HERE.
  • Creating a Tech Ready Home | A Presentation by Protect Young Eyes (PYE) | Tuesday, October 8, 6-7:30pm | We are hosting a community-wide presentation with Chris McKenna from PYE. Cost will be $10/person and childcare is available for birth-3rd grade. Children 4th-8th grade (including visitors) will be invited to join our Trailblazer/MS ReFuel mid-week activities for the evening. Learn more and register HERE.
  • Community Center Sports 
    Volleyball (contact Linda Winer): Tuesday, 7:45pm
    WholyFit (contact Karalyn Tresh: 616-304-0592): Fridays, 9:30-10:30am

NEWS

Meaning of Membership Class | Any time, online | Interested in joining Thornapple as a member? Have an hour to watch our 5-part online course and answer a few questions? Check out the online course HERE... we'd love to have you take this next step with us!

Spiritual Direction | Learn more about what it is and request to get matched to a spiritual director HERE.
 
New(er) to Thornapple? Curious what Thornapple is all about?
Share your name/email with us and you’ll get 3 introductory emails - one from each of our pastors - and nothing more (we promise). Sign up HERE.

Sunday Programming 
Nursery (birth to 3-years-old) and Kingdom Kids (4-years-old to 6th grade) | 10-11am | Everyone checks in the middle Lobby by Door B; nursery age children can be brought downstairs before worship; 4s-6th grade start in worship with families until they are dismissed around 10:20. Parents can pick up children in the Lower Level following worship. The third Sundays of the month, 5th-6th grade will worship in the Sanctuary with their families and join us for Communion. 
Middle School (7th-8th) | Start in worship with families until they are dismissed around 10:20. The third Sundays of the month, students will worship in the Sanctuary with their families and join us for Communion. 
HS Huddle | Sunday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm. 

Pine Rest Church Assistance Program  
Complimentary counseling (and other programs – just say “I have a CAP with Thornapple Covenant Church” when you call to make an appointment) for you and your family and access to a virtual library of mental health resources (use the password “Thornapple” when prompted). Learn more HERE.

Stephen Ministry
Going through a crisis or having a difficult time? Maybe you could benefit from receiving care in a one-on-one partnership with a trained Stephen Minister. Contact Lynne McLaughlin

Making a Difference

  • Volunteer Childcare Positions for MomCo (formerly MOPS) | Thornapple MomCo is looking for volunteers (or paid* workers) in the KidsCo childcare program. MomCo meets every other Thursday morning for 2 hours September through May. We able to serve mothers of young children because of the love and care provided to our children through the KidsCo caregiver team. Your service is vital to our mission!

    We are looking for caregivers willing to commit to all (or most) of the 15 gatherings, as well as part time volunteers. If you would like to help out for just a few dates, please sign up HERE for fall dates. For those willing to commit to the entire year, please contact Allie.
    *Paid positions are also available for $15 per hour. Contact Allie for more information.

  • Hearts for Sewing | The group meets Noon-3pm the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. The sewing group still needs donations of 100% cotton flannel fabric, or monetary donations for us to purchase these supplies. All donations can be brought to the church office or you can contact Diane Kunkler for more information. Thanks to all who have donated.

  • Love hanging out with babies/toddlers? Children’s Ministry could use your help as a Nursery volunteer on Sunday mornings. Please contact Lisa Udell if you are able to help and she we get you on the schedule!

order of worship

Sunday, September 22
*All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Welcome & Call to Worship
Passing the Peace
*Graves into Gardens
*Steadfast
Prayer & Offering
Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 12
Message | Julia Sandstrom, Teaching Pastor
*Abide with Me
*All I Have Is Christ
Benediction

*Congregational Song    

sermon outline & Notes

giving

Offering
Support the ministry and mission of Thornapple through the regular practice of giving generously from the financial resources entrusted to you by God.  Your collective generosity has provided a strong start to the year – thank you! Your continued regular giving will fund Thornapple’s mission and ministry as planned in the months ahead. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Your financial gifts can be:
  1. Made online through our online giving platform 
  2. Mailed to the church office (6595 Cascade Rd. SE; Grand Rapids, MI 49546)
  3. Given during in-person worship on Sunday mornings.
August giving fell below budget (the 4th month in a row) and we are now further below budget year-to-date.  Please keep this in mind as you make your giving decisions in the upcoming months.  Your generosity is needed and very much appreciated!!

Events

  • Saturdays at the Fireside | 6:30-9pm, Sept. 28 & Oct. 5 | Spend a Saturday evening in the Sandstrom's backyard getting to know others from Thornapple, making smores and sharing stories around the campfire. Learn more and sign up HERE.
  • Blood Drive, Monday, Sept. 23, 11am-5pm at Cascade Fellowship 
    Sign up to volunteer HERE | Sign up to donate HERE | Save the date for the next drive on Nov. 26 at Thornapple
  • Ladies Game Night | Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:30pm | Join the women of Thornapple (and any friends they invite) for an evening of games, good food (everyone bring an appetizer or dessert) and fellowship. Learn more and register HERE.
  • Men's Breakfast | Saturday, Oct. 5 at 8am (childcare available) | We'll have multiple guest speakers sharing their stories of how small groups - and more importantly men’s small groups - have affected their spiritual and personal lives. Learn more and register HERE.
  • Creating a Tech Ready Home | A Presentation by Protect Young Eyes (PYE) | Tuesday, October 8, 6-7:30pm | We are hosting a community-wide presentation with Chris McKenna from PYE. Cost will be $10/person and childcare is available for birth-3rd grade. Children 4th-8th grade (including visitors) will be invited to join our Trailblazer/MS ReFuel mid-week activities for the evening. Learn more and register HERE.
  • Community Center Sports 
    Volleyball (contact Linda Winer): Tuesday, 7:45pm
    WholyFit (contact Karalyn Tresh: 616-304-0592): Fridays, 9:30-10:30am

News

Meaning of Membership Class | Any time, online | Interested in joining Thornapple as a member? Have an hour to watch our 5-part online course and answer a few questions? Check out the online course HERE... we'd love to have you take this next step with us!

Spiritual Direction | Learn more about what it is and request to get matched to a spiritual director HERE.

New(er) to Thornapple? Curious what Thornapple is all about?
Share your name/email with us and you’ll get 3 introductory emails - one from each of our pastors - and nothing more (we promise). Sign up HERE.

Sunday Programming
Nursery (birth to 3-years-old) and Kingdom Kids (4-years-old to 6th grade) | 10-11am | Everyone checks in the middle Lobby by Door B; nursery age children can be brought downstairs before worship; 4s-6th grade start in worship with families until they are dismissed around 10:20. Parents can pick up children in the Lower Level following worship. The third Sundays of the month, 5th-6th grade will worship in the Sanctuary with their families and join us for Communion. 
Middle School (7th-8th) | Start in worship with families until they are dismissed around 10:20. The third Sundays of the month, students will worship in the Sanctuary with their families and join us for Communion. 
HS Huddle | Sunday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm. 

Pine Rest Church Assistance Program  
Complimentary counseling (and other programs – just say “I have a CAP with Thornapple Covenant Church” when you call to make an appointment) for you and your family and access to a virtual library of mental health resources (use the password “Thornapple” when prompted). Learn more HERE.

Stephen Ministry
Going through a crisis or having a difficult time? Maybe you could benefit from receiving care in a one-on-one partnership with a trained Stephen Minister. Contact Lynne McLaughlin

Making a difference

  • Volunteer Childcare Positions for MomCo (formerly MOPS) | Thornapple MomCo is looking for volunteers (or paid* workers) in the KidsCo childcare program. MomCo meets every other Thursday morning for 2 hours September through May. We able to serve mothers of young children because of the love and care provided to our children through the KidsCo caregiver team. Your service is vital to our mission!

    We are looking for caregivers willing to commit to all (or most) of the 15 gatherings, as well as part time volunteers. If you would like to help out for just a few dates, please sign up HERE for fall dates. For those willing to commit to the entire year, please contact Allie.
    *Paid positions are also available for $15 per hour. 
    Contact Allie for more information. 

  • Hearts for Sewing | The group meets Noon-3pm the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. The sewing group still needs donations of 100% cotton flannel fabric, or monetary donations for us to purchase these supplies. All donations can be brought to the church office or you can contact Diane Kunkler for more information. Thanks to all who have donated.

  • Love hanging out with babies/toddlers? Children’s Ministry could use your help as a Nursery volunteer on Sunday mornings. Please contact Lisa Udell if you are able to help and she we get you on the schedule!