Womens

Offering opportunities to connect, learn, serve and grow.

WEEKLY AND REGULAR EVENTS

  • Wednesday Bible Studies | Meeting every Wednesday morning at 9:30am and Wednesday evening at 6:30pm at Thornapple. Learn more and sign up here.
  • MOPS | Mothers of Preschoolers meets two Thursdays each month September through early May. Learn more and sign up here.
  • Moms on a Mission | For moms of school age children. This group is on hiatus for the 20/21 year.
  • WholyFit | Devotional exercise Fridays at 9:30am (meeting times change around holidays, school vacations and during the summer). Learn more here.
  • Hearts for Sewing | Sewing and fellowship for women on projects benefiting charitable organizations.
  • Retreats | Retreats are offered periodically. There is a denominational retreat offered to all women in our Covenant conference every fall.

If you have questions about Women’s Ministries and events, or if you would like to help with women’s ministry events, please contact lay-leaders: Sarah DeBaets or Diane Kunkler or staff leader, Lynne McLaughlin.

Mens

Are you interested in connecting further with the men of Thornapple? Growing in your faith? Discovering new ways to Serve? Men’s Ministries is on the move.

MEN’S MINISTRY WEEKLY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

  • Saturday Morning Gatherings (formerly Men’s Breakfast) | Multiple times throughout the year.
  • Monday Mornings Men’s Study | 6:30am (all year). We eat breakfast, discuss the sermon, share and pray together. Join us! We meet at church on all Mondays EXCEPT the first Monday of the month when we meet at The Gathering Place Restaurant at 6886 Cascade Rd. SE. For more information or with questions, contact Kirk Mortenson.
  • Small Group Studies | Groups meet throughout the week, learn more here.
  • Men’s Fall Retreat | Retreats are offered periodically. There is a denominational retreat offered to all men in our Covenant conference, typically every fall.

If you have questions about Men’s Ministry contact:
Jim Knight, Ryan Russell or Doug Datema

Young Adults

Thornapple Young Adults ministry is for 20 somethings, college students and grads, and post high school adults.

Our goal is to provide a church home where you can worship, serve, be challenged to grow in your faith and find community – with others in your same stage of life as well as people from all generations. If you are interested in learning more, contact Shalini Bennett.

Small Group | The Young Adults small group meets Mondays. All are welcome! Get the details by contacting Shalini Bennett.

College Students | Many college students make Thornapple their home church while attending colleges in the Grand Rapids area. In a typical year we offer brunches on Sundays for college students, goody bags during exam weeks and opportunities to serve.

Horizons (50s and 60s)

ALWAYS BEFORE US, ONLY CHANGING WHEN OUR DIRECTION SHIFTS

Are you an empty nester, thinking about retirement, recently retired, not planning to retire, and/or changing your work focus? While committed to inter-generational opportunities, Thornapple recognizes there are good reasons to gather people in the same age or stage of life. The goal for this new group is to provide connection with people facing new horizons, to create space for support through transitions, to encourage spiritual growth and to give opportunities for service.

If you have questions, contact Lynne McLaughlin.

Prime Timers (65+)

OUR MINISTRY TO OUR SENIOR ADULTS.

There are opportunities for fellowship, fun, spiritual nurturing and service throughout the year including twice a month “Soup and Study,” a Christmas brunch in December, and periodic day trips (plays, concerts, etc.). Older adults are an important part of our community. There are many opportunities for them to serve in the church such mentoring younger members of the church, teaching or helping in our children’s ministry classes, making meals for new moms, reaching out to shut ins, doing jobs around our facility, and more. If you have questions about Prime Timers or Soup and Study, contact Pastor Andrew. You can also call the church office with questions at 616-957-0580.

The Soup and Study program takes place from late September through April on the first and third Wednesdays of each month starting at 1pm. Adults age 65+ gather for a homemade lunch, fellowship, singing, prayer, and a speaker. Each gathering includes fellowship; program including hymn singing, humor, prayer, “getting to know you” (a member of the congregation comes to share briefly about themselves), followed by a program or talk given by a pastor, member or guest. There is no need to RSVP. Just come! If you have any questions, contact Pastor Andrew.

2021 [NOT]SOUP AND STUDY SCHEDULE
On Zoom
Jan. 6/20, Feb. 3/17, March 3/17, Apr. 7/21