News
Reverse Offering | Kicking off April 18, Thornapple is holding a “reverse offering” for Safe Haven Ministries. Following worship, you are invited to:
1. Take a slip of paper from the board in the Lobby or check the list of most-needed items and sign up online
2. Purchase the item(s) needed (you can buy one of the item or as many as you want)
3. Return items next Sunday, April 25 (or during the week, 9am-3pm, M-F)
Glenn Van Noord (GVN) Short-Term Urban Missions Program 2021 | College students AND HS juniors and seniors can now apply for GVN which gives students the opportunity to work in urban Grand Rapids this coming summer. Applications will be accepted until May 1 and the program is nearly full so apply soon if you are interested. Learn more here.
Senior Pastor Search | We are now accepting applicants for our next Senior Pastor.
Pine Rest Church Assistance Program | CAP offers complimentary counseling (and other programs – just say “I have a CAP with Thornapple Covenant Church” when you call to make an appointment) to you and your family and access to a virtual library of mental health resources (use the password “Thornapple” when prompted). Learn more here.
Difficult Discussions | Our Love Mercy Do Justice team has pulled together some resources and opportunities to help you have difficult (but helpful) discussions about racial justice.
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.
Benefit Mobile Fundraising for Children and Students | Did you know Thornapple participates in the Benefit Mobile fundraising program? It is an app you can use right on your phone and can be used at many places you already shop, like Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, etc… Funds raised can be used for retreats, trips, Portage Lake, etc… If you are interested in learning more or signing up, contact Linda Winer.
Events
- Color of Compromise Video Series | Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm (online and in person) through May 25, we’ll be going through Jemar Tisby’s look at American Christianity’s racial history. Each week we’ll watch two segments of the video series and discuss the content in break-out groups; it’s not too late to join! Learn more here.
- Outdoor Worship | First Sunday of each month, May-August; plus, May 23. We will still have an online option but in-person worship these days will be at 10:30 and outside of the Community Center with coffee and something special planned each time for the children.
- All-Church Picnic | Sunday, May 23 following outdoor worship join your church family for fellowship and a fried chicken meal from Cousins Tasty Chicken.
- Trailblazers (3rd-5th grade) | Tuesdays, April 20/27 and May 4, 4:30-6pm in the Community Center.
- MS JAM and Open Gym (6th-8th grade) | Tuesdays, April 20/27, 3:30-4:30pm for open gym.
- HS Huddle (9th-12th grade) | Sunday, April 18, 6-8pm. No Huddle on the 25th due to Senior Banquet.
- MS/HS Unite for Hope | Wednesday, April 28, 6:30-9pm for all middle and high school students. In-person food and games, virtual speaker/gathering hosted at Thornapple. Learn more and signup (requested).
- Young Adults (18-30) Small Group | Monday nights at 7:00pm; all are welcome, contact Shalini Bennett (shalinibennett@gmail.com or 616-516-9892) for more info.
- Prime Timers’ Soup & Study | Wednesday, April 21 at 1:00pm on Zoom (Meeting ID: 824 5793 6566; Passcode: 580994).
- Pickleball for High Schoolers | Wednesdays (two slots: 3-4pm and 4-5pm). Sign up here.
- Pickleball for Adults | Mondays (6-7:30pm | Co-ed, less competitive; 7:30-9pm | Co-ed, intermediate to advanced); Thursdays (6-7:30pm | Co-ed, intermediate to advanced; 7:30-9pm | Co-ed, less competitive); Fridays (11am-1pm | Ladies only); and Saturdays (8:30-10am | Co-ed, intermediate to advanced; 10-11:30am | Co-ed, intermediate to advanced). Sign up here.
- VBS 2021 | Monday-Thursday, July 12-15; registration opens May 15 and will be limited to 150. Right now our plan is to try and do most everything outside and put a cap on numbers to ensure social distancing.
Giving/Volunteering Opportunities
- Fully vaccinated and 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!
- Help Get Kent County Vaccinated | The Kent County COVID-10 Church Response Task Force, a partnership between pastors and public health experts, is working to help protect human life for us and our neighbors. Their latest effort is working to reach out to targeted areas of the county where vaccination rates are low but they need 200 volunteers a day to make this effort work. Can you help? Sign up to volunteer with the vaccination sign up process through Volunteers in Service.
- Multi-Generational Outreach Opportunity: Thornapple has a great opportunity to bless the residents at Covenant Living of the Great Lakes Retirement Community who would benefit from some encouragement, especially during the COVID crisis by writing cards and/or sending prepackaged treats. Get the details.