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Sermon: Impatient Patience
Kyle Nolan
Sunday, November 3 | TWO services at 8:30 & 11:00 | Kyle Nolan | Feast of All Saints Observance | The Quaker peace activist and educator Elise Boulding taught her students to recognize that each of us touches a two-hundred year present. Join us in worship this Sunday as we wonder at the visions of the prophet Daniel, take counsel from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, and read aloud the names of the departed saints who have touched our own present.
Sermon: Called to Invest
Rev. David Baak
STEWARDSHIP 2020 DEDICATION SUNDAY | The prophet Joel has something to say about God’s abundance and the power of God’s spirit among us. So does the reformer Martin Luther. Join us in worship as we reflect on how we are Called to Invest, especially this day as we bring our pledges for our congregation’s ministry in this next year.
Sermon: Called to Community
Rev. Jill Russell
Rev. Jill R. Russell has been a congregational pastor for twenty-four years and has served as co-pastor at Hope Church, RCA in Holland, Michigan since 2008 and she consulted with our WPC staff this past summer. Prior to her ministry at Hope Church she was an Interim pastor who specialized in working in congregations during times of transition. She is a founding member and the administrator for the Holland Restorative Circles which began its work in 2009. She and her partner, Andrew Bunnell, are the proud parents of two children who have just started 3rd and 6th grade. Rev. Russell will continue our Stewardship series this Sunday.
Introducing our November 2019 Guest Preachers
November 3 | Kyle Nolan
Minister for Faith Formation & Mission
November 10 | Rev. Jeremy Bork | Confirmation Sunday
Minister for Youth and Their Familes
November 17 | Rev. Amanda Benckhuysen
Amanda teaches Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Calvin Seminary. She is currently researching and writing in the area of biblical ethics. Her most recent project is a short book on biblical perspectives on immigration, provisionally titled, Loving our Migrant Neighbor. She is also author of the newly released, The Gospel According to Eve: A History of Women’s Interpretation. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband Martin and her daughters Kiya and Syann.
November 24 | Rev. Riley Jensen
Rev. Riley Jensen was our senior pastor and head of staff from 1998-2007. After retiring, Riley was part of the founding leadership team for “Presbyterian CREDO” (a health and wellness program for Presbyterian Clergy) until 2017 acting as a Conference Leader. He continues to preach, teach, and consult while carving out plenty of time to work on his golf handicap.
Sermon: Called to Steward
Rev. Jen Porter
Rev. Jen Porter will begin our Stewardship Series with "Called to Steward" based on Psalm 23.
Sermon: Let the Little Children Do What?
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey is professor of religion and ethics at Drake University and author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America as well as Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation. In addition to preaching at Westminster, Harvey will join us during the Formation Hour for a discussion of Raising White Kids, and she will lead a public workshop on the book’s themes in the evening.
October Guest Preachers
October 6 | Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey is professor of religion and ethics at Drake University and author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America as well as Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation.
In addition to preaching at Westminster, Harvey will join us during the Formation Hour for a discussion of Raising White Kids, and she will lead a public workshop on the book’s themes in the evening. If you have any questions or would like to register for the workshop, contact Kyle Nolan at kylen@wpcgr.org.
Stewardship 2020
“A Matter of Value: Our Call to Stewardship”
October 13 | Rev. Jen Porter | Stewardship Luncheon
Westminster Associate Pastor for Faith Formation & Pastoral Care
October 20 | Rev. Jill Russell
Rev. Jill R. Russell has been a congregational pastor for twenty-four years and has served as co-pastor at Hope Church, RCA in Holland, Michigan since 2008 and she consulted with our WPC staff this past summer. Prior to her ministry at Hope Church she was an Interim pastor who specialized in working in congregations during times of transition. She is a founding member and the administrator for the Holland Restorative Circles which began its work in 2009. She and her partner, Andrew Bunnell, are the proud parents of two children who have just started 3rd and 6th grade.
October 27 | Rev. David Baak | Stewardship Dedication
Westminster Executive Pastor
Sermon: A Claim that Claims Us
Rev. Doug Van Doren
We welcome back our guest preacher, the Rev. Doug Van Doren. Doug was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ for forty years, retiring in 2018. He has chaired and served on many local boards including the Grand Rapids Urban League and Planned Parenthood of West Michigan and was co-founder of Concerned Clergy of West Michigan.
A Letter from the Session: Mid-Transitional Update
On Sunday, September 15, the Session provided lunch and a “Mid-Transition Congregational Update” for more than 150 members who heard the update in person. We are excited to follow up with this information for those who were not able to attend and to include the additional information that we promised. This letter summarizes that gathering and introduces the Interim Executive Pastor/Transition Pastor who will join us starting December 1. Please let us know if you have questions and please continue to hold everyone involved in your prayers.
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Sermon: Beyond Justice
Rev. Doug Van Doren
We welcome back our guest preacher, the Rev. Doug Van Doren. Doug was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ for forty years, retiring in 2018. He has chaired and served on many local boards including the Grand Rapids Urban League and Planned Parenthood of West Michigan and was co-founder of Concerned Clergy of West Michigan. Rev. Van Doren will preach on September 22 and 29.
Celebrate with the Westminster Child Development Center!
It's almost time to celebrate! The Westminster Child Development Center will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year! Mark your calendars for Friday, September 27, 5-7p for the celebration! We look forward to celebrating with dinner and family-friendly activities!
Sermon: A Blessed Limp
Rev. Doug Van Doren
We welcome our guest preacher, the Rev. Doug Van Doren. Doug was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ for forty years, retiring in 2018. He has chaired and served on many local boards including the Grand Rapids Urban League and Planned Parenthood of West Michigan and was co-founder of Concerned Clergy of West Michigan. Doug has served regional and national settings of the United Church of Christ and chaired the committee that brought all the mission efforts of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) together under a Common Global Ministries Board. He is married to Colleen Mahon-Van Doren and have two sons, Camilo (deceased) and Aidan. Doug is also an internationally recognized sea kayaker and sea kayak instructor. Rev. Van Doren will preach on September 15, 22, and 29.
Sermon: With Intention
Rev. Jen Porter
The Word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to the potter’s house and there I will let you hear my words.” God uses the very real things of this world to speak to us, things like bread and water and light. This week, hands working to form clay. We begin again this week, stepping into this program year. We do so with intention. This Sunday, we acknowledge our commitment to grow in our faith, acknowledging all who will offer themselves teaching and leading every age of discipleship. Come, to hear God’s words. Jeremiah 18:1-11.
Sermon: Road Trip
Rev. David Baak
There are two kinds of road trips…one that wanders and one that has a straight line focus—and each has its rewards; each has its challenges; each is a metaphor for life whether our own or that of our faith community. Jeremiah 2:4-13.