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LaGrave Live

LaGrave Live

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 If you’re looking for a warm church that commits to an intensely pertinent Gospel in the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith, we invite you to worship with us. Our 1,800 members come from across West Michigan and gather weekly in our sanctuary for relevant Biblical preaching, beautiful music, and inspiring worship. We expand our worship through intentional outreach in our community and world, attentive care for our members, and plenty of spiritual enrichment and social opportunities for everyone. We focus on a living Savior who provides genuine solutions to the deep needs of a hurting world. We are committed to need-meeting ministry in His name, and we are committed to being real people who enjoy real life and who cry real tears. Because we are a fairly large and diverse group in terms of age, occupation, marital status, lifestyle, and physical ability; our members create many accessible opportunities for community service, Bible study, and small social groups. We worship God, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, and we enjoy expressing our vision of His holiness through traditional music and formal liturgy. Music plays an integral part of our weekly worship gatherings. Congregational singing—of both traditional hymns and newer ones—is typically supported by our pipe organ. Vocal choirs, handbell choirs, small ensembles, instrumentalists, and vocal soloists provide additional music offerings. Led by the Holy Spirit, we seek to worship and serve God in all of life, transforming His world and being transformed to reflect the character of Christ. Founded by 36 Dutch immigrants on February 24, 1887, LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church has always been deeply committed to both this local community and worldwide missions. God has seen fit to guide and bless these commitments with sustained growth, spiritual gifting, and a continual stream of new work for our members.Copyright 2026 Reverend Peter Jonker Christianity Social Sciences Spirituality World
Episodes
  • LaGrave Live, February 1, 2026

    LaGrave Live, February 1, 2026
    Feb 2 2026
    LaGrave Live LIVE Evening Worship - Out of the Heart - 2026-02-02 About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on Mark 7:1-23, a passage where Jesus has a confrontation with the Pharisees about true righteousness. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload... About Us: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi... The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
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    58 mins
  • LaGrave Live, February 1, 2026

    LaGrave Live, February 1, 2026
    Feb 1 2026
    LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 02-01-2026 The Word in the Windows: Paying Taxes to Caesar About The concert: We continue our sermon series “The Word in the Windows.” Pastor Jonker will preach on Matthew 22: 15-22. About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC LaGrave Service Summary: The Word in the Windows – Paying Taxes to Caesar Sermon AbstractLaGrave Live • Epiphany Series The Word in the Windows: Paying Taxes to Caesar Navigating the tension between civil authority and divine allegiance through Matthew 22. " "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." — Jesus' Verdict The Political Trap The Pharisees (Anti-Rome) and Herodians (Pro-Rome) formed an unlikely alliance. They tried to force Jesus into a binary choice: treason against Rome or betrayal of the Jewish people. Key Theological Arguments 1 Dual CitizenshipCivil government is a valid "second thing," but God's Kingdom is the absolute "first thing." 2 Total OwnershipCaesar's image is on the coin, but God's image is on humanity. Therefore, God owns everything. 3 Modern IdolatryWarning against letting political party platforms dictate Christian values entirely. Window Symbol 1 The Fasces Rome's power to punish Window Symbol 2 The Cross God's power to redeem Source: Audio Transcript (1h 22m)#ChristianEthics #Politics #Matthew22 Introduction This service features a sermon based on Matthew 22:15-22, correcting a misconception about the church's stained-glass windows and exploring the tension between earthly government and divine authority. The message emphasizes that while Christians respect civil authority, their ultimate allegiance belongs to God, challenging believers to prioritize the Kingdom of Heaven over political partisanship. Detailed Summary Community Announcements & Prayer Needs The service began with updates on community life, including the arrival of Lenten devotional booklets and a reminder for the Wednesday prayer gathering. Significant milestones were celebrated, such as the birth of William Robert to Sarah and Tyler Medema, and the 93rd birthdays of Cal Verdyne and Laura Verbridge. The congregation also lifted up numerous members facing health challenges, surgeries, and hospice care, alongside prayers for the Versluis and Faber families regarding recent bereavements. Specific prayers were offered for the "Missionary of the Week," asking for the finalization of his citizenship process to return to South Korea and for the safe delivery of his child. Additionally, the upcoming Mexico mission team orientation and the church's internal election of elders and deacons were highlighted as key areas for prayer. Children's Message: The Glove vs. The Mitten The children's message used winter clothing as an analogy for the church. While gloves allow fingers to act independently but leave them isolated and cold, mittens keep fingers together, sharing warmth. The church is described as being "more like a mitten," where members are gathered by God to live as a family, supporting one another rather than existing in isolation. Sermon Context: The Window and the Fasces The sermon focused on a specific stained-glass window in the church that depicts Jesus holding a coin. The pastor noted a correction to the church’s guidebook, which misidentifies the scene as "foreboding events"; the presence of the coin and Caesar's profile confirms it depicts the story of paying taxes. A crucial detail in the window is the inclusion of the fasces—an axe bundled with sticks. This Roman symbol represented imperial authority, justice, and the power to punish, setting the stage for a conflict between the power of Rome and the Kingdom of God. The Political Trap: Matthew 22 The Herodians Pro-Rome & Pro-Tax. They valued the stability the empire provided. The Pharisees Anti-Rome & Anti-Tax. They viewed paying Caesar as bordering on idolatry. The Trap: "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?" If Jesus says Yes: He is a traitor to the Jews. If Jesus says No: He is a rebel against Rome. The Divine Answer: ...
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • LaGrave Live, January 25, 2026

    LaGrave Live, January 25, 2026
    Jan 26 2026
    LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 01-25-2026 The Word in the Windows: Let Your Light Shine Before Others About The concert: We continue our sermon series “The Word in the Windows.” Pastor Jonker will preach on Matthew 5: 13-16, the passage where Jesus calls us to shine our lights before others. About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The January special offering is for Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) which provides housing opportunities, home ownership counseling, home repairs and maintenance for families who otherwise cannot afford a home. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
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    1 hr and 21 mins
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