Church guide

In 1929, we thought the Chancel might look like this. We got pretty close!

Music at Mid-Day April 30

The Park Church Chancel Choir is honored to participate in Sacred Dimensions with the Grand Rapids Symphony on Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm. Sacred Dimensions is a GRS concert series offering music uniquely suited to Grand Rapids area worship environments. We are very pleased to host this free concert in the beautiful historic Park Church Sanctuary. Please plan to join us!

Great news about our great kids! Avery Hagemann is appearing in the Page Elementary 5th grade musical, The Jungle Book on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 at Thornapple Kellogg High School. Avery is playing the role of King Louie, King of the Monkeys! Congratulations, Avery! Abby Barnum is appearing in stageGR's production of Les Miserables at Calvin College's Gezon auditorium this weekend. This completely sold out show is Abby's last theatrical production as a high school student. Congratulations, Abby! We can't wait to see what's next for you!

Today is Earth Day. If you feel inspired to learn more about we can do as a church today...and every other day, you can visit the environmental ministries pages of the United Church of Christ website. Take a few minutes to sign up for “the pollinator” newsletter and stay in the loop! http://www.ucc.org/environmental-ministries

Music at Mid-Day April 23

Easter Festival worship begins at 10:30. Come a little early so you can find a parking space, enjoy a bit of breakfast, and then head upstairs for some pre-service Handel. The service includes piano, organ, brass, bells, choir, kids and a word or two from Todd. Please join us!

As many of us watched the news while churches actively burned this week, some were reminded most poignantly of Park Church and the Sanctuary fire of 1988. That devastating moment in our history serves as an example of what cooperative communities can accomplish when they seek to right a terrible wrong together. We hope the experiences for both the members of the three Louisiana churches that suffered hate driven arson attacks and the global faithful who consider Notre Dame an unparalleled treasure are similar. May their communities rally around them, give generously of their time and their resources, and celebrate with them as they experience renewal. One year after the Park Church fire, tapestry artists Mary Forslund, Barbara Hawes, Gwen McBain, Merna Ofield, and Edith Spindler began work on a commemorative tapestry inspired by the renewal process. "Anastasis" which references "resurrection" depicts a phoenix (representing the church) rising in rebirth. It took 5 years and 5000 hours of stitching to complete and was officially dedicated in 1994. The work is displayed at the top of the south stairs and we hope you stop and give it a closer look next time you are with us.

For many years, there was a tradition of a downtown community Good Friday service often featuring a performance of Theodore Dubois' Seven Last Words. There are several familiar names in this program from 1976 including Park's own Revs. Allinder and Whitwer. George Shirley directed the combined choir...and Thixton Sprenger, Marge Peterson and June Law were soloists. Under the leadership of Patrick Coyle, Park Church is proud to continue her dedication to collaborative music opportunities and invites you to join us on May 4 at 7:30pm for "Sacred Dimensions" featuring the Chancel Choir and the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Congregationalist: April 21

In "the more things change..." department, a Tiffany window was featured on the 1917 Easter bulletin. Incidentally, this service took place two days after the US congress declared war on Germany. It must have been a particularly poignant celebration. The weeks that followed were filled with meetings, plans, partnerships, speeches...and later by the occasional roll call of names. We will share those details in future posts.

Holy Week at Park Church

One can only imagine... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47941794

Park Church. Palm Sunday. With thanks to Pat for the tradition. 💜

Congregationalist: April 14

Mark your calendars!

This is great news!!! And you can visit the main branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library when you are at Park Church by simply walking across the street! https://www.grpl.org/kids-go-fine-free/

The choir is getting new robes...but sadly, they do not come with caps.

Park Church. Palm Sunday. With thanks to Pat for the tradition. 💜

Laura is a Park Church Bell Ringer but you won't find her in the Sanctuary and she doesn't wear gloves. When you hear the tower bell at 10:15 on Sunday mornings, this is what's going on behind the scenes!