Passionate worship. It's a pillar of our church and something we pursue whenever we gather together as a church family. Why? Because we are well aware of our hearts' hard-wired desire to worship something. And if we aren't regularly encountering the wonder and worth of God and being encouraged to exalt Him with our entire life, we will quickly give our worship away to much lesser things that steal our focus and attention.

We don't need fresh experiences to thrill us or even fresh songs to move us to worship God. We need fresh encounters with Him. Moments of prayer and worship in His presence, where we find "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). Guys, join us Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30pm, and let's draw near to Christ together!

As the Fall season approaches, we wanted to extend a warm invitation to all of you for a fun-filled family hangout at Heritage Farms on Saturday, October 19th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. You and your family can enjoy hay rides as well as the play area, which includes the jumping pillow, playground, farm town, yard games, and gopher slides! There will also be cider and donuts! Cost will be $10 per person or $50 per family. Register now using the link below.

Passionate worship. It's a pillar of our church and something we pursue whenever we gather together as a church family. Why? Because we are well aware of our hearts' hard-wired desire to worship something. And if we aren't regularly encountering the wonder and worth of God and being encouraged to exalt Him with our entire life, we will quickly give our worship away to much lesser things that steal our focus and attention.

We don't need fresh experiences to thrill us or even fresh songs to move us to worship God. We need fresh encounters with Him. Moments of prayer and worship in His presence, where we find "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). Ladies, join us Wednesday, October 9 at 7:30pm, and let's draw near to Christ together!

We are excited to announce that the Muskegon Rescue Mission will be hosting their annual Rise Up Together Gala here at Christ Church on Thursday, October 3, 2024. This inspiring evening will be an experience dedicated to supporting the hungry and homeless in West Michigan.

Here are couple ways that you can get involved:

• Serving - We are in need of volunteers in the parking lot, greeting and hospitality, as well as set-up and tear-down. If you are interested in serving, please click the "SERVE" button below.

• Attend the Gala - This evening will be an informational event featuring incredible life transformation stories from former guests and community partners, showcasing the profound impact of our community’s faithful support. This evening will also provide visions for the future of the mission, a fully catered meal, and a chance to win an all-inclusive international trip. Dress code is formal attire. To register to attend the Gala, please click the "ATTEND" button below.

We aren’t made to just go to church, hear a sermon, sing a song, and go home. God created you on purpose with a purpose - with a unique set of gifts that you can contribute to this local body. As a church family, we shoulder Kingdom responsibilities together and become active participants in what God is doing in and through Christ Church in the manner Christ modeled for us…as servants. 

If you serve at Christ Church in any capacity, you can’t miss this 1-day Servant Leadership Summit - filled with encouragement, teaching, worship, a Chick-Fil-A lunch, AND for the first time, specific electives that will encourage your maturity as a servant leader! Join us on September 28 from 9am-1pm. Childcare is available. Register now!

ELECTIVES (choose one when you register)

Navigating Ministry & Marriage: 20 Years of Loving My Spouse & the Church | Brian Bement

This breakout will navigate the tensions between ministry in your home & outside your home. Our time together will evaluate the tensions, give practical suggestions to help the conversation, & clarify your vision for what a healthy balance could look like.  

Kingdom Vision: Seeing God at Work Beyond Your Role | Collin VandenBosch

In this breakout, we’ll explore how to maintain a kingdom perspective amidst the challenges, difficulties, and sacrifices of servant leadership. Ministry is taxing, but God will strengthen us for the journey. This session will equip you to lead with a vision rooted in God’s faithfulness and purpose, no matter the role you are in, or the obstacles you face.

The Secret to Serving is the Secret Place | Lauren Shear

Have you ever been aware of wrong motives in your service to God and His church? Seeking recognition…wanting to be seen, valued, and appreciated? If you desire to be free from the bondage of people-pleasing, fear of man, and discouragement in feeling inadequate or ineffective, the secret is the secret place. In this breakout, we will learn that all longing is satisfied when we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, as we remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Let Love Be Genuine: Purposeful Discipleship | Brett Koch

Everyone is called as a disciple to be making more disciples. Sometimes we feel like we aren’t making a big enough impact. Our greatest impact is in the little moments every day that we love a few at a time. This session is a space where we talk about some of the practical ideas around loving and discipling others.

Find encouragement for your marriage on Friday, September 20 at 6:00pm at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Center. This marriage date night is all about the good food, good teaching, and good fun! Whether you have been married for 50 days or 50+ years, it is valuable to refocus on God’s design for marriage, while being reenergized for the daily call to love one another! 

Cost: $30 per couple. 

Please register quickly because spots are limited!

Join our Theology 1 study that will run for six weeks starting September 10, 2024 on Tuesday mornings. During this study we will experience God's love, faithfulness, and care for us through learning and reflection on foundational Christian truths. Studying theology is a doorway to greater intimacy with God himself. In this course we will work to bring an active faith into every part of our walk with the Lord.

Teacher: Collin VandenBosch | Study Cost: $10

Childcare will not be provided.

Join us for the study of Knowing the Word that will run for six weeks starting September 9, 2024 on Monday evenings. During this study we will discover and discuss how to study God's truth. We will explore the motives that will lead to God's desire for our study. We will also cover safeguards for effective study and tools to enrich our understanding. We will examine key areas of deeper study and why they are crucial to a faithful life of impact. Every participant will be equipped and encouraged with practical principles for God-honoring application of His word. Finally, we'll consider how our time together plays a significant role in the mission and life of our church and beyond!

Teacher: Brian Bement | Study Cost: $10

Childcare will not be provided.

What is a Freedom Group?
A Freedom Group is focused on powerful, group-based Biblical counseling. It is designed to fill a gap between the everyday care that is given in community groups and formal counseling. As a church, we know that sometimes needs come up that go deeper than can be worked out in community groups. Freedom Groups help target sin struggles, while instilling the habit and discipline of having regular communication with God, and going to Him early and often when troubling circumstances happen. This group is also designed to help participants embrace deep discipleship through peer interaction targeting the heart. 

Who are Freedom Groups for?
Well, honestly, everyone could benefit from Freedom Groups as they are a tool meant to lead people on from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity! But specifically speaking, I have highlighted below the type of person that would greatly benefit from Freedom Group involvement:

• Those stuck in sin patterns 

• Those who do not know how to walk out repentance

• Those who are mourning, in pain, or enduring trial 

• Those who are wandering in their faith

• Those who simply want to grow on to spiritual maturity in Christ

As you can see, everyone could benefit in some way from Freedom Groups, but our hope is that Freedom Groups can be a space that points to the mission that Jesus fulfilled by bringing good news and healing to the afflicted, binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)

Freedom Groups will meet Monday evenings starting September 9, 2024 at 6:30pm and will run for a total of 13 weeks. Each session is 2 hours and consists of a teaching segment and time to break off into table groups. 

For more details or questions, please email Brett at brett@mychristchurch.org. Please know that we have limited space for Freedom Groups. Do not be discouraged if you cannot be a part of this round as this is an opportunity that we hope to provide again in the near future. Thank you all and God bless you!

Calling all Servant Leaders! 
With another ministry year in the rearview mirror, we want to celebrate all that God has done in and through each of you. If you serve in our church in any capacity, you are invited to join us on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at the Ross Park Outlook Deck in Norton Shores from 2pm-5pm.

Bring your entire family and enjoy a summer cookout with us! The beach, playground, disc golf coarse, pickleball court, tennis courts, a toasty bonfire, and other field games will be available for you to enjoy as well. Please RSVP for all who will be attending.

Fun for Your Whole Family!
Please join us Saturday, May 11 from 6pm-9pm at Maranatha for a night of fun, food, and fellowship. We will have gym activities, board games, card games, pizza, and snacks. Weather permitting there will also be pickle ball, miniature golf, and a bonfire with s'mores. 
We would love to see you there! Price is $5 per person or $25 per family.

Join us for our annual church stewardship meeting on Sunday, April 14, right after the 11am service in the student room. Discover how your contributions are making a meaningful impact in our community and learn about our plans for the future. Come and see how your resources are being used wisely to further our mission of loving God, loving others, and making disciples.

Women’s Study: Holy Rhythms

Ladies, join us on Monday evenings as we study the critical rhythms necessary to draw near to Christ. In this study, we will unpack how these holy rhythms lead to spiritual transformation. Each person will be challenged to establish consistency & maturity in various spiritual disciplines to foster a deeper relationship with Christ. Whether a new believer or a follower of Christ for decades, this study will provide guidance to enrich your walk with Christ.

Teacher: Virginia Davidson | Study Cost: $10

Childcare will not be provided.

Every year, we look forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus as a church family in our Easter weekend services. This year, we Look to the Lamb – both in his sacrificial death and his triumphant resurrection!

Easter Sunday services are on March 31 at 8:30am, 10:00am and 11:30am. Kid’s Ministry will be provided for young ones (birth through pre-K).

Every year, we look forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus as a church family in our Easter weekend services. This year, we Look to the Lamb – both in his sacrificial death and his triumphant resurrection!

Easter Sunday services are on March 31 at 8:30am, 10:00am and 11:30am. Kid’s Ministry will be provided for young ones (birth through pre-K).

Every year, we look forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus as a church family in our Easter weekend services. This year, we Look to the Lamb – both in his sacrificial death and his triumphant resurrection!

Easter Sunday services are on March 31 at 8:30am, 10:00am and 11:30am. Kid’s Ministry will be provided for young ones (birth through pre-K).

Every year, we look forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus as a church family in our Easter weekend services. This year, we Look to the Lamb – both in his sacrificial death and his triumphant resurrection!

Good Friday services are on March 29 at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. In the spirit of mourning the death of Jesus, we ask that you please wear black to this event. Kid’s Ministry will be provided for young ones (birth through pre-K).

Every year, we look forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus as a church family in our Easter weekend services. This year, we Look to the Lamb – both in his sacrificial death and his triumphant resurrection!

Good Friday services are on March 29 at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. In the spirit of mourning the death of Jesus, we ask that you please wear black to this event. Kid’s Ministry will be provided for young ones (birth through pre-K).

Knowing the Word: How to Study Your Bible

Join us in our study of Knowing the Word where we will discover and discuss how to study God's truth. This study will explore the motives that will lead to God's desire for our study. We will also cover safeguards for effective study and tools to enrich our understanding. We will examine key areas of deeper study and why they are crucial to a faithful life of impact. And every participant will be equipped and encouraged with practical principles for God-honoring application of His word. Finally, we'll consider how our time together plays a significant role in the mission and life of our church and beyond!

Childcare will not be provided.

Holy Rhythms: Drawing Near to Christ for Spiritual Transformation

Join us as we study the critical rhythms necessary to draw near to Christ. In this study, we will unpack how these holy rhythms lead to spiritual transformation. Each person will be challenged to establish consistency & maturity in various spiritual disciplines to foster a deeper relationship with Christ. Whether a new believer or a follower of Christ for decades, this study will provide guidance to enrich your walk with Christ.

Childcare will not be provided.

Theology 1: The Foundation of Belief

Join our Theology 1 study where we will experience God's love, faithfulness and care for us through learning and reflection on foundational Christian truths. Studying theology is a doorway to greater intimacy with God himself. In this study we will work to bring an active faith into every part of our walk with the Lord.

Childcare will not be provided.

Join us for an evening to encounter the wonder and worth of God through a passionate time of worship, while freshly aligning our lives to God's presence, power, and purposes through prayer. And we're not going after this alone! But in the community that God has richly blessed us with!

Childcare is not provided.

Join us for an evening to encounter the wonder and worth of God through a passionate time of worship, while freshly aligning our lives to God's presence, power, and purposes through prayer. And we're not going after this alone! But in the community that God has richly blessed us with!

Childcare is not provided.

Join us for a special Christmas service on Sunday, December 24th at our normal 9:00am and 11:00am times. Kindergarten - 5th grade will be joining us for the entire service. We are so excited to come together to adore Christ the Lord, the newborn King!