When we baptize our children, we vow together to raise them in the truth of God’s word and in the way of salvation through Jesus Christ! Serving as a teacher, an aid, or a nursery volunteers on Sunday mornings makes good on that promise. Classes are offered during the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services in the lower level classrooms! … Read More
A Letter: Joel Boersma
Dear Pillar community, Even during Lent, I confess my mind is on sports. I was raised in a sports-loving family, so my soul has been shaped by long loyalties and entrenched memories. Chief among them are Hope-Calvin classics and fall college game days at the Big House. More recently in graduate school, I witnessed the ritual that is Duke basketball … Read More
Not What I Want – Bryanna Manning
When I was younger, I remember hearing other people’s testimonies and thinking “how do I get a testimony like that?” I admired them, but, if I was honest, I didn’t want to go through what it would take for my story to look like theirs. It seemed that God only worked in hard places- through mistakes made, radical discipleship or … Read More
A Letter: Chris De Vos
A Cruciform Life Dear Pillar, One Good Friday a church I once pastored decided to worship using a liturgy modeled after the stations of the cross. Two people dressed in black carried a cross from one position in the sanctuary to the next while various members of the congregation read gospel passages describing key moments in Jesus’ journey to the … Read More
Not What I Want – By Jonathan Harlow
A year and a half ago my dad was diagnosed with stage four melanoma. The news seemed unreal and almost like a bad dream that I wanted to wake up from. I really didn’t know what to think. Doubts, uncertainty, and fear were constantly at the forefront of my thoughts. My dad and I have had a very close relationship, … Read More
A Letter: Anna Erickson
Dear Pillar, Listen to this, from Matthew’s gospel: Matthew 19:13-15 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as … Read More
Not What I Want – By Diane Konynenbelt
From a place of darkest waters and deepest pain, I heard these lyrics from the song “Scars”*. “I am grateful for the scars cause without them I would not know your heart.”* Can I really say I am thankful for the scars? The scars from June 6, 2021, the day I turned off the ventilator and walked my beloved husband, … Read More
A Letter: Jon Brown
Dear Pillar, Read this short verse from Matthew: “When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating…” The context of Matthew 26 verse 20 is the Passover meal, what became the inaugural communion supper. Jesus just moments from the Judas’ betrayal and only a few hours from Peter’s denial. Judas and Peter were … Read More
Women’s Winter Opportunities
Participate in any one of these meaningful and fulfilling groups held at Pillar! Women’s Bible Study led by Anna Gabhart Monday evenings at 7 p.m. beginning January 9: Gathering for a time of both faith formation and fellowship. Study details are in the works. Email: anna.gabhart@gmail.com Women’s Bible Studies led by Nancy Brown Take a deeper dive into Sunday’s sermon text. This group will … Read More
While they were
“While they were the time came for her to deliver her child and she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2: 6-7) I hope you have a chance to gather around the Christmas Day online service … Read More