Holy Week at St. John's

This is a tender time in our world.

Many of us are carrying grief, uncertainty, exhaustion, and questions. Holy Week doesn’t ignore that reality — it walks straight through it. From celebration to heartbreak to resurrection, this sacred week reminds us that love is stronger than fear… and hope is never lost.

At St. John’s United Church of Christ, we’re an Open & Affirming, progressive Christian community building a just world for all through authentic worship, radical welcome, and passionate activism. We follow a risen Christ who calls us to:

• Protect God’s creation

• Reject racism and injustice

• Care for the poor and powerless

• Share our earthly and spiritual resources

• Embrace diversity in all its beauty

• Love God deeply — and enjoy this life fully

Join us for Holy Week:

🌿 Palm Sunday - March 29 | 10 AM
✨ Good Friday - April 3 | 7 PM
✨ Easter Sunday - April 5 | 10 AM
 🥚Easter Egg Hunt - April 5 | 11 AM

No matter your race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, financial status, ability, or background — you are welcome here.

📍 In Person Worship: 1934 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI
💻 Online Worship: stjohnsuccgr.org

Today at 6:30 PM: Tuesday, Friends Book Discussion Group

Dear Friends, next week, Tuesday night, March 17, 2026, we start our discussion on our new book, "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh.  I hope you have already found this book somewhere.  Let's read the introduction and the foreword and chapters 1 and 2.  I am looking forward to your thoughts!!! If you  need a book let me know, call or text 616-438-1336.  Barb.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81725512673?pwd=pGpbMAow3fmZuPM75Uth1WjgzP3VLU.1 

Meeting ID: 817 2551 2673
Passcode: 745139

Location:
zoom
Mar 17, 2026 6:30 PM through Mar 17, 2026 8:30 PM

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Cancelled: Soup & Salad Dinner with Pastor Danny Montejo

Due to flooding in the church, this event has been cancelled.

Spring Forward: Set Clocks Ahead 1 Hour

Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight (March 7, 2025) as daylight savings time begins.

If you forget to change your clocks and arrive an hour late to church on Sunday morning, you'll still be welcome.

This Sunday, March 8, 2026

Welcome to Sunday morning!  This is the day that God has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! 

Please join us for our in-person worship at 10:00 a.m.  Join us after worship in Fellowship Hall for "We Celebrate You."  A time to celebrate all of the wonderful things we are thankful for in March. 

If you are unable to join us in-person, please join the worship service on our website at https://stjohnsuccgr.org/worship-online at 10:00 a.m.

There are links below this message to the order of service, the weekly Journal, a children's bulletin for the week's lectionary readings, a youth Bible Study, an Adult Bible Study, and a devotional guide for the week. Please share these resources with your family and friends and know that we are joined together across any distances or difficulties that might separate us.

We are able to provide all of these wonderful services because of your continuing generosity and support.  If you are able to give to support our ministries, please do. You can make a donation or set up regular giving by clicking here:  http://www.stjohnsuccgr.org/give .  You can also simply mail your check to the church:

St. John’s UCC
1934 Bridge ST NW
Grand Rapids, MI  49504

Thank you for your continued faithfulness in supporting St. John's. Let us continue to hold each other and the entire world close to our hearts and to the heart of God in prayer.

Youth Bible Study

https://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/

Children's Bulletin

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69a83ab040fb6578c74e2836/1772632752360/Children%27s+bulletin+03082026.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69ab0dcc857e695176d2786c/1772817868285/Order+of+Service+03082026.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69ab0e07e6bfc42c34a07d64/1772817927448/Journal+03082026.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69a83ac4191d41250d59dddd/1772632772467/Weekly+Devotional+03082026.pdf

Today at 5PM: Mobile Food Pantry

Top of the morning to you!  A Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled on March 4, 2026, sponsored by St. John's UCC in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church. Volunteers will gather at 5:00pm at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids, MI. 49504.  Distribution will begin at 6:00pm.  Last month, we distributed 5,529 pounds of food to 101 households, 376 individuals, 135 children. 76 seniors and 6 veterans.  Our volunteer army stood 31 people strong. Surplus food was delivered to UCOM by Richard Johnston and Jeffrey Dick.  Clients received 24 hand knitted hats donated by Carol Stechow.  Financial support is always welcome by donating on the church app or by mailing a contribution to St. John's UCC, 1934 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.  For more information about the mobile food pantry, feel free to call Teresa Markoski at 616-690-4566 or email tmarkoski2004@yahoo.com.  We continue to be an equal opportunity provider. Your willingness to give both your time and resources makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.  Because of your commitment, we are able to provide food to those in need and bring hope directly into our community.  Together, we serve. 

   Mobile Food Pantry non discrimination agreement

Location:

Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Mar 4, 2026 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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Wednesday, March 18, 2026: You're Invited: Soup & Salad Dinner with Pastor Danny Montejo

Dear Church Family,

You are warmly invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for a Soup and Salad Dinner on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 PM as we gather for food, fellowship, and an inspiring story of faith.

Our guest for the evening will be Pastor Danny Montejo, pastor of IUC Ministerios Ríos de Agua – Joy Like a River UCC. This new church start, located in the former Burlingame Congregational Church in Wyoming, worships in Spanish and is growing in vibrant ways.

Danny was born in Cuba, and his journey to the United States is powerful. His experiences with God are deeply inspiring, and he is currently preparing for ordination in the United Church of Christ, with his Ecclesiastical Council scheduled for April 26.

Come enjoy a simple Lenten meal of soup, salad, bread, good conversation, and the opportunity to hear Pastor Danny’s story.

Next Steps:

✅ To help us best prepare seating and food, your RSVP is appreciated. You can sign up by clicking this link, or you can sign up in Fellowship Hall, or let Todd or Jeffrey Dick know if you plan to attend so we can prepare accordingly.

🥣 If you are willing and able to bring a crock-pot of soup to share, that would be greatly appreciated (you can sign up on this link or a separate sign-up sheet will be available in Fellowship Hall).

We hope you will join us for this meaningful evening together!

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Mar 18, 2026 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

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This Sunday, March 1, 2026

Welcome to Sunday morning!  This is the day that God has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! 

Please join us for our in-person worship at 10:00 a.m.  Join us after worship in Fellowship Hall for coffee hour. 

If you are unable to join us in-person, please join the worship service on our website at https://stjohnsuccgr.org/worship-online at 10:00 a.m.

There are links below this message to the order of service, the weekly Journal, a children's bulletin for the week's lectionary readings, a youth Bible Study, an Adult Bible Study, and a devotional guide for the week. Please share these resources with your family and friends and know that we are joined together across any distances or difficulties that might separate us.

We are able to provide all of these wonderful services because of your continuing generosity and support.  If you are able to give to support our ministries, please do. You can make a donation or set up regular giving by clicking here:  http://www.stjohnsuccgr.org/give .  You can also simply mail your check to the church:

St. John’s UCC
1934 Bridge ST NW
Grand Rapids, MI  49504

Thank you for your continued faithfulness in supporting St. John's. Let us continue to hold each other and the entire world close to our hearts and to the heart of God in prayer.

Youth Bible Study

https://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/

Children's Bulletin

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/699dd0366097e731e3e62bd6/1771950134865/Children%27s+bulletin+03012026.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69a19bce9d990446aa33c767/1772198862284/Order+of+Service+03012026.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69a19ab17889be6b0aeadb54/1772198577679/Journal+03012026.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/699dd04f5f4e484a59ab236b/1771950159297/Weekly+Devotional+03012026.pdf

Wednesday, March 04, 2026: Mobile Food Pantry

Top of the morning to you!  A Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled on March 4, 2026, sponsored by St. John's UCC in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church. Volunteers will gather at 5:00pm at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids, MI. 49504.  Distribution will begin at 6:00pm.  Last month, we distributed 5,529 pounds of food to 101 households, 376 individuals, 135 children. 76 seniors and 6 veterans.  Our volunteer army stood 31 people strong. Surplus food was delivered to UCOM by Richard Johnston and Jeffrey Dick.  Clients received 24 hand knitted hats donated by Carol Stechow.  Financial support is always welcome by donating on the church app or by mailing a contribution to St. John's UCC, 1934 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.  For more information about the mobile food pantry, feel free to call Teresa Markoski at 616-690-4566 or email tmarkoski2004@yahoo.com.  We continue to be an equal opportunity provider. Your willingness to give both your time and resources makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.  Because of your commitment, we are able to provide food to those in need and bring hope directly into our community.  Together, we serve. 

   Mobile Food Pantry non discrimination agreement

Location:

Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Mar 4, 2026 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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Today at 6:30 PM: Tuesday, Friends Book Discussion Group

Dear Friends,  We will meet again this coming Tuesday to finish our discussion of "How Can it be all Right, When Everything is all Wrong", by Lewis B. Smedes.  With the last chapter, "The Gift of Hope".  We will take a couple of weeks off and then start our discussion of, " Living Buddha, Living Christ, by Thich Nhat Hanh, on March 17, 2026.  Hope that gives you enough time to find the book and start reading .  Let's begin with the forward, the introduction and chapters 1 and 2, to get us thinking.  I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and our break from winter.  Blessing to you all, Barb.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81725512673?pwd=pGpbMAow3fmZuPM75Uth1WjgzP3VLU.1

Meeting ID: 81725512673
Passcode: 745139

Dial by your location:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Location:

zoom
Feb 24, 2026 6:30 PM to 8:17 PM

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