Welcome
To all who need rest, to all who need comfort; to all who need friendship, to all who need hope; to all who sin and need a Savior, this church opens its doors, and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, says “Welcome!”
We invite you to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 for worship in our Sanctuary or in our Gathering Place, a casual setting where you can sit by a table with a cup of coffee and pastry during the service. You can also join us online.
We look forward to meeting you!
Our Mission
We have a new Mission Statement:
Rooted in Christ,
Real in relationships,
Reaching out to all in Jesus’ name.
Our Mission Statement is aspirational –
a reflection of who we believe God is calling us to become as a church, not who we are today. It is based on the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 1920). It seeks to strengthen our relationship with God, deepen our relationships with one another, and extend Christ’s love to those beyond our walls.
Rooted in Christ.
Individually and as a church, we have a long-term relationship with Christ that is Biblically based, growing and yielding fruit. Our roots are strong and deep, even when troubles come. (Our church property is a former apple orchard, so the word “rooted” resonates in a special way.)
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7
Real in relationships.
This is a call to be authentic and sincere with each other, knowing we are beloved children of God, sinners saved by grace. We can tell our stories, be kind, and offer a Godly antidote to secular culture that focuses only on appearances. Today, more than ever, families and individuals are seeking a church that is “real.”
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres … And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13 (excepts)
Reaching out to all in Jesus’ name.
Reaching means actively and intentionally fulfilling the Great Commission, both locally and around the world. We seek to become a church where everyone can develop and use their gifts, strengths and resources to “branch out” and reach others. The phrase “to all” is reminiscent of our 1970’s Welcome Statement, which said, “To all who need rest, to all who need comfort … to all who need a Savior … our Lord says ‘Welcome.’”
“In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15
Our Values
We are not a perfect church or perfect people. But we believe God is speaking hope to us through the prayerful and thoughtful input of our congregation and staff who helped articulate who we want to be as a church.
Our values are designed to inform our decisions, guide our behaviors, influence our interactions, and shape our attitudes as we walk the path God has set out for us.
We want to be a church that is:
Worshiping.
It is a joy to worship together, celebrating God’s goodness and glorifying God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Psalm 122:1)
We embrace:
- Biblically grounded and Christ-centered preaching/teaching that challenges us and equips us to grow in our walk with God. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
- Engaging, sincere, dynamic worship that lifts us closer to God and creatively praises God’s goodness through a variety of music, prayer, liturgy and other expressions of adoration. (Psalm 150, Isaiah 56:7)
- Remembering that our worship is not about us; it is about God. (Psalm 40:3)
Welcoming.
To all who need rest, to all who need comfort; to all who need friendship, to all who need hope; to all who sin and need a Savior, this church opens its doors, and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, says “Welcome!” (Romans 15:7)
We embrace:
- Being loving, kindhearted and friendly, remembering that we are all sinners, forgiven and made new by the generous grace of God. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
- Treating everyone as God’s beloved and walking alongside each other in our spiritual journeys and daily challenges. (1 John 4:10-12)
- Demonstrating grace-based hospitality that breaks down dividing walls and welcomes all into the life of our church regardless of phase of life, background, personality, brokenness or struggles. (Colossians 2:6-23)
Growing.
We long to grow in our faith, in our prayer, and in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 3:18, Colossians 4:2)
We embrace:
- Deepening our faith through discipleship and learning opportunities in God’s word that equip people at every age and every stage of faith to love and follow Jesus. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
- Praying faithfully, individually and corporately, in every situation. (Philippians 4:6)
- Remaining deeply rooted in the Bible and the Reformed faith, committing to continual transformation and renewal through Christ. (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Giving.
As God’s people, we are blessed to be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2-3)
We embrace:
- Being graciously generous with our time, talents and treasures. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
- Serving others in our church and our community, working for Biblical justice, and demonstrating mercy in humble obedience to our Servant Savior, Jesus Christ. (Micah 6:8)
- Working with, and financially supporting, mission partners near and far to reach our community and the world for Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 9:12-15)
Inviting.
We actively and intentionally reach out to our neighbors to fulfill the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)
We embrace:
- Inviting all to follow Jesus by extending our Christian life beyond the walls of our church, becoming active participants in God’s redemptive work in the world. (l Peter 2:11-12, Matthew 22:37-40)
- Encouraging members of our congregation to cheerfully use their spiritual gifts to reach out to others in the name of Christ Jesus. (Romans 12: 4-8)
- Becoming neighbors to our neighborhood, gladly sharing our faith stories as we develop Gospel-driven relationships, introducing others to Christ, and inviting anyone who seeks a spiritual home to Christ Memorial. (1 Peter 3:15)
Uniting.
United in love for Christ and for each other, we graciously speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
We embrace:
- Being gracious in our relationships and seeking Christ’s peace. We aim to approach tension and disagreements with understanding, care, and support. We seek to extend and receive forgiveness, building each other up in love. (Ephesians 4:2, Matthew 6:12, 14-15, Colossians 3:15)
- Engaging with open hearts when we encounter uncomfortable situations or differences of opinion, sometimes through difficult conversations. In all we do, we long to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5: 22-23, Matthew 7:20)
- Finding unity in Christ, as revealed in scripture, even when we have varying views about cultural issues. (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Caring.
As a community of believers, we are committed to treating each other with compassion, humility and intentional support. (James 2:14-17)
We embrace:
- Being the hands and feet of Jesus, having Christ-like hearts as we provide hope and practical help for those within our church and beyond our walls. (1 John 3:17-18, John 13:3-5)
- Praying faithfully for and with our brothers and sisters in Christ as they experience the ups and the downs of life. (Ephesians 6:18)
- Reflecting God’s generous and merciful heart in meeting the needs of others throughout all stages of life. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Our Heritage
A group of eleven families from Trinity Reformed Church, possessing a certain faith, hope, and vision, met in August 1956 to consider the founding of a new Reformed church in the southwest area of Holland. On November 13, 1956, a steering committee of five was elected to formulate the necessary plans toward organization. The first service was held in November of 1956. Forty-one families gathered for the formal organization at Montello Park School gymnasium on January 23, 1957. The new name became “Christ Memorial Reformed Church” on March 26, 1957. The Rev. Edwin G. Mulder was installed as the first pastor on November 7, 1957. On February 7, 1958, the architects and building committee proceeded with the building of the first educational unit on the property on 24th Street and Graafschap Road. The former sanctuary was built in 1968. As the congregation continued to increase, in 1975 the new south education wing was completed which consisted of the Fellowship Hall, Fireside Room, the two-story office building, and the Frank Meyer courtyard. The new sanctuary seating 1,700 was completed in 1989. The new east wing construction was completed in October 2006 which consisted of a community area, adult classrooms, youth area, and chapel.
Our Beliefs
As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we embrace and proclaim God’s work of creation, redemption, and the fulfillment of His eternal purposes.
We believe that:
