Sunday Worship
9:30 AM
Who We Are
Thornapple Community Church is your neighborhood church and a member congregation in the Reformed Church in America. We strive to be intergenerational and welcoming of all abilities.
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Our morning worship service (in person and online) is at 9:30 AM followed by coffee & fellowship in the narthex.
Sunday School Classes for all ages begin at 10:55 AM (September - May).
Our Mission
Living and Teaching Transformational Faith in Christ.
Our Vision
Thornapple Community Church seeks to be a unique refuge in the community where people of all abilities and ages connect, both with God and with each other, in authentic and life-changing ways. We will:
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​Cultivate authentic relationships and experiences with and for children and youth.
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Use our facilities and resources to meet needs in our community.
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Engage with all people within our reach, both inside and outside the church environment.
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Our Values
As we strive to live out our mission and vision, we will hold ourselves accountable to be:
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Faithful to the Word of God in our cornerstone commitments to preaching, teaching, worship, fellowship and nurture of children and youth.
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Inclusive of all abilities and ages in our efforts.
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A representative of Christ every day, extending the presence of God into our community.
Our Commitment
Building on our Mission, Vision, and Values, Thornapple steps out in faith to reach:
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Inward. We draw on the very best of what God has planted in us to use it to our full potential.
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Outward. Service, evangelism, and outreach gain a greater emphasis. We are a church that joins God in building the kingdom.
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Upward. We deepen our scriptural knowledge and fall ever-more in love with Christ.
Rev. Dale Matthews, 1980
Our History
Thornapple Community Church was founded in 1980 and met at what is now the Forest Hills Public Schools Administration Building on Cascade & Burton. Reverend Dale Matthews was the founding pastor.
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The church quickly outgrew its small space. In 1982, Thornapple broke ground at its permanent site, 3260 Thornapple River Dr.
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Thornapple has continued to grow in many ways. The church has welcomed in new pastors, staff members, church members, community partnerships and outreach opportunities. Many of the founding members still attend TCC today, including our pastors emeriti!
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In 2020, TCC celebrated 40 years of faithful service. Due to the pandemic, we were unable to have a full celebration, but check out this video that reminds us of all that’s happened!
Worship
Sunday morning worship begins at 9:30 AM. Join us for a mix of traditional and contemporary music provided by our Praise Band and Adult Choir. Whether you like hymns blaring from the organ or the sound of the drums, everyone will find something they love!
Come as you are and join us in fellowship and praise, followed by refreshments in the narthex.
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Ages 0-2 are invited to be dropped off in our nursery on the lower level.
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Children ages 3 - 3rd grade are dismissed during the service for Children & Worship (September-May).
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The Kids Corner can be found in the back corner of the sanctuary. It's a quiet place for kids to hang out during the service!
Outreach
Ministry Partners
Thornapple has formed many partnerships with local non-profits and organizations to increase our presence and outreach in the community. Take a look at our ongoing connections!
​INTERNAL
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Christian Assistance Fund (CAF)
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Thornapple Education Fund
​LOCAL
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The Community Basket
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Kids' Hope
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New City Kids
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City Hope GR
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Western Theological Seminary
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Nepali Church GR
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Servant's Community Church
​GLOBAL
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Rowland & Jane Van Es (Kenya)
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Doug & Dianne McClintic (Hungary)
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Yakuv Gurung (Nepal)
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Aaro Rytkonen (Oman)