Lee Street Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, Mich., welcomed synod participants to worship on Sunday evening before the plenary sessions begin Monday.
Delegates and guests loaded school buses for the 20-minute ride from the Calvin University campus where synod is meeting to join the bilingual congregation in their monthly combined worship service in English and Spanish.
The service began with a call to worship from Hebrews 12:2a and 13:25 in seven languages: Dutch, Hungarian, Quiche, Spanish, Creole, Q'eqchi, and English. It also included worship songs sung in English and Spanish. Steve DeVries, one of two pastors at the church, preached a sermon titled, “Got Faith?” from Hebrews 11:8-13, playing off the retired ad campaign “Got Milk?”
DeVries called the letter to Hebrews an “ad campaign” for faith, displaying the faith of God’s people beginning with Abel.
From the passage, DeVries said Abraham helps us learn “to see life and God again through the eyes of immigrants—the type of people the Bible was written about” and Sarah’s faith in God’s promise, even though she was past childbearing age, is a testament of life from death.
Concluding his message, DeVries said, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, and let everyone see the faith all over your face,” referencing the “milk mustaches” that were prominent in the “Got Milk?” campaign.
Near the end of the service, the congregation participated in the Lord’s supper, where multi-color corn tortillas served as a symbol of the body of Christ while simultaneously celebrating the global community.
The church welcomed their guests for fellowship with Spanish and Dutch treats on the lawn after the service.
Synod 2024 is meeting June 14-20 at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Find daily coverage from The Banner news team at thebanner.org/synod. Visit crcna.org/synod for the synod schedule, webcast, recordings, photos, committee reports, and liveblog. Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church.
About the Author
Kristen Parker is a freelance writer. She has a passion for words and creativity. Kristen and her husband Chris, enjoy board games and thrift shopping. They attend Stratford CRC in Stratford, Ont.
