LaGrave Live

LaGrave Live, February 15, 2026


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LaGrave Live
LIVE Morning Worship Service 02-15-2026
The Word in the Windows: The Transfiguration
About The concert:
We conclude our sermon series on the windows. Pastor Jonker will preach on the story of the Transfiguration as found in Matthew 17:1-13. Can you find that story in the windows?
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-2-15-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
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The February special offering is for The Bridge. The Bridge is part of Arbor Circle, which offers emergency shelter for youths, and additional counseling for youths and their families.
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The Word in the Windows: The Transfiguration
The Word in the Windows: The Transfiguration
LaGrave Live Service Summary • Feb 15, 2026 • Finding strength between the mountain and the valley.
Editorial Mode
Theological Core
The Dual Revelation of Christ
The Transfiguration provides two distinct forms of sustenance for the "exhausted disciple" facing the uncertainties of faith and life:
1. Divine Glory (The Blue Halo)Jesus as the fulfillment of Law (Moses) and Prophets (Elijah). He is the authoritative "Word made flesh" who sustains us through his absolute sovereignty.
2. The Human Touch (The Gentle Hand)The transition from blinding light to a simple touch on the shoulder. "Get up. Don't be afraid." The power of God accompanies us back into the "valley" of daily struggle.
"The church is not an escape; it is salvation. We lift our faces to the mountain to find courage for the valley full of broken glass."
Symbolism & Context
Stained Glass Analysis
Blue Halo: Represents divinity and eternal glory (vs. Red for sacrifice).
Moses' Horns: A historical art tradition (lightning bolts) signifying the radiance of God.
The Scroll & Tablets: The convergence of all scripture into the person of Jesus.
Children's Message
The boy who grew too big to fit through doors (Pride) vs. finding joy in passing the ball (Humility).
Key Keywords
#Matthew17 #Transfiguration #Epiphany #MountSinai #Humility
Reading Time: ~12 min read • Focus: Spiritual Growth & Theology
LaGrave Avenue CRC
This document summarizes the worship service held at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, focusing on the biblical narrative of the Transfiguration. The service explores the dual nature of Christ’s divinity and his personal care, providing spiritual sustenance for those exhausted by life's journeys.
Community Worship and Liturgical Practice
The service opened with a warm welcome to both physical and online attendees, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the congregation. The liturgy moved through a formal Call to Confession based on Matthew 7, warning against "false prophets" and emphasizing the need for "good fruit" in the life of a believer. This was followed by a communal prayer of confession and a declaration of forgiveness rooted in Hebrews 1, affirming Christ as the radiance of God's glory and the sustainer of all things.
Lessons on Humility and Pride
During the children's message, a narrative was shared regarding the dangers of vanity and the virtue of humility. Through the story of a boy who physically grew larger with every boast—eventually becoming too big to fit into his school or car—the speaker illustrated how bragging isolates individuals. The lesson concluded that by serving others, celebrating their successes, and practicing kindness, one finds true happiness and community belonging.
The Dual Revelation of the Transfiguration
Divine Glory (The Blue Halo)
Reveals Jesus as the Eternal Word and fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and Prophets (Elijah).
Human Touch (The Gentle Hand)
The personal comfort of Jesus saying "Get up, don't be afraid," accompanying believers into the valley.
Sermon: The Glory and the Touch
The sermon focused on Matthew 17:1-8 and the specific depiction of the Transfiguration in the church's stained-glass windows. The preacher noted that while most halos in the church are red (signifying servanthood and sacrifice), the Transfiguration halo is blue, symbolizing Christ's divine glory. The event is described as a "magnifying glass" where the weight of the Old Testament—represented by Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets)—is condensed into the person of Jesus.
The message highlighted two specific gifts Jesus gave his exhausted disciples on the mountain:
A Vision of Glory: A reminder of his divine authority that sustained the disciples, such as Peter and John, throughout their later ministries.
A Gentle Touch: After the terrifying display of power, Jesus touched his disciples and told them not to be afraid, demonstrating that his immense power is coupled with intimate care.
Congregational Intercessions
The church engaged in extensive prayer for global and local concerns. Petitions were made for peace in conflict zones including Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar. Locally, the congregation remembered members facing significant health challenges, those in hospice care, and families grieving recent losses. The prayer also highlighted the church's mission work, specifically mentioning support for pastoral training in Kyrgyzstan.
Symbolism in the "Word in the Windows"
🎨 Red Halo: Represents Jesus' blood, sacrifice, and his role as a servant.
💎 Blue Halo: Represents Jesus' divinity, majesty, and heavenly glory.
📜 Moses & Elijah: Represent the Law and the Prophets meeting their fulfillment in Christ.
⚡ Horns on Moses: A traditional artistic depiction of the "rays of light" from Mount Sinai.
Key Data
Scripture Text: Matthew 17:1-8 (The Transfiguration).
Ash Wednesday Schedule: Dinner at 5:15 PM in the multipurpose room; Service at 6:15 PM in the sanctuary.
Artistic Reference: Michelangelo’s Moses (1515) mentioned regarding the tradition of depicting Moses with horns.
To-Do / Next Steps
Join the congregation for coffee and conversation in the multipurpose room immediately following the service.
Review the weekly bulletin for various "10:00 hour" educational and fellowship opportunities.
Clear schedules to attend the Ash Wednesday Koinonia meal and service this coming Wednesday.
Use the back of sermon note cards to submit confidential prayer requests to the prayer team.
Conclusion
The service concludes with the reminder that worship serves as a "mini-transfiguration," lifting believers into God's presence to find the strength necessary to return to the "valleys" of everyday life. By holding together the vision of Christ’s majesty and the reality of his comforting touch, the faithful are equipped to face suffering with renewed hope.
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