Skip to main content
Submitted by Douglas Newsom on 19 April 2021

Produced and Delivered Web-TV Programming

The Olympics, Super Bowl, An Ezra Moment, The Plumbline Has Fallen

Join Amanda Grace as she unpacks prophetic insight, hidden motives and spiritual connections behind current events. Tune in LIVE Feb. 9th, 2026 at 6PM ET!

#America #Olympics #SuperBowl #Ezra #BadBunny #HalftimeShow #Patriots #Prophetic

Prayer Lines now available Mon - Fri 9am-5pm EST. CALL 845-743-6500 or 845-743-2583

The Revelationary War is available NOW! Get your copy here: https://buff.ly/4fnuDd7
Preorder Amanda’s second book, Brace for Impact: https://buff.ly/PiQgPcE

Music Copyright References:
-131615741-Awards Inspirational Cinematic Music (Short 3) [Upbeat Nomination Epic Orchestra]
Stock Media provided by JadSound / Pond5
-21981893-Corporate And Inspirational Cinematic Background Music (1.00 Minutes Version)
Stock Media provided by StockAudios / Pond5
-151471022-Uplifting Inspirational Corporate
Stock Media provided by Patrick_Schlebes / Pond5
-154756307-Magic Fireflies Loop Version2(Modern And Relaxing Background)
Stock Media provided by Lesya_NZ / Pond5
-123859534-Successful Product Presentation 60S - P5
Stock Media provided by Wolfgangwoehrle / Pond5
105166597-Believe in You (Inspirational And Uplifting) P5
Stock Media provided by DivaProductionMusic / Pond5
Music License: https://www.pond5.com/legal/license/2...
Purchase ID/Date: 7365245 / 9-29-2023

Website: https://arkofgrace.org
Prayer Requests: https://arkofgrace.org/prayer-requests
Donate: https://arkofgrace.org/donate
Partners: https://arkofgrace.org/ministry-partners

Follow Amanda Grace:
YOUTUBE @ArkOfGraceMinistries
Rumble @ArkOfGraceMinistries
X/Twitter @AmandaGrace_AOG
Facebook @ArkOfGraceMinistry
Instagram @ArkOfGrace88
TIK TOK @arkofgraceministries
TELEGRAM @arkofgraceministries
Truth @ArkOfGraceMinistries
LaGrave Live

LIVE Morning Worship Service 02-08-2026

The Word in the Windows: The Widow's Mite

About The concert:
We continue our sermon series “The Word in the Windows.” Pastor Jonker will preach on Luke 21: 1-4. Can you find the window where that story is depicted?

Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-2-8-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

Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/

Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
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.

Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT

Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org

#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC

The Heart of Giving: Lessons from the Widow’s Mite

The Word in the Windows: The Widow's Mite

A theological exploration of radical generosity and the "Jesus way of seeing" beyond outward show.

Editorial Analysis

Core Insight

"The Lord does not look at the things that other people look at. The Lord looks at the heart."

Key Sermon Pillars

The Distraction of "Shiny Objects": Jesus ignores the flowing robes of the elite, the loud "trumpet" sounds of large coin offerings, and the grand temple architecture.

The Sound of Sincerity: Contrast between the "slot machine" noise of the rich and the quiet "tink" of the widow’s two small copper coins.

The Two Selves: We juggle a "fearful/wanting" self (Damien’s Dad) and a "joyful/generous" self (Damien). Faith is the process of letting the latter prevail.

The Contrast



The Rich: Gave out of wealth; sought attention.



The Widow: Gave out of poverty; gave everything.

Cultural References

#Mark12:41 #Millions_Movie #MacedonianGrace #WidowsMite #RadicalGenerosity

Speaker: LaGrave Ministry Team | Date: Feb 08, 2026

67 min service

This worship service explores the spiritual depth of generosity, contrasting outward displays of wealth with the sincere devotion of the heart. Through the biblical lens of the "Widow’s Mite" and contemporary stories, the congregation is invited to move from a life of fear and survival to one of resurrection joy and grace.

Detailed Summary of Worship and Message

Community Context and the Call to Worship
The service opened on a notably cold Sunday, necessitating a shift from the traditional organ to the piano due to mechanical issues caused by the dry weather. Despite these technical adjustments, the congregation gathered to celebrate the 140th anniversary of La Grave Church and its ongoing role in the reconciliation work of God. The service also marked significant life transitions within the community, including the celebration of new life and prayers for those recovering from illness or mourning loss. The call to confession, drawn from 2 Corinthians, highlighted the "grace of giving" as demonstrated by the Macedonian churches, who gave out of extreme poverty with overflowing joy.

The Potential of Faith

Just as a single apple seed contains the potential for thousands of future apples and entire orchards, Jesus taught that even a tiny amount of faith can grow into something that provides shelter and life for many.

Small Seed → Great Tree → Abundant Fruit

The Sermon: Seeing Beyond the "Shiny Objects"
The core message focused on Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus observes the temple treasury. The preacher noted that while the disciples were distracted by "shiny objects"—men in flowing robes, the magnificent architecture of the temple, and the loud, "trumpet-shaped" brass receptacles that amplified the sound of large donations—Jesus zeroed in on a poor widow. While the rich "threw in" large amounts that sounded like a "slot machine paying off," the widow’s two small copper coins made only a tiny "tink." Jesus highlighted her because she gave out of her poverty, offering her whole heart rather than just her surplus.

The Battle of the Heart: Fear vs. Joy
Drawing a parallel to the movie Millions, the sermon contrasted two types of hearts: one driven by fear and survival (represented by the character of the father) and one driven by faith and the desire to give (represented by the young boy, Damien). The preacher argued that the "true self" of a believer is the generous, joyful person, while the fearful, hoarding self is a product of our fallen condition. Giving is presented not just as a duty, but as a spiritual practice to bring the "joyful self" to the surface.

Two Ways of Seeing

The World Sees...

Jesus Sees...

Flowing Robes (Status)

Sincerity of Spirit

Large Amounts (Volume)

The Sacrifice (Heart)

Magnificent Buildings

The Person in Need

The Power of the Small Gift
The service concluded with a modern-day story of a single mother who returned a 10giftwith10giftwith2 extra to help someone else. Though the church had already raised 91,000foraroofrepair,itwasthefinal$91,000 for a roof repair, it was the final that became the most discussed and celebrated gift. This served as a reminder that when life is lived through grace, even the smallest contribution is a witness to the reality of Jesus and eternal life.

Key Data

Church Anniversary: Nearly 140 years in Grand Rapids.

Fundraising Anecdote: A total of $91,002 raised for a roof, including a $91,002 raised for a roof, including a $56,000 foundation grant, a $35,000 individual gift, and a $35,000 individual gift, and a gift from a mother in need.

Scripture Reference: Mark 12:41-44 (The Widow's Offering) and 2 Corinthians 8 (The Macedonian Example).

To-Do / Next Steps

Check page seven of the bulletin for 10:00 hour events and coffee conversation details.

Monitor Sip Hutton’s transition to Porter Hills for continued rehab this week.

Continue prayers for Joan Elzinga, Margene Greene, Sip Hutton, and Marlene Powey during their recovery.

Support the Faber family and Connie Devries following the passing of Ken Faber.

Prepare for the upcoming sacrament of baptism for Evelyn Marie Kukkulis.

Conclusion

The service serves as a profound reminder that God does not measure by the standards of the world. True generosity is an overflow of a heart transformed by grace, capable of finding joy and the strength to give even in the midst of "cold" and difficult seasons.