University Reformed Church News

URC Women’s Evening Bible Studies

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:56:06 GMT

You’re invited to join one of URC’s women’s evening Bible studies beginning the fourth week of September!

This year, we will study the Psalms of Ascent using Lydia Brownback’s study guide. We look forward to growing in our knowledge of the psalms, as well as being led in prayer by this inspired Psalter. A limited number of study guides will be available for purchase at the church Book Table.

Three evening study options are available:

Wednesday evenings at URC beginning 9.23.26
Thursday evenings at a home in Holt beginning 9.24.26
Thursday evenings on Zoom beginning 9.24.26

Each group meets twice a month at 7:00 PM.

Please register HERE.

If you have any questions, please contact Priscilla Lohrmann at 517-449-5088 or Katie Young at 517-588-1850.

URC 60th Anniversary Celebration — Saturday, August 29

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:28:13 GMT

Please plan to join us in celebrating the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to our church for 60 years. Events will take place in the URC parking lot, nearby fields, and the sanctuary.

· 4:00 p.m. — Throwback Softball Game (weather permitting)

Back in the 70’s we had quite a softball team! Some of the former members will be around to spectate and help coach, but the players will be more youthful. Come out to cheer on the teams. Sign up to play at urchur.ch/softball.

· 5:00 p.m. — Hot Dog Cookout (weather permitting)

Hot dogs, chips, dessert, and drinks will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share (in a disposable pan). Additional lawn chairs or blankets may be needed.

· 6:15 p.m. — 60th Anniversary Program (URC Sanctuary)

A time of reflection, thanksgiving, prayer, and singing. The reflections might include laughs and the celebration will resound with praise to our God who has kept us together for 60 years!

Women’s Doctrine Study

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:56:05 GMT

URC women are invited to join us every other Wednesday from 9:30-11:30am in the Fellowship Hall, beginning September 16th. This Fall semester we will be reading “All Things for Good”, Thomas Watson’s “biblical answer to the contemporary question, why do bad things happen to good people?” Join us for book discussion, testimony panels, guest speakers, wonderful fellowship and great food! Childcare is provided. Registration is open now through August 30th HERE.

Women’s Dessert Night — August 12 at 7:00pm

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:39:13 GMT

Ladies, please join us for a special Dessert Night to kick off our Fall Women’s Ministry opportunities! Join us for a sweet time of fellowship, delicious desserts, and a sneak peek at the exciting events coming up this year. RSVP below to help us plan.

R S V P

Chabzola Farewell Reception — Sunday Evening, July 19

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:53:39 GMT

Join us for a farewell reception immediately following the July 19th Sunday evening worship service as we say goodbye to the Chabzola family before they return to Malawi.

If you can help, please sign up HERE.

Summer BIG DIG — Detroit Tigers Game — July 29

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:39:31 GMT

BIG DIG is going to a Detroit Tigers game! Wednesday, July 29th, we will leave URC at 11:00 a.m. for the 1:10 p.m. game and plan to be back by 6:00 p.m. Price is $45 (includes ticket and travel). Bring extra money for lunch at the park. Contact Dave Hinkley with any questions. Sign up and pay below.

Biblical and Theological Foundations — Summer 2026 Class!

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:22:56 GMT

To promote equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12) URC is offering its Biblical and Theological Foundations course this summer on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in growing in your knowledge of Scripture and theology, and your ability to minister the Word to those around you, this class is for you. The class is a prerequisite for those interested in serving URC as an elder or deacon one day, but it is open to all members of the church — both men and women — with a heart to grow in leadership in the church. Meets Sunday mornings from 10:45 a.m. – noon, beginning June 7. You must register below for the class. Contact Dave Hinkley for more info.

VIEW CLASS SYLLABUS

Women’s Summer Book Club

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:45:38 GMT

URC Women are invited to join one or more of the Summer Book Clubs outlined below.

Tuesday, June 16 @ 7 pm at the Vanderweys (1924 Sandhill Rd, Mason, MI 48854), discussing The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
Monday, July 13 @ 7 pm at the Middlesteads (5115 Deanna Dr, Lansing, MI 48917), discussing Fair Sunshine: Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters by Jock Purves
Tuesday, August 4 @ 7 pm, in Holt (exact location TBD), discussing Marriage to a Difficult Man: The Uncommon Union of Jonathan & Sarah Edwards by Elizabeth Dodds

If possible, plan to come to the study having read the book and be ready to discuss as a group. Books can be purchased on Amazon, or often a used copy can be purchased on Thriftbooks or Abebooks. Copies of Fair Sunshine will be available on the Book Table.

REGISTER HERE

Summer VBS — June 15-18

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:30:39 GMT

Grab your backpack and hiking shoes and join us June 15-18 for VBS!

Upward Bound tracks Jesus’ perilous incarnate journey from the courts of heaven to the cross and back again, encouraging young backpackers to make their own life-long upward-bound trek to the summit by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ. Children 4 years old through those going into 5th grade in the fall are invited to join our journey. Each day will include singing, teaching, crafts, and recreation.

VBS will be from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday at URC.

Contact kmiddlestead@urcstaff.org if you have any questions or click here for FAQ’s.

BIG DIG — Wednesday, May 13

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:40:27 GMT

Families with kids of all ages are invited to “BIG DIG”, Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. We will all gather together for dinner and games, then break into age-appropriate Bible Studies. Childcare will be provided up to age 4.

Spring Workday — April 18

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:25:23 GMT

Join us for a spring workday at church, April 18 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We will be focusing on outdoor clean-up, with lunch to follow. More details and sign up below.

SIGN UP

URC Golf League — starting May 4

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:35:09 GMT

Attention Golfers of URC – the URC summer golf league is currently approaching a new season. This will be the 24th year of the golf league and is exclusive to URC members and regular attendees so you will play alongside those you worship with. The league plays 9 holes each outing at the Eldorado Golf Course in Mason on Monday evenings with tee times starting around 5:30 p.m.

We invite men and women golfers of all skill levels to join us for fun and fellowship wrapped up in a round of golf. Sign up as an individual or with a teammate that you will play with each week. If you cannot make it every week, you can also join a team of three or more and rotate who is playing each week.

If you played last year, please check your spam for informational messages that have already been sent to you from ‘noreply@handicomp.com‘. Also, please mark these as not spam to make sure you continue to receive them. These emails will be sent weekly, giving tee times and the course you are playing each week.

The first night of golf is scheduled for May 4th this year and runs through mid-August. The annual league fee will be $230 per golfer. Please reach out to league organizers Gerry Gothro (517.944.0088) or Jeff McAlvey (517.862.1007) to sign up or with any questions.

Baptism Sunday — March 15

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:18:48 GMT

If you would like to have your child baptized, please fill out the form found at urchur.ch/baptism

Men’s Retreat — March 13-14

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 23:13:28 GMT

Men of URC, plan to join us for our annual retreat, March 13-14 at Camp Geneva. Pastor DeMyron Haynes will be speaking on “The Beatitudes.” More details and registration at urchur.ch/mensretreat

Easter Music Rehearsals

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:59:39 GMT

Choir rehearsals for our Easter service are beginning soon. If you are interested in joining as a singer or instrumentalist, please sign up below or contact Jon Anderson (janderson@urcstaff.org) with questions.

Children’s Choir: practice Wednesdays in Chapel at 6:30-7:20 p.m. on 3/4, 3/11, 3/25, and 4/1. Final combined rehearsal is 4/4 at 10:00 a.m.
Adult and Teen Choir: practice Saturdays in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. on 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, and 4/4
Instrumentalists: practice Saturdays in the sanctuary 11:30 a.m. on 3/7, 3/14 and 3/21, and 10:00 on 3/28 and 4/4

All Singers and Instrumentalists should plan to participate at both the 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. services on April 5.

Please sign up below to help with planning and to be added to the email list.

Children’s Choir Sign Up

Adult Choir Sign Up

Instrumentalist Sign Up

DIG Middle School Winter Retreat — February 20-22

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:53:04 GMT

The Middle School retreat will be February 20-22. We will be joining other churches from our presbytery at Cran-Hill Ranch. Matt Luchenbill will be teaching from the Book of Philippians. Cost is $175, scholarships are available.

Sessions will begin at 9:15 pm on Friday the 20th, continue the next day alongside lots of fun group activities, and we will end with a worship service on Sunday the 22nd, heading home at 11 am.

Contact Pastor Dave Hinkley with any questions.

BIG DIG — February 4

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:47:27 GMT

Families with kids of all ages are invited to “BIG DIG”. We will all gather together for dinner and games, then break into age-appropriate Bible Studies. Childcare will be provided up to age 4.

Practical Ministry Training — Starts February 3

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:31:21 GMT

This class is designed to prepare Christians to live out their faith and grow as a disciple of Christ. PMT meets Tuesday mornings from 6:30-7:45 a.m. Email Pastor Dave with questions. Please sign up by January 28. More information HERE or register below.

About URC Class — Begins February 1

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:56:07 GMT

Interested in learning more about our church and what it means to be a member? About URC will start Sunday, February 1 (for 10 weeks) at 9:00 a.m. More information and sign up at urchur.ch/abouturc.

DIG High School Winter Retreat

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:10:32 GMT

This year’s High School DIG students are invited to a retreat to be held here at University Reformed Church. It will be Friday, January 16, 2026 (7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.) and Saturday, January 17, 2026 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). The theme of the retreat is “The Biblical View of Sex & Sexuality”. Cost will be $25/student.

REGISTER HERE

Advent Resources

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:27:10 GMT

Here are some Advent devotional materials to consider for individuals or families:

Come Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Tripp
Good for individuals or families. Includes scripture passage suggestions and recommended discussion points for parents and children.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany by Jonathan Gibson — Good for individuals and families, this 40-day devotional liturgy guides readers through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany—helping them keep their eyes fixed on Christ.

Tracing Glory: The Christmas Story Through the Bible by Sarah Rice
Good for families with younger children through elementary school. Includes questions at the end of each day and key scripture passages.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson
Devotional based on 1 Corinthians 13, with each day being around 5 pages. Includes Scripture, meditation, prayer, and reflection questions.

The Light Before Christmas by Marty Machowski
Good for families with younger children. Has 3 days for each week of Advent, so you don’t have to do it every night.

A Jesus Christmas and A Better Than Anything Christmas by Barbara Reaoch
Both of these books are good for families with elementary age children. Each day has Scripture and questions with blanks for the answers. Good resource to help kids get involved.

Women’s Christmas Tea — Monday, December 8

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:17:05 GMT

Women and girls ages 12 and older are invited to attend our annual Women’s Christmas Tea on Monday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy a festive evening with holiday desserts, special music, and our very own Rachel McAlvey sharing on “A Great Light Has Dawned”. Space is limited; please register soon to help with planning.

REGISTER HERE

Christmas Music Rehearsals

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:53:36 GMT

Rehearsals for our Christmas service are beginning soon. If you are interested in joining as a singer or instrumentalist, please sign up below or contact Jon Anderson (janderson@urcstaff.org) with questions.

Children’s Choir practice Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting November 12
Adult and Teen Choir practice Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. beginning Saturday, November 22
Instrumentalists practice Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. beginning Saturday, November 22

All Singers and Instrumentalists should plan to participate at both the 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. services on December 21.

Please sign up below to help with planning.

Children’s Choir Sign Up

Adult Choir Sign Up

Instrumentalist Sign Up

Women’s Autumn Gathering — Friday, October 24

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:12:36 GMT

Join us on October 24th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for our Women’s Autumn Gathering. We will be discussing what it looks like to abide in Christ in different seasons of life while enjoying a flight of autumn soups and salads. Let us know you are coming by RSVPing HERE. Contact Priscilla Lohrmann with questions.

BIG DIG — October 22

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:40:48 GMT

On Wednesday, October 22, families are invited to DIG for what we call “BIG DIG” from 6:30-8:30pm. We will all gather together for dinner, games (a middle & high school game and a parents & elementary kids game). The night will finish with separate Bible Study classes. Dave Hinkley will be teaching the adults, middle and high school youth will participate in their normal DIG studies, and elementary kids will participate in age appropriate Bible Studies. Childcare will be provided up to age 4. We are also looking for helpers. Sign up below to help us plan. Please contact Katie Middlestead with questions or to help.