The Banner
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The magazine of the Christian Reformed Church (@CRCNA). Read articles online and sign up for weekly email. (Not all opinions are those of the CRCNA) #crcbanner
The small congregation of Watershed Church in Traverse City, Mich., hosted "From Strangers to Neighbors" in May, hearing from an immigration lawyer and a refugee resettlement worker with an aim to listen, learn, and love their immigrant and refugee neighbors.
A Life of Worship - How do we reframe our perspectives to be keenly aware of God’s presence in the mundane of everyday life? buff.ly/hfhQgyc
What does "Being Christian Reformed" means? See what survey respondents said in 2025: buff.ly/nfbl9n3
Book review: Guide to identifying and overcoming relational obstacles to experience the authentic relationships God created you for.
Movie review: Biopic focuses on four years of Bob Dylan’s life and stars Timothée Chalamet.
Church’s Play & Café Offers Vital Connection: “For some of our friends, this group has become a very important part of their week.”
Book review: Psychologist Kevin Chapman invites readers into a deeper understanding of thinking patterns, emotional triggers, and avoidance behaviors, all through the lens of scriptural truth and God's power to change lives.
Whispers in the Garden: Sometimes God's grace appears in unexpected corners—even in failed gardening attempts and neighborly interventions.
Gratitude in the Body of Christ: A story of hope through the radio from Reframe Ministries to thousands of internally displaced people in the city of Kaya, Burkina Faso.
The Escalon Times reports an Escalon (Calif.) CRC couple as the 2025 "Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon." Valerie Van Houten serves in the church's praise band and Adrian is the church's volunteer accountant. They're being celebrated as part of the city's annual Park Fete. Fun to see!
Editor's Picks: What Banner editors think you shouldn't miss on our website this week.
The World Communion of Reformed Churches celebrated a 150th anniversary service July 12, marking the 1875 founding of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, which through various mergers became the WCRC in 2010. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship helped prepare the liturgy.
Book review of "With Open Ears": Karen Wingate, who was born blind, invites readers to be immersed in sound, unveiling parts of God's character in creation.
Oz-ily Ever After: An author with ties to the CRC brings The Wizard of Oz creator L. Frank Baum to life in her novel.
Four Decades of Living the Quad Life: In 1985, I was a typical 3-year-old boy living in Iowa. I played with toy trucks and tractors and didn’t like the word “nap.”
Miss anything at synod this year? We've got it all right here: buff.ly/p6NvRr5
The Forceful Hospitality of Kèqì: Especially toward guests, kèqì is an overwhelming, welcoming force. buff.ly/U5YXX9A
ICYMI: Reclaiming Sabbath in a Burnout Culture - This command seems almost quaint in our perpetually connected, productivity-obsessed culture. buff.ly/bkPxIaN
Book review: "The Power of Sharing: Stories of Hope, Love, Support, and Healing from i understand" - Members of an organization dedicated to brain health and suicide prevention open up about how mental illness has touched their lives. buff.ly/IhWTliv
Church Worldwide: New Mass Approved Centered on Care for the Environment - “For the Care of Creation” will be added to the existing list of 17 Masses for special civil needs. buff.ly/WxS2hA5
