Community Care
Community Care at
Life Stream Church
God has called us to be in community with one another. Community Care is an amazing blessing that you can participate in. Whether you are looking for help or would like to help others this is the place for you.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
We are here to help
No matter what you are going through, we are here to help. On this page you will find a variety of ways we can come alongside you to assist in whatever life situation you are experiencing.
Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to request one of these services or to offer your services as a Community Care volunteer!
Prayer
Prayer is central to our relationship with God. Because of this, we make it possible for you to join us in prayer as well as receive the benefits of others praying over you and your family. If you would like to receive prayer please fill out the form below or join one of our prayer events below. Here are the different ways to pray:
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Pre-Service Prayer – Each morning a group of men and women join together to lift up the Life Stream services to God. This group meets from 8:40 - 8:55 AM each Sunday in the small prayer room next to The Café. You are welcome anytime.
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Weekly intercession – Each Thursday at Noon a group of men and women gather to pray. We meet for an hour and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to lift up the needs of the community.
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Healing Prayer Team – A team of people who anoint and pray over those in need of physical and/or emotional healing.
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Prayer Walks – Several times throughout the year the Life Stream community comes together to pray, using the seven prayer stations throughout the building as well as prayer walking in and around Life Stream. Watch for special announcements in the Connections Email for our next prayer walk.
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Prayer Shawls – We have a dedicated team of women who knit prayer shawls for those in special need. Prayer shawls were often used in the Jewish community as a way to signify a special time of prayer with God.
Chaplain Team
1 Timothy 1:12 says, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,”
Chaplains are trained volunteers of Life Stream. If you would like to become a trained volunteer please let us know by filling out the form below. Chaplains serve in many ways, including:
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Phone calls of encouragement
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Prayer support before surgery or other medical procedure
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Hospital visits
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Hospice visits
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Special deliveries of flowers or other gifts for those in need of a special touch
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Prayer moments between services at church
Counseling Referrals
Job 12:13 says, “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.”
Let us talk to you about your needs and make a recommendation to one of our Christian counseling partners.
Meals Ministry
Ruth 2:14 says, “And at mealtime, Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over.”
If you are experiencing the difficulty of health problems (surgery or other medical issues), or if you are in a crisis, a meal is one way we can come alongside to support you.
New Baby
John 16:21 says, “When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.”
Having a new addition to the family is an amazing, exciting, and exhausting time of life! We would love to celebrate your new little one with a special gift and a meal to help you adjust to an ever-changing schedule.
Funerals
John 11:25-26 says, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
If you have experienced the loss of a loved one please know you are not alone. Talk to a staff member about a service or about connecting with a pastor or chaplain.
Financial Support
Acts 10:1-2 says, “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.“
If you have an emergency financial need, it is our hope we are able to help. Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch right away. We have several areas you can contribute to or receive help from, like:
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Receive Help – There are seasons of life that can be very difficult. It is our hope at Life Stream that we can come alongside you to assist with financial or spiritual help. It is our hope that, just like with the early church, we will be able to support our brothers and sisters in Christ, by “bearing one another’s burdens.” If you find yourself in a season of need and have been attending Life Stream for at least three months, please connect with us.
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Give – If you are in a season of abundance and would like to contribute, giving is easy. Please click below and select “Help Fund” as the cause you would like to contribute to.
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Serve – There are many, many ways to serve in Community Care. Here is a list of the ways you can connect in serving:
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Meals Ministry
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Chaplain Team
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Prayer Shawl Team
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Prayer Teams
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New Baby Team
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Funeral Luncheon Team
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Ripple Effect Resale Shoppe Volunteer or Paid Staff member
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Holiday Teams (Living Giving Tree, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Acts of Kindness Team)
Additional Resources
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United Way 211 or call 800.887.1107 from a mobile phone for food, shelter, and pay bill assistance. United Way’s first call for help [211] – United Way’s [211] provides free information and a referral service hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 2-1-1 from a landline phone or call 616.459.2255
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Love I.N.C. - Life Stream partners with Love I.N.C. If you are in a difficult situation our recommendation is that Love I.N.C. be your first connecting point. You will be able to go through the evaluation process and get access to a great network of resources.
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Food Pantry – The Life Stream food pantry offers help to those in the Life Stream and greater Allendale area. If you are in need of help with food, contact the church office at (616) 777-0365.
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Salvation Army Social Services – The Salvation Army is able to help with crisis assistance and special needs; please call 616.459.9468.
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Safe Haven – Safe Haven offers emergency and confidential help for women and children who are fleeing from domestic violence. Safe Haven also offers support groups and counseling for individuals. They are advocates for women and children who do not require shelter. They also provide outreach programs for the community. Visit their webpage.