A Home for Reformed Worship in Hudsonville
Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church stands at 7146 48th Avenue in Hudsonville, Michigan, a congregation in Ottawa County organized in March 1994 by thirty-four families. Today the church family numbers around 196 families, and the bond that holds it together is plain: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a strong commitment to God's Word, and the belief that salvation is by sovereign grace alone. Georgetown belongs to the federation of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America and confesses the historic Christian faith through three Reformed creeds: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt.
Worship Twice on the Lord's Day
Georgetown gathers for formal public worship twice every Sunday, at 9:30 in the morning and 5:00 in the evening. The liturgy is conducted in the historical Reformed way, with reverence for being in the presence of the Almighty, and the preaching of God's Word stands at the center of every service. Congregation worship is shaped by the conviction that the preached Word is the chief means by which God gives grace to His people and calls them to constant repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Singing is drawn exclusively from the versification of the Psalms, with no instruments beyond the human voice, and the church teaches that worship is holy conversation between God and His people in Christ. Children worship alongside their parents under the preaching; Jesus blesses the children of parents who bring them to Him, and central to raising them in the fear of the Lord is having them sit under the pure preaching of God's Word.
Two sacraments are observed. Baptism, which pictures God's initial work of washing away sin and making perfectly clean, is most frequently administered to the infants of believing parents. The Lord's Supper, which pictures God's work of sustaining salvation and showing believers their constant need for Christ's saving death, is held six times a year. Visitors who wish to partake are asked to request permission from the elders. Special worship services take place on New Year's Day, Prayer Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
A Church Shaped by the Three Forms of Unity
Georgetown teaches that the Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error, and that everything it teaches is to be believed, its commands obeyed, and its promises trusted. God, the church confesses, is triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth who created all things in six twenty-four-hour days for the revelation of His glory.
Salvation belongs to God alone. Because He is holy, He punishes every sin; but because He is love, He has chosen a people from eternity to be saved in the blood of His Son. He regenerates hard hearts through the Holy Spirit, gives faith to believe the gospel, sustains His people in daily grace, and preserves them in salvation. The Son of God in human flesh paid for the sins of His people, rose from the dead, now reigns in heaven, and will judge the living and the dead.
Catechism, Sunday School, and the Teen Years
Children and youth are a large part of the congregation's life. From the middle of September to early April, young people gather for Catechism classes, where they are taught Bible stories and doctrine. During June, July, and August, Sunday School meets at 11:00 AM for children from preschool through eighth grade.
Two midweek groups give shape to the teen years. GROW (G-giving, R-righteousness, O-obedience, W-wisdom) is a group for fourth through eighth grade boys that meets every other Tuesday evening for devotions, Bible study, and special projects. SALT - Serving and Learning Together - is a group for seventh through ninth grade girls that meets bimonthly on Thursdays, combining Bible study with reflection on topics important to young ladies and creative craft projects.
High school students meet as the Young Peoples group on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM, studying together and, at various times, organizing activities of fellowship and service. Young adults of college age gather on announced dates to discuss topics in the light of God's Word and to consider how the strength of youth can be put into the service of God.
Bible Studies for Every Season
The congregation gathers around the Word on multiple weeknights. The Congregational Bible Study and the Fellowship Bible Study meet on alternate Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. Ladies gather for a Tuesday morning Bible study, with nursery provided for infants and toddlers. The Men's Bible Study meets at Rainbow Grill in Hudsonville every Friday morning at 6:30 AM. The Mary Bible Study, open to women of all ages, meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM from October through April.
Six times a year, small groups of adults meet in each other's homes through the Discussion Groups, where they dig into subjects relating to the Christian's daily walk with the Lord.
Mercy Ministry in Hudsonville and India
Helping Hands is the church's mercy ministry: members make meals and other gifts and necessities for those in the congregation and the wider community who are in need.
The congregation's reach extends far beyond Ottawa County through the India Mission, a partnership of more than ten years with Christians in South Asia. Georgetown works alongside a Tamil Group, an English Group, and a Foster Home, supporting the general needs of the church, the maintenance of the foster home, the translation of Reformed books and pamphlets into Tamil, the publication of a Reformed newsletter, a Sola Gratia Bible study program, and tutoring programs that reach into outlying villages. Donations may be sent to Georgetown PRC / India Mission Outreach at P.O. Box 253, Hudsonville, MI 49426-0253.
Joining from Near or Far
First-time visitors receive a warm welcome, and both Sunday services are streamed live on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person. The congregation helps newcomers with the practical questions of parking, dress, and small children during worship, so they know what to expect when they arrive at 7146 48th Avenue in Hudsonville.