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.
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. 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. 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.
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're going through a tough time, it is our hope we are able to help. 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. If you find yourself in a season of need, we recommend that you contact Love I.N.C. at (616)895-5683.
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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:
- Meals Ministry
- Chaplain Team
- Prayer Shawl Team
- New Baby Team
- Funeral Luncheon Team
- Ripple Effect Resale Shoppe Volunteer
- Holiday Serving (Living Giving Tree, Salvation
Army Bell Ringing)
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 – If you are in need of help with food, we recommend that you contact Love I.N.C. at (616)895-5683.
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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.
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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.