We don’t get a lot of wildfires around Michigan, though there was one in Newaygo last night. But, when Rachel and I lived in Colorado, there were wildfires every summer. When we visited 5 years ago, there was a significant fire south of Denver and many people lost their homes. I remember further back, almost 20 years ago driving with a friend to help him move out to LA and being amazed by small little fires along the side the highway. People just drove by like it was no big deal.
Unlike the people in LA, I have never gotten used to wild fire. Fire is dangerous. It moves in unexpected ways. It consumes and destroys. And yet, it also leads to new growth and health and life. When a fire goes through a pine forest, as it burns, it unlocks all the pine cones and sends millions upon millions of seeds out into the world, already beginning to replace the trees that have burned. According to foresters, most forest trees need to be exposed to fire every 50 to 100 years in order to invigorate new growth in the forest.
I think the same is true for churches. Not that churches need to burn, but that every few decades churches need a revival, a fresh influx of the fire of the Holy Spirit, a renewed passion for God and evangelism and seeking after the kingdom of God. I sense God may be doing something like that in our midst. May we fan the flames and catch fire ourselves.
Connect to God
On Easter Sunday, God begins a re-creation of the world beginning with the resurrection of Jesus. While we are still waiting for this creation to be fully formed, we as Christians are called to live a Jesus shaped life so that our lives point people both to Jesus and this new world God is making. This week, we consider the need for wisdom as we seek to live according to the ways of Jesus’ kingdom.
From the Sunday after Memorial Day through Labor Day, we take a break from our regular children’s programming. This gives our teachers a much needed break from prepping as people are in and out for vacations. In its place, we will be showing the children ages 3 through 3rd grade a Christian video each week (during the worship service), such as Veggie Tales, or Hermie and Friends.
You can sign up here to work in our summer Children’s ministry.
If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.
Grow in Community
Our Young at Heart group invites everyone at Zion to a “Peace of Mind Seminar” where you can learn how planning for your final wishes can shield your family from an unnecessary emotional burden. This informative seminar will be held on May 9th at 6:30 pm at church.
This Saturday is a church wide spring clean-up. If you are able to use a rake, pull a weed, shovel mulch, or help us eat some donuts (I assume there will be donuts), you are invited to join us on Saturday at 8 am.
We received a gracious note from Chelsea Reynhout recently I wold like to share with you:
“To our family at Zion –
I can’t thank you enough for your love, support, and encouragement over the last 3 years. From the very beginning, you did more than just generously share your space with me, you invited Eric and I into your family with open arms. You helped God plant the seeds of confidence and desire in me to become a pastor. My new congregation and I are eternally grateful! I experienced yet again your generosity and love in your hosting of my ordination service. Everyone worked so hard to make it one of the best moments of my life. Thank you to the band for blessing my soul and to everyone who worked so hard on the details — from the powerpoint to the cake! Thank you for being you — a place where a lost seminary student can find a home. Sending our love from Newaygo! Visitors welcome! Chelsea”
If you are up in the Newaygo area this summer, I know Chelsea would be blessed by your encouraging visit. She is currently serving Newaygo Family of God Church.
Serve the World
Our summer staff for Camp Zion have been hired. The high school staff this year will be: Makaylee Kempema, Luke Austin, Brad Sanders, and Kim Verbrugge. We had many great applicants and appreciate the enthusiasm and gifts of each. We are excited to see how God will use these teens, our many volunteers, and Director Rachel Verbrugge to bless our neighbors this summer.
Administrative Details
Our next Leaders Meeting will be on Sunday, May 20 from 5-7 pm. We will start the evening with a meal and then talk a little about the vision and direction of Zion, breakup into ministry teams, and end the evening with some training by Pastor Jeremy. We have a great night planned. If you volunteer in any capacity, you are both invited and strongly encouraged to attend this evening of community and ministry. If you do not yet serve anywhere in the ministries of Zion, but would like to get involved, please join us as well and we will get you connected that night. Sign-ups for the leaders meeting will begin this Sunday May 6. Childcare will be provided for children 5th grade and under.
Our annual Congregational Meeting is this Sunday following worship. We will be approving our annual budget and electing our new Elders and Deacons. In addition, we will review this past year and look ahead to where God is calling us next as a community.
The following people were nominated for the office of Elder:
Kyle VanderWall, Josh Sanders, Brian Davis, and Mike Knott.
The following people were nominated for the office of Deacon: Jerrod Holzgen, Chip Harkes, Mark Radcliff, and Aaron Huizenga.
Our new Elders and Deacons will be chosen by lot at our congregational meeting on May 6 from these nominees. Pleas be in prayer for each of our nominees.
We continue to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and for the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and treasures.
Year to date budget: $509,515.68
Year to date contributions: $505,838.11
