Zion E-News (9-6-2018)
Recently, Randy Weener, the Classis Leader for the Great Lakes City Classis (our local body of churches) took a new job with our denomination to lead our national church planting efforts. You can read more about his new role here. I am very excited for Randy and am excited to see what God will be doing in and through him in this new role. Randy has become a trusted mentor, sounding board, and friend in his 10 years in this role. He will be dearly missed. But, God will provide the new leaders we need and this is where our congregation comes in.
The Great Lakes City (RCA) Executive Team has approved the criteria and formation of a Search Team, led by Moderator Michelle Chahine, to select our next Classis Leader and is seeking applicants.
Diversity on the search team would include an equal number of elders and pastors, male and female participants, and include geographic diversity. It should include representation from racially diverse people, those who attend large and small congregations, established and new congregations, as well as younger and older participants. Want to shape the future of our network of churches? Please apply to be on the GLCC Search Team (due Sept. 30, 2018).
More information is available here:https://tinyurl.com/yckrxyey
Search Team Application is available directly on our website here: www.glcclassis.org under Search Team.
Connect to God
Does prayer work? What can we expect from prayer? How do we pray anyway? Have you ever wondered why the disciples never asked Jesus how to preach or perform miracles – and all they asked Him was how to pray? Prayer gives us access to the very throne room of God. In prayer, we are shaped by the Holy Spirit. In prayer, we talk directly with the King of the Universe. Over the next several weeks, we will consider how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer. In this final week of our study of the Lord’s Prayer, we consider the last request: lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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
Becky Swem underwent a spleenectomy on Tuesday and is currently recovering well at home.
Join us on this Sunday following worship for a church picnic by our playground. Everyone is invited to stay and join us for hamburgers and all the fixings. Those who still need to complete Keeping Kids Safe Training will be able to do so and still attend the picnic. Keeping Kids Safe training will be offered following worship in the chapel/youth room.
Children and Worship will begin meeting during church this Sunday. Children and Worship is for kids ages 3 through 3rd grade.
Sunday school will begin on Sunday September 16 following worship. Sunday school is for children ages 3 years old through 8th grade.
Youth groups begin meeting this Sunday with a kick-off party hosted by the Johnson family. A huge thank you to them for graciously opening their house over the past several years for this great start to our youth year.
The High School Youth Group will beholding a fundraiser at Culver’s on September 24 from 5-8 pm.
If you are a hunter or want to expose your children to hunting, Zion will be hosting a Hunter’s Safety Class this fall in partnership with Sports Persons International, a Christian outdoors ministry. Classes will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 on September 10, 12, 17, and 19. You can sign-up or learn more here.
We have T-shirts (short, long, and hoodies) available with our Zion logo on the front. If you are looking for any easy way to show your pride in your church, let your neighbors know you are willing to talk about your faith, or just want a cool new shirt, check out the link below to order your very own! Shirts range in price from $16 to $24. You can order a shirt through September 9. If you are uncomfortable ordering on-line, you can also call the office and we will be happy to help you place an order. You can order your shirt here. You can also see 6 samples below.
Do you want some good food, friends and fellowship? Then this is the opportunity for you! 729 groups bring 7 to 9 willing people together to meet for a meal 3x in 3 months. The goal is simply to get to know some people in church better. Once groups are formed, the host will contact members to arrange the details for the first gathering. Dinner groups are encouraged to be creative; consider picking a dinner “theme night” (i.e. Italian, dessert or soup night), and everyone can bring a dish that goes along with that theme or meet at a restaurant or church. You can sign-up through the cards found in the bulletin or call the church office at 616-534-7533. Sunday is the last day to sign-up for a 729 group.
Serve the World
CityFest is this weekend September 8 and 9. Check out the list of artists performing here. This is going to be a great weekend and opportunity for many people to hear the gospel. Join me in praying already now for good weather and a harvest for the kingdom of God.
Administrative Details
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.
Fiscal Year to date budget: $152,252.80
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $134,926.31
