Zion E-News (8-15-2019)

Several months ago now, Rachel’s brother’s father-in-law Dan passed away quite suddenly. Dan and I came to know each other through this in-law connection, but he also became something of a mentor to me. On occasion, he would share book recommendations and we both kept tabs on one another. He served in the Church of God in various church in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and finally Oklahoma (I think). He was a joyful and generous pastor. I am also social media friends with his wife and so I have been praying for her during this time of grief and checking in every so often. Earlier this week, she shared a post on grief by John Pavlovitz that touched me about his grief when his father died. I know several people in our church are mourning the loss of spouses and parents and friends and children and so I want to share it with you. You can check out John’s blog here, the post follows:

My dad died very suddenly three days ago.

The first few seconds of that morning phone call will be burned into my memory for the rest of my life; the one where I heard my youngest brother’s voice quivering as he told me that my father had passed away in his sleep while on a cruise with my mom on his 70th birthday. The words sent me immediately to my knees on the front lawn and sometimes I feel like I’m still there, at least a good part of my heart is.

Since then, I’ve been what I would call a Grief Zombie; walking around in an odd, contradictory haze of searing pain and complete numbness, which each like to take rapid turns overpowering me. It’s as-if I’m being sucker punched by sadness one second and bear hugged by gratitude the next.

But all the while, since that life-altering phone call (as those who have experienced the loss of someone they love, know) I’ve had to continue to dostuff; take the kids to school, buy bananas, go to the gym—partly because things still need to get done, and partly because these mundane, ordinary things help keep you from completely losing it in the face of the pure insanity of your reality.

Over the last three days, as I’ve navigated parking lots, waited in restaurant lines, and sat on park benches, I’ve done so, pushing back tears, fighting to stay upright, and in general, being just seconds from a total, blubbering, room-clearing freak out.

I’ve felt like I’ve wanted to wear a sign that says: I JUST LOST MY DAD. PLEASE GO EASY.

I mean, other than my embarrassingly bloodshot eyes and the occasional puberty-recalling break in my voice, it’s not like anyone would knowwhat’s happening inside me or around me.

And while I don’t want to physicallywearmy actual circumstances on my chest, I know that if I did, it would probably cause people around me to give me space or speak softer or move more carefully, and it would probably make the impossible, almost bearable.

But even as I’ve wished that people could see the personal hell that I’mgoing through, I’m aware of the acute blindness that I usually live with and the tremendous ego that exists in the request itself.

Why am I so special?

Why is my pain any more pressing than anyone else’s?

Why do I assume that everybody but me is alright?

Why do I expect everyone around me to be any sturdier than I feel?

This week, I’ve been reminded that I am surrounded by Grief Zombies all the time. Maybe they aren’t mourning the sudden, tragic passing of a parent, but wounded, broken, pain-ravaged people are everywhere, everyday stumbling all around me—and yet most of the time I’m fairly oblivious to them:

Parents whose children are terminally ill.

Couples in the middle of divorce.

People grieving loss of loved ones and relationships. 

Kids being bullied at school.

Teenagers who want to end their lives.

Spouses whose partners are deployed in combat.

Families with no idea how to keep the lights on.

Young moms with little help, little sleep, and less sympathy.

Yet none of them wear the signs.

None of them have labels.

None of them come with written warnings reading, FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE.

And since they don’t, it’s up to you and me to look more closely and more deeply at everyone around us; at work, or at the gas station, or in the produce section, and to never assume they aren’t all just hanging by a thread.

We need to remind ourselves  just how hard the stories around us might be, and to approach each person as a delicate, breakable, invaluable treasure—and to go easy.

As you walk, drive, and click around this week, people won’t be wearingsigns but if you look with the right eyes, you’ll seethe signs.

Life is fragile. Hold it carefully.

People are fragile. Handle them gently.

You are fragile. Take it easy.

– John Pavlovitz

Connect to God

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
On Labor Day weekend, the nursery will move from its current location to Room 207. This will be its new location throughout the year. Other room assignments will occur on the first Sunday following Labor Day as we begin our new education year. All room assignments will be in the bulletin.

If you haven’t yet signed up for RightNow Media, a great free resource of Christian videos for kids and adults alike, you can do so here.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World
This Sunday, Chris Winkler of Wycliffe USA will share a ministry update. If you would like to learn how we as a church or you yourself can further support missionaries, the Zion Missions Team is hosting a discussion led by Chris on “Missionary Care 101” in the sanctuary following the service. If you would like to get involved in Zion Missions, this is a great place to start.

City Chapel continues to meet throughout the summer and recently celebrated the completion of a Vital Worship grant that helped fund their worship leader and some cool art events this past year. Like many churches in not on the lake shore, they have seen their attendance drop a little this summer, but continue to see new people each week. Please continue to pray for Ron and Anna and the entire City Chapel team as they strive to reach the downtown community with the gospel of Jesus.

Administrative Details
Mark your calendars, our next Leaders Meeting will be on Sunday, August 25 from 5-7 pm. This will be a great night of food, worship, ministry specific training, and great time with friends. In addition, we will be conducting our annual training about our child protection policies this night. If you volunteer with children or teens in any capacity in our church, you are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. You cannot serve in these roles without going through this training and a background check. We look forward to seeing you there. In addition, Rob Holland from Lifeline Community Church will be with us to share some stories of what God is doing through your support of Lifeline to change lives in Wyoming.

We still need adults to serve in our childcare for this evening. If you attend Leaders Meetings regularly and your children enjoy the childcare, I would urge you to consider taking a turn to serve during the meetings as well. You can sign-up through the Connection Card this Sunday. Currently, no adult has volunteered to serve.

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: $122,010.02
Fiscal Year to date contributions:     $97,131.05

Consistory Communiqué
Each month, the consistory of Zion will provide a “snapshot” of their discussions, decisions, and points of information to keep the congregation better informed. The minutes are included as an attachment. Comments and questions can be easily shared using the Google Form included below. These comments and questions will be shared as points of information during our next Consistory meeting. Furthermore, you are encouraged to contact an elder for additional clarification or discussion.

August Consistory Meeting

• The Reformed denomination continues to wrestle with questions on sexuality, among other issues. Multiple options to resolve this debate were proposed during Synod 2019 and will be voted on during Synod 2020. As Synod 2020 approaches, consistory is looking at providing more insight and possible teaching on these topics.
• Following an audit on Camp Zion, Consistory is considering changes that include an increased focus on targeting more academically and socially at-risk kids through West and Central Elementary Schools.
• One of Zion’s goals for the next 90 days is to begin the process of reviewing and redesigning the youth group ministry.
• Andrew Moore from Community Reformed in Zeeland has begun the process of planting a church in Grandville. Andrew will be sharing more on this church plant with Consistory in September.