Zion E-News (8-6-2020)

Last week, I shared a little about identifying a FRANC (friends, relation, acquaintances, neighbors, and co-workers) list of people you know who do not know Jesus. The challenge for many Christians is that we can treat evangelism a little like going on a hunt. Some people when they go hunting are hyper focused on getting their target and they miss the beauty of creation or the relationships that are built in the process of hunting. Others don’t really want to hunt and are afraid of the gun or of actually shooting something. Sometimes, Christians can be so focused on evangelism that we can treat people like targets or even prey and we forget our primary call is to love people. We forget to actually be friends with people who do not yet follow Jesus. Other Christians are so afraid of saying the wrong thing or offending that they never even attempt to share the gospel. At times, I have been both of these people.

I remember one conversation with a friend when I was in grad school that was just disastrous. I was unclear. Stumbled over words. Failed to answer questions. Deeply nervous. I never wanted to talk about Jesus again because it was just so awkward. But, we were genuinely friends and enjoyed each others company and so other opportunities arose. Sometimes, when we try to share our hope in God it doesn’t go very well. But, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3, God makes the church and people’s faith grow. We can plant seed. We can water seeds. God has responsibility for making them grow.

So, if you have a list of people you know and are friends with, what’s the next step to sharing your faith, to planting seeds? Let me suggest that you seek to BLESS them.

First, Begin to Pray for them and for opportunities to share your faith or talk about spiritual issues.

Second, Listen to them. Actually listen to them and try to get to know and understand them. I am reminded of the Will Smith movie Hitch where he gives dating advice to men. His key advice is to actually listen to women and respond to what they say, not with a canned line, but actually listen to them. Listen to people to understand their hurts, longings, hopes, and concerns so when you share your hope in Jesus it will come from genuine understanding of how God is working in their life.

Third, Eat together. This gets tricky with Covid going on, but share food. This is what friends do. Enjoy a meal together. If possible, invite them to your home (safely socially distanced outside). Live out the Biblical call to hospitality.

Fourth, Serve them. Look for ways that you can actively love them. Maybe it is mowing their lawn when they are on vacation or watching their kids for an afternoon. Maybe they need help fixing a car or doing some yard work. Whatever it is, look for ways that you can serve them.

Fifth, tell them the Story. Not just Bible stories, but tell them your story of meeting God an dhow God has changed your life. Tell them the story of Jesus and how much God loves us. Tell them the story of salvation in Jesus. And when you tell the story, ask them to respond: do they want to know Jesus? Do they have questions? How does this story fit their view of the world?

God is at work right now. There are people scared and alone who need the community and hope of the gospel. There are people confused and unsure who need the confidence that comes from knowing God is with you. There are people God loves who you know. What can you do this week to begin to be BLESS people for the sake of Jesus?

Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather for worship both in person and online. We will gather by the playground for an outdoor service at 9 am and indoors in the sanctuary at 11 am. If there is a likelihood of rain or if the grass will be wet from rain over night, we will move our 9 am service to the sanctuary. We will try to announce any change in venue by Saturday night on our facebook page.

If you are not able to join us in person or would simply prefer to not gather in a large crowd yet, you can still join us for online worship. We will be live streaming our 11 am service at zionreformed.online.church and Zion’s Facebook Page. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

This week, we continue our series entitled 20 Minute Theology as we think through some basics questions of faith let by the Heidelberg Catechism. The first week, we considered our identity as the beloved children of God. Two weeks ago, we recognized very few off us experience the kind of vibrant intimate relationship with God we should have as his beloved children, and we thought about how we got in this place. This week, we consider how we get out of the mess we have made of our lives and the world. Of course, no matter how hard we try, we cannot solve the problems our sin has created. Join us this Sunday as we remember again our true life is found in Jesus.

Grow in Community
Bev Nagelkerke went to be with her Lord and Savior early this morning. We express our sympathy to Marv  and his family and ask that you pray for peace and comfort for them during this difficult time.
Arrangements are pending.

Following is a note from the Eling family: Dear Zion Family – Katie, Eden, and I, and on behalf of Mike, Garrett, and Willem, want to give you all a big, (virtual) hug for all the prayers, cards, check-ins, and support you have extended our family during our sister Kim’s battle against cancer and her recent death. While words cannot express our deep gratitude, “Thank you!” for the love of Jesus that you’ve shown and continue to share with us all. As Kim continuously testified, “Even in this, God is good.” ~ The Eling and Wallinga families

We have recently started a closed Zion group on Facebook to create a place to discuss sermons, share prayer requests, and stay connected asynchronously when direct face-to-face connections are more challenging. If you want to join the group, you can request to join at this link: www.facebook.com/groups/ziongrandville/.

Next week Monday and Tuesday, we hope to give a back-to-school gifts (think a few small school supplies) to each of the school age children connected to Zion through our Sunday morning worship and Camp Zion and other ministries. If you would be willing to help drop off these encouraging bags, please send me (Pastor Greg) an e-mail and I will let you know how you can help.

Serve the World
Please join me in praying for the people of Beirut after the terrible accident earlier this week. The devastation is hard to fathom: 300,000 homeless in a moment, hundreds confirmed dead and thousands missing. May God give esteem comfort and may his church step into this tragedy with help and support.

Doug and Dianne McClintic were finally able to return to Hungary this week after being barred from entry due to the prevalence of Covid-19 in the US for the past few months. They are currently under a 14-day quarantine and look forward to reconnecting with their ministry church planting partners in the weeks ahead.

If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Chip Harkes our chair of deacons and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is chip@harkeslandscape.com and his phone number is 616-299-4804.

Administration
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. We are especially grateful this week for all those who have adjusted their means of giving to give online, through the mail, and via text. Zion’s members continue to strongly support the ministries of Zion during this time of uncertainty.

Fiscal Year to Date Budget: $94,556.52
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $85,073.14
Giving Last Week: $10,553.00
Cash on Hand: $156,278.04