Zion E-News (11-19-2020)

I have two things I am excited about at Zion I want to share with you this week. Neither are huge events in the life of our church, but rather adapted traditions that are giving me joy.

First, one of the highlights of the year for me is our open mic time in our Thanksgiving service. I love hearing about all the ways you are thankful during the year. We have had people share huge life events like being cancer free and getting married and smaller thanks like for Skype phone calls and coffee traditions with friends. (On a side note, I know some of you enjoy watching me half stand up 3 or 4 times as I try to gauge when people are done coming forward to share their thanks.)

One of the things I am grateful for this year is the way so many people adapted to us worshipping online. When I look back to this spring, I found great comfort and joy in seeing many of you in a video. The first time back in April when we started having some of our band members send in videos of them singing worship songs to be included in our service. I was emotionally moved. Maybe you were, too. We need those connections with each other to both see and be seen.

Obviously, we will not be physically together during our Thanksgiving Eve service this year, but I think we can still “be together.” Would you and/or your family please consider making a short video (no more than 20 seconds) to share what you the things for which you give thanks this year? We will include every video we receive (as long as they are under 20 seconds) in the service on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 pm. Simply send you video to me either via text message to 616-340-7785 or via e-mail to gbrower@zionreformed.org. (One quick pointer, the videos look way better if you take them horizontally rather than vertically.)

In a year where life has not gone as many of us may have planned back in January, we still have so much for which to be thankful. Share your thanks and let us encourage one another during this Thanksgiving season.

Second, many of our Sunday school students have participated in a video retelling the story of Christmas. The last recordings were made this Sunday and the “i” dotting and “t” crossing is being made to the final video in the next couple of weeks. It is really entertaining and the kids did such a great job. I have seen it now 3 or 4 times and every time I come away proud of our talented kids and laughing at their humor. You will want to join us on the 13th as we include their Christmas program in our morning service. You will see the wonder of Christmas and delight in our kids.

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather online at 9 and 11 am. You can find the services either on our facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

In Ephesians 2, Paul says that Jesus has broken down the dividing wall that separated people from God and Jews from Gentiles. Over the next three weeks, we will be thinking about what it means for us today that Jesus has broken down the dividing wall between the races. How do we live out this core gospel truth in a culture of racial tensions and a history of racial oppression? Join us as we consider the importance of lament, confession, and repentance in healing the racial divide in our churches and communities.

We will also be celebrating communion this Sunday. Communion, also called The Lord’s Super or the Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the gospel, who are at peace with God and with their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. If you are planning to participate in communion, we urge you examine your life, confess any sin, forgive those who have sinned against you, and to resolve any division or estrangements you have experienced in the church so that we can come as one body in joy to our God’s table. And, as most of us will be celebrating at home, take time to set aside some grape juice and bread or whatever elements you may have at home to participate.

Our Thanksgiving worship service this year will be held on Wednesday, November 25 at 6:30 pm. Please note this time change from our traditional Thursday morning service. The service will be live streamed at 6:30 at zionreformed.online.church.

Grow in Community
Beginning in Advent, we will be reading through the New Testament as a church over the next year. We are encouraging everyone to use the Through the Word app on Apple or Android devices. This app not only has the scripture readings, but also a 9-10 minute teaching on the passage of the day. This could be a great way for our Discipleship Triads to study together or for a small group or family to do devotions together. If you are unsure how to install the app, we have made a short instructional video to show you how to do so on an iPhone. You can find that video here.

Beginning in January, Sheila Johnson will be leading a book discussion on the book The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby. If you are interested in thinking together about racial divisions in our culture and the role of the church, this would be a great place to be a part of that conversation. If you are interested in this book discussion, please contact Sheila at sheilaj2494@yahoo.com.

Serve the World
Our Thanksgiving offering this year will be used to support:
1. The Wyoming Family Network
2. The Pregnancy Resource Center
3. Jibit Aisha (church planting in Nepal)
Donations can be made through our offering boxes at church during the week (make sure they are clearly labeled for the Thanksgiving offering) or online at our website. At the website, you can choose to donate to the general fund or to our thanksgiving offering. Thank you in advance for your generous support of these ministries.

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.

Fiscal Year to Date Budget: $252,150.72
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $209,897.51
Giving Last Week: $8,817.10