Zion E-News (11-25-2020)
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his loving devotion endures forever.
– Psalm 107:1
Though it has been an unusually year of lock downs, masks, social distancing, and more anxiety than normal, it is also true that our God has been good to us. We have woken up each day. We have enjoyed food to sustain us. The sun continues to rise and set. Rain falls in its season and we enjoyed an unusually warm fall. And through it all, God has remained faithful and present in our lives.
As I was thinking over this past year, I wrote down a list of all things for which I am thankful, following are a few highlights:
1. My parents celebrated through 50th wedding anniversary this summer. I am thankful for their great example of fidelity and love for one another.
2. Our family enjoyed two weeks in the mountains this summer and it always does good for my soul to be in Colorado.
3. On a related note, I am thankful for our trailer that allowed us to spend two weeks out west.
4. Ethan started driving and Noah completed driver’s ed this year. I am thankful for my four kids who continue to grow into adults I want to spend time with and for no accidents or speeding tickets in our first year of teenage drivers.
5. We went on lots and lots of walks this spring and early summer. I am thankful for all the great parks in Ottawa County.
6. Teachers. I cannot imagine the flexibility teaching has required this year. I am so thankful for all the hard working teachers who have adapted and learned new skills to teach the children and teens in our community.
7. My discipleship triad. I have been in two triads this year and both challenged and encouraged me and kept me focused on listening to and follow Jesus.
8. Our staff. It has been an odd year to work for a church. Much of what we do has been centered on large group gatherings. Our staff at times have live don our phones calling and reaching out to people, tried new ways to meet virtually and outside at a distance, and worked hard to focus on all we could do rather than on what we could not do at any given moment. They are a joy to work with.
9. You. In a year of constant change and general low-grade anxiety in our culture, you have been gracious with each other, supportive in times of crisis, and faithful to God and to the community of Zion.
10. Jesus whose love and grace continues to be the foundation of my life.
Happy thanksgiving!
– Greg
Connect to God
Join us tonight at 6:30 for our Thanksgiving Eve service at zionreformed.online.church. While we are not meeting physically together, we have put together a great compilation of Zion members thanking God for all sorts of blessings this past year. We look forward to seeing you at 6:30 tonight!
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.
Most of us are familiar with the events of the first Christmas, The manger, The shepherd watching sheep. The angels singing. The wise men. The little baby wrapped in cloths lying in the manner. But what if this birth is not just any birth, but the one event on which all of history turns and that can transform our lives. Join us this advent season as we meet Jesus who comes to us as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Grow in Community
Beginning this Monday, 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.
The reading schedule for this week is below:
Monday: Matthew 1
Tuesday: Matthew 2
Wednesday: Matthew 3
Thursday: Matthew 4
Friday: Matthew 5
You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.
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
Donations can be made via mail 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: $262,657.00
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $221,161.35
Giving Last Week: $11,163.84
Thanksgiving Offering: $1,900.00
