Zion E-News (12-3-2020)

Earlier this week, my friend Jerry shared a story with me. He and his wife are both over with some pre-existing conditions and so have been isolating for much of the last 9 months. In that time, they have completed many, many puzzles.

Recently he completed 3 puzzles. The first, a 500 piece puzzle, was missing one piece, which really bothered him. But, when the completed next puzzle, he found one extra piece in the box that had been missing from the first puzzle. He could finish the puzzle and everything look great and felt right again. And then, as he completed the third puzzle, another 1000 piece one, he discovered that this puzzle too was missing a piece. He kept looking for the piece, but it could not be found anywhere. And, it bothered him. When he looked at this puzzle, all he could see was the empty place.

Reflecting on these rather mundane experiences, Jerry started wondering what God might be trying to show him. As a recovering perfectionist, he surmised it was another reminder that we see what we focus on. You can either see the one missing piece or the 999 that have all found their place, fit perfectly together, and together form this beautiful picture.

What we see depends on where we choose to focus. During this Covid and holiday season, we will experience them based on where we direct our attention. Will we see all the opportunities or all  that Covid limits? Will we see what God can do in this moment or only what we can’t?

– 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.

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. This week, Pastor Jeremy leads us in a reflection on what it means for us that Jesus comes as the Mighty God.

Grow in Community
We extend our sympathy to Danny and Ashley Copron in the passing of their grandmother, Janice Lankerd, yesterday. May God give them comfort and fill with with the hope of the resurrection to come.

We will once again be offering an online worship experience for kids ages 3 through 5th grade following our morning worship. For a variety of reasons, this experience will only be offered at zionreformed.online.church and not on our Facebook page.

You can still join us in reading through the New Testament 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 6
Tuesday: Matthew 7
Wednesday: Matthew 8
Thursday: Matthew 9
Friday: Matthew 10

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
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
Earlier this week, many non-profit organizations celebrated Giving Tuesday as a way to encourage people to support their missions. After a weekend traditionally spent shopping, I think it is wonderful to also spend time thinking about where we can also freely give back what God has given to us.

In a culture of overconsumption, where we are often defined primarily as consumers rather than as image bearers of God, one day a year dedicated to giving, though, is probably not enough to counteract the values of our culture. Just like one day of eating healthy is unlikely to undo the harm caused by years of overeating. And one day of exercise is unlikely to undo years of laying on the couch. Rather, true change happens through new repeated patterns of behavior. As you think about your giving throughout the year, let me challenge you to consider beginning a practice of tithing (giving 10% of your income back to God). If that is too great a step, maybe you could increase your giving by 1% of your income this year. But for all of us, finding our identity and security in the stuff of this world will always be a temptation. Regular giving can help us fight that tendency and re-root our identity in and dependence on God.

There are many great organizations and untold needs to address, but I believe firmly the local church is the place that can have the greatest longterm impact on the life of a neighborhood and town. Together we feed hungry kids in the schools, support families struggling to make ends meet, mentor students, care for the elderly, help one another out in times of need, disciple kids, teens, and each other, reach people around the world with the gospel, and encourage each other through friendship and accountability. The local church at its best is truly a mission outpost of the kingdom of God, the place where the life of heaven breaks into this world.

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:  $273,163.28
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $235,677.35
Giving Last Week: $14,511
Thanksgiving Offering (total): $4,850