Churches are a little like icebergs. As you likely know, 90% of the mass of an iceberg is below the surface of the water. We only see 10% of an iceberg floating in the ocean. Similarly, most of a church’s life happens unseen.

When many of us think of church, our minds go first to perhaps the building or a Sunday morning gathering, but these are really only the tip of the life of a church. This week, the office line has been busy with people calling to double check Steve and Shawn Landstra’s address to send an encouraging card. We hosted a great book discussion on Monday night. The Praise team met for both practice and prayer on Wednesday. The officers of our Consistory met on Tuesday night to recommend Jeremy Zoet to the Commissioned Pastor process in our Classis. The Personnel and Administration Committee met for some administrative work. Both youth groups met Sunday night. Kids ministry leaders are planning ways to connect with the kids of Zion, even those who have not yet been back for worship. And that doesn’t include all the internal connections: the phone calls and text messages, the e-mails and walks, the small groups and triads meeting.

But this week, I want to highlight the Deacons in our church. It is easy think the primary role of the Deacons is to collect the offerings of our church because that is what we see them do on Sundays. But, their primary role is to take care of the physical needs of our members and local community. It is a significant and sometimes overwhelming task.And because it is often confidential, most people will never know of their work and compassionate hearts. The past few weeks, our Deacons have been putting in some overtime seeking to address a particular need in our church. They have had extra meetings, made plenty of phone calls, and sought to care for someone in a time of particular challenge. If you see one of our Deacons: Chip Harkes, Brandon Ondersma, Robbi Boeve, Dan Sundberg, Aaron Huizenga, or Jerrod Holzgen, please take the time to thank them for their hard work and faithful oversight of the benevolent fund and needs in our community. They are doing a great job.

See you Sunday!

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather in person at 9 am and online at both 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.

We all have goals, plans, hopes, and dreams for our future. Things we want to start—or maybe stop—doing. But how do we get there? In this series to start the new year, we will explore some spiritual and practical steps you can take to become the person you want to be in five years. This week, we consider how to prepare and thrive even when all our plans go sideways.

Grow in Community
Steve Landstra was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer earlier this week. Surgery is scheduled for 2 weeks from tomorrow. Both Steve and Shawn and the doctors remain cautiously optimistic for a complete recovery.

Rog Beute had foot surgery on Monday and is currently at home recovering and doing well.

Are you interested in joining Zion? Curious about the direction and values of our church? Then plan on joining a 3 week new members class beginning Wednesday night, February 3, at 7 pm. We will be meeting via Zoom so those who have been attending predominantly online are also able to attend. You can sign-up by e-mailing Pastor Greg at gbrower@zionreformed.org.

In the last decade, a giant cultural wave has swept the North American church into a brand new world — a pluralistic, complicated, high-tech/low-touch world that has only been accelerated during this Covid-time. Facing the challenge of engaging a jaded world, a fresh expression has emerged alongside the traditional church. If you have any interest in church planting or how to reach new generations, join us for a 3 week discussion led by Andrew Moore of the book Fresh Expressions of the Church. You can sign-up for this book discussion by e-mailing Pastor Greg at gbrower@zionreformed.org.

Would your child like to go to camp next summer?  Our church offers a 50% off scholarship to any church member who would like to send their child to camp. Many kids from our church have gone in the past, and it’s been a great experience for them, and they’ve grown in their faith. Camp Geneva is a Reformed church camp on the shores of Lake Michigan. They offer day camps for kids going into 1st-4th grade, and overnight camps for kids going into 3rd grade through High School. You can check out their website here.   Please contact Connie Stegeman, our church secretary, or Children Ministry Director Rachel Brower for the discount code that you’ll need for your registration. Please do not share the code with others, but rather encourage them to contact our office.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
Monday: Luke 2
Tuesday: Luke 3
Wednesday: Luke 4
Thursday: Luke 5
Friday: Luke 6

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
Our Deacons are currently looking for housing for someone. If you know of any vacant apartments/duplexes that could be appropriate for single parent and some children, please contact me or Chip Harkes.

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:  $357,213.52
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $347,680.17
Giving Last Week: $6,031.00

On Monday, our nation remembered Martin Luther King, Jr. I am reminded each year that though MLK, Jr is held in high regard by most now, at the time of his death only 25% of Americans had a positive impression of him. It is hard and often unpopular work to speak up for the marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. Those in power do not like to hear of the suffering their comfort relies upon. This truth cautions me to not dismiss out of hand those who say things that may make me uncomfortable, that challenge my position, that question those in authority. I find it is important to intentionally listen to people who have not experienced prosperity, who have experienced discrimination and injustice, to help me see the truths I may be trying to avoid.

I was thinking all these things Monday and Tuesday, when I came across a prayer of MLK, Jr’s on social media. I never trust those posts preferring to confirm the quote was actually said by the person, so I did some searching on my own and found that prayer and several others. I have strung a few of his prayers together that I found both personally challenging and encouraging as I prayed. So, I offer them to you as well.

“Dearest Jesus, come and sit with us today. Show us the lies that are still embedded in the soul of America’s consciousness. Unmask the untruths we have made our best friends. For they seek our destruction. And we are being destroyed, Lord. Reveal the ways the lies have distorted and destroyed our relationships. They break your shalom . . . daily. Jesus, give us courage to embrace the truth about ourselves and you and our world. Truth: We are all made in your image. Truth: You are God; we are not. You are God; money is not. You are God; jails, bombs and bullets are not.

“And Jesus, give us faith to believe: Redemption of people, relationships, communities and whole nations is possible! Give us faith enough to renounce the lies and tear down the walls that separate us with our hands, with our feet, and with our votes!”

“Eternal God, out of whose mind this great cosmic universe, we bless you. Help us to seek that which is high, noble and good. Help us in the moment of difficult decision. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, a better distribution of wealth, and a brother/sisterhood that transcends race or color.”

“God, help us as individuals and as a world to hear it now before it is too late: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and God’s justice and all these other things shall be added unto you.”

And now me again:

Truly, in this time of tension and division in our country, may we seek first the kingdom of God and his justice/righteousness and trust God with the rest.

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather in person at 9 am and online at both 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.

We all have goals, plans, hopes, and dreams for our future. Things we want to start—or maybe stop—doing. But how do we get there? In this series to start the new year, we will explore some spiritual and practical steps you can take to become the person you want to be in five years. This week, we consider when we will make the changes, take the small steps, that will help us reach our goals and become more and more a people who bear the fruit of the spirit and act more and more like Jesus.

Grow in Community
Harv and Harriett Berens would like to thank our Zion family for their prayers, cards, and calls while Harv was hospitalized. You were an encouragement to them and very much appreciated.

We had a great first week in our book discussion on The Color of Compromise. We are covering some hard topics in this discussion. If you could be praying for those participating that we might be open to new ideas, new perspectives, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in these discussions, it would be appreciated.

Would your child like to go to camp next summer?  Our church offers a 50% off scholarship to any church member who would like to send their child to camp. Many kids from our church have gone in the past, and it’s been a great experience for them, and they’ve grown in their faith. Camp Geneva is a Reformed church camp on the shores of Lake Michigan. They offer day camps for kids going into 1st-4th grade, and overnight camps for kids going into 3rd grade through High School. You can check out their website here.   Please contact Connie Stegeman, our church secretary, or Children Ministry Director Rachel Brower for the discount code that you’ll need for your registration. Please do not share the code with others, but rather encourage them to contact our office.

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. Today, we started the book of Mark. If you have not joined us yet, now is a great time to start. Simply read one chapter a day Monday through Friday.

The reading schedule for this week coming is below:
Monday: Mark 13
Tuesday: Mark 14
Wednesday: Mark 15
Thursday: Mark 16
Friday: Luke 1

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
Our Deacons are currently looking for housing for someone. If you know of any vacant apartments/duplexes that could be appropriate for single parent and some children, please contact me or Chip Harkes.

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:  $346,707.24
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $341,649.17
Giving Last Week: $13,452.00

01-17-21 Bulletin