Zion E-News (1-14-2021)

I have a short story to share.

A week or so ago, a member of our church called to talk to me about a person that had met recently. This person had cancer, working a low wage job, and their life was simply overwhelming. Finances were rough. But, this Zion member had a heart moved with compassion so they called me to talk through how they could help. We talked about local resources like UCOM and Love, INC. They called Tom Boeve with our Personal Care Pantry and went grocery shopping themselves. And then they simply dropped off the food and other items to the family. Later, they received a very gracious and appreciative text from the family.

I don’t tell this story because it is an earth shattering event, but simply because this is what following Jesus looks like for most of us: simple obedience, care for others, generosity to those in need, and loving our neighbors. It won’t make the 6 o’clock news or receive much fanfare, but this is what it means to be the church. We run programs like the Personal Care Pantry and Hand2Hand as ways to do these acts of love as a community, but the goal is not programs to serve people. But for us to be people who naturally respond in love to those in need.

May we all become each day people who live just a little more like Jesus.

Greg

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

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 look consider the power of small things,  mustard seed sized acts, when empowered by God to bear fruit in our lives and world.

Grow in Community
Steve Landstra is at home after experience several blog clots in his longs lats week. He is doing well and anticipating a full recovery.

Merle Ezinga is home from the hospital recovery from a fall earlier this week and doing well.

Our book discussion the Color of Compromise will be meeting on Mondays at 6 pm beginning this week. 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.

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.

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 8
Tuesday: Mark 9
Wednesday: Mark 10
Thursday: Mark 11
Friday: Mark 12

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

Serve the World
We had a great first week in our Kids Hope partnership with Bursley Elementary. We had 4 mentors meet with students and from all I have heard they had a great time. Please pray for our mentors and students that these relationships might help the students experience the love God has for them.

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:  $336,200.96
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $328,197.17
Giving Last Week: $9,818.70