Zion E-News (7-29-2021)
Late last week, there was a fascinating interaction on Twitter that has stuck with me. So often on social media, the interactions are filled with anger, bitterness, or just plain unkindness. But this one was different. It occurred predominantly between Beth Moore (the famous conservative Bible teacher) and Anne Lamott, the best selling Christian author. One is known for being theologically conservative and the other for being a theological liberal. It follows below, slightly edited to make it easier to read:
Random Guy: Anne and Beth know each other!?!? That feels like 2 very different worlds colliding!
Anne Lamott: Here’s the thing about Christ: Beth and I are both Jesus freaks who try to live as servants. My friends are mostly progressives, which bothers Beth exactly zero. We would fly out to help each other today, sight unseen. So it is actually ONE world, with room for all.
Beth Moore: Sight unseen. 100%.
I love this interaction for two reasons. First, like the random guy, I love that Beth and Anne know one another. I have been a fan of Anne since reading Traveling Mercies 20 years ago and a fan of Beth since Rachel was in a women’s Bible study more than 15 years ago and even more since getting to know her on social media.
Secondly, and more importantly, Anne;’s reminder that it is about Christ. When you are both Jesus freaks, all the things the world thinks should divide you don’t matter very much. You can have different political views. Different views of vaccines. Different views on how best to respond to poverty, refugees, growing income and wealth gaps, terrorism, and more. And none of those things matter in comparison to the common bond you have because of your love for Jesus.
As Paul says in Ephesians 4:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
In Christ, we are one. There is amazing diversity in Christ’s body: from Spirit filled speaking tongues Pentecostals to very reserved United Reformed, from theologically conservative Southern Baptists to theologically liberal United Methodists, from economically conservative Evangelicals to social gospel Catholics, from black churches to immigrant churches to white suburban churches. God is at work among them all.
I love to see people so in love with Jesus, so mature in their faith, that the ways our world divides (and often the ways the church divides) cannot overcome their unity in Christ. Their love for each other gives witness to the reconciling power of the gospel and our ultimate hope in Jesus.
May God bless the Beths and Annes of our world and cause their numbers to increase.
– Greg
Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather in person at 9:30 am and online at 9:30 and 11 am. If you are joining us outside, you will want to bring chairs. The online service will be pre-recorded and abbreviated as we will not be live-streaming our outdoor services over the summer. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.
As we conclude the message series “The Grudge,” we face maybe the hardest person to forgive: ourselves. As we consider Paul’s counsel to seek the godly sorrow that leads to repentance rather than the worldly sorrow that leads to death, we find some pointers to the grace we need through the experiences of the disciples Peter.
Grow in Community
Teresa Beute was admitted to the hospital on Monday afternoon with very high blood pressure. Her blood pressure has been brought under control and now they are determining the best course of action moving forward.
Weather permitting, our kids ministry will be outside all summer long. This is for kids ages 3 through going into 3rd grade. We’ll be meeting by the picnic tables to read Bible stories, pray together, do other outdoor crafts/games, and play on our church playground!
However, we need more volunteers for our summer kids ministry during church! We know that Zion church loves kids, and wants to support young families. If you’d be willing to help on a Sunday this summer, please contact Rachel Brower at 616-669-3412. Thanks!
The nursery is open again this summer. Nursery is for children ages 0-3. The nursery check-in will be inside at the nursery. Young children are also welcome in the main worship service. Thank you to all those serving in the nursery!
We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
7/12 Monday Philippians 2
7/13 Tuesday Philippians 3
7/14 Wednesday Philippians 4
7/15 Thursday Colossians 1
7/16 Friday Colossians 2
You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.
Serve the World
Threads is accepting donations of new and gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories for infants through adults. Also, donations of new socks and new underwear (for kids and adults) would be greatly appreciated. Please place donations either in the Threads sheds located on Zion’s front steps or in the Threads wooden box in the narthex. Thank you!
We received update from a couple of missionaries whom we support recently:
Albertha Kuiper, working with Wycliffe, is doing well “mostly”. She is co-authoring a commentary on the book of Matthew and hopes to finish her part by August.
Keith Krebs, who works in Bahrain at the RCA Mission hospital, reports today that Bahrain is slowing opening again after several weeks of lockdown due to a COVID-19 resurgence. He and Denise have an app on their cell phones showing a “green shield” to prove they are vaccinated. But masks are still required. Construction is continuing on-schedule for the new mission hospital. Keith ask that we pray for them as they recruit 300+ new staff members including doctors, nurses, technicians and all other personnel.
If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is Jholzgen@yahoo.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.
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 2021/22 Budget: $89,682.169
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $48,331.48
Giving Last Week: $58,218.48
Bathroom Building Fund (total given): $2,474.00
