Zion E-News (8-19-2021)
This week has been filled with difficult images to process. Earthquakes and torrential rain in Haiti. The fall of Afghanistan and crowds fleeing to safety. Including images too troubling to reference. I am particularly concerned for both the women and children in Afghanistan and the soldiers and their families who sacrificed so much for both our country and Afghanistan. And you can add to those the ongoing tensions of school starting and mask requirements and rising Covid cases. And more close to home for many of us, the unexpected loss of people we knew and loved.
Studies show we take in the equivalent of 174 newspapers of information everyday. This is more information than we can process consciously, so most of what we experience gets processed by our brain without us even knowing it. it is often too much for our brains to handle, especially the emotionally charged images of this past week, and so we go numb. Our compassion runs out. We tune out. We simply need to stop caring because it is too heavy for us brains to handle.
I was feeling this sense of the weight of the brokenness and needs in our world when I came across a word of wisdom from Chuck DeGroat. He said recently that when it feels like too much.
“That’s right. It is. So take it slow. Choose one thing. And hold it before God.”
As you think about the things that can weight you down, what’s the one thing you can focus on and bring it before God. Rather than being overwhelmed by all the needs, what is the one need you can step into with the grace and love of Jesus?
– 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.
We live in an increasingly isolated world. People spend their days commuting to work, staring at screens, and can go days and weeks without talking with those nearest us. And yet, many of us have isolated ourselves from unbelieving neighbors. This is true not only locally. This Sunday, Pastor Jeremy continues our series on the Art of Neighboring as we consider one of the biggest excuses we can all make: busyness.
We will also welcome Dr. Rachael Pastel-Brown from Bursley Elementary to share with us the impact of Kids Hope and investing just 30 minutes to an hour in the life of a child.
Grow in Community
We express our deep sympathy to Dianne Zandbergen in the sudden passing of her husband Steve Zandbergen early this morning. And also to Steve’s aunts and uncles Don and Marcia Osterink & Tom and Arlene Zandbergen and numerous cousins from Zion. Please pray for peace and comfort for the entire Zandbergen family during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be shared when they become available.
We will be kicking off our education year on September 12 with a bit of a party after church. Lunch will be catered by Brann’s. There will be a bounce house and other games for kids. Threads will hold an open house for everyone to see their space and learn more about this new ministry at Zion. Because the food will be catered, we are asking people to sign up ahead o fit if they plan to attend. (Obviously, we would never turn anyone away from a meal! But signing up will help us plan for the day.) You can sign up here.
Our regular Kids Ministry begins on Sunday morning, Sept. 12! I’m excited about the caliber of our teachers and helpers. We do, however, still need one more teacher, and one more helper for our 4th & 5th grade Preteen group. They are a great, small group of kids. Who else do we want investing in them? Kids Ministry training for adult & teen volunteers will be at the following times:
Preschool & K-3rd class after worship on Sunday, Aug. 29;
Preteen (4th & 5th grades) at 4:00pm on Sunday, Aug. 29
Nursery training after worship on Sunday, Sept. 19.
All training will include a “Keeping Kids Safe” portion, which is required for all adults 18 yrs. old and above, prior to serving with children. Please let Rachel Brower know if you are unable to be there.
We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
8/23 Monday 1 Timothy 1
8/24 Tuesday 1 Timothy 2
8/25 Wednesday 1 Timothy 3
8/26 Thursday 1 Timothy 4
8/27 Friday 1 Timothy 5
You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.
Serve the World
Threads Announcement: Thank you for all of your donations thus far! The first shopping day for Threads families will be on Tuesday, September 14. At this time we are in need of:
new and gently used clothing / shoes for girls and boys sizes infant through teen.
New underwear for boys (all sizes)
New underwear for men (all sizes)
Monetary donations are always welcome to purchase these needs.
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: $123,312.97
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $78,168.55
Giving Last Week: $7,528.00
Bathroom Building Fund (total given): $127,519.00
