Zion E-News (3-17-2022)

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As followers of Jesus, our primary purpose in life is to be with God, to abide in the vine, to dwell in the house of the Lord, to be still and know God. But, as we follow Jesus we are also called to seek first his kingdom and seeking always involves effort, struggle, and risk. And so as Christians, we live in tension: always needing to slow down to be with God while also actively seeking his kingdom. For most of us, the pendulum swings between resting in God and working with God, but there is a bias in our following. We all live in a culture that values achievement, accomplishments, winning, striving, and doing. Most of us are much more likely to swing too far to the striving side than the abiding side.

So, how can we know when we need to slow down and rest more in God?

Recently, I came across a check list from Pete Scazzero, the author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, which I found helpful. He offers the following checklist.

I know my doing exceeds my being when:

  • I can’t shake the pressure I feel from having too much to do and too little time.
  • I am ignoring the stress, anxiety, and tightness in my body.
  • I am concerned with what others think.
  • I am often fearful about the future.
  • I am always rushing.
  • I am defensive and easily offended.
  • I am preoccupied and distracted.
  • I fire off quick opinions and judgments.
  • I feel unenthusiastic about or threatened by the success of others.
  • I spend more time talking than listening.

As you reflect on this list, how are you doing? Has your life swung too far to the doing pole of discipleship? How might you incorporate more time to simply be with God, be loved, and belong to Jesus?

– Greg

Connect to God
This week we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. This weeks service will be at zionreformed.online.church and streaming on our YouTube channel. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.

During Lent we will be looking at the life and ministry of Jesus to see both how he was tested and found true and how we have been given a faith that can both endure and help carry us through every test of life. This Sunday, Jesus call us to examine our lives to see if we have out the idol of our nation alongside his kingdom. Have we fallen for the age old idol or religious nationalism or do our lives bear the fruit of seeking God’s kingdom above all?

This Sunday, March 20, we will be holding a special offering to support relief efforts for the people of Ukraine, All donations will be given to support RCA Global Missions relief efforts in the region. You can choose to give during our regular offering on the 20th or at this link.

We also welcome Jodi Cole Meyer from Love Your Neighbor this Sunday. She will be shafting with us about the work of Love Your Neighbor in Hudsonville and in particular their work helping low income families find financial stability and a community of support.

Grow in Community
Mark your calendars, the Middle and High School Youth Groups will be hosting a fundraiser at Culver’s on March 21 from 5-8 pm. This is a great night to support our youth, connect with friends new and old from Zion, and enjoy some great Culver’s burgers and frozen custard.

Our youth are looking for Shareholders for our 2022 Alaska Mission Trip.Becoming a shareholder means that you will donate $40 or more to help offset the costs of the trip. As a shareholder, you will be matched up with one student and commit to praying for them before the trip, during the trip, and after the trip. There are all sorts of benefits for shareholders like: a meal with your student after the trip, an update from the student during the trip, a copy of their pre-trip devotionals, the knowledge you played a role in a student’s spiritual growth and so much more.

Serve the World
Geoff and Tammy Kooistra, missionaries we support working the HCJB Ministries in Ecuador, recently sent an update on the ministries now that they as a family are located in the United States. Geoff will be in Ecuador from March 13-26. They ask for prayers that he will have safe travels and be able to meet with lots of his co-workers. COVID continues to have a greater impact in Ecuador than here in the USA and there are many restrictions still in place there. He is also leading a study with the management team of HCJB on resiliency in ministry. HCJB is also in the middle of a building project and Geoff has been instrumental in figuring out cabling and acoustic needs for the new studios. As a family they have transitioned well to life back in the US.

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
The remodel of our bathrooms began in January and is right on schedule! There are lights in the bathrooms, the new flooring was applied this week, and the spaces are looking more and more like real rooms. You can check out the progress in some pictures below. The first shows the new women’s restroom and the second shows the men’s restroom.

   

As a reminder, during the remodel, the only restrooms available on the main floor of church can be accessed through the doors at the front of the sanctuary. They are single stall uni-sex restrooms.

Members of Zion Reformed Church received a nomination form in the mailbox last week Sunday. This form is used to nominate people to be considered to serve an upcoming 3-year term as an Elder or Deacon at Zion. The following people have said they are willing to be nominated for these roles: Tom Boeve, Deb Coke, Ashley Gross, Tracy Lobbes, Tim Mekkes, Adam Morehouse, Emily Morehouse, Ashley VanderWall, and Eric Zondervan. Furthermore, after using a single slate of nominees last spring, the Consistory decided to do so again this year following one of the two methods for choosing Consistory members described in our denomination’s Book of Church Order. As prescribed in the Book of Church Order, the congregation will nominate people for the offices of Elder and Deacon. Using these nominations as a significant guide, the Consistory will choose the 2 Elders and 2 Deacons to stand on this single slate. The slate of Elders and Deacons will then be approved by the congregation at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 1 following our worship service.

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:  $459,621.07
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $395,899.38
Giving Last Week: $5,832.92