Zion E-News (6-16-2022)

On Friday morning, I was walking from the Scholte Dorm on Central College’s campus to the gym where we met for our General Synod plenary sessions. On the way, in the rain, I walked around a pond. As I walked by the pond, I saw what looked like crickets jumping out of my way. As I looked closer, I realized they were tiny little frogs. Tadpoles had just gotten big enough to jump out of the pond and begin exploring the big wide world. Literally, hundreds of tiny little frogs were on the sidewalk all week long as we walked back and forth to meals or plenary sessions.

I spent time watching people walk through the frogs. Some people never seemed to notice and just strode through the teeming frogs and squashed a fair number of them. Others noticed the frogs and then moved on walking as if the frogs were not there. One person tiptoed around the frogs all week afraid they would kill a frog. One afternoon, two little kids stopped all excited to watch and study the frogs. They carefully picked them up and moved them to the safety of the grass. They asked their parents all about where the frogs came from and how they grew to be frogs. They were captivated by these little animals, longing to learn more and keep them safe.

I have been thinking a lot about those frogs and how people responded. How we respond to the frogs may correspond to home sometimes we respond to people. Some people go through life intent on their goal and unaware of how their behavior impacts others. Other people notice their impact on the people around them, but don’t really care as long as they get where they are going. Others live in constant anxiety that they might offend or harm another and so they go through life tiptoeing around trying to avoid any conflict. Some are like the kids just fascinated by people and wanting to know more about them. Most of us are all of these people and more depending on the situation.

In life, I most want to be and most often am the child fascinated by the frogs and other people, delighting in the beauty God has placed in each of us. Rarely am I the “tiptoer,” though I did try to avoid all those baby frogs. Sometimes, I imagine I am unaware of the ways I have stepped on others and harmed them. And sadly, on occasion, I have seen others and worried more about accomplishing my goals than caring for them. For those last two, I am truly sorry.

How might you be more aware this week of your impact on others? How might we intentionally find delight in one another?
– 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.

We have been spending the past few weeks thinking about how God’s mission for the world has a church. As we think about the role of the church in God’s mission, his deep longing to see people from every tribe, people, and language returning to God in worship, we have looked at three key teachings from Jesus that inform our role in this mission. First, we focused on the Great Commission in Matthew 28. Two weeks ago we looked to the Great Commandment in Matthew 22. And this week, we will focus on the Great Mission of Jesus in Luke 4.

This Sunday we celebrate with Ryan and Rachel Kleinjans the baptism of their son Rhett Michael.  As they celebrate his life, we give thanks to God for the gift of new life he has made available to all who believe. We thank God as well for the covenant he has established all the way back with Abraham to include children in his family. We honor this faithful God as we welcome Rhett Michael into the covenant community at Zion.

Grow in Community
Summer is a great time to try out new ways to serve in at Zion. if you are interested in serving on one of our welcome teams, now is the time to try it out a few times over the summer! if you are already on a team or want to try it out, you can sign up to serve as an usher, greeter, or to help at the child check in station here.

Starting last week, we have switched to our summer mode in Zion Kids! We’ll be running a nursery, and a simplified program for kids 3 yrs.-going into 3rd grade (all together). We read Bible stories to kids in small groups, pray, do crafts & play with them.  It’s really fun, and a great way to get to know the kids!  To make this happen, we need your help! Would you be willing to serve In kids ministry two times over the summer months?  We’re looking for young grandparents, teenagers, parents, and people who enjoy being around kids.  We’ll make sure to pair summer volunteers alongside our regular kids ministry people.   All adults over 18 years old must go through Keeping Kids Safe training and a background check prior to serving with kids.  If needed, Rachel will contact you to set up a time to go over our policies. These really are fun Summer Sundays with extra time to get to know the kids a bit more! You can sign up through the links below, or via a sign up sheet outside of Room 205, or by texting Rachel at 616-669-3412.  Thanks for considering supporting our kids & young families!
Summer Kids Ministry  
Nursery

Serve the World
Camp Zion is starting in just over a week! Currently, we have 45 kids registered for camp. Two-thirds are returning campers and one-third are new campers from West and Grandview elementary. The theme verse for the year is Luke 10:27 which says: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” IN addition, the campers will be studying the 10 commandments over the 6 weeks of camp. If you are interested in helping out with Camp Zion, there are sign-ups below fro donations and volunteering.
Camp Zion Snack Donations
Camp Zion Amazon Wish List
Camp Zion Volunteer Sign Ups

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: $20,522.34
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $29,733.17
Giving Last Week: $7,897.50