Zion E-News (6-30-2022)
Zion E-News (6-30-2022)
My wife and I have recently enjoyed watching Love on the Spectrum on Netflix (There are two seasons from Australia and one from the U.S. on Netflix). It’s a reality television show that follows people with autism and other special needs as they navigate the difficult world of dating. Some of the dates are set up by the T.V. show, some dates are found through dating apps, some try a speed dating event, and some are already dating.
What I love most about the show is how sweet and endearing the relationships are as they form. But the reason I started watching it is the same reason I choose to watch 1/4 of the shows I watch. That reason is to understand another human’s perspective. As I watch Love on the Spectrum, I gain a better understanding of what it might be like to be a person on the autism spectrum. I better understand the mind of one of my Kid’s Hope students, some of our youth group students, and some of our Camp Zion kids. I’ve found myself more able to be compassionate and patient with those on the spectrum because of what I’ve learned. Grace shows up in me where I might have been frustrated or judgmental before.
In addition to watching a show about people with autism, I also try to watch shows with female lead characters, people of color as lead characters, and shows with the majority of actors being people of color. I do this to support these shows, hoping to help balance the scales of a white dominated industry and culture. But I also watch to understand the world and worldview of women, people of color, and people with special needs.
We follow a God of compassion and grace. And if we want to love others well who are different from us, it is important that we set aside our worldview and culture in order to understand another’s.
This week, my challenge to you is to try to do one thing to understand someone else’s world. Maybe that looks like watching a different kind of show, or watching something that isn’t originally in English (it may require turning on those subtitles), or reading a book with female or people of color lead characters, or attending a hispanic festival, or listening to a different genre of music, or trying to learn more about a co-worker or acquaintance. Whatever you choose, try approaching it with a posture of learning and grace over judgment and frustration. You might find that God is unlocking a passion for loving a new type of people in your life. What a great opportunity to expand God’s kingdom!
– Jeremy
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 will not be having a sermon series for the summer. Instead we look forward to stand alone messages from a variety of voices:
July 3: Pastor Rick Vanderwall
July 10: Alaska Mission Trip Service – Six of our youth: Ella Bond, Noah Brower, Hope Eriks, Samantha Eriks, Emily Verbrugge, and Josh Verbrugge will be preaching 5 minute sermons spaced throughout the worship service.
July 17: Pastor Rick Vanderwall
July 24: Pastor Jeremy Zoet
July 31: Andrew Moore (Zion Member who is an ordained pastor in the RCA)
August 7: Eddy Aleman (General Secretary of the RCA)
August 14: Randy Weener (RCA Director of Church Multiplication)
August 21: Likely our new Transition Pastor, Steve Petroelje
August 28: Likely our new Transition Pastor, Steve Petroelje
Grow in Community
SHAREHOLDERS: Next Sunday, July 10 is the Shareholder’s appreciation lunch. It will be held in the sanctuary following the youth led worship service (approximately 11:15am). During dessert you will be matched up with your student so that you can hear all about their trip. The only thing you need to bring is your appetite.
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.
Some of you may be wondering who will be in charge of Zion Kids now that Rachel Brower will no longer be in that role. Thankfully, many of our leaders have been quick to step up and fill the gap. Following are those who have stepped up and what they will be doing to help us in this time of transition.
Nursery Coordinator – Becky Harkes
Summer Kids Coordinator – Katie Wagner with recruiting help from Jacki Dieter
Child CheckIn Coordinator – Kelly Osterink
Summer Events – Heidi Ondersma
Pre-school Coordinator – Tami Hewitt
K-3rd Coordinator – Heidi Ondersma
Pre-teen Coordinator – Jerrod Holzgen
Christmas Program Director – Emily Morehouse
Administrative/Tech Coordinator – Matt Eling and various staff
Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to help Zion Kids continue to disciple and care for the youngest members of our church.
This week is the 4th of July Holiday weekend! Zion Kids will NOT be meeting next week Sunday. This means people 3 years and older will be staying through the entire service. We will be holding nursery as we do every week.
We have switched to our summer mode in Zion Kids! Every week (besides July 3) 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, Pastor Jeremy 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 Katie Wagner at 616-994-2880 or Jacki Deiter at 616-437-4791. Thanks for considering supporting our kids & young families!
Summer Kids Ministry
Nursery
Serve the World
Camp Zion started this week! Rachel Verbrugge and our Camp Zion staff and volunteers are doing a great job welcoming kids, learning names, playing games, doing crafts, learning about God and so much more. This ministry is helping so many families in our community and is providing healthy social interaction, some learning, food (snacks), and the love of God to some kids who really need it. Currently, we have 45 kids registered for camp and have had 35-45 kids each day. 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 for 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 look forward to our Transition Pastor, Steve Petroelje, starting at Zion on Monday, August 15.
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: $41,044.68
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $40,862.30
Giving Last Week: $6,487.30
