9-22-22 E-News
Zion E-News (9-22-2022)
In recent years, I’ve enjoyed increasing the amount of times I play golf. I consider myself an average golfer. I won’t be trying out for a U.S. Open qualifying event! Each round, there are shots or putts I celebrate. Then there are shots that don’t go as planned or don’t go nearly as far as I had envisioned before the swing. If you golf, you know it’s a humbling sport.
For some reason, I find delight in the midst of a round when I find golf balls. It’s not that they are of immense value. Of course, I lose golf balls from time to time, so ending the round with more in my bag than I started with feels good. Golf balls come in different brands, colors and designs. Some that I find are clean, some are very dirty, and some have come into contact with a mower blade.
Luke 15 contains three parables Jesus taught. These parables (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) show us that spiritually lost people matter deeply to God. In fact, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). God can redeem us through the blood of Christ – regardless of how messy our past has been, our background, age, skin color, or past hurt.
We rejoice when we find a lost set of keys, a misplaced wallet or even a dirty golf ball. Do we care about spiritually lost and hurting people? Do we celebrate when prodigal sons and daughters return home? Or do we act more like the older son who sat outside angry and pouting over the grace shown to his rebellious brother? Do we welcome people into the life of the church who have been away from the church or perhaps have no church background?
If the angels rejoice, so should we. Here at Zion, the mission is “growing disciples who make disciples.” Every new disciple or growing disciple is a reason to praise God. It’s ok to look for lost golf balls, but it’s way more important to be involved in the privilege of helping spiritually lost people know and love Jesus. How can you be involved in that effort at Zion, in your home, in your neighborhood, at your workplace, or in your school?
On a related note, hopefully you had an opportunity to attend the input gathering this past Sunday or watch the recording that was sent out along with a link to the google survey. Remember to complete the survey by this Sunday. The input will help us assess how Zion can be even more effective at making disciples.
~ Pastor Steve
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 10:30AM (note change in time) next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
THIS SUNDAY we begin a new message series called “The Church”. This four-week series will look to God’s Word to provide a definition of what the Church is, what essentials each church should be carrying out and how a local church like Zion can faithfully focus outward (outreach), inward (discipleship) and upward (worship).
Grow in Community
TOM BOEVE is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health problems.
CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew and Ellen Moore on the birth of of their daughter Lucy Jade. Lucy was born at 9:14pm on September 15 weighing 6lb 12oz and was 19.5” long. Both mom and baby are doing well and Elliot is enjoying being promoted to big brother status.
WE EXPRESS our sympathy to Steve and Amy Mott, Ellie and Sydney in the passing of their father/grandfather Thomas Hollen on Sunday, September 18. Visitation will be held at Park Church in Grand Rapids on October 7 from 5-8PM Funeral service will be at 11:00AM on October 8 with a visitation one hour prior to the service.
SANDY VERWYS lung cancer, which has been under control for almost 5 years, has now spread to her liver and brain. She is currently feeling fine, just scrambling to get all the additional scans, tests and biopsies done. She is being considered for a clinical research study through Astra Zeneca. Please pray that she will be accepted into this program and that she will continue to feel well through the process.
ZION KIDS: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. All Zion Kids must be picked up by a parent (please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child) following worship. The nursery will be staffed for kids birth – 3 yrs. Preschoolers meet in room 206. K-2nd graders meet in room 205. 3rd – 5th graders meet in room 207.
WE ARE starting to plan a family camping opportunity for summer 2023 at Dunes Harbor Family Camp in Silver Lake. While we don’t have a specific date (this will be determined later in October), we would like to determine if there is sufficient interest to move forward. If you would like to join us, please sign up ( you are not obligated at this time) on the bulletin board by the church office. Questions? Please talk to Pastor Rick or Jonell VanderWall.
ZION YOUTH: Regular weekly meetings begin this Sunday.
High School Youth Group (9th-12th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 4 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
Serve the World
A SPECIAL OFFERING to support the Benevolence Fund will be received on Sunday, October 2. Zion’s Benevolence Fund balance is running low. Benevolent funds are managed by the Deacons and are used to help people in the church or surrounding community through financially-difficult times.
DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”. Laundry Soap, Bar Soap, Dish Soap, Disposable Razors, Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothpaste, Paper Grocery Bags,, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads , Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and Toilet paper (1-4 pack).
HAND2HAND could use donations of the following food: Snack Pack / Jello pudding cups, bags of cracker or snack cracker packs,rice krispie treats (prepackaged), granola bars, slim jim beef snack sticks, fruit snacks, and microwave popcorn.
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
LAST CALL: If you would like any books from our library they are in room 207 and are free for the taking until the beginning of October, when the remaining books will be donated.
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 2022/23 Budget: $164,178.72
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $136,303.46
Giving Last Week: $6,404.50
