9-27-22 E-News
Zion E-News (9-29-2022)
The Fall season brings changes. There are the obvious changes like cooler temperatures and it’s getting darker earlier. However it can also be an enjoyable time of year. If you are into gardening for example, a lot of the things you planted are coming in and due for harvest. One tomato plant will generally feed the neighborhood as will the squash plants. Sometimes the biggest issue you deal with is how to get rid of the stuff. But, it is cool to see the end result of all the work you put into it all season long.
We also have raspberry plants by our fence. These are great and our neighbors really love them. The neighbors I am referring to are 6, 3, and 1ish. They are a joy. Anytime I am working in the backyard I am usually greeted by them and we have some great conversation. The other day my wife and I were in the house eating dinner and all of a sudden we hear some hollering outside and went out to see what was going on. It was my neighbors. They were out there calling my name because they wanted to tell me they had picked some of the raspberries that were hanging on their side of the fence. You see, I told them whatever was on their side they could eat. Well, they ran out but wanted more so I started picking them on my side and watching the joy on their face as they ate them up. Once we ran out, we tried to give them some tomatoes. That didn’t go over as well but the littlest one had no problem eating those just about as quickly as the raspberries. It wasn’t long before the two year old started picking what looked like berries that were on a weed plant. We told him that those are not good and you should throw them away. He was slightly confused because up to that point everything was edible. He didn’t understand and it took some convincing by his mom that we were right. They are not good. In our world today we have so many things available to us and not all of it is good. The problem is, as time goes by, it all begins to seem ok. Everything sort of blends together and, without guidance, we too could end up taking in the wrong things. I love my little neighbor friends just like my own grandkids and I don’t want to see them eat the wrong thing. Our Heavenly Father loves us even more and He too doesn’t want us to take in the wrong stuff. We need guidance as well. That’s why God has given us His Word, His scripture that we can use as our guide book on what is good for us and what is not. This is why it is so important to be in God’s Word daily. Without it, you will find yourself “blending” in with everything around you good or bad. Enjoy this time of year and next time you pick something to eat from some plant outside, remember to also “feast” on God’s Word.
~ Pastor Rick
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 continue our 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).
We will also celebrate communion, also called The Lord’s Supper, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the gospel, who are at peace with God and with their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with His people, the church.
ISRAEL STUDY TOUR– Journey to the Land of the Text May 1-15, 2023
Join Dr. Dan Kroeze, Professor of Biblical Studies at Kuyper College, Rev. Evan Heerema and Kuyper students on a fascinating journey through Israel, the land God chose to enact his redemptive story for the world. Experience the Bible in a new light and return home to serve the God who equips us to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Visit www.landofthetext.com for trip details, brochure and to register.
Grow in Community
PRAYER REQUEST: Steve Landstra received results from a recent scan that showed that the chemo he has been on the past several months is not working. There are more very small spots and some spots have grown. His doctor is checking to see if there are any clinical trials that fit his situation. Hopefully there will be a clinical trial available! If there is not, he will start a different chemo. They are also looking at other options. Steve has been feeling good, and we ask for prayers that this continues and that they find the right treatment for him. Pray for Deb Tanis as she prepares to have a pacemaker implanted on Friday, Oct. 7. Sydney Mott completed 9 out of 12 chemo treatments and continues to do well. Elle Mott is experiencing some side effects from treatment so for now oral chemo has been stopped but she continues to receive radiation treatments.
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 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: $174,439.89
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $153,418.86
Giving Last Week: $17,115.40
