11-3-22 E-News
Zion E-News (11-3-2022)
I want to remind you of two upcoming dates and then ask you to do something for each of them. The first is this Sunday, November 6. It has been designated as the International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians. We don’t realize how many Christians are persecuted and oppressed around the world. This past winter, I had the opportunity to provide biblical teaching through a translator at a conference on the other side of the globe. About 25 Christians from highly persecuted countries were able to attend to learn, worship and encourage one another. Some worshiped with other Christians for the first time. At least one of these believers has spent time in prison since that conference. We can’t comprehend how blessed we are to have the freedom to worship publicly.
What can you do? The best thing you can do is regularly pray for Christians who are persecuted for their faith. Pray that these brothers and sisters in Christ will stay strong as they live out their faith and share it with others despite the dangers. You can learn more, read stories and find helpful resources and prayer guides at websites like these: www.persecution.com and www.opendoorsusa.org
A second upcoming event is Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). Each of us who are at least 18 years old have the right as a citizen of the United States to vote. This isn’t just a right, it’s a privilege and a responsibility. Voting is one way that a Christian can impact the culture and can have a voice in local, state and national legislation. 
What can you do? Vote! Take time to research the candidates and the proposals. Let God’s Word guide your decisions. Then complete an absentee ballot or head to the polls on Tuesday to let your voice be heard. Pray as well for candidates and outcomes. Perhaps you can give someone a ride, volunteer at a voting precinct or encourage others to vote.
Praying for persecuted Christians and exercising our right to vote are two things that we can do in the coming week. They are two ways that we can make a difference. I’ll be praying for persecuted Christians. My absentee ballot has already been dropped off at the Byron Center Township building. How about you?
~ Pastor Steve
Connect to God
AS GATHER in person for Worship each Sunday at 9:30am the service can also be viewed on our website 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 on Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
Grow in Community
PRAYER REQUESTS: Sandy VerWys has been on a second chemo pill for 3 weeks now with no new side effects. She is still short of breath but recovers more quickly and her coughing is improved. She has been seeing the oncologist weekly and he is overall pleased with her progress. Praise God! She has a long way to go but improvement nonetheless. She thanks her Zion family for the cards and prayers. Ryleigh MacGraw was released from the hospital Monday afternoon on an oral antibiotic. We praise God for answered prayers! Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health problems.
DO YOU like to bake? We are looking for volunteers to make (or purchase) cookies to serve at coffee time after worship. If you would be willing to provide cookies occasionally please call or text Dianne Kooiker at 616-538-3179.
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.
ZION KIDS: Christmas program practices will be held on 11/6, 11/13, 11/20 & 12/4. Kids will meet in room 205 for 30 minutes following the worship service. A dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10. 9:00am-10:30am and the program will be on Sunday, December 11 at 9:30am.
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.
YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling Key Card Books ($30) and God’s Creation Calendars ($10) to help fund their summer mission trip. If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase either of these items please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.
Daylight Saving Time ends November 6 at 2:00PM.
Don’t forget to set your clocks back Saturday night!
Serve the World
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
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: $225,745.74
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $187,283.16
Giving Last Week: $5,932.35
