Friends,

In light of our decision to cancel tonight’s service due to the blizzard warning and dangerous road conditions, we wanted to offer something on this Christmas weekend for you to use to ponder the gift of our Savior.   We encourage you to use it this weekend on your own or with others.

1.  Read the following scripture passages:

            Luke 2:1-20

            Matthew 1:18-25

2.  Watch the following Christmas video from the series called “The Chosen” (21 min.):

           The Shepherd

            Consider or discuss with others:

            a.  What do you think it was like for the shepherds (dirty, smelly and considered lower class) to be some of the first to know through the majestic angel visit?

            b.  How were Mary and Joseph faithful to God despite hardship?

            c.  In the video, the shepherds said “People must know”.  How can you help share the good news of Jesus with others?  Who can you tell?

            d.  Read Isaiah 9:6-7.  How do you need to experience that from the Savior today?

            e.  The video ends with “Have you found a spotless lamb for sacrifice?”  Ponder what it means for Jesus to be the spotless lamb.

3.  Spend time in prayer: thanking God for sending Jesus the Savior, praying for those you know who need to find hope and salvation through Christ, and lifting up any hurts, fears or struggles to Him.

(Note:  The Chosen series is available for free on https://www.angel.com/watch/the-chosen and is also available through Amazon Prime.  Two full seasons have been released and there is another Christmas video available through the website at the end of season 2.  My family has recently started watching these and have found them inspiring and helpful for reflecting on the work of Christ)

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Steve

Zion E-News (12-15-2022)
Recently I had the opportunity to go and hear the GR Symphony orchestra practice for their upcoming Christmas Pops concert. It was their “Dress Rehearsal” so we got to hear a couple of the songs more than once. It was really cool to listen in and enjoy those songs we’ve come to know as Christmas songs. The GR Choir was also there and they sounded great as well. The closing number was the Hallelujah Chorus. That one always brings a smile to my face.

The Christmas season is here and usually what comes along with it is the busyness of making sure everything is just right. From present buying to family gatherings, generally centered around food, there are all kinds of emotions we tend to deal with. Stress, anxiety, excitement, and joy are just a few of those emotions. Usually the excitement and joy are seen in young children as they marvel at all the lights, decorations, and presents that all of a sudden seem to appear under the tree. You can’t help but smile seeing those little faces light up.

This time of year brings out a lot of different things in people. But, not always what we think. The holidays are also a reminder of what has happened in the past. Those memories can be the source of joy we look for or the tears of times gone by. Loved ones that are no longer with us. The holidays can be exceptionally hard for some.

I was visiting one of our shut-in’s and we reminisced about all the fun things we could remember and shared some of those. It brought some smiles and laughter but it also brought back those memories of the things they use to do to prepare for this time of year. Something as simple as the joy of going out and getting gifts is no longer possible. The bigger issues are, of course, the fact that loved ones are no longer here to share in the festivities. This is true for my wife and I as well as we deal with the loss of my dad just a couple of months ago. With all of our parents now gone, we are the parents and grandparents that our family looks to. That’s a bit of an eye opener.

All that being said, I think it’s a great time to re-look at the holiday season, Christmas in particular. With all that’s going on, the real reason for Christmas can sometimes be pushed back or somewhat forgotten. The true joy of the season can be rediscovered though. “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6. I know. We have heard that verse so many times we tend to gloss over it. But take the time to really ponder that. Jesus Christ is everything we need any time of the year. He came into the world for one purpose. So that we can have hope. We can have eternity with Him and with our loved ones.

Let me finish with this blessing for you found in Jude. “Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Take the time to ponder that as well. “To present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Now, that’s a gift and the true joy of the season.
~Pastor Rick

Connect to God

AS WE 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.

CHRISTMAS EVE Candlelight Service: Join us at 6:30PM on Christmas Eve for a Candlelight Service to celebrate the birth of our Savior. In place of individual candles, we are trying something different his year – glowsticks! No messy wax, no burnt hands, and a take home that kids will enjoy! At the close of the service, we’ll form a large circle around the sanctuary and watch the light pass around the room.  We hope to see you there. Invite a family member or friend. Note: We will not have a service on Sunday morning, December 25. Unable to attend on Christmas Eve? A link to the video recording from Christmas Eve will be available on our website if you want to watch it on Christmas Day (or anytime after).

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL: Words Of Hope has made available a Advent Devotional for the month of December. The Waiting With Joy Advent Calendar comes as two versions: an adult devotional and a young families devotional! Along with the daily devotional, there are craft ideas, daily activities, countdown cards, and a calendar. All materials are available to download and print at https://www.woh.org/adventcalendar/ .

Grow in Community
PRAYER REQUESTS: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health problems.

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 LEADERS MEETING: Jan 8th following morning worship service. All Zion Kids teachers and helpers are asked to attend.  Meet in youth room.

CHRISTMAS CARD DELIVERY SERVICE: The Middle School Youth are offering a holiday card delivery service! Now through Christmas Eve, you can place your cards in the big post office box in the narthex and the youth will sort them and place them in the appropriate church mailbox. In exchange for this service, we ask that you make a donation to the Jr. High Youth to help support their summer mission trip. There is a jar on top of the post office box that you can place your donation in. Thank You!

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.

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:  $287,312.76
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $268,362.91
Giving Last Week: $16,656.95
Thanksgiving Offering Total: $10,779.95