E-News (4-5-23)
ZION E-NEWS (4-5-23)
Celebrating the Death and Resurrection of Jesus
In the midst of spring break travel, stormy weather, or wrapping up tax returns; we can be easily distracted during this Holy Week. We must not lose sight of the importance of Christ’s death and resurrection. The core of our faith hinges on the fact that Jesus was victorious over sin and death.
The body of Jesus is not still buried somewhere outside of Jerusalem. He arose and is alive! Although we painfully suffer the grief of losing loved ones and although each of us will someday have our name in an online obituary (unless Christ returns first!), death does not have to get the final word. Our faith is not futile. Our efforts as individuals and as a congregation are not in vain. Christ will come and those who belong to him through faith will gloriously live with him forever. For believers, death is the start of new life with God in heaven; it’s a beginning, not the end.
In the midst of everything else in our life; let’s make sure to remember and ponder the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross, take advantage of each opportunity to worship, celebrate the life changing implication of his resurrection, and live for him.
How can you take time to read from the Bible what Christ has accomplished? Perhaps you want to use the suggested passages that were on the back of Sunday’s message outline (linked here). We hope if you are in town, you will attend Thursday’s 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday service and Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. Easter service at Zion. Is there someone you can invite to join you? We have so much to give thanks for and celebrate during this Holy Week.
Celebrating together that HE LIVES!
~ Pastor Steve
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.
OUR Maundy Thursday Communion Service will be held at 6:30PM on Thursday, April 6. Nursery will be available. 
GROW IN COMMUNITY
WE ARE UPDATING our online church database to include photos and we need your help! Andrew Moore and Cece Johnson will be taking individual/family photos after our worship service on Sunday, April 9, 16, and 23. Connie Stegeman will upload the photos to Breeze, our online database. This will eventually serve as a great reference tool for the new Lead Pastor to connect names with faces. All you need to do is step up and say CHEESE ! We will even e-mail you a copy of your photo upon request just for participating!
PRAYER REQUESTS: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.
CONGRATULATIONS to Zion’s March Madness Contest winners! Caleb Brower took 1st Place and Michael Kempema, Colton Ondersma, Pastor Steve and Pastor Rick tied for 2nd place.
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.
SHAREHOLDERS: Our high school youth are looking for Shareholders for their 2023 Mission Trip to Nashville. Detailed information can be found in your church mailbox or on the round table with the donation box on it in the narthex.
SERVE THE WORLD
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The nursery is looking for a few more volunteers to serve in the nursery on Sunday mornings. Volunteers serve about one time every five weeks. If you are interested in helping, please contact Becky Harkes at (616) 889-3396, rebeccaharkes@gmail.com, or in person after church.
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 jerrod.holzgen@gmail.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: $451,491.48
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $447,787.30
Giving Last Week: $9,684.45
