6-8-23 E-News
ZION E-NEWS (6-8-23)
Upcoming Mini-Sabbatical
In 2015 I was blessed to experience a sabbatical. It was my first sabbatical since becoming ordained in 1999 and the only one I’ve had in the past 24 years. A sabbatical is an intentional time of rest and learning. It is valuable for those in pastoral ministry, higher education, and other vocational roles. Many churches, including Zion, offer their pastors a sabbatical after seven years of service. This fits the biblical concept of a sabbath.
As a Transition Pastor, I am normally in one church setting for 12 months. That makes it difficult to build up seven years for a sabbatical! However, earlier this year, the Reformed Church in America provided pastors an opportunity to apply for a mini-sabbatical. These are 2-3 week times away for rest and personal growth. Since it has been more than seven years since I experienced a sabbatical, I did three things.
1) I approached Zion’s exec team and asked for the equivalent of one week away
for my one year of service here. They graciously agreed and I’m grateful for
that gift.
2) I applied for the RCA funding and received some finances to help cover a
portion of the mini-sabbatical expenses.
3) I decided to use my week of continuing education along with the week granted
and the funding provided and plan out a two week mini-sabbatical from June
26-July 10.
During the first week, my wife and I will be getting away together and exploring the Seattle/Mt. Rainier/Olympic National Park region. During the second week, I will be attending a “Soul of a Pastor” retreat in Colorado. Along with personal study and group sharing/reflection under the leadership of a spiritual advisor, we will spend portions of the time fly-fishing. I’ve never fly-fished before. As my children get older, I know that I need to learn some new hobbies and skills that can enrich my soul, help me enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, and provide intrigue for years to come. Whether that will be fly-fishing or not is yet to be determined!
I’m grateful for this opportunity. I would appreciate your prayers when that time comes and I’m away for a couple of weeks. I trust God will use it to draw me closer to Him and enrich my soul.
Resting in His grace,
~ 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.
ZION KIDS has switched over to our summer programming.Through Sept 3, we will hold one combined class each week for kids ages 3yrs old through 3rd grade. We will sing songs, watch a Bible story video, pray together and have some playtime while service is happening in the sanctuary. Children should check in at the child check in station each week as usual.
GROW IN COMMUNITY
PLEASE JOIN US for a special Prayer Service on Sunday, June 11. We will meet in the Youth Room after morning worship to spend time praying for the Lead Pastor Search Team and the search process. A prayer guide will be distributed.
PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for the High School youth group as they serve in Nashville this week. Continue to pray for our Search Team, Matt Eling, Jill Austin, Ken Cook, Kathy MacGraw, Andrew Moore, Patti Steere, Kyle VanderWall, and Pastor Steve. Pray for those in our congregation who have ongoing health issues.
THANK YOU for your prayers and support for our grandson Cole. He is doing very well. His recent bone biopsy was clear. We serve an awesome God! ~Cliff and Deb Tanis
CONGRATULATIONS to Garrett and Kenzie (Sanders) Farney on the birth of a baby girl, Breslyn Jane Farney on June 1. Both mom and baby are doing well.
TO OUR ZION FAMILY, This past Sunday was absolutely great. The worship and fellowship, awesome! Thank you so much for all the cards, the kind words, words of encouragement, gifts, and all the love you have shown to Jonell and I. To be able to work with some really great people and take care of the church (building and people) has been the best “job” a person could ever have. I am thankful for all of you and look forward to continuing to worship with you for many years to come. May God bless you. With our love, Rick and Jonell
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.
DEAR CHURCH, We wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to you for your partnership with us this school year. Thank you for your commitment to our JPS students and families, and your continued support of our program. We see the impact and appreciate all you do in our community. Have a wonderful summer! ~JPS Parent Liaisons~Mary Veldink, Beth Morey and Kris Faber
SERVE THE WORLD
HAND2HAND is looking for volunteers to deliver food to Grandview Elementary School. Delivery would be every Wednesday or Thursday between 3:30-4:00PM beginning in the fall and continue weekly during the regular school year schedule. Food is packed in totes so volunteers would need to be able to lift the totes which can weigh up to 40lbs. Contact Sheila Johnson or Shawn Sanders if you have more questions or would like to help.
CAMP ZION will begin on June 19 and we have some items we could use on our wish list. Recyclable items include: paper towel tubes, egg cartons & empty cereal boxes. We also have some items on our Amazon Wish List. Any items you would care to donate can be placed in the Camp Zion donation box near the church mailboxes or shipped directly to church.
SUMMER is a great time to try out new ways to serve at Zion! It is also the time of year that people who are looking for a church home tend to visit and we want them to feel welcomed! We all know that first impressions are important! Our First Impressions Team is looking for volunteers to make coffee, serve as an usher, greeter, or to help at the child check in station. All of these tasks are very easy, require minimal time commitment and you can pick your own schedule! Click here to sign-up through Sign-Up-Genius or call Connie in the church office at 616-534-7533 ext. 3 and she can help you with scheduling!
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).
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Tom MacGraw, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is thomas.m.macgraw@gmail.com and his phone number is 616-724-3312.
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 2023/24 Budget: $11,542.95
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $11,183.45
Giving Last Week: $11,183.45
