Zion E-News 8-10-23

ZION E-NEWS (8-10-23)

This summer I’ve been paying attention to people’s stories. From people experiencing homelessness in Nashville, to church staff or Blacktop Rec kids at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, to kids at Camp Zion, everyone I’ve encountered has had a story. When we take time to listen and hear parts of people’s stories, we can come to a greater understanding of what someone is going through. This summer I’ve heard stories from Camp Zion kids who have experienced getting evicted from their house, another who moved into a new place that was infested with mice and mice droppings, and another who is so excited to have a play date with a friend they met at Camp Zion. In each story I hear, there is something to learn. I’ll ask myself, what is God trying to teach me through this story? Is God building a new compassion in me for others? Is God teaching me about gratitude? Is God challenging me to be more generous with my time or finances?

Jesus was a great story teller. We spent the last few months on Sunday mornings looking at just a few of the parables he told – the stories Jesus told to teach us something about the Kingdom of God. Matthew 13:34-35 says, “Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.’”

Jesus used parables (stories) to teach us great truths of the world. He can also speak to you through stories in the lives of people around you. Will you take the time to listen to what God has to say? Take just a moment to think of someone’s story you have heard recently. What might God be saying to you through this story?

~Pastor Jeremy

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
THIS IS Pastor Steve’s last Sunday with us.Following the worship service we will celebrate him and his service to Zion with ice cream sundaes. We encourage you to write a card or note of thanks and place it in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and we will present them to him on August 13. (Blank cards are available in the back of the sanctuary for your convenience.)

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.

TWO CAMPING SPOTS have opened up for Zion’s family camping weekend (September 22-24) at Dunes Harbor. This happens to be their Harvest weekend so there will be some special events like a campground wide Trunk or Treat, tractor wagon ides, archery, hatchets, scavenger hunt, worship in the pavilion, evening movie, plus more.  If you are interested contact Pastor Rick or Jonell.
If you are interested contact Pastor Rick or Jonell.

THREADS CLOTHING MINISTRY is having a huge end of the season sale on Saturday, August 12 from 9am-1pm.  All summer clothing, shoes, and accessories (newborn through adult sizes) are priced at $1 each.  100% of the profit from this sale is used to purchase new clothing needs for this ministry.  This sale is open to the public.  Please help spread the word about the sale and follow us on facebook and instagram (threadsclothingministry) for more information about Threads.

ALL BUILDING AND GROUNDS issues or concerns should be directed to Troy Austin. You can reach him via email at troymaustin@gmail.com or call or text him at (616) 914-0141.

SERVE THE WORLD
HELP STUFF THE BUS! We partnered with Love Your Neighbor to provide backpacks and supplies for their Stuff The Bus campaign.  If you took a slip please return the backpack and supplies with the tag on the outside of the backpack by this Sunday, Aug. 13 or contact Tom MacGraw to make other arrangements to get it to him. Thank you!

WE ARE collecting toothbrushes and  tubes of toothpaste through August to meet our goal of providing toothbrushes and toothpaste to all of our Personal Care Pantry, Hand2Hand, and Threads participants in September. Donations can be placed in the Personal Care Pantry box in the narthex.  Thank you!

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!

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) 315-7938.

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:  $115,429.50
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $95,698.50
Giving Last Week: $8,724.45