Zion E-News 9-28-23
ZION E-NEWS (9-28-23)
Tips For Welcoming A New Pastor
When a congregation welcomes a new pastor, it is an exciting time, a new beginning for both the congregation and the new minister. Sunday is a big day in the life of Zion Reformed Church as we welcome our new Lead Pastor, Rev. Marcia Pratt.
Here are a few tips on how to welcome a new pastor:
- Pray for your new pastor. In most of the churches I know, members pray for the Pastor Search Team throughout the search process, and they pray for the pastor even before they know the identity of their new minister. And they pray for their new pastor in the pastor’s inaugural days of ministry. However, I suggest making a commitment to pray daily for your pastor throughout the duration of his or her ministry. Once the honeymoon period is over, and the daily grind of ministry begins, praying for your pastor will strengthen your pastor’s ministry and will fortify your bond with your pastor.
- Pray for your new pastor’s family. Your pastor’s family faces unique challenges and makes many sacrifices. They are leaving their former church community behind and starting over. They may be excited to join this new church family but may also be grieving what they are leaving behind. Pray for them to make meaningful friendships and for Zion to feel like a place they can call home.
- Send your pastor a welcome note or email. No expectations or personal agendas. Just offer a brief note, introducing yourself and/or family, and offering a heartfelt welcome. When I moved to may last pastorate, I received over a 100 such notes, and these notes confirmed and intensified my excitement about my new place of service.
- Mention your name on your first several encounters with your new pastor. Once your new pastor arrives, make sure to offer your name in each greeting for the first few weeks. Wear name tags. Even if name tags are not a tradition, the congregation can wear them for a few weeks to help the pastor learn names. And be sure not to embarrass the pastor by quizzing, “Do you remember my name?” Keep in mind they are learning a couple hundred new names and faces. Give your pastor the opportunity to learn your name, and over time, to learn a part of your life story.
- Embrace the uniqueness of your pastor. Your pastor has a distinct personality, a unique set of spiritual gifts, and a diverse set of experiences. When the Spirit leads a church to a new pastor, the Spirit seldom leads a church or committee to a person just like the previous pastor or the beloved pastor from the church’s history. To compare your new pastor to any other is to disrespect the Spirit’s role in guiding you to your new pastor in the first place.
- Give your pastor permission to fail. The best pastors don’t succeed 100% of the time. A few weeks into one of my pastoral assignments, a sincere church member said to me, “I am glad you’re here. Every pastor I have had has disappointed me. I hope you never disappoint me.” I quickly countered, “Let me just disappoint you right now and get it out of the way. Like you I am an imperfect human being who will make mistakes. But if we forgive one another as God has forgiven us, we will get along just fine.” I must admit, I think my response disappointed this well-intentioned member. Don’t hold your pastor to a standard of perfection that is impossible to maintain. Allow your minister room to make mistakes.
- Speak positively about your pastor publicly and privately. One of the ways we bring out the best in our ministers is to speak well of them publicly and privately. With most pastors, it is easy to find something to criticize, because every minister has weaknesses. “He is too loud.” “She is too soft-spoken.” “He uses big words I don’t understand.” “She is not a people person.” Being a pastor requires having a widely diverse skill set. However, every pastor has more strengths than weaknesses. A healthy pastoral tenure is nurtured when we magnify around our pastor’s strengths, and then minimize and compensate for our pastor’s weaknesses.
There are many other ways to welcome your new pastor and to launch your pastor into an effective and healthy tenure. If you compare them to your favorite football coach and expect them to “win every game,” not only will you be disappointed, you will make your minister miserable and ultimately ineffective.
But if you receive your new pastor as a spiritual leader sent to encourage your faithfulness, challenge your presuppositions, and to bring out God’s best in you, the relationship between your pastor and your congregation will be vibrant and effective.
As church members, we are privileged to co-labor with our pastor in the transformative work of demonstrating grace, sharing the good news, and equipping disciples.
Adapted from: The Center for Healthy Churches
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: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. 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. Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!
ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings are on Sunday’s at the following times:
High School Youth(9-12 grade) meet from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth (6-8th grade) meet from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
GROW IN COMMUNITY
A big thanks to Rick and Jonell VanderWall for putting together this year’s church campout at Dunes Harbor Family Camp! We had a great time eating meals together, talking around a campfire, making s’mores, swimming, playing games, getting ice cream, and trick or treating!
What I appreciate about events like a church campout is a time to just be with people. Conversations on Sunday mornings before or after church can feel rushed, they can get interrupted, and we can have a tendency to keep our conversations on a surface level. So it was nice for all of us on the campout to just be together, to joke around, to share fun stories, to make some memories, to encourage each other, and to talk about some real things going on in our lives. 
It was also a warm and sunny weekend. Spending most of our time outside in nature was good for the soul. Being in creation helps me to see God and reminds me of what Paul says in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” When we see God’s creation, we see God. We see God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. I encourage you to get outside in the days ahead and take some time to reflect on what God has created. Soak in who God is—powerful and divine—and find rest for your soul. -Pastor Jeremy
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
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.
NURSERY COORDINATOR: We are looking to hire a Nursery Coordinator. If you are interested in this position you can view the job description here. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Shanda VandePol (our P&A chair) at: shandavandepol@yahoo.com or at 616-308-0700.
YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling Key Card Books ($30) and 2024 God’s Creation Calendars ($10). 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.
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).
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: $196,230.15
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $161,436.49
Giving Last Week: $5,553.73
9-21-23 E-News
ZION E-NEWS (9-21-23)
Recently, my daughter Jade was preparing to lose her first tooth. The day the tooth started to get really wiggly, she happened to have her best friend Sophie over for a sleepover. I was playing with my youngest when I heard Jade, Sophie, and my oldest son Nick in the downstairs pocket bathroom. The mission was clear: Jade was going to lose that tooth. She had a friend and a brother with expert tooth losing experience by her side, coaching her through it. Both Nick and Sophie were offering suggestions on how to get the tooth out, warned her it might hurt a little, but ultimately let her pave her own way. They cheered her on as she wiggled and twisted and offered encouragement. Finally the tooth was out and the tiny room erupted with cheers and joy! Everyone was so proud and the best part (a visit from the tooth fairy) was still to come. 
I think three little kids determined to lose a tooth can offer us a good reminder about how the church and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ were designed to live. Can you imagine if you had a wiggly tooth and never knew anyone who had a tooth fall out of their mouth leaving a gaping, awkward hole? Too often, when we face an uncomfortable or painful situation, we feel alone in our experience. Loneliness can quickly lead to shame and isolation. When in reality, many have probably walked a similar road and are one vulnerable moment away from providing wisdom, encouragement, and comfort.
I actually had this experience of needing someone to talk to when I was going through personal hardship during Covid. I remember texting Pastor Greg in desperation asking if he knew anyone in the church who had gone through something similar and would be willing to talk to me. Thankfully, there was and they were willing to share their personal experience with me. They didn’t have to do that, as it was probably a humbling experience for them/both of us. But the comfort I felt in knowing I wasn’t alone provided hope in a time I really needed it.
Whether you are in the midst of a particular challenge that has you feeling completely alone, or you have been through an experience where you could have used a reminder you weren’t alone, I encourage you to cram in the pocket bathrooms of life and live authentically with others.
You are never alone, it may be painful, and also the testimony of God’s faithfulness through others lived experience is so powerful.
Romans 15:5-7
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
~Haley Stone
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: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. 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. Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!
ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings are on Sunday’s at the following times:
High School Youth(9-12 grade) meet from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth (6-8th grade) meet from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
GROW IN COMMUNITY
PRAYER REQUEST: Please keep Don Osterink in your prayers as he continues chemo treatment for his prostate cancer. Pray that the chemotherapy works and that he may have minimal side effects.Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
JOIN US on Monday, September 25 at 7:00PM for a special prayer gathering to lift up Pastor Marcia whose first day at Zion is Sunday, October 1. We will meet in the youth room.
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.
NURSERY COORDINATOR: We are looking to hire a Nursery Coordinator. If you are interested in this position you can view the job description here. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Shanda VandePol (our P&A chair) at: shandavandepol@yahoo.com or at 616-308-0700.
SERVE THE WORLD
THREADS shopping day on September 5 was wonderfully busy and absolutely spectacular! We had our highest number of families shop and the most amount of clothing given away! God just kept multiplying the clothing so we didn’t run out! Go God!!
Here are the numbers:
- 52 Families Shopped
- 212 people received clothing
- 1,318 pieces of clothing were given away!!!
- 43 Families used the PCP store
- 15 people received haircuts!
The new PCP store was a success and so was the hair salon! We received wonderful feedback from the families as they expressed their gratitude and excitement for these two new services we are providing. All praise and glory to our Lord!
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: $184,687.20
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $155,882.76
Giving Last Week: $$6,159.73
Zion E-News 9-14-23
ZION E-NEWS (9-14-23)
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Unity and Diversity in the Body
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
This fall, I have the opportunity to coach Eliza and Teddy’s soccer teams. With Eliza’s age group, the extent of coaching is making sure they’re kicking the ball in the right direction and cheering like crazy when they do something well.
With Teddy’s age group, coaching looks a bit different. He moved up a division, which comes with a larger field, more players, and specific positions that each have their own role to play in the larger game. The players all know their positions and are right where they need to be before the whistle blows. As the game is played, however, the tendency for the kids is to “creep” toward the ball – where the action is – and therefore become out of position. We’re teaching them the importance of being in position – playing their role – even if it feels like they’re not doing anything at the moment. We remind them that even though it FEELS like they’re not doing anything at the moment, they are – spreading the defense, protecting the weak side, freeing up space for their team mates, and being ready for the ball when it comes their way.
This reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians. As a team, as a community, as a church – we’re one body with many parts. We’ve all been given different gifts and roles to play and we need to lean into them. Every role matters, whether it’s where the visual action is right now or it’s serving faithfully behind the scenes. We are all an important part of the body of Christ and God uses all of us. Thank you all for faithfully praying for the church and serving in whatever capacity you’re able to in this season of your life. Your role matters and is valued.
~Ashley VanderWall
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: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. 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. Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!
ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings start this Sunday, Sept 17th.
High School Youth(9-12 grade) meet from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth (6-8th grade) meet from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
GROW IN COMMUNITY
ZION’S ANNUAL Keeping Kids Safe child protection policy training will be held this Sunday, Sept. 17. We will meet in the youth room following the morning worship service. This training is mandatory for all adults (and highly encouraged for those who are not yet 18) working with children & youth in any of our ministry programs. Please plan on attending one of these available classes.
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
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 are available 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.
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.
NURSERY COORDINATOR: We are looking to hire a Nursery Coordinator. If you are interested in this position you can view the job description here. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Shanda VandePol (our P&A chair) at: shandavandepol@yahoo.com or at 616-308-0700.
SERVE THE WORLD
HAND2HAND will be packing food bags this morning following worship. If you would like to help pack (it’s easy and it’s fun) head downstairs after worship and they will show you how!
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: $173,144.25
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $149,723.03
Giving Last Week: $22,508.00
9-7-23 E-News
ZION E-NEWS (9-7-23)
Does anyone else think that we continue to make things more and more difficult? Did you know that on average Starbucks has about 130 different type of drinks they offer? I still remember putting a quarter in an empty tin coffee can with a slit on the top and pouring my own coffee (2 types, regular and decaf). I remember when I was the TV remote using one hand to manually turn the knob and change the 3 channels on the TV and the other hand would move the rabbit ears (and we only had 1 TV). If you don’t know what rabbit ears are ask you parent or grandparent or find Pastor Rick and ask what he did before he cleaned and preached. Finally, there are over 179 million copies of religious books sold each year that in reality all come back to 1 book, the Bible. Don’t get me wrong, I love my choices at Starbucks and enjoy streaming and binge watch (no longer surfing), but I will admit I don’t pretend to read as many religious books now that Pastor Greg is gone and not “lending me” books I seriously never read but looked good on my shelf.
I know I make my walk with God too complicated or create goals to grow in my faith that are just not attainable. So here are three simple challenges that I am trying to do to improve my Christ journey. Perhaps you would like to give it a try as well.
1. For 1 week write down how many hours you spent using technology for entertainment. Then write down how many hours you spent in prayer talking to your Heavenly Father. Goal for the following week is simply to adjust that ratio by 3 – 5% with more time in prayer.
2. For that same week compare your hours spent in using technology for entertainment to reading the Bible and create the same small goals.
3. Finally, after you have heard the message from God on Sunday (or later if you watch or listen to the recording), decide for yourself or as a family what you were challenged with and how you want to behave differently that week. Continue to talk about this throughout the week as a family, small group Triad, or call me! Hold yourself accountable; don’t try doing it on your own.
Maybe we can agree to try to uncomplicate our walk with God during the month of September. Try taking baby steps that are attainable. Hold yourself accountable with your family, friends, or someone you can trust who will be real with you.
~Troy Austin
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: Our education year starts this Sunday! All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. 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. Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!
GROW IN COMMUNITY
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
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
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: $161,601.30
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $127,214.30
Giving Last Week: $8,554.95
